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| About
Binoculars
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A binocular consists of two optical systems that
are joined by a hinge and share a common focusing mechanism, so
that a viewer can view images which are much closer.
Binoculars utilize prism system to bend
the light as it enters the objective lens and helps to magnify the image.
Binoculars come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, magnifying powers, and
different features to suit any purpose including
bird watching, sporting events, concerts, hunting, hiking, nature observation,
and etc..
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| Binocular
Terminology |
- Magnification or Power
Binoculars are referred to by two numbers
such as 7x35. These numbers is imprinted on the binocular body. The first number
is the magnification or power of the binocular. With a 7x35 binocular, a 7x power means
that you are magnifying something 7 times larger than you would see it
with the unaided eye. Please remember that as magnification increases,
brightness and field of view tend to decrease.
- Objective Lens Size
Binoculars are referred to by two numbers
such as 7x35. These numbers is
imprinted on the binocular body. The second number refers to the diameter of
the objective or front lens. The larger the objective lens size, the more
light it gathers, and the brighter the image.
- Exit Pupil
Refers to the size of the circle of
light visible at the eyepiece of a binocular. The larger the exit pupil, the
brighter the image, and the better they
are for low light situations. The exit
pupil is calculated by dividing the diameter of the objective lens by the magnification
power (a 7x35 model has an exit pupil of 5mm). An exit pupil size of 2 or 3 mm
is enough for viewing objects in daylight, an exit pupil size 5 or 6
mm is for dawn to dusk lighting, and 7 mm for nighttime viewing.
- Field of View (F.O.V.)
Refers to the
width of the viewing area seen through the binoculars. This number is
imprinted on the binocular body. It is defined by the width in feet or
meters of the area visible at 1000 yards or meters. Wider field of view make
it easier to find and track a moving subject. Generally, F.O.V. decreases as
magnification increases.
- Eye Relief
Refers to the maximum
distance a binocular can be held away from the eye and still present the full
field of view. For eyeglass wearers, extended or long eye relief can
reduce eyestrain. Generally, a binocular with 13 mm or more of eye relief is
considered long eye relief.
- Near or Close Focus
Refers to the shortest distance at which the
binocular can provide a sharply focused image of an object.
- Prism Glass
Most optical prisms are made from
borosilicate (BK-7) glass or barium crown (BAK-4) glass. BAK-4 is higher
quality glass yielding brighter images and high edge sharpness. Generally, higher quality
binoculars use BAK-4 prisms.
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| Types of Binoculars |
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Compact Binoculars
Compact Binoculars generally utilize the roof prism design, the objective lenses and the
eyepiece centers are lined up creating a compact design with full size power. Some
of compact binoculars will fit into jeans pockets, so they are the good choice to take along to the theater or on
hikes and hunting trips.
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Full-Size Binoculars
Full-size binoculars generally utilize the
porro prism design, the objective lenses and the
eyepiece are offset. A standard
or full-size binocular can be used for everything such as nature
observation, hunting, boating, and sports.
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Wide Angle Binoculars
Wide angle binoculars are designed
to have large field view without sacrificing magnification or power. It is
ideal for tracking fast-moving action across wide areas such as football
fields, racetracks and wilderness terrain.
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Zoom Binoculars
Zoom binoculars have two power numbers which
means your can change magnification or powers. It allows the user to
increase the magnification in order to focus in on the details or reduce the
magnification in order to get large field of view. It’s like having
several binoculars in one!
- Waterproof Binoculars
Each type of binoculars listed above
can be waterproof or fogproof. Waterproof binoculars are O-ring sealed and nitrogen purged for reliable
waterproof and fogproof performance. Waterproof binoculars can deliver clarity
in bad weather conditions
including fog and rain.
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| Types
of Prism Systems |
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There are two basic types of prism systems on
binoculars-porro prism or roof prism. Both types of prism systems offer
outstanding optical performance.
- Roof Prism System
The prisms overlap closely, making the objective lenses to line up directly
with the eyepiece. Binocular with this system are generally lighter, more compact, but
also generally more expensive.
- Porro Prism System
The objective lens is offset from the eyepiece on each side of binoculars.
This system generally provides a wider field of view.
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| Types
of Focusing Systems |
There are two basic types of
focus systems on binoculars-center and individual focusing.
- Central Focusing System
Binoculars are focused by a single focus wheel between the
barrels. Both eyepieces can be focused simultaneously. A separate
diopter adjustment on right eyepiece allows compensation for the
differences between the eyes. Center focusing binoculars are
convenient to use, so they are most common today.
- Individual Focusing System
Binoculars can be focused
individually for each eye at the eyepiece. It
allows for extra-precise focusing adjustments. It
is more often used by mariners and sportsmen.
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| Types
of Coatings |
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Coatings are applied to lenses and prisms to
reduce glare and reflection, and to reduce light loss.
- Coated
A single layer on at least one lens
surface.
- Fully Coated
A single layer on all air-to-glass
surfaces.
- Multi-Coated
Multiple layers on at least
one lens surface.
- Fully Multi-Coated
Multiple layers on all air-to-glass
surfaces.
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Selecting
Guide
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| Uses |
Recommendations |
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4x21,
5x25, 8x21, 8x23, 8x25, 10x25 Wide Angle,
Any Zoom, Compacts from 7x to 10x
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Any
Waterproof Model with A Large Objective Diameter and Rubber Armor,
7x35, 7x42, 7x50, 8x42 & 10x42
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4x30,
5x25, 7x21, 8x21 & 8x25,
Any Zoom or Wide Angle Model
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Any
7x35, 7x50, 8x42 & 10x42 (Standard Size), 8x30 & 10x30,
Compacts, Waterproof Models for Camping
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General Use/ Vacation/Hiking
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7x25, 7x35, 7x42, 8x21, 8x23, 8x25, 8x42,
10x25, 10x42, 10x50, 12x30, Most Compact and Wide Angle Models
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All
Rubber Armored, Waterproof and Fogproof Models,
7x to 10x Models for General Hunting,
12x or 16x for Distant Game/Varmints,
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7x35, 7x42, 8x40, 8x42 (is the standard),
8.5x44, 10x42, 10x50,
12x50 (for
Details in Smaller Species at a Distance),
Compacts with a 30mm or Greater Objective Lens,
Any Binocular with Long Eye Relief and Good Close Focusing Ability
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4x42, 7x50
(Best Light-Gathering), 8x42, 10x50, 11x80
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Astronomy
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7x50, 11x80, 20x80 |
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