Amazon Black Friday sales may have finished, but the deals keep coming with plenty Cyber Monday discounts to be grabbed in time for Christmas. Right now, you can the Nikon Prostaff P3 binoculars available for just $96, down 35% from their list price of $150– which is a brilliant Cyber Monday reduction of $50 on a superbly versatile pair of binoculars.

The Prostaff P3 are a great pair of 'go-anywhere' binoculars that are lightweight and powerful with a 10X magnification that will get you nice and close to your viewing subject – perfect for animal watching, backpacking, camping, boating, stargazing, astronomy and more.

Their adventure-ready capability is backed up with superb waterproofing and anti-fogging which is great for outdoor adventures when transitioning between temperatures, such as from your tent, to observing out into the cold. There's also no need to worry if you're caught out in heavy rain or snow either – they can be submerged down to 3.3 ft (not intended for underwater use).

If you're still shopping for discounts on gear, we're still keeping tabs on all the best Black Friday hiking deals while they last.

If you're not in the US, scroll down to the bottom of this article for today's best deals on Nikon Prostaff P3 where you are.

This Nikon Prostaff P3 binocular deal comes with a carry case and a neck strap along with objective lens caps and eyepiece covers. Their rubber armoring gives them good shock resistance and a good grip which is beneficial for outdoor adventures. They are also very lightweight at just 585g and can easily be carried in the best hiking backpacks or even in a pocket of the best waterproof jackets.

Not in the US? Here are today's best deals on Nikon Prostaff P3 binoculars where you are:

More great Cyber Monday deals

• The North Face: big reductions available on jackets, hoodies and other essentials
• Camping: keep cozy with great savings on tents, sleeping bags and other gear
• Hiking: the best deals from big-name brands
• Yeti: great deals on drink-ware
• Patagonia: Big savings available on base layers and waterproofs
• Arc'teryx: prices slashed for stylish winter jackets and softshells
• Garmin: Great savings on top notch Garmin sports watches

• Best binoculars: for birdwatching and astronomy

After a quality pair of binoculars at a great price? Then look no further, as B&H Photo are currently offering massive savings on a wide range of top quality binoculars in their ongoing sale.

With the holiday season right around the corner, now is a great time to snag some top quality binoculars before the Black Friday madness ensues on November 29.

If you're after a high performing pair for harsh backcountry conditions, then the Canon 10x42 L IS WP Binoculars could be the pair for you. Boasting a wide 65° apparent viewing angle and electronic image stabilization, these durable, waterproof binoculars are ready for the wilderness, working in temperatures down to 14°F / -10°C. These top of the range binoculars are currently down $100 to $1399.99.

Alongside the high end models, B&H Photo is offering great savings on a number of mid and lower range binoculars. The sleek black ZEISS 8x25 Terra ED Compact Binoculars have been reduced from $400 to just $274.99. That's a whopping saving of $125 on these functional, lightweight binoculars.

Scanning the sale, we've put together our top five picks from across the price range, for you to choose from.

This sale applies to US and UK customers alike, although UK customers will face additional shipping charges.

After more epic deals? Check out the full sale here, or look below for the best daily deals on a range of excellent binoculars.

For more on binoculars, check out our expert guide on how they work and our top 7 reasons you need binoculars.

• The best binoculars 2024 for bird watching and astronomy

Californian optics brand Nocs Provisions’ range of colorful binoculars and monoculars is split into three families: the beginner-friendly Standard Issues, the all-rounder Field Issues and the sophisticated and more expensive Pro Issues. Earlier this year, I tested the Field Issue Waterproof 10x32 Binoculars and found them to be a very smart pair mid-sized bins. Featuring Nocs’ trademark ridged texture, which is both attractive and grippy; solid clarity; and easy to use features – I was suitably impressed.

The best binoculars are always going to have the edge over monoculars when it comes to overall image quality and field of vision. However, regardless of how you feel when it comes to binoculars vs monoculars, the latter does have the twin advantages of weight and portability, which can be a massive plus if you’re looking for optics to take on outdoor adventures. So, I was intrigued to try what Nocs calls ‘the one eyed complement to the 32mm Field Issue Binocular’, the brand new Field Tube 8x32, a compact monocular designed with packability in mind.

Meet the reviewer

First impressions

The Field Tube features Nocs’ distinctively colorful ‘Rugged Wave Grip’: the ribbed texture that provides a non-slip hold in the hand. I like this bright and modern design, quite at odds with the stereotypical dull colors binoculars often sport. It’s certainly the first thing that jumps out at you when you liberate the Field Tube from its box.

It’s a neat little unit, beautiful in its simplicity. The embossed gold of the Nocs logo and the key specifications on the focus wheel are nice touches that add a bit of class. Image clarity and contrast are good, while the oversized focus wheel makes sharpening things up a doddle. When held in one hand, it’s obviously shakier than a pair of bins, but then there’s enough space on the tube for a second hand to stabilize the image.

So far, so good. Let’s get beneath its ridged skin and take a look at the Field Tube’s features.

The optics

The Field Tube has a magnification factor of 8, ideal for nature watching, and a 32mm objective diameter, which is fairly standard in compact binoculars and the like. This means it doesn’t greedily gather quite as much light as something like Hawke’s Endurance 8x42 binoculars, which we rate highly for observing wildlife. Nevertheless, considering the Field Tube’s portability, this is to be expected. 

A clear image is achieved thanks to the fully multi coated lenses, which are scratch resistant and provide anti-reflective qualities. To bring those kingfishers and red kites into focus, there’s an easy to operate, oversized focus wheel that’s textured for one-finger adjustment.

The Field Tube boasts the same BaK4 prism as the Field Issue Binoculars. This Swiss-designed porro prism is put to use in many premium optical instruments. If you appreciate how binoculars work, you’ll know the importance of a quality prism and the Field Tube has one.

Feature focus

The whole reason I’d look into investing in a monocular are that they are typically smaller, lighter and more packable than a pair of binoculars. If I’m heading out into the backcountry on a long-distance hike and I’m trying to keep the weight down, a monocular like the Field Tube is a much more tempting option than a pair of bins. They still provide the opportunity to view wildlife up close or take a detailed look at the route ahead, without the weight penalty.

This is because the Field Tube weighs 239g (8.4oz), which is about the weight of an orange. Meanwhile, it’s small enough to stash in a pocket or slot into the mesh side panel of a daypack. It’s just a little over half the weight of its Field Issue binocular brethren and there’s no way I’d be fitting those in my pocket. So, this is very much the USP of the Field Tube.

All this functionality would all be for naught if the Field Tube wasn’t robust enough to take on the backcountry. This is why it’s waterproof-rated to IPx7, meaning it can cope with submersion up to 1 meter for up to half an hour. In other words, a bit of rain won’t hurt it.

It’s also fog proof. No, this doesn’t mean it can magically see through misty conditions – the brand that invents such a device will make a killing among mountain enthusiasts! No, what it means is that it prevents fog building up on the interior of the lenses. It achieves this thanks to nitrogen-filled internal chambers.

It can also be screwed onto a tripod or similar for really stable viewing pleasure. To round things off, the Field Tube comes with a lifetime warranty, its packaging is fully recyclable, is printed with soy-based inks and is itself made from 90% post-consumer recycled cardboard. So, a few sustainability ticks there then.

In the field

I really enjoyed using the Field Tube when out and about during the test period. Its ability to slot into a pocket, ready for those chance encounters with deer, foxes, peregrines and other wildlife is a real boon and it's a lot more packable than a pair of bins.

One barrel didn't necessarily mean one handed use, as I found that I was able to get the steadiest image with the stability offered by two hands. However, it is possible to hold the Field Tube and adjust the focus wheel with just one. The focus wheel turns smoothly and is really easy to grip thanks to its textured finish. Meanwhile, the ridged design of the body makes the Field Tube difficult to drop. Always handy when exploring steep escarpments.

With a monocular, what you gain in lightweight packability you lose in overall field of vision and viewing pleasure when compared to standard bins. Nonetheless, I was impressed with the sharp, clear image I was able to get from the Field Tube. Even when wearing glasses, I was able to adjust the eyepiece to suit.

I'd have liked a strap that could be worn around the neck, like most binoculars have. While the wrist loop gave me the security that I couldn't drop the Field Tube, it's not as though I'd be able to comfortably walk with it swinging from my arm. So, after use, I'd always have to pop it back in my pocket, rather than having it to hand, as it would have been had I been able to strap it around my neck.

The close focusing distance is around 7ft / 2.2m, which is pretty decent but not suitable for really getting in close of butterflies, wildflowers and the like. If this kind of thing is your bag, we'd recommend the Kowa BD32-8XD binoculars.

When all is said and done, this is an impressive little unit that's great for a spot of casual wildlife watching on hikes or backpacking trips. Of course, if you're a serious birder or wildlife enthusiast, it won't replace your binoculars, but that's not what it's intended for.

William Brennan, an avid Instagrammer and amateur palaeontologist from Bozeman, Montana, narrowly survived an encounter with a pack of velociraptors last week, after he’d attempted to remove raptor eggs from a nest in Montana’s Makoshika State Park.

According to eyewitnesses, the angered raptor pack attacked from both sides without Brennan even knowing they were there. He was only saved because a couple on an overlanding trip were driving by. He was able to leap onto the back of their Jeep Wrangler and escape virtually unscathed.

The overlanding couple were Dr. Al Angrant and Dr. Elodie Sattler, a palaeontologist and palaeobotanist, who’d returned to Montana after spending several years exploring a couple of islands off the coast of Costa Rica. Dr. Angrant commented that “the raptors were about to strike but then weirdly they got confused by their own reflection in the windscreen of the Jeep, which gave Mr Brennan the opportunity to escape.”

The incident was also seen by Welsh hiker Owain Brady, who was visiting Montana on a walking vacation. “I’d always thought raptors would like a bit like six-foot turkeys, but seeing them through my binoculars really brought home how dangerous and rapid these creatures are. They could easily outrun a motorbike! Although they’re not as big as I’d always been led to believe…”

It’s thought that Brennan, who refused to comment, was attempting to steal the eggs to sell them and further fund his digs. Posting about his near-death experience to his 13,000 followers on X (formerly known as Twitter), he simply wrote: Life found a way.

Velociraptor attacks, although rare, are on the increase in the Mountain States for the first time in 63 million years. It’s thought that recent releases of wolves into the wild has led to increased competition for food, which has forced the raptors to start preying on hikers.

State Park Ranger blasts behavior

Bob Muldoon, chief ranger at Makoshika State Park, slammed the behavior, particularly with velociraptor attacks on the rise. “We keep seeing this sort of totally reckless behavior by Instagrammers looking for supposedly easy likes.” With raptor sightings on the increase, the hashtags #raptorsighting #whosaclevergirlnow and #myraptoreggs are currently trending on TikTok. “It’s a worrying trend,” he says. “Mr Brennan was incredibly lucky to escape with his life.”

Muldoon went on to comment that compared to mammalian apex predators, velociraptors are highly intelligent. “They show extraordinary intelligence, even problem-solving intelligence.” However, the good news is that hikers can safely explore places where there have been reports of raptor attacks in the past. This is because, according to Muldoon, “they never attack the same place twice. They remember.”

The National Park Service warns visitors to give velociraptors and their nests a wide berth in the wild, unless you happen across a blue colored raptor, in which case you may be able to inexplicably befriend and communicate with it.

It’s important to remember to always take a raptor bell when hiking in the Western States, while dedicated spray, such as Velocikill or Raptorbyebye (available in all good Wallmarts) is recommended. Unlike with some predators, you’re unlikely to be able to fend off a raptor with a camping knife. The NPS’ Be Raptor Smart guidance outlines what to do when hiking in raptor territory.

What is a velociraptor?

• Velociraptor is a therapod dinosaur in the dromaeosaurid family
• They are found in relatively large numbers across the Western States
• They are renowned for their great speed, intelligence and retractable claws

Velociraptors, often shortened to simply raptors, are therapod dinosaurs in the dromaeosaurid family. Dromaeosuaid means fast running lizard in Ancient Greek and the family also includes other well-known species, such as utahraptor and deinonychus. Utahraptor, named because it inhabits mainly the state of Utah, is commonly sighted in Zion National Park at places like infamous beauty spot Angel’s Landing and the Narrows. Meanwhile deinonychus recently made the news when one attacked film stars Jeff Goldblum and Laura Dern on the red carpet during last month’s 2024 Oscar ceremony. Fortunately, best actor nominee Paul Giamatti was able to wrestle the beast to the ground and kill it.

Raptors are found in relatively large numbers across the Western States, having been introduced widely to North America in July 1993 by the InGen corporation to help revitalize ecosystems. A similar trial is being considered in the Scottish Highlands to bring down deer numbers in an attempt to rewild the mountainsides.

An adult raptor can grow up to 2 meters (6.8 ft) long and up to half a meter (1.6 ft) tall. They are renowned for their great speed, intelligence and retractable claws, like razors on the middle toes. Lethal at eight months, raptors are pack hunters, using coordinated attack patterns to hunt their prey. When it catches its prey, it doesn’t bother to bite the jugular like a lion, instead opting to slash across the belly, spilling its victim’s intestines. Horrifyingly, witnesses of raptor attacks on humans have said that the victim is usually alive when the raptor starts to eat them. So, it’s worth showing these creatures a little respect. 

Interestingly, all raptors are born female. It’s thought that, just like West African frogs, raptors can transition between genders in order to breed. The change is stimulated by an environment in which all the animals are of the same sex. In this situation, some of the raptors will spontaneously begin to change sex from female to male.

Be Raptor Smart

Stay clear of long grass 

Raptors use long grass to their advantage when hunting prey, hiding and then striking without warning.

Don't Run

A velociraptor can easily outrun you. In fact, they can run at cheetah speed, fifty, sixty miles an hour when in the open and they’re astonishing jumpers. Just as with a bear, wolf or mountain lion, if they see you run they’ll assume you are prey and chase. Strangely, if you run with an obviously exaggerated limp, you’ll probably be fine, even if raptors are watching you closely.

Respect their young and their nest

Never approach juvenile raptors as this will anger the pack. The same goes for their nest and eggs. Even if you think taking an egg is well intentioned, perhaps the kids are hungry and you fancy cooking up eggs benedict on your camping stove, remember that some of the worst things imaginable have been done with the best intentions. 

Try to put a locked door between you and the raptors

Unlike other apex predators you might encounter in the backcountry, velociraptors are able to open doors, so hiding indoors and waiting for the danger to pass is only effective if you are able to lock the door. This is why chief Makoshika Ranger Bob Muldoon stresses the need for locking mechanisms on vehicle doors for those overlanding across the state park.

Don’t compliment a hungry raptor

It’s well-known that complimenting a raptor with phrases like “nice teeth” or “clever girl” is a bad idea. Velociraptors find it very difficult to take compliments and will become even more agitated, perhaps leading to frenzied feeding.

Keep your children close

It’s well documented that velociraptors really struggle when hunting children or even adults accompanied by children. For example, they’ve been known to decimate entire squadrons of armed mercenaries, but frequently fail to register a single fatality when faced with an unarmed mix of adults and kids. Keep your children close, for your own sake.

What to do if a velociraptor attacks you

Perform a gymnastics routine

The most effective way to defeat a raptor is to perform an intricate and seemingly unnecessary gymnastics routine using your surroundings and kick it in the head. Hopefully, when you’re attacked, you’ll have plenty of opportunity to use your surroundings to perform the feat.

There are many reasons you need binoculars for your outdoor adventures. The most obvious is to enhance those encounters with wildlife, yet they also add to the stargazing experience on a wild camp, bring enjoyment when hiking or camping with kids and can be of great assistance to climbers and mountaineers when route finding.

