The Best Binoculars & Binocular Reviews Website

Reviews of the Best Binoculars
I became interested in binoculars and optics in general whilst working as a safari guide (field guide) in South Africa. As part of my job, I used binoculars every single day. The idea for The Best Binocular Reviews website came about from the frustration I felt whilst looking for a new pair of binoculars for myself. I found it difficult to find really good information on binoculars on the web as well as the lack of unbiased binocular reviews.

The aim of this site is to help in some small way by providing useful information on binoculars as well as other forms of optics, unbiased reviews on selected binoculars and brands as well as guides to buying binoculars for different uses.

>What's New & Site News:

April 2012: Great Deal: Fujinon HB 12x60 Long Distance Binoculars

Winner Binocular of the year 2011March 2012: New Article: Best binoculars that money can buy?

March 2012: I have just reached a milestone on the site having just completed my 100th Binocular Review.

The winners of the 2011 Binoculars of the Year Awards have been announced. Check out the very best binoculars that I have reviewed last year:
>> 2011 Best Binocular Reviews Awards


 

>Safari binoculars:

Designed for travel, wildlife viewing and to hold their own as bird watching binoculars. Below are two of the best binoculars for safaris >> View all Safari Binoculars.


Vanguard 10x42 Spirit ED
Vanguard 10x42 Spirit ED Binoculars High quality optics including extra low dispersion glass, phase correction coatings on Bak-4 prisims wraped in a tough, lightweight body.

Minox 8x33 BL Binoculars
Minox BL 8x33 Binoculars Quality mid-size fog & waterproof binoculars featuring an open bridge design & high quality optics ideal for taking on a safari holiday.

Birdwatching binoculars>Birdwatching binoculars:

Whilst you can enjoy birds without them, binoculars along with your bird book are the most essential tools to any bird watcher. But which pair is right for you, I review some of the best, cheapest, lightest, smallest, strongest birding binoculars in the market and what features to look out for when choosing your next set >> Binoculars for Birding.

 

 

>Quality not quantity

Not only is it impossible for me to review every set of binoculars on the market, but I find that when I visit websites selling binoculars, I am often baffled by the sheer amount of binoculars all being described as the greatest on earth, or I am sometimes disappointed by the quality of binoculars being described as the ultimate binocular. My aim on Best Binocular Reviews is to provide you with the best reviews of the best binoculars, not the most.

When choosing which binoculars to review, I try and select only quality pairs of optics (Best Binoculars), so as you will see pretty much all the binoculars on this site are some of the best in their field. If I do review a binocular and I think it is rubbish, I will say so, or more likely if certain features fall short of the mark they will be highlighted. I would also like to point out that I am in now way compensated or influenced by any manufacturer, distributor of supplier to provide a positive review, they are all my own and truthful opinions. It is in this way that I hope that I can help you you make an informed choice.

 

>Recent Binocular Reviews May 2012

Below are a few of my most recent featured reviews:

 

Celestron 8x42 Nature Binoculars
These low cost binoculars feature an open bridge design aluminium body with a rubber covering that is both fog and waterproof.

Optical highlights include fully multi-coated optics and high precision BAK-4 prisms. and twist up eye-cups with 18mm of bas-relief are ideal for most people who wear glasses.

Price: (2/6) Low Cost Binoculars
Best Binocular Reviews Ratings:
Body Quality: 7/10 68%
Very Good
Body Stats: 8/10
Optical Quality: 6/10
Optical Stats: 8/10
Image Quality 7/10
Extras & Details: 5/10

 

Carson 10x42 3D Series Binoculars
A tough but very lightweight and waterproof body protects some really high quality optical components including the use of ED glass and phase-coated BaK-4 roof prisms that produce a bright and high quality image. Extras like an included binocular harness and the fantastic wrap around BinoArmor carry case add extra value to this already excellent pair of optics.

Price: (3/6) Mid Priced Binoculars
Best Binocular Reviews Ratings:
Body Quality: 7/10 78%
Excellent
Body Stats: 8/10
Optical Quality: 8/10
Optical Stats: 8/10
Image Quality 8/10
Extras & Details: 8/10

These Binoculars are On SaleDiscount Binoculars: These Carson 3D Series Binoculars are available at a discounted price on Amazon.com in the USA.
>> Check Prices
 

Kowa 8x30 YF Binoculars
This 8x30 Kowa YF Series binocular is great low cost mid-sized porro prism binocular with fully multi-coated optics that produce an excellent quality image.

The body is tough, fully waterproof, fog proof and very lightweight.

Price: (2/6) Low Cost Binoculars
Best Binocular Reviews Ratings:
Body Quality: 7/10 72%
Excellent
Body Stats: 8/10
Optical Quality: 7/10
Optical Stats: 8/10
Image Quality 7/10
Extras & Details: 6/10

 

Kowa 8x32 SV Binoculars
These mid-priced, mid-sized lightweight binoculars from Kowa feature a tough waterproof exterior and fully multi-coated optics, with phase correction and high reflective coatings on the BaK-4 roof prisms.

