How Binoculars and Spotting Scopes Work

Birders are among the most demanding users of binoculars and spotting scopes. They bird in diverse environments, ranging from scorching deserts with temperatures above 125 degrees, high mountains, dense forests, windy plains, beaches, mudflats, and rolling oceans, to the Arctic and Antarctic, in varying weather conditions including sun, rain, fog, and overcast skies. Birders are active from dawn to dusk and often venture out at night to observe owls. They require precise views of the finest feather details to determine not only the bird species, but also its age and gender, often while the birds are in motion. 

The Optics4Birding Buying Guide discusses the factors birders need to consider when choosing binoculars, scopes, and tripods. These considerations can also be applied to using optics for other pursuits. If you’re not a birder, consider the conditions under which you use your optics and apply these factors to maximize your viewing experience.

The suggestions in this guide are based on the information presented in our All About Optics pages. The choices you make will depend on your understanding of the terminology and the distinctions between various parameters and designs. If you haven’t read those pages yet, they will help you apply the suggestions presented here.

Your Turn

While we have evaluated many binoculars, scopes, and tripods, we haven't had time to evaluate them all, and some decisions we can't make for you. You will need to decide how important various factors are to you.

If you’re an experienced birder, you probably have tried several binoculars or scopes by borrowing them from friends, checking them in a store, or attending optics fairs. You also know what you like and dislike about your current optics.

If you’re new to birding and already have a starter pair, take some time to test other options. Realize that quick tests in a store or with friends' binoculars in the field won't provide the full picture. You won't know if a binocular will cause fatigue after a long day of birding, if you can hold 10x binoculars steady enough, or if you prefer 7x, 8x, or 10x magnification. You also won't know if you prefer a straight or angled scope.

If you're brand new to birding, you have a few options. You can get an inexpensive binocular, borrow a pair from a friend, look through other scopes, or read our reviews to decide what you might like and go for top-quality glass right away.