Of course, wildlife encounters can be the most memorable moments of any hike. I remember scrambling my way up to the summit of Blà Bheinn, a magnificent mountain on Scotland’s Isle of Skye. I’d heard that a pair of golden eagles were known to nest somewhere in the cliffs but I didn’t expect or hope to see one. In truth, I was there for the mountain, not its inhabitants.

Towards the top, I suddenly became aware of a presence above me and craned by neck upwards. The sight of a large raptor gliding above me, close enough that I could sense the intelligence in its eyes, took my breath away. It was only that close for a moment. Within seconds it was diving into the great void of Glen Sligachan, backed by the jagged spires of the Black Cuillin range. Having lost site of the bird as it stooped, I ran to a rock outcrop and caught sight of it once more. The now distant shape soared far below and I watched it for several priceless moments, before it was out of sight.

As magical as this was, it would have been even more spectacular if I’d have had a pair of binoculars to hand, as beyond the initial encounter, the detail of the eagle’s beauty was lost to me. This, as much as any experience I’ve had, is a good lesson in why you should carry binoculars on every adventure. So, without further ado, here are seven reasons you need binoculars for your outdoor exploits.

Meet the expert

Today's best deals

1: to enjoy wildlife from the trail

• Binoculars are perfect for studying the stunning wildlife the backcountry has to offer
• They'll help you advance your knowledge of the nature around you

The herd of scampering deer across the fells; the dolphins leaping in the blue, far below your cliff-edge trail; the grizzly bear stalking the opposite side of the river; a murmuration of starlings weaving ethereal patterns into the twilight sky – all of these sights can be magnified and brought into wonderful focus with a pair of binoculars.

As well as enhancing your wildlife viewing, binoculars enable you to better identify and add to your knowledge of the natural world, adding a whole new dimension to any hiking or camping trip. Suddenly, every time you venture outdoors, there’s added interest, whether you're just popping to the local park or taking on a Colorado 14er.

2: to marvel at dynamic forces

• Binoculars can give you a new view of phenomena like geysers, avalanches, volcanic eruptions and collapsing glaciers

It’s not just biology that brings spectacular sights to the trail, the laws of physics can also conspire to deliver jaw-dropping moments. In the mountains, you can marvel at spectacular waterfalls or plumes of spindrift liberated by the wind on a neighbouring ridge; or witness the power of an avalanche or rockfall from a safe distance. If you’re hiking in volcanic regions, you can view geysers erupting from afar or admire the otherworldly sight of an active volcano. Where glaciers meet the sea, you might be lucky enough to catch the awesome sights of tons of ice collapsing into the water.

3: to zoom in on little critters

• Close focussing binoculars are great for looking at plants and little critters

When it comes to binoculars, we usually think of their ability to bring distant objects into view, yet they are also very handy for studying the tiny world beneath our feet, which can be just as fascinating as any habitat. Some pairs, such as the Kowa BD32-8XD, are close focussing, meaning they’re ideal for viewing butterflies and invertebrates.

4: to gaze at the heavens

• A pair of binoculars reveal the night sky in glorious detail
• Objects of particular interest are the Moon, Saturn and Jupiter
• It's worth getting a tripod to keep your image steady

For me, one of the main draws of wild camping is to escape the hustle and bustle of urban life and venture out into an untamed landscape, a place where nature still has dominion. The magnificent colors that sunset or sunrise paints across the hills are undoubted highlights, revealing the landscape in a whole new light. Yet on a clear night, nothing compares to the show put on by our celestial neighbours in the northern hemisphere night sky.

A pair of binoculars reveal staggering detail to many of the night sky’s treasures. This is especially so for dedicated stargazing bins, like Celestron’s Skymaster 15x70. However, any pair will enhance your cosmic viewing experience.

The moon is a particularly beguiling object to study. While it’s interesting to observe with the naked eye, when magnified its many surface features really come to life. The shadows cast on its cratered surface give a sense of scale and you’ll really feel that you’re studying another world. The only downside of a full (or near to full) moon is that its light can drown out the detail in the rest of the night sky.

Other celestial objects that binoculars reveal in much more detail are Jupiter and its four Galilean moons, the ringed jewel of Saturn, and the International Space Station when it zooms across the night sky. Top billing has to go to Jupiter and its moons; it really hits home that you’re looking at a gigantic gas giant orbited by other worlds. Through binoculars, Saturn still looks nothing like the images captured by the Cassini mission, though you do get a sense of its ringed form.

It's worth getting a tripod if you’re looking to study the night sky at length, as it will help you to keep the images stable.

5: to enjoy the exploits of others

• With binoculars, you can watch distant climbers male their way up a crag
• Places like Kleine Scheidegg beneath the Eiger and El Cap meadows in Yosemite are well known spots for watching climbing exploits

It can be quite a thrilling moment when you spot a couple of plucky climbers scaling a cliff face from the trail. If you’re with others, you’ll probably point them out.
“Look there, just below that overhanging section.”
“Nope, can’t see them.”
“One of them’s in red, the other’s in blue. Just to the left of that quartzite band.”
“Oh yeah! There they are.” 

This is usually where the excitement ends. You’ve spotted them, they’re quite a long way off, you’ve got a hike to get on with. However, with a pair of binoculars, you can transform the distant spectacle into something much more engrossing, following the climbers’ every move.

It’s perhaps climbs on the classic big walls of the world that are the most riveting to view through bins. During the early days of climbing on the infamous North Face of the Eiger in the Alps, crowds used to gather in Kleine Scheidegg, at the foot of the mountain, to monitor the progress of brave attempts on the unclimbed face. In the US, rock climbing in Yosemite is very much a spectator sport. On a good day, take a stroll through El Cap meadows and you’re bound to see plenty of people with their bins focussed on tiny climbers taking on the huge face. 

Climbers generally make slow progress, which is why they’re easy to view through binoculars. However, you can also magnify the exploits of anyone enjoying the mountains, be they trail runners, scramblers or paragliders.

6: to study the way ahead

• Binoculars are useful for getting a closer look at the route you intend to climb

In this reason, you’re no longer the spectator, you’re now the climber, the mountaineer – you are the explorer. Binoculars are an essential piece of kit for any self-respecting explorer, along with an Indiana Jones style fedora hat and a map and compass. The reason for this is that they allow you study the way ahead.

For a climber, binoculars provide insights into potential routes as you advance towards the crag in your approach shoes. Locating the foot of a chosen route can sometimes be as taxing as the climb itself, which is why bins are so useful during the approach. Similarly, mountaineers can study the conditions of their chosen ascent, whether it’s a winter mountaineering line or an ice climb that may or may not have come into good nick.

7: to share the excitement with others

• Giving children a pair of binoculars adds a layer of interest when hiking or camping

Bringing a pair of binoculars along when hiking or camping with kids can add a whole layer of interest. In fact, we champion the Kowa YF 8x30 binoculars as the perfect pair to give to burgeoning field biologists and geologists. Teach them how to use binoculars for themselves and you might just spark a lifelong interest.

It’s a good idea to print out or source a classification chart for the local wildlife to get them identifying the animals they find. When the sun goes down, they’ll love studying the Moon and Jupiter just as much as we do.

This April 8, millions of people in North America will flock outdoors and set up their camping chairs just after lunch to observe the last total solar eclipse for 20 years. If you’ve previously witnessed an eclipse, you might have noticed that this strange celestial spectacle doesn’t just make for a change above the earth’s atmosphere – it can have a profound effect on nature, too. 

We recently spoke to renowned wildlife expert and conservationist Peter Gros to learn more about how the upcoming total solar eclipse will affect wildlife.

“Wildlife derive their behavioral cues from nature,” explains the host of the long-running television show Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom. In other words, they haven’t found sneaky ways to bypass nature usng electricity the way humans have so when it’s dark, they think it’s time for bed. 

“When a solar eclipse brings a temporary darkening sky and drop in temperature, it signals nighttime for them.”

While he says that the change in light and temperature are significant factors contributing to changes in wildlife behavior, there are other elements involved too, such as changes in atmospheric pressure, which can make a significant contribition to temporary alterations in the feeding, mating and migratory behaviors of wildlife.  

Gros says all of this impacts different types of wildlife in different ways. For example, reptiles like lizards and snakes that normally spend the middle of the day basking in the sun may retreat to the shelter of rocks or vegetation to conserve warmth as their habitat experiences a swift decline in temperature.

The temperature change also affects insects such as butterflies and bees, which alter their flight patterns and foraging behaviors. 

“Butterflies, which are highly sensitive to temperature changes, may seek out sunny spots or adopt a slower, more deliberate flight. Bees, vital pollinators, might temporarily cease their foraging until the warmth of the sun is restored.”

Higher in the skies, birds will also change their daily routines and this may be clearly audible in their song.

“A group of songbirds engaging in their morning chorus could modify their vocalizations and social interactions.”

With the timing of this year’s eclipse, many birds will be busy engaging in nesting and migration, so their adapted behavior will be of special interest to bird watchers.

Though most eyes will be on the sky during the eclipse, using it to observe wildlife engage in some out-of-the-ordinary behavior could make your experience even more special. We’ve outlined some beautiful scenic spots that lie in the path of totality where you can watch the eclipse and enjoy nature. If you don’t live near any of these sites, or just want to escape the crowds that are likely to gather there, Gros has a few recommendations.

“To have a better chance of witnessing something memorable during the eclipse, position yourself near (but not too close) to natural habitats with diverse wildlife. Local parks, nature preserves or even your own backyard can offer a rich variety of species that may exhibit unique behaviors during the eclipse.”

To enhance your experience, Gros recommends getting a nature guidebook for the area to help you identify plants and animals you might see along the trail and to practice wildlife safety, bring your binoculars so you can zoom in on animals and insects without disturbing them.

“Keep a safe distance while viewing these incredible animals. It's essential for observers to be aware of their surroundings and the potential impact on wildlife. Minimize disturbances, maintain a respectful distance and avoid sudden movements or loud noises.”

Make sure, of course, that you never aim your binoculars towards the sun and keep your eclipse-viewing glasses on if you’re looking up.

The effect of the eclipse on nature can be indelible, especially if you get your hiking boots on and venture off the beaten path to enjoy it in the solitude of the backcountry, but it will be fleeting, according to Gros who says that most wildlife resumes regular programming shortly after normal light levels return.

• “They aren’t our friends” – Wild Kingdom host on the most common wildlife viewing mistakes

San Francisco optics brand Nocs Provisions creates binoculars ‘with a touch of style for the modern-day adventurer’, featuring premium optics and high functionality. Its distinctive and colorful product range contains a host of quality, compact pairs and it’s a brand committed to doing things right. Like Patagonia, it’s a member of 1% For the Planet, donating part of its revenue to environmental causes, while its packaging is recycled and plastic free.

Where its bins are concerned, the range breaks down into the entry-level Standard Issues, the ‘Goldilocks’ Field Issues and the premium Pro Issues. I was excited to get hold of the Field Issues, which the brand state are built for ‘those going to far away places seeking the unseen’. In essence, these might just be the ideal pair for those adventurous souls who often venture out in their hiking boots. I tested the 10x32 pair, but they’re also available as 8x32s too.

Meet the reviewer

First Impressions

I don’t want to be weighed down on the trail, but I also want a quality pair of binoculars for those magical wildlife encounters. At first glance, these Field Issue bins look to be exactly the ticket. 

They also look great with their ribbed barrels, which make them both easy on the eye and easy to hold. The golden branding and specification overview on the focussing wheel is also a nice touch. Nocs Provisions calls this ribbed design a ‘rugged wave grip’ and it truly gives the brand's binoculars a unique and attractive aesthetic. My test pair were a pleasant ‘Ponderosa’ shade of green, though they’re also available in brown and grey, while the 8x32 pairs are available in red, blue and grey. It’s nice seeing such an infusion of color into the usually black and grey world of binoculars.

The next thing that jumped out at me was the oversized focus wheel, which makes adjusting the focus quick and easy. Straight away, I was impressed with the of the image they provide, as well as the good levels of contrast and brightness. The little carry sack it came with hardly screams protection, so I made sure to pop the lens caps on every time I placed the bins in my daypack.

A focus on the features

The Field Issues boast a feature set to suit those who’ll wield them while mostly on the move, making them a good option for people heading out for a walk around a reserve or even for multi-day backpackers. Their 473g (16.7 oz) weight and their compact design reflects this, putting them in the same league as the likes of the Opticron Explorer WA ED-Rs, which we are also big fans of, despite the steeper price point.

The high contrast and crisp image boasted by these bins is partly down to the fact the lenses are fully multi-coated. This results in high levels of light transmission thanks to the anti-reflective compounds present. Within its compact body, the Field Issues boast a Swiss-designed Bak4 prism, a type of premium porro prism (bit of a tongue twister that!) that’s used in many high-end binoculars. If you know how binoculars work, you’ll know the importance of this clever bit of internal optics.

The large, central focussing wheel is wonderfully smooth and offers the user a strong degree of precision when zoning in on a subject. Its large dimensions make it ideal for beginner use, as it’s so intuitive.

In order to find the optimum eye relief with or without glasses, there are three eye cup settings, which click into place with a swivel. The bins are marketed as waterproof and fogproof and they’re rated to IPx7, which means they can withstand submersion in up to a meter of water for up to half an hour.

The objective diameter is 32mm, which lets in more than enough light for daytime antics. However, if you’re after a pair of bins that double up as a stargazing tool for the night, it’s better to go for ones with a larger objective diameter. A dedicated pair, like the Celestron Skymaster 15x70, is ideal.

In the field

The weight and compact size of the Field Issues made them ideal for my kind of adventures, where I’m moving from place to place. The size of the focussing wheel makes it easy to quickly move from gazing at nearer to more distant objects. This kind of quick refocussing makes getting a good view of dynamic wildlife that much more intuitive. I found the mechanism to be incredibly smooth, so hats off to Nocs Provisions for some excellent engineering here.

While walking around Bristol’s Henbury Gorge, I enjoyed focussing on nearby spider webs, each glistening strand captured beautifully by the optics, and then adjusting to view rock features up close on the opposite side of the valley. The crispness of the image was impressive. There are almost 500 bird species that have been sighted here and I enjoyed watching the various species glide above the gorge.

With a magnification factor of 10, I was treated to real close ups on stationary objects and animals. However, for scampering deer, binkying rabbits and flying raptors, the 8x32 option is probably the better choice, as the wider view would make speedy animals easier to find and track. It all just depends on what you’re after from your wildlife watching. Nevertheless, I found tracking birds above the gorge during my walks around Gloucestershire straightforward enough.

The test period was a little early for the eruption of color and wildlflowers that spring will bring, but I was able to find plenty of subjects for close viewing. However, with a close focusing distance of 2.8 meters (9.3 feet), the Field Issues are not the ideal pair of bins if butterflies and dragonflies are your bag. For this kind of use, we'd recommend a pair of the Kowa BD32-8XDs.

Austrian optical instruments manufacturer Swarovski Optik has unveiled the world’s first smart binoculars at CES 2024 in Las Vegas. 

The high-tech bins can not only double as a digital camera, but they also use AI to swiftly identify a vast range of animal species. So no more frantic flipping through your dog-eared bird-spotting guide out in the field. 

Let’s just hope it can tell the difference between a sharp-shinned hawk and a Cooper’s hawk, otherwise Swarovski Optik is going to be dealing with an awful lot of angry emails off ornery ornithologists.

The Swarovski Optik AX Visio is equipped with an NPU, aka, neural processing unit, aka, an artificial intelligence thingamajig, which the company claims can quickly and reliably identify a wide variety of birds and other animal species.

Weighing just under 1.1kg (39oz), the binoculars offer 10x magnification and a 32mm objective lens, with a field of view of 112m / 1,000m.

The AX Visio can also be used to take photos and record videos (but only in Full HD resolution). The resolution here is specified as 4,208 x 3,120 pixels or 13 megapixels.