Price: (3/6) Mid Priced Binoculars
Best Binocular Reviews Ratings:
Body Quality: 7/10 77%
Excellent
Body Stats: 8/10
Optical Quality: 8/10
Optical Stats: 9/10
Image Quality 8/10
Extras & Details: 6/10

 

Pentax 9x28 DCF LV Binoculars
A rather unique compact binocular with a 9x magnification that offers just a little more reach than those with 8x, but without sacrificing too much field of view.

The tough fog and waterproof body house quality optics that includes the use of Bak-4 Prisms with phase correction coatings and fully multi-coated lenses.

Price: (3/6) Mid Priced Binoculars
Best Binocular Reviews Ratings:
Body Quality: 7/10 70%
Excellent
Body Stats: 6/10
Optical Quality: 8/10
Optical Stats: 7/10
Image Quality 8/10
Extras & Details: 6/10

These Binoculars are On SaleDiscount Binoculars: These Pentax binoculars are available at a discount on their RRP at most online stores including Eagle Optics and Amazon in the US and Warehouse Express (WEX) and Amazon.co.uk in the UK.
>> Check Prices
 

Pentax 9x32 DCF BC Binoculars
High quality optics, housed in a very lightweight, water and fogproof open bridge body, these 9x32 Pentax DCF BC binoculars are really good value for money and are ideal to take travelling, on safari as well as on most nature and bird walks.

Price: (3/6) Mid Priced Binoculars
Best Binocular Reviews Ratings:
Body Quality: 8/10 78%
Excellent
Body Stats: 9/10
Optical Quality: 8/10
Optical Stats: 8/10
Image Quality 8/10
Extras & Details: 6/10

 

Celestron 8x42 Granite Binoculars
High quality, yet affordable binoculars that feature a very wide field of view, a lightweight yet tough water and fog proof open hinge design body.

Excellent quality optics that includes the use of ED glass and phase correction coatings on the Bak-4 roof prisms.

Price: (4/6) Mid-High Value Binoculars
Best Binocular Reviews Ratings:
Body Quality: 7/10 82%
Outstanding
Body Stats: 9/10
Optical Quality: 9/10
Optical Stats: 9/10
Image Quality 7/10
Extras & Details: 8/10

 

Annual Binocular Awards 2010>LockDown Binocular Harness

One of the most use full and for me the most innovative binocular accessory that I have ever is used is the LockDown Optics Deployment System. It is like no other binocular harness or binocular suspender that you have ever seen with many advantages over more traditional versions that includes a cover that protects your binocular and it's lenses, a "ShockCord" that not only securely attaches your optics to your chest when you are not using them, but enables tension free glassing when you are:
>> LockDown Optics Deployment System | Binocular Harness Guide

 

Lowepro Field Station Optics Bag>Lowepro Field Station Belt Pack

A purpose made binocular bag that has been designed to be used by birders, but is ideal for any wildlife enthusiast or researcher. This compact bag will not only enable you to comfortably carry your binoculars, but it comes with a "shelf" than makes reading from and writing in your bird book, field guide, sketchbook or notebook really simple when out in the field. It can also be used to carry and use your iPad or other tablet type computer.

>> Lowepro Field Station Belt Pack | Binocular Accessories

 

Bushnell 10x42 NatureView Binoculars>Best Binoculars under $200 / £200:

Whilst I don't recommend that you get yourself the cheapest binoculars available (under $30) and I am not sure if you can say that at $200, they are cheap binoculars. But you can get some really great value for money optics at this price that are not only far superior to the almost unusable really cheap binoculars, but compare surprisingly well to top of the range versions. >> Best Cheap Binoculars under $200 / £200

 

Night Vision Devices>Night Vision devices:

Open up a whole new world after dark. I take a look at the difference between night vision glasses and other night vision devices, including binoculars, monoculars and night vision scopes as well as discovering how they work and what features to look out for when deciding which one to buy >> Night Vision Glasses & Devices.


Binoculars for Astronomy>Skymaster Celestron binoculars for astronomy:

Perfect as astronomical binoculars, the Celestron Skymaster Binoculars (Celestron 15x70) feature high quality BAK-4 prisms and a tripod adapter bringing you excellent performance at a great price. Recommended for newcomers as well as astronomy enthusiasts >> About Celestron Binoculars, Celestron SkyMaster Binoculars.



Bushnell Marine binoculars>Marine binoculars:

Binoculars that are specifically designed for a watery environment need to have special qualities, these include being tough and fully waterproof, some float and others come with a compass and are also rangefinder binoculars. Take a look at my guide to the >> Best Marine Binoculars.

 


Nikon SHE Safari Monarch 10×36 Womens Binoculars>Women's Binoculars

Most binoculars have a strong masculine look to them, but a few manufacturers have decided to design binoculars with a softer, more feminine look to them.

From safari & birding binoculars, to optics ideal as a functional, stylish accessory to a day at Wimbledon or the races. >> Binoculars for Women.


 
 

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Annual Bino Awards

Annual Binocular Awards
Best Binocular Reviews Annual Binocular Awards 2010 & 2011
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