Manufacturers may not all measure it the same way, so we tested all the binoculars using Michael’s eyes.īecause people’s eyes differ in how close they can focus,Īnother person doing the same test might produce different measurements,īut the scores would sort in the same order.Ĭlose focus counted toward the overall scores. How close a binocular will focus depends both on the optics and on the individual’s eyes. Resolution was the most heavily weighted component of the overall scores. Diane, who has 20-20 eyesight, did the testing. Across a large room we posted a standard USAF-1951 optics resolution chart that let us translate the level of detail we could see into a numeric score for each binocular. To rate the binoculars’ optical quality, we set up a stable tripod stand with a beanbag rest. That is probably why the top five binoculars in our survey all tied for first place in resolution. However, at 8 power it’s hard to actually see any difference.Ĭomputer-controlled lens grinding and polishing have advanced optical performance so much that many excellent binoculars,Įven 32mm, now produce images with more detail than one’s eyes can see. With smaller objective lenses, 32mm binoculars theoretically cannot deliver quite the resolution of 42mm models. A chart shows their specifications and scores. This article compares 13 mid-sized, 8x32 binoculars.
You need binoculars you’ll always want to take along. However, if you don’t have them with you, it won’t matter how wonderful they are back on the shelf. They give us supernatural sight and make the sport of birding possible.
This review appears in Bird Watcher's Digest, September, 2019 Mid-sized Magicīinoculars are magic.
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