Using a smartphone app, images and photos can also be uploaded to a phone for image management.

You can even share observations live thanks to a live view function, just the thing you need to convince skeptical colleagues that you really have spotted a California condor.

The battery life of the AX Visio is specified as up to 15 hours in normal operation, two hours in intensive use. There’s also a compass function which displays the tilt angle too.

The AX Visio is now available at a price of $4,799. 

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The Arctic is one of our planet’s most astonishing regions. There’s the vastness of the icy sea, the beautifully rugged landscapes that rise from the water and endless boreal forests inhabited by wolves and bears. The midnight sun creates unforgettable hiking experiences during the warmer months, while winter brings bone-juddering temperatures and coats the exhibitionist mountain landscapes in white.

And on cold, clear nights, the cosmos reaches down and puts on a spectacular light show that's out-of-this-world: the Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis. The result of the Sun’s solar wind accelerating along the North Pole’s magnetic field lines and colliding with gas particles in the upper atmosphere, nothing on Earth is quite as ethereally beautiful. With their ghostly curtains of green, red and violet, the aurorae remind us at once of the beauty of our planet and our place in the Solar System.

The Aurora Borealis occurs in a great, dynamic ring – known as the Auroral Oval – around the magnetic North Pole. The places that are often beneath this loop of cosmic magic are some of the best places to see the Northern Lights. Northern Scandinavia, Iceland, Greenland, Northern Canada and Alaska are all frequently blessed with auroral displays. However, the oval isn’t fixed and the Northern Lights have been seen much further south, even as far as Northern England.

In this guide, we reveal six incredible places that are not only famous for the Aurora Borealis but also boast other life-affirming Arctic experiences and the kind of landscapes that that’ll have your jaw on the floor, as well as exceptional stargazing. Just don’t forget your down jacket.

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When is the best time to see the Aurora Borealis?

Before we get into the where, a quick look at when is best to visit these remarkable places to give yourself the best chance of auroral action. Unsurprisingly, clear winter nights are ideal for aurora watching, so anytime between September and March is recommended. However, it’s thought the finest conditions occur around the spring and fall equinoxes, when the solar wind’s magnetic field and the Earth’s magnetic field are in optimum alignment. The spring equinox is around the 20th March and the fall equinox is around the 22nd September.

Where are the best places to see the Aurora Borealis

Without further ado, let's get into the best places to see the Aurora Borealis, starting with our two North American picks...

Fairbanks, Alaska

Best for soaking it all in

In the breathtaking, wild heart of Alaska, way out beyond Denali, is the State’s second largest city, Fairbanks. Renowned for its spectacular Northern Lights displays, it’s arguably the best place in the US to witness the spectacle, as it lies directly beneath the Auroral Oval. Its inland location also means that it doesn’t suffer from the changeable weather that coastal regions have to put up with.

Fairbanks is also known for the Chena Hot Springs resort, around 55 miles from the city. What could be more magical than enjoying the aurorae from a thermal hot spring? The resort has a range of accommodation, from lodges, cabins and camping pitches, while its focus on renewables and sustainability is laudable. You can also arrange dog sledding tours into the surrounding countryside.

Visit in early autumn or spring and there’s also plenty of time to hike by day and enjoy the Northern Lights by night. Two notable trails in the Fairbanks region include the Granite Tors Trail and the Angel Rocks Trail, both of which boast beguiling,  granite pillars and ancient rock tors.

Whitehorse, Canada

Best for clean, crisp air

The capital of Canada’s remote Yukon, Whitehorse is Northern Canada’s largest city. This is quite remarkable considering it has a population that would fit into Michigan Stadium three times over and there’d still be 17,601 spare seats. Yes, with just 30,000 inhabitants and surrounded by wilderness, it’s no wonder the Whitehorse region is a good bet for auroral action, as there’s so little light pollution. 

For the best chance of witnessing the spectacle, you still have to get away from the city’s lights. The scenic route out to Fish Lake is a great option, while there are a number of local tour operators too.

Other options for outdoor adventure include kayaking on the famous Yukon River, while there are myriad hiking trails to get your hiking shoes stuck into, where you can breathe in the pure backcountry air. In fact, in 2011, the World Health Organisation declared that Whitehorse had the cleanest air on the planet. Don’t forget your ski gloves too, as there are 85 kilometers of groomed cross country trails to enjoy.

Lofoten Islands, Norway

Best for staggering scenery

The Lofoten Islands look as if some glorious mistake has happened and a landscape that was intended for Tolkien’s Middle Earth somehow ended up in reality. The scenery is dreamlike. Ferocious mountain peaks rise straight from the sea, towering upwards to jagged and intimidating summits. Fishing settlements cling to what little flat land there is, their tiny islands connected by road bridges, like a ribbon arranged to connect all the settlements.

In summer, the mountains bask in the midnight sun and, when winter arrives in Lofoten, the aurorae dance above snow-plastered peaks. While hiking is popular in summer, winter makes the archipelago’s mountains very challenging, though mountaineers armed with crampons and ice axes will be in their element.

In short, the Lofoten Islands are one of those places where the scenery seriously rivals the thrill of catching a glimpse of the Northern Lights. The archipelago consists of seven main islands and is a haven for birdlife, with sea eagles and cormorants among the inhabitant species. Lofoten is also home to the largest puffin colony in mainland Europe. Best bring the binoculars then!

What’s the catch? Well, Lofoten’s coastal location makes its weather changeable to say the least and the odds of clear skies are slimmer than in many inland locations.

Svalbard, Norway

Best for daylight aurora

Yes, you read that right. The Arctic archipelago of Svalbard offers the opportunity to see the Northern Lights during the daytime. The region benefits from extremely low light pollution and the spectacle can often be witnessed from the capital Longyearbyen.

Svalbard’s landscapes are just as magnificent. Around 60% of the region is covered by permanent ice, with over 1,500 glaciers and many beautiful, snow-covered peaks. If you've been hankering to channel your inner James Bond, you can! One of the most popular ways to explore all of this via snowmobile, though the tour operators probably won't let you carry a machine gun. But, get yourself a warm base layer and dress in a tuxedo by all means.

The sparsely populated archipelago is also renowned for its wildlife. There are just about as many polar bears here as there are human inhabitants, with around 3,000 bears thought to live on the islands. This may sound like a lot, but these wonderful creatures are very elusive, making any sighting a thrilling event. If fancy donning your water shoes and heading out to sea, you get the chance to see beluga whales, narwhals, walruses and seals.

Akureyri, Iceland

Best for fire and ice

While most visitors to Iceland tend to flock south to Reykjavik and the famous Golden Circle of Þingvellir National Park, Gullfoss waterfall and the geysers of Strokkur and Geyser, those hunting the Northern Lights should consider heading north, to Akureyri.

Iceland’s second largest city is significantly further north than Reykjavik and its surroundings are some of the best places in the world to see the Northern Lights. It’s easy to book onto a tour from the city, with expert aurora hunters who’ll enhance your chances of witnessing the spectacle.

As well as staggering auroral displays, Akureyri also offers whale watching, the modern Forest Lagoon luxury geothermal bath resort and the rugged scenery that Iceland is so famous for. Bring your best ski jacket, as Hlíðarfjall, the mountain that dominates the town, is also home to Iceland’s finest runs.

Abisko, Sweden

Best for clear skies

What could evoke childlike excitement more than a trip to Lapland? Yes, the supposed home of Santa Claus also boasts some of the most reliable and spectacular displays of the Aurora Borealis.

Abisko, in Swedish Lapland, offers clear skies, next to no light pollution and is located perfectly under the auroral oval. The Aurora Sky Station, perched at 900 meters above sea level on Mt Njullá and accessible via a 20-minute chairlift journey, was chosen by Lonely Planet as the best place to experience the Northern Lights. You can do it in style too, with a four-course dinner, should the mood take you.

There’s plenty to interest outdoor lovers in the surrounding area. The majestic Nordic fells of the Abisko National Park provide the scenery, along with the glistening waters of Torneträsk, Scandinavia’s largest alpine lake. Many hiking boots have passed this way too, as Abisko is the end (or start) of the legendary, 425-kilometer Kungsleden hiking trail, which becomes a cross country ski trail in the winter.

In essence a handheld pair of little telescopes, binoculars are wonderful little gadgets that allow use to get closer to nature, without actually getting closer to nature. Yes, the essential tool of both the passionate birder and the sleep-deprived police officer on a stakeout, binoculars allow us to see distant objects up close, whether they’re soaring eagles or people getting up to things they shouldn’t be.

But, how many of us could confidently answer the following question: how do binoculars work? If you thought a Porro Prism was an Instagram filter and an eye piece was what S.H.I.E.L.D. director Nick Fury wears, you could probably do with reading this guide.

In short, binoculars work by capturing light in a pair of tubes and enlarging the image by a certain degree of magnification. At one end of the tube, light is captured by the objective lens, it’s reflected and rotated by a pair of prisms, before meeting the eye at the eyepiece where the image is magnified. The best binoculars produce wonderfully detailed and clear images of your chosen target. So, let’s delve into how all this words in more detail.

Being objective

Cool fact: the word lens comes from the Latin for lentil, due to the similarities in shape between a lens and the ever-popular legume. The convex (thick in the middle and thin on the outside) lenses we’re interested in here are the objective lenses. These are the large, curved pieces of glass housed on the opposite end of binoculars to where you pop your eyes.

The job of the objective lens is to collect light. If you know what the numbers mean on a pair of binoculars, you’ll know that the larger the objective lens, the more light it lets in. On a standard pair of 8x42 bins, the 42 stands for the diameter of the objective lens in millimeters.

Interestingly, if you double the size of the objective lens, you actually quadruple the amount of light captured, so the effect is exponential. This is why binoculars designed for use in low light have large objective lenses and why space telescopes have massive ones. One thing to note is that this isn’t how night vision binoculars work though – there’s even more clever tech at play in there, but that’s another story (or guide for that matter, see above).

Light hits the curved surface of the lens and is refracted through the tube. Refraction is what happens when light bends through a medium, such as air, water or glass. Consider how objects appear to be magnified underwater, this is refraction at work in realtime.

Prism sentences

Due to the way light is reflected through the objective lens, the image gets flipped upside-down. Not ideal. Can you imagine the confusion of seeing a horseshoe bat hanging the right way around? That would really mess with our heads!

The same is true of the lenses in our eyes, our corneas, which focu upside-down images onto our retinas. Amazingly, our brains know to reinterpret the image and flip it back the right way around.

Binoculars don’t have brains (not yet anyway), so an alternative solution to the upside-down image problem was needed. This is where prisms come in. A prism is a solid glass geometric object that, in the case of binoculars, is used to rotate the image by 90 degrees. Of course, to turn an upside-down image the right way around, we need 180 degrees of rotation. The answer to this quandary is using two prisms.

There are two types of prism configurations that are used in binoculars, Roof prisms and Porro prisms.

Roof prism binoculars involve two prisms arranged in a straight line. This means the three key optical components – the objective lenses, the prisms and the eyepieces – are also arranged in a line. Thanks to this, roof prism binoculars are very compact, making them ideal for activities like birdwatching. The prisms reflect the light back and forward internally, until the now corrected image exits the system on the same trajectory as it entered.

Porro prisms are named after their Italian inventor, Ignazio Porro, who patented his design in 1854. It involves two right-angle prisms, side by side, that reflect the light twice by 90 degrees. One advantage is that the light goes through fewer reflections compared to Roof prisms. Every time light is reflected off a surface it loses some of its intensity. Therefore, a system that contains as few reflections as possible will give a brighter final image.

As well as this, Porro prism binoculars enjoy a wider field of view with more depth of field. They’re less expensive than bins with Roof prisms too, although they’re not as compact due to the way Porro prisms are aligned.

Find your focus

After the prisms, the image arrives at the eyepiece, a convex lens that magnifies the image, just like a magnifying glass. The amount of magnification a pair of binoculars provides is indicated by the first number it’s labelled with. So, when viewed with a pair of 8x42 bins, an animal that’s 80 meters away would appear to be only 10 meters away.

To get a clear, focussed image, the focal point of the light rays leaving the eyepiece has to meet the retina in the human eye. This is where the focus wheel on a pair of binoculars comes into play. Adjusting the wheel changes the distance between the prisms and the eyepiece and, therefore, the eventually focal point of the refracted light.

As well as this, there’s the diopter focus wheel, which focusses the right barrel of the binoculars only. This is so that the bins can compensate for any differences between your eyes. If two or more people are using the same pair, this setting may need to be changed between each person.

Night vision binoculars take what's already a clever bit of kit, a pair of binoculars, and add a whole other super power – the ability to see in the dark. For most of us, night vision is something we've seen portrayed in Hollywood films or in Playstation games, yet military personnel, law enforcement officers, serious wildlife photographers and many more make use of this ingenious tech.

The best binoculars work by collecting light, flipping the image around the right way and magnifying it for our pleasure. Our guide on how do binoculars work focusses in on this more closely. Here, we’re concerned with how night vision binoculars turn darkness on its head, utilising a blend of ingenious optics, science and electronics to deliver owl-like sight in the dark.

There are two different approaches: image enhancement, the ghoulish green image we often associate with night vision, and thermal imaging, the visualisation of heat sources that you’re probably familiar with from spy flicks. Let’s delve into each…

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Image enhancement

• Image enhancing optics intensify what little visible light there is
• They don't work at all in total darkness, as there's no light to enhance
• It works by turning photons into electrons
• The electrons are multiplied in a process called cascaded secondary emission

Also known as image intensification, image enhancing optics rely on collecting whatever visible light is present in a given field of vision, as well as the lower portion of infrared, no matter how dim or dark it is. However, in total darkness, there’s no visible light to collect, rendering image enhancement impossible.

Fortunately, total darkness is fairly rare and image enhancing optics can amplify any tiny amounts of light that are present to provide an image. These kinds of optics are often called night-vision devices or NVDs. They use an image-intensifier tube, to turn near darkness into something that's much more visible. The tube requires a power source to supply the needed voltage, which is why night vision binoculars often require batteries. Here’s how it all works:

After being captured by the binoculars’ objective lens, the light travels through a photocathode and is converted from photons (the tiny particles that light is made up of) into electrons (the electricity carrying subatomic particle found in all atoms).

A microchannel plate (or MCP) is used, in conjunction with the high voltage, to multiply the electrons. This MCP is a clever little device that contains millions of fiber-optic channels, has metal electrodes on other side and is contained in a vacuum. As the electrons hit the electrodes, they are accelerated, causing thousands of other electrons to be released through the channels. This process is called cascaded secondary emission.

• The electrons collide with a screen, creating a proportional image
• This image is then viewed through the ocular lens of the binoculars

Now at the far end of the image-intensifier tube, the amplified electrons collide with a screen coated with phosphors, solid materials that emit light when exposed to an electron beam.

Incredibly, the alignment of the electrons hitting the screen is the same as the alignment of the original photons collected by the objective lens, so the resulting image is exactly proportional. The phosphors emit the green light that we’ve become so familiar with when considering this kind of night vision.

This green image is viewed by the eye through an ocular lens, which gives the viewer the option of magnifying and focussing the image.

Thermal imaging

• Thermal imaging devices collect infrared light and create an image
• This is why anything that emits heat stands out
• This is because warm objects emit more infrared

Gamers and action movie buffs will be familiar with the concept of thermal imaging, even if they’ve never lifted a pair of night vision goggles to their eyes in real life. Back in the day, I put virtual thermal imaging to excellent use while stealthily sneaking past adversaries in the Metal Gear Solid game series. But what is thermal imaging and how does it work in the actual real world?

