Lightweight High-End 8x42 Binoculars for Birding & Wildlife Observation

Question First, thanks for having a great site with lots of content! I am looking for a second pair of binoculars to supplement our Minox BD 8x32 (bought in 2005). My criteria: 1. No more weight than our current Minox at about 23oz. My wife and I are ‘seniors’ so weight becomes a factor after […]


Oberwerk Sport ED 8x42 vs Athlon Midas G2 8x42 for Astronomy, Birding & Wildlife

Alex, a new BBR Patreon supporter (thanks very much!), looking to get a binocular for some handheld astronomy as well as for backyard birding and wildlife observation on the trail: Hi there, I’m having a hard time deciding between two binoculars that I’ve narrowed down to the Athlon Midas G2 8x42 and Oberwerk Sport ED […]


Oberwerk Sport ED 8x42 vs 10x42 for Astronomy, Birding & Any Alternatives?

New BBR Patreon supporter Andrew is looking to get either an 8x42 or a 10x42 binocular to be used mostly for handheld astronomy, but also a little birding and has the following question: I’ve been very happy to join Patreon, as a way of getting advice and to say thanks for your excellent website.The advice […]


8x42 or 10x42 Binoculars: Which is Best for Novice / Older Child?

This question comes from a reader looking to buy some higher quality binoculars for their older children to view wildlife with and hopefully eventually also get into birding. He is wondering which configuration would be best, an 8x42 or 10x42: Question:I have just read your excellent review of the Hawke Frontier 8x42 ED X. I […]


8x32 vs 8x42 Binoculars

Video Version of this Article on 8x32 vs 8x42 Binoculars Continuing on with BBR’s mini “BinoWars” series in which I pit different instruments and different configurations against each other to see which is best, in today’s post I go over the most important differences between 8x32 vs 8x42 binoculars of similar quality. This will take […]


8x42 vs 10x42 Binoculars

BBR Video Version of this Article on 8x42 vs 10x42 Binoculars Image quality, detail, brightness, low light performance, field of view and price. In this article I go over the main differences that you can expect between typical 8x42 vs 10x42 binoculars of similar quality and thus no matter if your interest is general use, […]


8x42 vs 8.5x45 Binoculars

The generally “accepted standard” and probably the most commonly made and sold configuration of all full sized binoculars is 8X42 – that is binoculars with an 8x magnification and with 42mm diameter objective lenses. There are many good reasons for this, but is this set-up right for everyone or would something a little different be […]


Best 42mm Binoculars for Safaris under $450 (£)

The question this week come from a very experienced safari guide who is looking for the best mid level binoculars to use on his walking and open vehicle safaris. Question: I have been guiding in the Kruger NP. for 20 years or so and am on the hunt for the very best (8x42) or (10X42) […]


Upgrading my 8x42 Birdwatching Binoculars – what to get?

The questions below come from Paul who is looking to upgrade their cheap 8x42 birdwatching binoculars and has asked me for some help in what to choose: Question: First of all, many thanks for a superb resource on your website – until I discovered this and all the brilliant reviews, I was really struggling! I […]


New Leica Trinovid HD Binoculars

Leica has updated it’s much loved Trinovid binoculars. Available in 8x42 and 10x42 configurations, these premium "entry level" binoculars (costing under $1000 / £1000) in their line up now include a number of improvements on what has to be said were already excellent bins: According to Terry Moore, Leica Sport Optics head of sales & […]