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Welcome to The Optics4Birding Scorecard


Welcome to the Optics4Birding Scorecard, a unique tool that will help you evaluate up to four binoculars side-by-side, and customize the comparisons based on your own preferences.

O4B Scorecard
Score card


To accomplish this, we have examined eight specifications (eye relief, close focus, weight, field of view, eyecups, weatherproofing, lens coatings, and prism glass & coatings) published by all binocular manufacturers to define the features of each model. We assigned scores to each value for these specifications based on how most knowledgeable birders evaluate them. Finally, we apply an equalization factor based on price class to separate binoculars of unequal quality with the same features and specifications. You will also have the opportunity to decide how important each specification is to you and apply preference factors to personalize your scores. You can save your preference factors in a cookie so you do not have to enter them on subsequent visits.

While surfing around our site, you can click a check box to add that binocular to your scorecard. Due to space limitations, you may only enter up to four binoculars on the scorecard at one time. If you select a fifth binocular, a message will appear giving you the opportunity to remove one of the previous binoculars from the list. You can also go directly to the O4B Scorecard by clicking on the button in the header or the "Run O4B Scorecard" link on every binocular page. Once there, you can change your selections by using the drop-down menu over each of the four binocular columns. See the screen shot above.

To learn more about how each specification is scored and why we made those choices, visit the "How the Scorecard Works page". Otherwise, you can go directly to the Scorecard. We hope you will find the O4B Scorecard a useful tool to assist your binocular selection.

The Optics4Birding Team


Scorecard | How the Scorecard Works



Learn About Optics


Day Optics

Designs - Quality, compacts, porro and roof prism designs for binoculars and scopes...
Designations and Considerations - Designation values, eye relief, weight & cups, exit pupil, and twilight factor...
Additional Consideration - Focusing, field of view, depth of field, weather proofing and nitrogen fill...
Optic Components & Image Quality - Lenses, mirrors, coatings, aberrations, distortions, and alignments...
Spotting Scopes - Construction, Objective lens, eyepieces, angled or straight, and focusing...
Tripods - Heads, legs, monopods, shoulder stocks, and window mounts...
Digiscoping - About, power, editing, considerations, cameras, techniques, and effects...
Care & Tricks - Holding techniques, cleaning, carrying, and protecting your optics...

Night Vision

Starlight Technology - NV Types, Starlight Technology defined, basic design and IR Illuminators...
Starlight Technology Night Vision Generations and Devices - Generation 1 to 4 - levels of NV technology, types of devices and their uses...
Use & Care - How to use, controls, and care for NV devices, extending capabilities...
Digital Night Vision and Thermal-Imaging - Digital NV and Thermal Imaging, how they work and compare to standard NV...

Buying Guide

Binoculars - All the factors to consider when buying binoculars.
Bins for kids - Special Considerations for children's binoculars.
Challenged - Special considerations with binoculars for the physically challenged.
Spotting Scopes - All the factors to consider when buying a spotting scope.
Tripods - Selecting the best tripod for your scope.
 
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