Thermal imaging devices collect the upper portion of the emitted infrared light and create an image from it. This is why people and animals or radiators and ovens – basically anything emitting heat – stand out when viewed in this way. One of the main differences between image enhancement and thermal imaging is that the latter works in total darkness.

Let’s start with a bit of science. Warm objects emit infrared light. Infrared lies just beyond the red end of the electromagnetic spectrum, which is also just beyond what the human eye can see. However, just because we can’t see it, doesn’t mean it’s not there.

• In thermal imaging binoculars, a special lens focusses the emitted infrared light
• This is turned into a thermogram, which is convered into electric impulses
• These are sent to a signal-processing unit, converted into data and sent to the display

In thermal imaging binoculars, a special lens focusses the emitted infrared light from the objects it’s pointed towards. It then employs a phased array of infrared detector elements to create a thermogram, which is basically an intricate temperature pattern.

This pattern is then converted into electric impulses that are sent to a signal-processing unit. Within the signal-processing unit is a chip that converts the impulses into data to be sent to the display.

Often, the image produced is in black and white, with the hotter objects appearing brighter than the cooler ones. However, some thermal binoculars have the option of color, which adds clarity to the overall image.

Right now, you can get a great deal on a pair of binoculars in the Amazon Prime Big Deal Days sale, with up to 50% off some of our top recommended models. There's up to 50% off Bushnell binoculars, and our favorite binoculars for astronomy, the Celestron Skymaster 15x70, are just $84.79.

All too often we see people getting too close to wild animals, whether it's bears, elk, or bison, and the results can be catastrophic. Instead of approaching wildlife, it's always safer to use binoculars to enjoy it from a safe distance – and you can pick up a great pair for under $50 if you know where to look.

Here we've rounded up a selection of the best deals on binoculars in the October Amazon Prime Day sale. If you're not in the US, scroll down to the bottom of this article for the best deals on binoculars where you are.

If you're not in the US, or you're looking for something different, here are today's best prices on more of our top-rated binoculars.

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We're often asked, what do the numbers mean on a pair of binoculars? If you're unaware, you're right to ask, as they're pretty important when it comes to choosing the optimum pair for your adventures. This is because there are different bins for different situations, from watching birds soar on the thermals and getting an intimate view of a resting butterfly to gazing at the crater-scarred surface of the Moon.

Much of that has to do with the numbers they’re labelled with, such as “8 x 24” or “10 x 42”. But, what do these numbers mean on a pair of binoculars? Well, unsurprisingly, it’s all to do with their optics.

The first number which, on mainstream binoculars, is often either 8 or 10, is the magnification. The higher the number, the greater the magnification. For example, if an osprey was soaring through the sky 100 meters away, viewing it through 10x magnification would make it appear only 10 meters away. You might think that the higher than magnification, the better. However, it’s not quite as simple as that, which we’ll come to in due course.

Next up, the second number, is the objective lens diameter in millimeters. The larger the objective lens, the more light your binoculars can hoover up. Not only this, the difference is exponential. So, if you were to double the diameter of your objective lens, it’ll collect four times as much light – that’s a lot of photons!  There may be many reasons you need binoculars, from birdwatching to stargazing – the various objective lens sizes work well in different levels of light.

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The magnification consideration

• The more zoomed in you are on an object, the more constrained your field of vision becomes
• High magnification also exaggerates the effect of your own movement

As mentioned, you may think that having loads of magnification is the ideal scenario. However, the more zoomed in you are on an object, the more constrained your field of view is. You don’t want to be that person who is so closely studying a ptarmigan’s lovely winter coat that you completely miss a golden eagle swoop down and snatch it away. Less magnification gives a wider view, so you can enjoy studying your subject but still see what’s going on around it.

It’s also harder to pick out distant subjects and move with them when you’ve got high magnification. To take the ptarmigan/eagle analogy further, even if you did spot the eagle’s approach, tracking the bird’s flight once it’s back in the air is much easier with less magnification and a wider field of view. This is why the ideal birdwatching bins usually have a magnification or 8 or 10, which gives a good balance between decent magnification and the wider view.

Finally, the last downside to higher magnification is that your own movements are also exaggerated. Unless you’ve got your binoculars attached to a tripod, you’ll know just how much you move, even if trying to hold your bins as steady as possible.

So, while some magnification is obviously desirable, there’s definitely a balance to be struck.

Being objective about the objective diameter

• The larger the objective lens, the more light it lets in
• A larger lens equals a bigger, heavier pair of binoculars

We’ve already established that the larger the objective lens, the more light it lets in and that the difference is exponential. This is because when you double the diameter of a lens, you actually increase the surface area by a factor of four. The objective lens takes all those lovely photons and transmits them to the ocular lens, which is where your eye takes over.

Increased light capture is why optics designed for viewing objects at night have large objective lenses. Think of the lens size on an astronomical telescope, it’s pretty big. That’s because that cosmos out there is pretty darn dark. With this in mind, it makes sense that binoculars with large objective lenses are well suited to nighttime use.

It’s worth bearing in mind that a large lens equals a bigger, heavier pair of binoculars so, once again, there’s always a balance to be struck.

What magnification and objective diameter are best?

• The sweetspot for birders is around about 8x42
• Compact bins for the trail often feature an objective lens between 25mm and 32mm
• A magnification of 10 is preferable to 8 if viewing stationary or slow moving objects

So, now your know what the numbers mean on a pair of binoculars. Hurrah! As you’ll have noticed, there’s no perfect pair for every scenario and finding the right magnification and objective lens size is a balancing act.

The most popular binocular magnification and objective lens size combo is 8x42, as seen in the excellent Nikon Prostaff 7S. This pretty much hits the sweet spot for birders, giving enough magnification to appreciate an animal’s grace, while still giving the user a wide field of view and the opportunity to effectively track it when it moves. A 42mm lens lets in just the right amount of light.

You should carry binoculars on every adventure. If you’re popping your bins in your daypack and heading out on a hike, you’ll probably want something a little lighter and more portable than what a birder would take to the nearby reserve or estuary. Therefore, most bins designed for general outdoor use, often referred to as compacts, have much smaller objective lenses, usually around 25mm or 28mm. 

If wildlife watching from the trail is your bag, a magnification factor of 8 gives you a decent field of view, like the Kowa YF 8x30 bins, which are a great beginner option. On the other hand, if you use your binoculars as a navigational aid and expect to be looking at mainly stationary or slow-moving subjects that might be a considerable distance away, a factor of 10 works well.

• Stargazing binoculars have high magnification and a large objective lenses
• Pairing them with a tripod in order to keep the image steady is recommended

Stargazing binoculars have both a high magnification factor and a large objective lens, often 42, 50 or even higher, like the 15x70 Celestron Skymaster. It’s worth getting a tripod once the objective lens starts to get overly large, as the bins will obviously be bulkier. This also helps to keep the image still. Jupiter and it’s Galilean moons may be careering around the sun at approximately 29,236 miles per hour (neat fact: it's the fastest planet in our solar system), but it’s so far away that it’ll seem like it’s not really going anywhere fast.

So, that's the magnification and objective lens sorted. Perhaps it's time to get some expert tips and learn how to use binoculars properly.

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Whitby Gear 8x42 Monocular: first impressions 

Designed for nature enthusiasts who like to stay on the go, Whitby has designed a lightweight and compact monocular that delivers a close look at distant wildlife, but is light enough to carry on any hike. With a compact and robust design, you won’t think twice about packing this in your backpack for a day hike or camping trip, while 8x magnification with a 42mm lens means you can set your sights on that grazing elk or flock of birds as they fly through the sky. 

We’ve tested this monocular out on day hikes and found that it’s extremely easy to use, even when you’re pulling it out in a hurry. The focusing mechanism is smooth and effective and the lens and magnification make it easy to home right in on what you’re looking for and watch it without any shaking. This monocular comes in a carrying case with a wrist lanyard and lens caps. Some users might prefer a neck lanyard and one of the lens caps isn’t attached, making it easier to lose, but in terms of performance and quality, it’s hard to beat this monocular that’s great for novices as well as experienced users – especially at such a budget-friendly price. 

Whitby Gear 8x42 Monocular: in the field 

For years now, I’ve been kicking myself for not carrying a pair of binoculars on my hikes. There have been multiple bear, moose and golden eagle encounters in Colorado that would have been enhanced by some magnification. But let’s face it, binoculars can be bulky and heavy, taking up a lot of room in a backpack. So when I was offered the chance to test out the Whitby Gear 8x42 Monocular, I jumped at the chance. I’ve taken this with me on all of my hikes for the past month and, while I'm still learning not to scrunch up my other eye, and Scotland is lacking in bears and moose, I’ve had plenty of opportunity to use it to enjoy our fantastic avian population.

Here’s how it performed:  

Weight and packability 

First off, and just 352g, this monocular is equivalent in weight to a can of Coke, and with the streamlined shape it’s easy to fit in my backpack and carry over long distances. That said, I can see how a monocular or pair of binoculars could be too light and make for a shaky viewing experience, and this manages to walk that line perfectly with just enough weight in my hand to be steady 

Magnification and stability 

The 8x magnification of this monocular isn’t super long range, but that makes it ideal for nature viewing, where a long range lens can make it difficult to home in on what you want to see. I don’t have another pair of binoculars to compare it to, but compared to the massive zoom on my Canon Powershot, I’m able to get a decent look at birds in the near and middle distance, and the view is much steadier. 

Ease of use 

I find these easy to hold with both one hand and two. On our first adventure together, I was lucky enough to see a migrating stork, which is extremely rare in Scotland. Excitedly, I whipped out the monocular and was able to really easily adjust the magnification and get a closer look. Even though I consider myself a novice in this type of technology, I found it really easy to get the hang of without reading an instruction manual, which meant I could get out into nature faster. 

Durability and value 

I admit, I have dropped this already and it’s fine. It’s a robust piece of gear, well-padded with rubber and the lens covers are great for keeping it from getting scratched. It’s not waterproof, so the big thing for me is to remember to keep a plastic bag handy in case there’s a shower.

The carrying case is just that, a carrying case, so it doesn’t offer much protection but it does help keep crumbs and grime in my backpack from getting into the lenses, Ideally, it would probably be best for both lens caps to be attached so I don’t lose the one that isn’t, and a neck lanyard might be better than the wrist strap, but those are small quibbles and at this price, you really couldn’t ask for more. 

• How Advnture tests products

Having a pair of the best binoculars will elevate your outdoor adventures. This is true whether your primary objective is wildlife watching or if you're bringing a lightweight pair along just in case you spot something interesting during your hike.

The best binoculars magnify and bring razor sharp focus to distant objects, allowing you to admire soaring eagles, appraise crags for potential lines of weakness or check on the progress of the advance party as they break trail – among other things. Some are hefty and provide impressive magnification, while others are pocket-sized and ideal for stashing in your daypack during a casual walk.

In this guide, our expert reviewers round up the best options for outdoor adventures, wildlife watching and stargazing, as well as the pair we think are best suited to kids. Our favorite of all is the Hawke Endurance 8x42 for its crisp image and natural colors. If you don't know your objective diameters from your porro prisms, see our how to choose guide at the bottom of this feature.

The quick list

The best binoculars comparison table

The best binoculars we recommend in 2026

The best binoculars overall

Testing these binoculars was a joy. Our tester spent one morning watching a juvenile kestrel on his local patch. Wide-angle views made it easy to track the bird as it practiced hunting in the scree. When it came to rest in a tree opposite, he could pick out the subtle shift in faun and chestnut browns and its blue-gray head and tail feathers, thanks to its crisp image and the natural colors that these binoculars produce.

If your aspirations tend towards serious bird and nature watching, then I would highly recommend you try these for yourself. They look and feel exceptionally good and the focus wheel, while a little firmer than others, adds to the feel of a well-constructed pair of binoculars that promise a lifetime of use.

Read our full Hawke Endurance 8x42 binoculars review

The best lightweight binoculars

If you're looking for a good quality pair of waterproof binoculars at a mid-range price then the Noc Provisions Field Issues are a great option. The focusing wheel is well-sized, smooth to operate and impressively precise, making this pair easy to use in the field.

Bird watchers may well be looking for a lower magnification than on offer here and if you want a close focusing pair these also aren't the best choice. But what they provide is great clarity and contrast, in a compact design.

The lenses are fully multi-coated and are available both as 10x32 and 8x32 - our expert tester tried the 10x32 option. The ribbed barrels make them easy to hold and their 473g (16.7 oz) weight makes them easy to pop into your backpack, although you may want to invest in a carry case, as the bag they come in doesn't feel super-protective. These binoculars are also rated waterproof and fogproof, so you can be confident that a downpour on the trails won't see them off prematurely.

The best binoculars for serious birders

Of all the pairs in this test, these binoculars are mostly likely to get appreciative nods from other birders. They represent a significant step up in outlay, and casual users may not notice a great deal of difference from pairs like the Nikon or Hawke, but if your aspirations match this price point, then these (and the Kowa BDs) are where you should be looking. Small differences in performance will represent a good return on your investment over many years of use.

These felt really good to hold and the large focus wheel made it easy to adjust as we followed birds zipping across the sky. There’s very little sense of distortion at the edge of the image and you get bright, natural colors that allow you to really appreciate the action. We tested these in a range of conditions and while they are undoubtedly impressive, they did not quite deliver the brightness of image that we expected in lower light conditions.

Read our full Zeiss Terra ED 8x32 review

The best binoculars for stargazing

These binoculars wouldn’t look out of place on the set of a WW2 naval epic, being used by a lookout scanning the ocean for U-boats. The whopping 70mm objective lens is designed to gather light, while the 15 times magnification promises impressive views of the lunar surface, Jupiter, cloud nebula and even a hint of the rings of Saturn. When we pointed them into a seemingly clear section of sky, stars started to appear that weren't visible with to naked eye.

At this price point a pair of binoculars are probably a better bet than a telescope. We found that they gathered more light and, because we were using both our peepers, we got a more 3D view. Hand-held, it's a struggle to prevent image wobble, so we had to either balance our elbows on a wall or use the tripod adaptor to get the stability required. But at this price, we think everyone should have a pair of these: they are guaranteed to enhance your enjoyment and understanding of the night sky.

Read our full Celestron Skymaster 15x70 binoculars review

The best binoculars for value

The quirky looking Nocs Standard Issue Collection Binoculars are a great choice for buyers looking for a pair of adventure-ready, high-performing binoculars without breaking the bank.

The Nocs binoculars use high-grade Bak4 prisms and fully multi-coated lenses that together provide a wide field of view and outstanding image quality in all light conditions. They’re also fully waterproof, have fog-proof lenses, feature a non-slip ergonomic grip and we found that they are as ruggedly built as any other model in this guide.

The Nocs weigh in at a highly portable 11.85oz (336 g) and are small enough to fit inside a large pocket or the hood of a daypack. Their manufacturers also protect your purchase with a highly reassuring 'no matter what' lifetime warranty and throw in a smartphone adapter that lets you capture photos and video clips through the lenses. The binoculars come in a variety of wild and vibrant colors: marigold yellow, cobalt blue, poppy orange, granite gray, seafoam green, cypress, flat earth and squid ink.

The best binoculars for kids

These are porro prism binoculars (see ‘how to buy section’ below) and while they might look slightly old fashioned, there are some distinct advantages. Because light takes a simpler route from the objective lens to your eyeball, there is less technology required inside to deliver the same image quality. That means you potentially get the same performance as a pair that cost far more.

We found that these Kowa YFs are really impressive. They deliver a bright, sharp image with good color and very little sense of fuzziness at the edge. The field of view is wide enough for them to work as a primary pair of bird-watching binoculars and they offer excellent close focus. They are great for smaller hands, and perfect for young birders who want their first pair of bins. If you’re buying on a budget, these are robust, light, easy to pack, sit neatly in a waterproof jacket pocket and are ready for action when you need them. So not just for kids and beginners, these are among the best binoculars for anyone at this price point.

Read our full Kowa YF 8x30 binoculars review

The best binoculars for campers

Across a broad product range, Zeiss offers models of binoculars for every application and budget. For hikers and campers, the Terra ED Pocket 8x25 is our pick of the bunch. These binoculars offer 8x magnification and use high-quality hydrophobic, anti-reflective coated lenses that provide clear, crisp, and colorful images in all light conditions. The large viewing fields and close minimum focus distance make these just about the closest thing you’ll get to a full-sized binoculars in a trail-ready and pocket-sized format.

The lightweight, compact, folding design makes these binoculars easy to bring along on any outdoor adventures and to sports events, while the quality of the optics means they are also a great choice for dedicated bird-watching trips. Overall, they have very user-friendly ergonomics, with grippy covering armor and an intuitively located diopter knob making handling and focusing a cinch.

The best binoculars for hikers

We found that these binoculars are perfect for long bike rides, walks or multi-day trips. They're light, compact and easy to justify throwing in a rucksack or bike pannier just in case.

Smaller objective lenses should mean they don’t perform as well in lower light conditions, but we were very impressed when we tested these alongside three larger lens binoculars. As the sun was going down, watching a climber tackle routes in the Avon Gorge, the Opticrons produced clear, bright images good focus across the color range.

With the widest field of view in this test they make it easier to track a bird in flight or to spot interesting behaviour in a larger flock. They compare favourably with the most expensive models in this test and these were the pair we kept coming back to during the test.

Read our full Opticron Explorer WA ED-R + 8x32 binoculars review

The best binoculars for durability

Every pair of binoculars in this test represent great value and performance and these are no exception. The image quality is good and they would meet the needs of most users, so if you are looking for a pair of binoculars at this price point then these are an excellent investment. What’s more, they are designed to be impressively robust. Bushnell is a US brand that specialises in sports optics for hunting, fishing and wildlife watching.

These come with a hydrophobic coating to deal with dust, oil and water and a lifetime ‘ironclad’ guarantee. You can apparently immerse them in three foot of water for up to 30 minutes. We found that they are indeed tough, but didn’t have the quality feel of other binoculars and the eyecups didn’t twist as easily as we would have liked. But if you’re looking for the guarantee of bomb-proof performance and great value for money then these should be on your shortlist.

Read our full Bushnell Prime 8x42 binoculars review

The best monocular

Our expert reviewer loved how easy it was to use this monocular. The smooth, effective focusing mechanism and well-specced lens and magnification mean you can pick out the details on what you're looking at beautifully, and the light weight makes it less likely that you'll get any shake.

You don't get a neck lanyard with this design, but there's a wrist lanyard and lens caps included in the price, which is also very wallet-friendly. One of the lens caps isn't attached, so you'll need to take not to lose it - in our experience lens caps are a bit like socks. They can disappear mysteriously when you're not looking!

Tipping the scales at just 352g, about the same as a can of Coke, you're not going to feel weighed down by this monocular, and it's compact size makes it easy to squeeze into any pack. The 8X magnification isn't super powerful, but the advantage of a shorter lens is that it's easier to home in on what you want to see.

Overall, this is a great first purchase if you're keen to get up close with nature, and the simple controls make it easy to use for beginners too.

The best lightweight monocular

Now here's a neat bit of kit that will help you get the most out of your backcountry nature walks. If you're time-strapped, enjoy fast hikes and getting out in the rough, or just don't like to be weighed down, the Nocs Provisions Field Tube 8x32 will enhance your adventures with minimum maintenance.

It is half the weight of a pair of binoculars, and the compact shape is handy for slipping in and out of pockets. A ridged exterior gives great grip, and the waterproof and fog proof design means you won't have to seek shelter from the rain, or stop to worry over a misted-up lens.

Of course, where you gain in weight and usability, you lose in field of vision and close focus. But, better to catch those chance encounters on the go than not at all. And our expert hiker and wildlife watcher still rated the monocular for its multi-coated lenses and anti-reflective qualities, which gave a clear image that was easy to focus using the oversized wheel.

In fact, he was totally impressed with the Field Tube 8x32, which delivered on low-key wildlife watching during outdoor pursuits.

Read our full Nocs Provisions Field Tube 8x32 review

The best for video

This is relatively expensive and are clearly designed for a very different purpose to others in this test. Whether your adventures take you out on wild camping trips or you want to know what’s roaming around at night in your back garden or local patch, these are worth consideration. It doesn't have the magnification of others in this test, but this monocular uses infrared sensors to deliver an effective night vision range of up to 200 yards (182 meters). What’s more, you can capture the action, as the Z2 allows you to record video at 1080p HD and then upload images and videos using Wi-Fi or leads.

Film during the day to deliver color images on the screen, which switches to black and white at night for sharper clarity and contrast. We found it to be a fun option that could have serious applications for those with an interest in nocturnal wildlife.

How we test the best binoculars

At Advnture, we test binoculars in the backcountry and in the conditons they were designed to be used in. We assess their performance against their specifications, paying close attention to qualities like clarity, ease of use, portability, grip and weight. When arriving at the final rating, we consider the user experience against the value of the product.

Meet the testers

How to choose the best binoculars

Binoculars are an exceptionally personal purchase. What feels right for one person may not work for another. What delivers a good image for one person may not work quite as well for you. So there is no substitute for getting your hands on a pair of binoculars before you buy.

To help you narrow down your choice there are two questions to ask yourself when looking for the best binoculars: what is your budget and what do you want to use your binoculars for?

There are many reasons you might need binoculars. If you're off on a once-in-a-lifetime safari trip, you might want to splash the cash on an all singing, all dancing model that provides great magnification and crystal clear vision. However, if you're looking for an additional boon to your hiking essentials, you'll want something light and compact, a model that you don't mind stuffing into your daypack. Often overlooked for this kind of application are monoculars. When it comes to binoculars vs monoculars, the latter are smaller, cheaper and lighter than their dual optic counterparts.

Read on for more answers to all your binocular buying questions...

Consider the magnification you require

The best magnification for binoculars will depend on what you intend to watch, how far away it is and whether or not it will be moving. The magnification of a pair is indicated in the first number in the name, typically 8 or 10 on a standard paid.

Nature watching: We think that the sweet spot for most nature watching is a pair of 8x42 binoculars. Larger magnification can make it harder to deliver a stable image with a pair of handheld binoculars. A x10 magnification is probably fine for most people, but don’t go over this unless you intend to use them with a tripod.

Bird watching: We think that a pair of binoculars around the 8x32, 8x42 mark are ideal, although a pair of 10x32 or 10x42 are also worth considering.

When it comes to which is better, 10x42 or 20x50, the latter are excellent for longer ranges, making distant objects look much closer than they are and great for looking at far away objects that aren't moving. However, the greater magnification equals a narrower field of vision, which makes finding and keeping your focus on moving objects more difficult.

With this in mind, a binocular with an 8 or 10 factor magnification is useful to catch the action in flocks of birds or to find and then track fast moving species. Binoculars that deliver natural colors will help if you need to ID tricky species. If you have an interest in butterflies, bees and dragonflies, then look for a pair that offer a close focus of 2m or less.

Stargazing: For admiring the moon and celestial objects, you'll want even greater magnificant. The Celestron Skymaster provides x15 magnification for this very purpose.

Choosing between roof or porro prism binoculars

There are two types of binoculars in this test: the traditional porro prism binoculars that have an ‘M’ shape to them, and the more modern roof prism binoculars that seem to be just a tube where the light travels directly from one end to the other.

The truth is very different: roof prism binoculars require high quality prisms and lenses to send the light on a much more complicated path from the objective lens to the eye.

So while these more fashionable binoculars are often more compact and sleeker in design, the porro prism alternatives should not be overlooked. Less technology inside and a less complicated path for the light to follow, means they offer better image quality and brightness for your money.

Getting the right size

Our best binoculars guide features a range of sizes and weights. Choosing the optimum pair for your adventures will really depend on how serious your wildlife watching exploits will be or whether carrying a pair of bins is simply a 'nice to have'. If it's the latter, look for lighter, more compact pairs that won't weigh down your pack or take up much room.

How much to spend

You can expect to pay anything from $100 to $400 for a pair of quality binoculars, with the lower end representing good budget options and the upper end being the more premium pairs. Of course, you can spend less than this, though the quality is likely to suffer. Likewise, you can also spend more but the difference in performance starts to become negligible compared to the increase in price.

If you're a glasses wearer

Some people will need to wear glasses while they use their binoculars. If you’re near-sighted and require glasses for reading this will be less of a problem.

Eye relief is the distance a binocular can be held away from the eye while still giving you the full field of view. If you use glasses then you need to look for a pair that have an eye relief of 16mm or more. Test them out with your glasses on if possible.

FAQs about binoculars

What do the numbers mean on a pair of binoculars?

Magnification: The first number which, on mainstream binoculars, is often either 8 or 10, is the magnification. The higher the number, the greater the magnification. For example, if an osprey was soaring through the sky 100 meters away, viewing it through 10x magnification would make it appear only 10 meters away.

Objective lens diameter: The second number, is the objective lens diameter in millimeters. The larger the objective lens, the more light your binoculars can hoover up. Not only this, the difference is exponential. So, if you were to double the diameter of your objective lens, it’ll collect four times as much light.

So, a pair of binoculars labelled 8x32 features x8 magnification and a 32mm objective lens.

What is field of view?

The field of view is the width of the image you'll see when you look through a pair of binoculars. It's usually stated as the distance in meters horizontally visible when looking at objects 1,000m away. As a general principle, the wider the field of view the better, as it allows you to track moving objects more easily. This is especially important when bird watching, as those raptors don't hang around when in flight!

What are the best binocular brands?

When it comes to the price points featured in this guide, we think Kowa, Zeiss, Nikon and Celestron make the best binoculars for hiking and wildlife watching trips. Kowa are a Japanese brand that boast supreme optical excellence, while Zeiss have all the hallmarks of quality German manufacturing. Meanwhile, we love Celestron's SkyMaster 15x70s for a spot of stargazing. Nikon are a popular brand and a very good shout if you're looking for exceptional value.

What is an objective lens?

Objective lenses are the front lenses in a pair of binoculars. The diameter of a pair's objective lenses and its magnification are the numbers you often see in the name. So, a 8x42 binocular has a magnification factor of 8 and an objective lens diameter of 42mm.

While the magnification determines how large objects will appear, the diameter of the objective lens determines how much light the instrument can gather and the difference is exponential. For example, if you double the size of the lens, you get four times the light gathering capability. So, for low light applications, the larger the objective lens, the better. It makes sense when you start to think about astronomical telescopes, which have huge objective lenses for looking into the night sky. However, if you're on a sunny safari, too much light may not be such a good thing...

What does 'brightness' mean in binoculars?

Not all things are equal, which is why manufacturers will shout about the technology inside their binoculars that allow them to bounce light around to deliver a brighter, sharper image. Many manufacturers offer a number for ‘relative brightness’ but this is really just based on the size of the objective lens. In reality, the quality of glass and manufacturing as well as the technology used will deliver very different results. If you're looking to take in the wonders of the Northern Hemisphere night sky, you'll need a large objective lens and high magnification.

Should I worry about a lifetime guarantee for binoculars?

Smaller binoculars are easier to slip into a jacket pocket and carry on longer multi-day trips. If you are doing something more adventurous than carrying your binoculars from a car to a bird hide, then they need to be robust and durable. A lifetime or long guarantee is a good indication of the manufacturer’s faith in their product. We have had binoculars replaced in the past, so it’s worth looking for this extra security.

Do binoculars need to be waterproof or rain resistant?

Even general bird watchers need to know that their binoculars can cope with rain and wet weather. A solid construction and anti-fogging is important. If you’re planning long walks in rainy conditions, then a quality carry case and lens protectors are helpful. Even better, stash your bins in a decent dry bag for peace of mind.

There are many reasons you might want to magnify either distant objects or treasures underfoot while out in the backcountry. From birdwatching and general nature watching to route finding and incredulously viewing climbers or alpinists progress up a terrifying ridge, optics reveal the outdoors in a way that the naked eye simply can't.

So, binoculars vs monocular, which is the ideal tool for enhancing your wilderness experience? Both have their distinct advantages and disadvantages and, while most people will be familiar with binoculars, there's a good chance you haven't considered using a monocular. These more compact devices are ideal for fast and light hikers, taking up far less space than the double-barrelled binocular.

However, with both, you can zoom in on grizzly bears feasting on sockeye salmon in Alaska, watch bison grazing in Yellowstone National Park and gaze on golden eagles soaring low over the Colorado River. But which is better? We take the wide view on binoculars vs monocular for hiking and bird watching to help you pick the best option for enjoying the views on your adventures. 

Meet the expert

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Binoculars vs monocular: weight and packability

• A monocular takes up less space and weighs less in a backpack

If you’re worried about adding weight or taking up space in your backpack, naturally the monocular is going to weigh less and pack more easily, since it’s half the size of a pair of binoculars. The difference here can be quite substantial – in our picks for the best binoculars, the lightest pair is the Nikon Travelite, which comes in at 9.3oz, while the Brunton Echo Zoom Monocular weighs a mere 3.2oz in comparison.

That said, there are lots of lighter weight binoculars out there and you can easily wear your binoculars around your neck using a good strap, in which case they won’t take up any room at all in your pack. But then again, you can probably pop a monocular in the pocket of your waterproof jacket for the same outcome.

Magnification and image quality

• Binoculars naturally provide a wider image
• This leads to a better viewing experience
• A monocular still provides the magnification required for birdwatching

Both come with a fairly wide range of magnification, but the generally agreed upon standard for most bird watching is 8x magnification, and you’ll find plenty of both in that range. Binoculars naturally do provide a wider image than a monocular since you have two lenses to let in more light. With two lenses and the use of both eyes, many users find that a pair of binoculars does offer a better viewing experience, though the technical differences may be more marginal than you might think.

Even though monoculars are smaller, you might be surprised to discover that they often offer all the magnification needed for bird watching. You can also just go for a bigger monocular and the bigger lens will let in more light, but you'll always be using just one eye.

Ease of use and comfort

• Binoculars can take a little longer to focus
• However, the two handed operation makes them feel more stable
• An advantage of a monocular is that it gives you a free hand

Binoculars can take a little longer to focus and get that warbler in your sights, and while they require the use of both hands, many people find this feels more balanced and steady – it’s also not really clear what you’d need the other hand for while you’re bird watching, but if you do need it for something, you’ll want to go with the monocular. 

Monoculars give you a free hand if needed, and make it easier to set sights on your target and focus, but some users might find that they’re not as steady. Using only one eye also takes some getting used to, and can even cause eye strain or headache if you’re using them for a long time. This one comes down to quite a bit of personal preference, but if you’re going to be using them for long periods, your eyes might be happier with binoculars.

Weather resistance

• There's no real disparity between binoculars and monoculars when it comes to weather resistance

Because you’re going to be using your binoculars or monocular outside, you obviously want them to be as bulletproof as possible. That means waterproof in case of showers, fog-resistant and shockproof in case you drop them (a carrying strap and non-slip grip will help with the latter). We can’t find any obvious disparity between the two in this regard, so it’s really just down to making sure you choose a model that is built to last. Also, remember that anti fog sprays and wipes will work on the lenses. 

Price

• Generally speaking, a monocular is cheaper than binoculars
• Though you can get good value or spend a lot on either

Owing to the smaller amount of materials used in the making of a monocular, you can definitely save quite a bit if you go with this option, even when you’re comparing binoculars and monoculars of equal quality. That’s not to say that you can’t drop a pretty penny on a good monocular like the Bushnell Equinox Z2 if you want to, but generally speaking the monocular will be more budget friendly. 

Comparison table

The verdict

• To save weight, bulk and money, go for a monocular
• For a wider view and general viewing quality, binoculars win hands down

Basically, this one comes down to your priorities and activities. If you want to save on weight, bulk and money, you’ll want to go with a monocular, especially if you’re backpacking or thru-hiking and traveling long distances. If getting a wide view is the most important thing to you, you’re not traveling too far on foot and you might be using them for a long period of time and don’t want to strain your eyes, you’ll do no wrong with a good pair of binoculars. It’s also really worth getting your hands – and eyes – on both before you buy, because choosing between the two can really come down to how you like the feel of them. 

Nikon has launched two new pairs of extra-tough binoculars specifically designed for watching wildlife and enjoying nature in the backcountry – and they're not as expensive as many others.

A pair of the best binoculars can be a game-changer, allowing you enjoy observing wildlife at a distance so you can stay safe and avoiding disturbing birds and animals. Choosing the right pair is an important decision though; with care, they give you a whole lifetime of enjoyment, so you want to be sure you've made a wise choice. These new models from Nikon are designed to be easy to use, even for novices, and should shrug off whatever nature can throw at them.

The Nikon Prostaff P7 and Prostaff P3 both have rugged, rubberized outer bodies that are fogproof and water-resistant (so no worries about using them in the rain), and are made from fiber-reinforced polycarbonate that makes them noticeably lighter than earlier models.

Multilayer coated lenses provide a bright image, and both the lenses and prisms are free from lead and arsenic (both of which are commonly used in optical glass). Turn-and-slide rubber eyecups with multi-click make it easy to position your eyes at the correct eyepoint, and the long eye relief design ensures a clear field of view, even if you wear glasses.

The Prostaff P7 series offers natural colors and a wide field of view, making it a particularly good choice for following the path of a bird in flight. A locking diopter adjustment ring prevents you accidentally changing the focus while viewing. (For tips on successful twitching, see how to bird watch: a first timer's guide.)

The Prostaff P3 lineup is particularly light, which makes it a solid choice for backpacking when you want to minimize weight. Again, they have a wild field of view, and a bright and clear image that's well suited to watching wildlife from a respectful distance.

Neither pair will break the bank, either. The Prostaff P7 series start at $179.95 / £199, while the P3 series start at $129.95 / £149. Both are available to buy now direct from Nikon.

• How to watch wildlife and appreciate the natural world

A national preserve in northern New Mexico is receiving recognition for its dark skies. The Valles Caldera National Preserve in the Jemez Mountains has been certified as an International Dark Sky Park.

The National Park Service and the International Dark Sky Association announced on February 3 that Valles Caldera National Preserve near Jemez Springs, NM, has been certified as an International Dark Sky Park. This certification recognizes the exceptional quality of the preserve’s night skies and provides added opportunities to enhance visitor experiences through astronomy-based interpretive programming, according a story in the Los Alamos Daily Post.

• Looking for the best binoculars? Check out our expert buying guide
• Light your way when stargazing with the best head lamps
• The northern hemisphere night sky: stars, planets and galaxies to look out for this winter

Located in the Jemez Mountains of north-central New Mexico, Valles Caldera National Preserve is the newest national preserve in the US, having been designated by a preservation act in 2000. The preserve is centered around an ancient 13.7-mile wide volcanic caldera and surrounding landscape that includes hot springs, streams, fumaroles, natural gas seeps and volcanic domes. 

The preserve property is known for its excellent hiking, wildlife viewing, camping, fishing and mountain biking in the summer, and cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in the winter. It’s also a great place to learn about wonders of the night sky, according to Jorge Silva-Bañuelos, park superintendent at Valles Caldera National Preserve, who said it was possible to see the Milky Way, meteor showers, planets, and star constellations, unobstructed by light pollution.

“The night sky has inspired countless humans to dream, invent, and explore,” Silva-Bañuelos enthused. “With this certification, we are committed to preserving our dark night skies and sharing all that we can learn from them with our surrounding communities and visitors to Valles Caldera.”

While the certification does not carry any legal or regulatory authority, it demonstrates a commitment by land managers to reduce light pollution and improve night skies through use of energy-efficient, sustainable lighting. Certification also reaffirms a commitment to educate the public and local communities about the importance of dark-sky compliant outdoor lighting and opportunities to work together to preserve shared resources and values.

Valles Caldera joins more than 100 other locations around the world that have received a dark sky certification. International sites on the list include Bodmin Moor (England), Bukk National Park (Hungary), De Boschplaat (Netherlands), Eifel National Park (Germany), Galloway Forest Park (Scotland), Kozushima Island (Japan), Wai-Iti (New Zealand). 

Other US parks on the list include Antelope Island State Park (Utah), Big Bend National Park (Texas), Canyonlands National Park (Utah), Death Valley National Park (California), Grand Canyon National Park (Arizona), Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve (Colorado), James River State Park (Virginia) and Voyageurs National Park (Minnesota). 

Check out Advnture's guide to the best places in the US for dark sky stargazing.

The International Dark Sky Places Program was founded in 2001 to encourage communities, parks, and protected areas to protect dark sites. The National Park Service web page for Valles Caldera states that astronomy events will be held throughout the year in collaboration with many partner organizations, including Los Amigos de Valles Caldera, Village of Jemez Springs, Los Alamos County, Pajarito Astronomers, and Pajarito Environmental Education Center. 

International Dark Sky Park certification promotes public education and astronomy-based recreation in parks while improving energy efficiency and reduced operational costs through outdoor lighting upgrades, which in turn creates economic opportunities for neighboring communities through astronomy-based tourism.

The RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch takes place across the UK this weekend – and it’s set to be the largest survey yet.

It’s expected that more than half a million people will spend an hour between January 29 and 31 watching and recording birds from their garden, balcony or window. The results are then sent to the RSPB. 

With the survey now in its 42nd year, 144 million birds have been counted to date, which gives the RSPB and RSPB Scotland an astonishing amount of insight into how our wildlife is faring. 

Anne McCall, Director of RSPB Scotland, said: “I am delighted that more people than ever have signed up for this year’s Big Garden Birdwatch so far. 

"Throughout the pandemic, we’ve seen just how important our connection to nature is.

"With more time spent in our homes and local areas noticing the wildlife around us, many of us have found a renewed appreciation for nature locally. 

“I would encourage everyone who can to take part in Big Garden Birdwatch, not only for the phenomenal amount of data it produces, but also to take some time really focusing on the little things, to relax and to enjoy the benefits of spending time watching nature.”

• Take a closer look with the best binoculars you can buy
• How to use binoculars – and choose the best pair for you
• How to get into nature watching and appreciate the natural world

The data from the Big Garden Birdwatch helps the RSPB to create a picture of how bird populations in the UK are faring, which then informs the work done to protect those species most at risk. 

Keith Morton, Senior Species Policy Officer, said: “Every submission is important, even if you don’t see a single bird, and enjoying nature is just as important as counting it.”

To take part in the Big Garden Birdwatch 2021, watch the birds you can see from your home for an hour at some point over the three days. Only count the birds that land, not those flying over. 

Record the highest number of each bird species you see at any one time – not the total you see in the hour. 

To download a free Big Garden Birdwatch guide, which includes a bird identification chart, top tips for your birdwatch, RSPB shop voucher, plus advice on how to help you attract wildlife to your garden visit the Birdwatch site.   

Big Garden Birdwatch 2020 results

Last January, almost half a million people counted eight million birds. The top 10 birds spotted were: 

1. House sparrow
2. Starling
3. Blue tit
4. Woodpigeon
5. Blackbird
6. Goldfinch
7. Great tit
8. Robin
9. Long-tailed tit
10. Magpie

Big Garden Birdwatch Live

Experts from across the UK will be revealing photos, footage and facts about the birds they see, as well as answering any questions you may have, during a live event. 

In addition there will be live quizzes and familiar faces throughout the weekend.

Read: Our best binoculars guide.

Binoculars give you the opportunity to take a closer look at the most incredible sights the backcountry has to offer. Witnessing sights of great natural beauty are one of the principal reasons we venture out into the wild and, while taking in a wide panorama is hard to beat, focussing in on rutting deer, a grizzly or a diving eagle is pretty breathtaking too.

The best binoculars come in many sizes, with many different applications. Some feature a wide field of view, perfect for tracking raptors through the heavens; others boast large objective lenses, designed for low light uses like stargazing. Backpackers will want something lightweight and compact, butterfly spotters will require a close focussing pair, while if you're being driven around a safari reserve, size and weight are less of an issue.

The point is, there's a pair for every occasion and, therefore, no excuse not to have one in your daypack. Here, we give our reasons why you should carry binoculars on every adventure.

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Aspiring bird watchers

• Every trip outdoors is an opportunity to spot birds in the wild
• It doesn't matter if you don't know every species

You may not be able to name every species of warbler in the UK, or know your sanderlings from your little stints, but that doesn’t matter. Nature watching is one of the great joys of spending time outdoors and it’s open to anyone. Even if you think you are a complete novice, you might be surprised by just how much you already know and how quickly you begin to recognise common species.

Every trip outdoors is an opportunity to develop your knowledge and a pair of binoculars will allow you to see species and behaviour that you would otherwise miss.

Pack a pair of binoculars on a coastal walk and you might spot dolphins and porpoises cresting out to sea, or watch peregrines stooping on prey before returning to their clifftop nests. Heading into mountainous terrain and you may watch raptors circling at height, while river walks promise views of preening kingfishers or mating damselflies and otters.

We're big fans of the Nikon Prostaff 7s 8x42 bins when it comes to birding.

The local rambler

• Taking binoculars onto your local patch will help you develop an intimate knowledge of its wildlife
• Watching wildlife in such a way is a very mindful activity

Just setting out on a local walk? Then there’s even more reason to pack a pair of binoculars with you, because they will help you to develop an intimate knowledge of your local patch and the wildlife that you have to hand. I have taken to carrying a pair on my morning dog walk and, in the past couple of months, I’ve been treated to views of green woodpeckers, peregrines, kestrels, ravens, flocks of goldfinches, bull finches, redwings and fieldfares.

Watching wildlife gives you a reason to stop, to slow down, to think differently about the landscape you are walking through. There is something quietly meditative about the act of raising a pair of binoculars to your eyes to observe and take in the natural world.

It’s also an excellent excuse to stop halfway on a long ascent, when your legs are burning and your lungs ready to burst: “No I’m sure that was a rare <insert species here>. Thank goodness I brought my binoculars!”

Wild campers

• Wild camping trips give you the opportunity to enjoy the night sky at its unpolluted best
• Many wonders of the night sky can be viewed through binoculars

When is the next full moon? If you’d asked me that question a year ago, I genuinely wouldn’t have known, but since I’ve been using a pair of dedicated stargazing binoculars, I’ve been tracking our nearest celestial neighbour as it waxes and wanes through the month.

There is no better time to marvel at the night sky than on a wild camping trip and the moon is an obvious candidate for your attention. Sit outside your tent, far from the light pollution of cities and towns, and a pair of binoculars will give you incredible views into its lunar landscape.

The Moon is an impressive 240,000 miles away, but binoculars can take you even further than that: Mars (33 million miles away), Jupiter (403 million miles) and Saturn (746 million miles) are all worth your attention. In fact, binoculars allow you to explore the constellations of the northern hemisphere night sky, like the instantly recognisable Orion, or distant galaxies such as M81 and M82 (both located in the constellation Ursa Major).

Time your trip right and you might see the International Space Station zooming overhead (you can trace the Space Station’s location online) or witness the spectacular Perseids meteor shower that peaks in August.

It's not just the night sky that you can enjoy from a wild camp of course. Once you've set up camp, you might be lucky enough to view deer scampering along neighbouring ridges or peregrines hunting from their clifftop homes.

For a dedicated stargazing pair of bins, we like the Celestron Skymaster 15x70. If you know what the numbers mean on a pair of binoculars, you'll know that a 70mm objective lens lets in loads of light, perfect for enjoying at the cosmos.

Climbers

• Binoculars can help you identify routes as you approach a crag

When you’re actually climbing there’s seldom time for binoculars. You either need your hands on the rock, or if your attention on the belay. But a pair of compact binoculars can be invaluable on the approach to a crag. They can help you identify different routes and potentially challenging sections of a climb. A pair of binoculars can help you identify the start of a route and will give you a view of climbers already on the route.

Using your approach to a climb to assess the conditions and make sure you are heading to the right start point can save you a lot of time. And then when you do get to the top – on the odd occasion that the clouds lift and views open up – you can pull the binoculars out again to put together a bucket list of climbs and ascents on the mountains around you.

Cyclists

• Nature spotting objectives are great for long cycling trips

Some of the greatest adventures of all time have been inspired by missions in search of rare species, from birds of paradise to South American orchids. You may not be setting your sights quite so high, but there’s nothing stopping you from going in search for rare and exotic wildlife.

This year I have racked up over 1000km on my bike in search of six new species of butterfly (well new to me at least). I found a colony of silver-studded blue on a round trip from Bristol to Dorset; a Duke of Burgundy on a 120km trip to Stroud, spotted marsh fritillaries, a Duke of Burgundy, Adonis and Large blue. On other bike trips, I’ve had chance encounters with badgers, foxes, tawny, barn and little owls. Packing a pair of binoculars means I’m not travelling quite as light as I normally would, but they are always worth packing just in case.

Walking with kids

• Give the kids binoculars and they may just start dragging you out the door to go on walks

If you’ve got young kids, then hand the binoculars to them and let them take control. Better still: get them their own pair. That way they’ll may be the ones dragging you out the door to put them to use. Binoculars give them a reason to explore and to way to discover wildlife for themselves. Again, you don’t need to be an expert… let them provide the motivation and you can both learn more about the natural world together.

We recommend the Kowa YF 8x30 as the best pair of binoculars for kids.

Kayakers

• Time on the water provides incredible wildlife encounters
• Binoculars are also useful for navigating a safe passage

Paddling out to sea gives you the potential for some incredible wildlife encounters from seals and marine mammals to migrating birds. And while most paddlers carry binoculars for the wildlife, they can also be useful when you are scouting out potential landing points, safe passages and even to check out interesting debris on a shoreline.

Undertake a wildlife adventure

• There are loads of incredible phenomena awaiting discovery

There are genuine miracles out there waiting to be discovered, that give you a reason to visit places you’ve never been before, and many of them are improved with a pair of binoculars to hand. 

Some of the most dramatic in the UK include starling murmurations – great swirling flocks of birds as they come in to roost at night – and red deer rutting in autumn. Ospreys hunting over reservoirs, red squirrels feeding in Lake District pub gardens, seal pups on beaches in Norfolk and black grouse lekking on the Yorkshire moors should all be on your bucket list. And no matter where you live, get out this spring to really experience the Dawn Chorus; that wondrous orchestra of bird song that takes place in parks and woodland or to hear tawny owls hooting in autumn. Whatever you set out to see… pack a pair of bins with you.

Regardless of the time of year, there's plenty to see in the northern hemisphere night sky, particularly if you escape into the backcountry, far from the light pollution of towns and cities. Winter boasts longer nights but the cold can make stargazing a challenge, while summer makes for a more comfortable experience, if you're willing to stay up that late.

It's all worth it though. On a clear night, the northern hemisphere night sky is ablaze with a display of moons, planets, stars, galaxies, star clusters and other phenomena. In fact, if you get yourself up to the Arctic, you'll stand a decent chance of witnessing the magical Aurora Borealis.

You don’t need fancy equipment, either. If you know where to look, you can see loads with the naked eye – though if you want to explore further, even a simple pair of binoculars will reveal objects that would otherwise remain hidden, such as the Galilean moons of Jupiter. Some binoculars are designed with stargazing in mind, such as the Celestron Skymaster 15x70.

There are numerous apps available (like Star Walk 2, Sky Map and Sky Safari) to help you get your celestial bearings. It's also worth investing in a headlamp, as you'll ideally be setting yourself up somewhere very dark, so you'll need to see where you're going! But otherwise it’s about wrapping up warm in a down jacket, looking towards the heavens and seeing what you can see. Here’s 13 things to look out for in the northern hemisphere night sky, followed by our main stargazing tips.

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1. The Moon

• Taking a closer look at the Moon can be a rewarding experience
• Binoculars can be used to make out its surface features

It’s easy to take the most prominent object in the northern hemisphere night sky for granted – Earth’s nearest neighbor is so much brighter than everything else that you can’t really miss it. But taking a closer look at the Moon can be a rewarding experience, and a decent pair of binoculars reveals plenty of surface features invisible to the naked eye.

The numerous ‘seas’ and craters give you a sense of the Moon’s beautiful but barren landscape. And you don’t have to wait for the Moon to be ‘full’ before you can observe it at its best. Crescent and gibbous phases highlight some of the detail that’s obscured by the glare of the full Moon. The shadows you see as it waxes and wanes can be just as intriguing as the geography that creates them.

2. Jupiter and Saturn

• The sight of Jupiter and its four Galilean moons is one of the most incredible in the night sky
• Its four Galilean moons can be seen with the use of binoculars
• Saturn can be seen with the naked eye but not its famous rings
• Through binoculars, it can appear as an ellipse

Pioneering renaissance scientist Galileo transformed astronomy when he pointed his rudimentary telescope towards Jupiter, and saw four tiny dots of light in its vicinity. Centuries later, directing a pair of binoculars at the biggest planet in the Solar System is also enough to reveal the Galilean moons Ganymede, Callisto, Europa and Io. It’s one of the most wonderful sights in the northern hemisphere night sky, the sort of view that can kickstart a lifelong love of astronomy.

Jupiter and fellow gas giant Saturn made news headlines in December 2020 because of the conjunction that saw them come closer together than they had since the Middle Ages. They’re now moving apart again, but are still briefly visible around sunset.

Saturn itself is viewable with the naked eye. You’ll need a telescope to resolve its famous rings, but eagle-eyed viewers with binoculars may see the planet as an ellipse.

3. Venus

• Venus appears as the brightest planet in the night sky
• It's often referred to as the Morning Star or the Evening Star

Thanks to its relative proximity to Earth and incredibly reflective atmosphere, Venus is the brightest planet in the northern hemisphere night sky. The fact that it’s so close to the Sun means it’s generally best sighted in the morning before sunrise, or the evening after sunset. It's sometimes referred to as The Morning Star or The Evening Star due to its bright appearance during these times of day and the fact it's the first celestial object that's visible in the twilight.

Looking at Venus through binoculars reveals that it has phases, just like the Moon’s – albeit on a significantly smaller scale.

4. Mars

• Mars appears as a red point of light in the night sky

Has any body in the night sky inspired more stories than the red planet? While you won’t see any alien invasion forces – or even the supposed ‘canals’ that 19th century astronomers believed confirmed the existence of Martian life – it’s still well worth a look. Often visible in the evening sky, it’s unmistakable as a planet, moving across the background stars more quickly than the gas giants beyond it. Binoculars enhance the characteristic red colour that led to Mars being named after the Roman god of war.

5. The Big Dipper/Plough and Polaris (the North Star)

• The Plough is one of the most recognisable constellations
• It can be used to locate Polaris, the North Star, which is handy for navigation

Whatever you want to call it, this famous constellation is one of the most recognisable in the northern hemisphere night sky, visible all year round in the UK thanks to its high latitude.

It’s also one of the most useful for navigation, thanks to the fact that the ‘Pointers’ (Merak and Dubhe, the two stars furthest away from the Dipper’s handle) show the way to Polaris, known to explorers for centuries as the North Star. Simply trace a line from the horizon through the Pointers, and you’ll reach Polaris, a handy indicator of north. Becaue it’s positioned near enough exactly over the North Pole, it remains a relatively fixed point in the night sky, instead of appearing to move as the Earth spins beneath the stellar tapestry. If you want to capture an image of star trails using long-exposure photography, aim your camera at Polaris, which will form the center point of the seemingly circling stars around it.

The Big Dipper has another astronomicl treat in its tail – a double star. Mizar and its fainter neighbor, Alcor, orbit each other, and are both visible with the naked eye. They become significantly clearer with binoculars.

6. Orion

• Orion is easily visible in the northern hemisphere night sky during the winter months
• It boasts Rigel and Beteguese, two of the brightest stars in the night sky
• It's also home to the Orion Nebula, a stellar nursery where new stars are born
• Orion's Belt can be used to point towards Sirius, the brightest star in the night sky

This giant of the northern hemisphere night sky is visible throughout the winter, and is one of the most prominent constellations. This representation of a legendary hunter boasts two of the brightest stars in the sky in Rigel and Betelgeuse, while Orion’s sword contains the famous Orion Nebula. New stars are being born in this vast cloud of dust and gas, and even binoculars are able to reveal some of its misty form.

Rigel and Betelgeuse are both remarkable in their own right. Rigel is a blue supergiant, many tens of thousands of times as luminous as the Sun and is 860 light years away. Yet, Betelgeuse is even more incredible. An absolutely huge red supergiant, if you were to place Betelgeuse in the Sun's current location, it would stretch out beyond the orbit of Mars towards Jupiter, engulfing all four of the inner rocky planets. It's a star in the final throes of life and will shortly (in astronomical terms) go out in a blaze of glory. It's thought that when Betelgeuse meets its end, possibly at some point during the next 100,00 years, the resulting supernova explosion will be visible in the daytime and will shine as bright as the full moon for several months. In a single moment, it will release more energy than the Sun will in its entire lifespan. Intriguingly, It might have already happened, as Betelgeuse is around 600 light years away, so we're looking 600 years into the past when we view it. 

The three stars of Orion’s belt are also useful pointers to finding the brightest star in the night sky. Simply follow them to the west (left) and you’ll see Sirius in the constellation of Canis Major (the Great Dog).

7. The Summer Triangle

• The Summer Triangle is visible in summer and is made up of three stars
• The brightest is Vega, which is only 25 light years away

As its name suggests, the Summer Triangle is visible during the summer months and features three bright stars that form the three points of a triangle. It's not technically a constellation but an asterism, a conspicuous pattern of stars and the three stars that it's made up each belong to different constellations.

The shiniest jewel in the Summer Triangle is Vega, the fifth-brightest star visible from Earth and the third-brightest in the northern hemisphere night sky. It's "only" about 25 light years away, which means the light has travelled for 25 years to reach your eye.

8. The Pleiades

• The Pleadies is a vast group of bright young stars

Follow Orion’s belt in the other direction from Sirius and you’ll find yourself in Taurus, the sign of the Zodiac representing the bull. Above the characteristic V shape, you’ll see the Pleiades, also known as the Seven Sisters. Looking like a fainter, smaller version of the Big Dipper, this famous cluster is a group of young (by astronomical standards, at least) stars. While a few (more than seven!) are usually visible with the naked eye, binoculars reveal more of a vast group of stars that actually covers way more of the sky than you’ll see without a powerful telescope.

9. The Milky Way

• When viewing the Milky Way, you're staring into the heart of our galaxy
• The Milky Way is difficult to spot when there's light pollution

If you live in a town or city, you may have forgotten the Milky Way is even there – as soon as light pollution comes into the equation, the bulk of stars that form the plane of our galaxy are incredibly difficult to spot. Find suitably dark skies, however and this is one of the most beautiful sights of the night sky, a cascade of light cutting through the heavens like a river. It's essentially our front-row seat view towards the heart of our galaxy. Binoculars can’t improve your view of the Milky Way, so just lie back and enjoy one of the most spectacular views in nature.

10. The Andromeda Galaxy

• The Andromeda Galaxy is one of our Milky Way's closest galactic neighbors
• In the night sky, it's a fuzzy patch of light below the W-shape of Cassiopeia
• Over 2 million light years away, it's the most distant thing you can see with the naked eye
• In around 4.5 billion years, the Andromeda Galaxy will "collide" with our own

It’s neither the brightest nor most spectacular object in the northern hemisphere night sky, but when you think about what you’re actually looking at, the Andromeda Galaxy is truly awe-inspiring. Visible in a dark sky as a large, fuzzy patch of light bigger than a full moon (it’s slightly clearer with binoculars) the Andromeda Galaxy can be found just below the distinctive and ever-present W-shaped constellation Cassiopeia. It’s one of our own galaxy’s nearest neighbors. 

That doesn’t mean it’s close by, however – it’s the most distant celestial object visible with the naked eye, so far away that the light we’re seeing left it over two million years ago. That’s many millennia before the first humans walked on Earth.

In around 4.5 billion years, our galaxy and the Andromeda galaxy with "collide". The reason the word collide is in inverted commas is that the space between the stars in each galaxy is so vast that collisions are unlikely. The two galaxies will become locked in a monumental gravitational dance and eventually form a new, larger galaxy.

11. Meteors

• Meteors are small pieces of ice and rock that burn up in our upper atmosphere
• They're often referred to as 'shooting stars'
• Meteor showers offer the best chance of witnessing them

The most fleeting visitors to the northern hemisphere night sky are also among the most spectacular. When small pieces of rock and ice burn up in the atmosphere, they create a short-lived trail of light, visible for seconds at most, colloquially (but incorrectly) known to most of us as ‘shooting stars’. You can’t plan where or when you’ll see them – they’re most often spotted out of the corner of your eye – though you can improve your chances of a sighting during meteor showers. This Space.com guide explains where and when you can see some of the best.

12. The Aurora Borealis

• The Aurora Borealis are the result of charged particles from the Sun interacting with the Earth’s magnetic field
• The phenomena is often visible in the night sky above Arctic regions

Winters may get colder and darker the further north you go, but surely the Aurora Borealis is the consolation that makes it all worthwhile. These spectacular light shows – caused by charged particles from the Sun interacting with the Earth’s magnetic field – are one of the true wonders of planet Earth. There’s a reason many people spend thousands on trips to see the northern lights. 

The best places to see the Aurora Borealis are near the Auroral Oval, which loops around the magnetic North Pole. This means Arctic regions like Northern Scandinavia, Iceland, Greenland, Northern Canada and Alaska are all frequently blessed with auroral displays.

13. Man-made objects

• The International Space Station can be seen with the naked eye
• NASA's Spot the Station website has information on when to see it
• Elon Musk's Starlink satellites are also impressive

Not everything worth seeing in the northern hemisphere night sky is a natural object. The most impressive (and prominent) artificial body visible is undoubtedly the International Space Station, and NASA has a handy Spot The Station site to tell you when the ISS will be arcing its way over your location. You can also see numerous satellites working their way across the night sky. Particularly impressive are Elon Musk’s Starlink satellites, which appear as trains of lights working across the sky – they look like something out of Close Encounters of the Third Kind.

Stargazing tips

Here are our expert tips for enjoying the northern hemisphere night sky with your naked eyes or a pair of binoculars.

Escape urban areas: The light pollution from cities and towns obscures much of the glory of the night sky. Your best bet is to seek out places renowned for the quality of their night skies, such as the best national parks for stargazing or International Dark Sky Places.

Cold, crisp, moonless nights: Before we get into this, big shout out to the Moon! It's one of the most incredible objects in the night sky to study. However, it is also very bright, reflecting loads of photons from the sun. This means that when the Moon is out, everything else suffers. So, cold, dry, moonless nights offer the very best stargazing, as the atmosphere is clearer.

Let your eyes adjust: Once you've found your ideal spot, you're gonna need to wait 15-30 minutes for your eyes to adjust to the low light. So, turn that flashlight out, wait and watch the celestial heavens emerge.

A larger objective lens is ideal: For stargazing, choose binoculars with large objective lenses. If you know what the numbers mean on a pair of binoculars, you'll know that the larger the objective lens, the more light it lets in, which is crucial for viewing objects in the night sky.

Use a tripod: Whatever kind of binoculars you use, you'll get a much more stable image by using a tripod. Plus, you'll be able to more easily find the object you're studying again, when you pull your eye away for a sip of coffee from your flask.

First thoughts

This was my first time testing Bushnell Prime 8x42 binoculars, even though I’ve used Bushnell camera traps before to film nocturnal wildlife. They popped out of their box in a less-than-impressive carry case, which goes someway to explaining how Bushnell can deliver these excellent binoculars at such a competitive price point.

While we’re on the subject, you shouldn’t let accessories swing your choice of binoculars. If you are carrying a pair of bins around, they should be around your neck and ready to use or as accessible as possible. Don’t be swayed by slick looking carry cases, although a good neckstrap is important if you’re using a pair of binoculars all day.

• Browse all of the best binoculars in our buying guide
• Learn how to use binoculars – and find the best pair for you
• How to go nature watching and appreciate the natural world

This pair look functional rather than aesthetically pleasing, but again, who cares? You’re supposed to be looking through them rather than at them.

But when I started to get them set up, I did hit a snag. While the central hinge felt slightly tight, one of the eyepiece adjusters was exceptionally stiff. It took a little extra force to open and was probably a one-off manufacturing issue – but it did irritate whenever I took this pair out to test.

In the field

I took the Bushnell Prime 8x42 binoculars on a long walk in the Forest of Dean with a group of friends. They got a coo of delight when I handed them to more novice users and even an appreciative nod from more experienced bird watchers. They do indeed deliver a superb image that underlines just what you can get at this price point. Optics technology has developed so much that this kind of money will buy you a level of performance that would have been unthinkable a few decades ago.

In terms of image quality these probably represent the very best budget buy. If you are looking for a pair of roof prism binoculars, then these are certainly the most affordable pair we tested and they deliver an excellent image at this price point.

These are built to withstand the rigors of the outdoors – at least that is how they are marketed. We didn’t immerse them in a meter of water for up to 30 minutes (but apparently they will cope with this). Nor did we test their ability to deal with oil and dust or to resist scratches. But if you buy this pair, they come with an ‘ironclad’ lifetime guarantee and that in itself tells you a lot about the confidence that Bushnell have in their product.

They delivered a sharp, clear central image that was easy to focus and they offered some great wildlife moments on my local patch. I have no doubt they would meet all my needs as a bird enthusiast, although for summer I would want something that allowed closer focusing to watch butterflies and bees.

For the general outdoor user these offer plenty of performance and two key selling points: excellent value for money and the guarantee of a bomb-proof build that means they should last a lifetime.

First thoughts

Straight out of the box, the Kowa BD32-8XD binoculars have a rather distinctive design aesthetic that sets them apart from others in our reviews. The carry case is simple and functional, but out of the bag they feel exceptionally good to hold. The central hinge makes them easy to adjust and the focus wheel glides beautifully.

• Browse all of the best binoculars in our buying guide
• Learn how to use binoculars – and find the best pair for you
• How to go nature watching and appreciate the natural world

In the field

The month that I spent using this pair of binoculars offered some real highlights, not least a small flock of goldcrests foraging high in a tree as I was walking alongside the River Frome. I heard them first: their contact call that keeps the flock together – a sound reminiscent of a number of squeaky bicycle wheels.

I trained the Kowa BD32-8XD binoculars on the higher branches of a riverside ash to see them flitting around the branches. It was an overcast day and while I saw little more than silhouettes, these Kowas made it easy for me to focus quickly and keep this active little flock in view.

I’d taken them along the banks of the River Avon a few weeks before on a miserably rainy day to test them against the similarly-priced Zeiss Terras. Training each pair on a group of gulls on the opposite bank – in the company of with a very experienced bird-watching friend – we both agreed that the Kowas delivered a brighter and clearer image in those conditions.

A lot of my summer cycling, running and walking is punctuated with breaks to chase butterflies or sets out on a mission to watch birds. These binoculars would tick all my requirements. The exceptionally close focus to around 1.5m is just what I need to get a better view of butterflies and invertebrates. The fact they are relatively light and compact makes it easy to add them to a bike pack or even my sturdy mountain marathon running belt. And on top of that, the smooth focus wheel and excellent engineering makes them a joy to use.

In our test Japanese optics just nudge ahead of German engineering to make Kowa’s binoculars our best in test. They are most definitely worth adding to your shortlist and trying out.

Those who know how to watch wildlife know all the tricks to secure those magical moments, when Mother Nature's finest forms put on a dazzling show. Whether it's the electric blue of a kingfisher as it zips over the surface of a river, seeing the first orange tip butterfly of spring, or hearing the deep bellow of a male red deer during their autumn rut, the natural world can deliver moments that will stay with you for life.

For many people, a lack of confidence stops them from making the most of these opportunities, but you don’t need specialist knowledge to start nature watching and appreciating wildlife. You've pitched your tent, you're feeling at one with nature, now it should be time to seek out and witness something spectacular. So, here's our guide to building your wildlife watching knowledge.

How to watch wildlife: start with a local patch

Most people will find a surprising number of species within easy reach of their front door. You will be amazed at how much you do know already and just how many birds, for example, you can identify. Get out early or late in the day, as this is when many birds tend to be most active.

How to watch wildlife: use your ears

Each bird has a distinct call and you will often hear them before you see them. During winter in the UK, the bird you are most likely to hear is the robin. When you’ve learnt its high-pitched call you can move on to the great tit with its distinct ‘tee-cher, tee-cher’ (although it has a much wider range of calls than this). Birds like the wren (surprisingly noisy for its size with its ‘tics’ and churrs), song thrush (with its complex calls) and blackbirds (making a sound that will remind you of the summer evenings of your youth) will follow next.

How to watch wildlife: find a local reserve

Many species are habitat specialists, so learning what to expect in different environments can quickly build your confidence and introduce you to a host of new species. I grew up next to RSPB Arne in Dorset and here we saw birds such as oyster catcher, godwits, spoonbills, and avocets out in Poole Harbour. A short walk away, we would see species such as Dartford warbler, stonechat and night jar out on the nearby heathland. Adopt your nearest reserve and visit it regularly during the year.

How to watch wildlife: carry binoculars with you everywhere

You don’t need a lot of kit to be a birdwatcher or animal spotter, but a pair of binoculars can seriously enhance your enjoyment. It can help you to zoom in on behaviour that would be difficult to spot with the naked eye, such as the elaborate mating display of a great crested grebe. Or it can help you to differentiate between similar species, such blackbird, song thrush, redwing and fieldfares.

Look for a good pair that offer at least eight times magnification with a 42mm objective lens and read up on how to use binoculars if you are unsure.

In addition, you need an ID guide that will cover species in your country. If you’re interested in butterflies and insects then it’s worth buying a specific book. A local wildlife guide can introduce you to some hidden areas that you probably never knew were on your doorstep.

How to watch wildlife: be patient

If you are heading out to see wildlife, then you need to be prepared to wait. It’s not like the nature shows on TV. You may spend hours seeing very little of any great interest, but waiting quietly in a woodland or a bird hide is surprisingly meditative and relaxing. It forces you to experience the natural world in a different way.

How to watch wildlife: be ready

Whether you are walking, kayaking, climbing or cycling, it’s a good idea to have a compact pair of binoculars to hand. A pair like the Opticron Explorer can easily be stowed in a jacket pocket or daypack ready if you do see something. My hit list with this type of binocular this year has included little owls and badgers while cycling at night, clouded yellow butterflies walking the Devon coastline and a beautiful goshawk in the Forest of Dean.

How to watch wildlife: keep a nature diary

To really build a bank of knowledge, it’s a good idea to keep a diary and to record what you see and where you spot it. This is the best way to reinforce your ID skills and knowledge of different species. It also encourages you to notice more, to get a better sense of how nature is connected and appreciate how geology encourages certain plant life, that feeds particular insects, that encourage particular birds. Starting to see these connections offers a very different sense of your place in the natural world.

How to watch wildlife: butterflies, bees and dragonflies

Birds can be tricky to ID but butterflies offer a really accessible way into nature. There are 59 species in the UK and you can easily tick off the first 12 of these in your local area, if you start in early spring.

The larvae require certain food plants. Common blues and burnet moths feed on bird’s-foot trefoil, while Adonis blues require horseshoe vetch and many species feed on nettles. As the adult butterflies tend to nectar on particular plants, they give you a way to learn about wildflowers and even trees (you’ll find purple hairstreaks in oak trees, for example).

Before you know it you’ve built enough confidence to get into spotting solitary and bumble bees (there are around 270 species in the UK ) and dragonflies that are bewilderingly beautiful masters of the air. It can be a dangerously addictive hobby.

How to watch wildlife: find an expert

Find a local club or someone who is willing to share their interest in nature, and you will really accelerate your learning. You’ll also find a host of experts on social media, so follow them on Twitter and you’ll quickly get a sense of what you should be looking out for at different times of the year.

How to watch wildlife: go in search of miracles

There are real natural wonders to be seen: so make a tick list of displays and behaviour you want to see this year. The dawn chorus (the symphony of noise made by birds as day breaks – a morning alarm call for campers the world over) is potentially the most accessible. International Dawn Chorus Day happens on the first Sunday of May, so put it in your diary.

You have to get up surprisingly early to really appreciate this incredible natural orchestra (ideally you want to be out at 4am) – but just spend a night out in your one-person tent, and you can’t miss it. Large-eyed species such as robins and blackbirds sing long before sunrise, while species such as blackcap, song thrush and dunnocks tend to join later in the morning. By the time most people have woken up it’s all over.

Spring offers a host of wonders from bitterns booming, black grouse lekking and hen harrier’s skydancing displays, and summer promises influxes of species like painted ladies and clouded yellow butterflies and the chance to see fireflies or pods of dolphin cresting on coastal walks. Autumn sees the arrival of globe-trotting migratory species of bird, such as redwing, fieldfare, knots and short-eared owls, while winter – when the trees are denuded of leaves – offers great sighting of hardy robins, blue tits and blackcaps – and look for hypnotic murmurations of starlings making shapes in the sky.

Why not take the time now to plan a year of outdoor adventures to coincide with the best of what nature has to offer?

First thoughts

Next to all the other binoculars we tested, the Celestron Skymaster 15x70 are comically large. They are the kind of thing you might expect to see on the set of a WW2 naval epic, scanning the ocean for U-Boats. The whopping 70mm objective light is designed to gather light, while the 15 times magnification promises impressive views of the lunar surface, Jupiter, cloud nebula and – some people suggest – even a hint of the rings of Saturn.

Use them in daylight and you notice the first problem with binoculars of this magnification. It is incredibly hard to stop the image from wobbling. These offer 15 times magnification and if you are looking at anything at a distance, you probably need to take advantage of the tripod adaptor.

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We used this pair almost exclusively on short walks from the house and rested elbows on available walls or park benches to try to maintain stability. I’d love the idea of taking these on a summer wildcamp, but don’t think I’d ever be able to justify the weight (1361g/48oz). In fact, these are more than twice the weight of more standard wildlife watching pairs we tested and far too bulky to pack in a rucksack.

In the field

Galileo was the first person to recognise the four moons of Jupiter in 1610AD: Callisto, Ganymede, Europa and Io. He was using a telescope with a similar magnification, and these binoculars in the right hands should give experienced stargazers a similar view. He also saw the rings of Saturn, but did so with a telescope that had an effective 20x magnification and that’s too much to ask of these binoculars.

I’m no stargazer: I can just about spot the Plough and Orion. Using the Celestron Skymaster 15x70 binoculars, I did manage to identify planets like Mars and Jupiter with the aid of a mobile stargazing app. But for a complete beginner, like me, the most accessible object of attention is the moon.

These binoculars can deliver incredible views onto the crater-strewn lunar surface and the shadows cast across its vast seas of Serenity, Tranquility and Fecundity. Each one is actually a large basilic plain – mistaken for actual seas by early astronomers.

I’ve used my own 8x44 binoculars to get better views of the moon, but this was something altogether more impressive. I spent a number of clear nights out with my kids, who were really impressed with what they saw. While they were busy with the binoculars, I hurriedly consulted my start gazing app so I could impart a few words of wisdom.

On night walks around my local common, I found I could point these into a seeming clear part of the sky to reveal hundreds of stars invisible with the naked eye. I’m not going to pretend I saw Jupiter’s moons or Saturn’s rings, or that my view of Mars was anything more than an even larger red glowing body. But spending time with these binoculars did feel like the start of a journey that I’m keen to continue.

Nor am I going to pretend that these were easy to use: the image wobble is incredibly frustrating – so I think a decent tripod is probably essential if you are going to get serious about the night sky. I do think these are an excellent investment, especially when coupled with a free mobile app.

First thoughts

Bird watchers should love the Zeiss Terra ED 8x32. I am a pretty mid-level birder; happily positioned at the enthusiast end and unlikely to ever make it to the expert end of the scale. When I do find myself in a bird hide surrounded by ‘proper’ birders, these are the kind of binoculars I’d like to have to hand. The Zeiss logo at least sets out that you are serious about your aspirations, even if you struggle to confidently tell the difference between a curlew and whimbrel, a rook and a raven or a house martin and swallow.

So I was really excited to slip these out of the box and to unzip their rather high-end looking carry case. Turning the Zeiss Terras over in my hand, they immediately started to impress. They are lightweight, compact and rather beautifully designed.

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The central hinge is firm but easy to adjust, the eyepieces can be positioned easily and the focus wheel is pleasingly smooth, allowing you to go easily from long range to close up focus. And that close focus is really impressive at way under 2m (1.6m according to Zeiss). So while they turned up too late to test them on what was a fantastic summer of butterfly watching, they did deliver some wonderful views of early autumn bees and dragonflies.

In the field

The first question I had to answer with the Zeiss Terra ED 8x32 binoculars was ‘are they worth it?’ When binoculars that come in at almost half the price deliver such impressive image quality, why would you spend this much money on a pair of binoculars?

It’s worth pointing out that this is a budget offering for Zeiss. You can easily spend three or four times this amount on a really serious pair of optics, but will people notice the additional performance here?

The honest answer to that is, for many people, probably not. I think that the majority of casual users would be more than happy with the Nikon Prostaffs or Hawke Endurance. But if you are serious about your birding and aspire to a higher level, then these will undoubtedly take you further.

Small differences in performance will represent a good return on your investment over many years of use. These felt really good to hold and the large focus wheel made it easy to adjust as we followed birds zipping across the sky. There’s very little sense of distortion at the edge of the image and you get bright, natural colours that allow you to really appreciate the action.

So if you are looking for a pair at this price point, are these right for you? In our test, these did not quite match the performance of the Kowa BDs. I took a number of trips out with just these two pairs and enlisted the help of a number of very serious nature watching friends. The difference was small, but the decision was unanimous. Everyone on my unofficial panel felt that the Kowas delivered a brighter image. While the Zeiss were impressive – and I have to say, I would love to own this pair of binoculars – there was a feeling that they didn’t quite meet expectations.

They are undoubtedly an excellent pair of binoculars that will impress most outdoor users. lightweight and compact enough to take on any adventure they are guaranteed to also deliver an appreciative nod from serious bird watchers.

First thoughts

Out of the box, the Hawke Endurance 8x42 immediately impressed. They come in a rather neat-looking, zip-up carry case that looks ready to absorb a few knocks. Protectors for the objective lenses are attached to the barrels and the eyepiece guards attach to the neckstrap. I hate fiddling with these things when I’m outdoors and they tend to be the first thing I lose, so for me this is a really important feature.

The eyepiece adjusters aren’t as reassuringly firm as others when you twist them, but you can click through different options for eye relief and I found them easy to fine tune for use with or without glasses. The central hinge is firm, but easy to adjust and the focus wheel is smaller than others but easy to fine tune.

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All of that means that these didn’t feel quite as accessible for novice users who I asked to try these out. They often seemed to prefer the more pleasingly tactile Nikon Prostaff binoculars, which sit in a very similar price bracket. So for a general user, I’d be inclined to recommend the Nikons, but for more serious wildlife watchers these Hawke Endurance are really exceptional. On balance, these are probably the binoculars I’d buy for myself, and the reason for that is below.

In the field

A lot of my testing happened on my local patch and a regular feature was a young juvenile kestrel that seemed to be learning to hunt, dropping from the branches of a whitebeam or neighbouring ash to pounce on prey in scree-covered slopes below. It felt right to spend so much of my time watching this bird, through a pair of Hawkes.

The clamber up to my preferred viewing spot requires scrambling over a rocky slope and the carry case meant I could throw these over my shoulder where I knew they would be well protected. Once up high, they quickly found their point of focus and delivered a superbly bright image.

It’s hard to really compare brightness and image quality between binoculars. There’s an element of subjectivity to it and so much depends on the shifting light levels and exactly what you are looking at. But in terms of brightness and quality of image, these binoculars are genuinely excellent. I think most people would be hard pushed to notice a big difference between these and a pair that cost half as much again.

Long after I’d completed my reviewing, I kept finding myself coming back to this pair on longer walks out with the dog. The carry case made them easy to sling over my shoulder as I was heading out the door. Our usual route throws up possible views of peregrines, kestrels, woodpeckers, goldcrests, long-tailed tits and they were all ticked off in the company of this pair of binoculars.

If your aspirations tend towards serious bird- and nature-watching, then I would highly recommend you try these for yourself. They look and feel exceptionally good and the focus wheel, while a little firmer than others, adds to the sense of a well-constructed pair of binoculars that promise a lifetime of use.

This is a really serious pair of binoculars that offers excellent performance and will meet the aspirations of most serious wildlife watchers.

First thoughts

I wasn’t expecting great things from the Opticron Explorer WA ED-R + 8x32 when I first opened the box. Lighter and smaller than most on test, there had to be some compromise in performance. But by the end of a month of testing 15 pairs side-by-side, I’d grown strangely fond of the Opticron Explorer.

They sit in the saddlebag of my audax bike, pack neatly into my running belt and I hardly notice them in my rucksack. The fact they slip into a waterproof jacket pocket or even the side pocket of my walking trousers, means they are always handy when you do see something of interest. That might seem a small point, but over the course of a month, I saw more birds and wildlife with these than the rest of the binoculars I tested put together.

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What’s more, they are a joy to use. They feel good in your hands, the eyecups twist open smoothly and the central hinge is easy to adjust so you can get a clear, single image. They are joyfully engineered and a delight to use.

In the field

Size alone isn’t enough for us to recommend these binoculars. The smaller objective lens should mean that they don’t perform as well in low light conditions. So very early on, I sat over the Avon Gorge with five different pairs, the majority of which had larger objective lenses that – all things being equal – should gather more light.

Watching a climber scale a route on the other side of the gorge, I was impressed with just how well these performed. There was very little to set them apart in terms of performance from other larger pairs at a similar price point.

They also offer a much wider field of view than others we tested. A few weeks later, I just happened to have them in my pocket when I spotted three bats circling overhead at dusk. The image was little more than a silhouette, but the wide-angle view allowed me to track them as they pinballed between trees hunting for flying insects.

I found these easy to use with a pair of glasses – with the eye cups wound back down – which was really handy for days when I was moving from binoculars to field guide to try to ID a bird. And less weight also means there was noticeably less image wobble, when I was trying to focus on something at a distance.

So if you are looking for a pair of binoculars in this price range and you value lightweight and easy to pack on any adventure, then these are definitely worth the full five stars on this review.

The best binoculars can connect you with the outdoor world as they bring nature closer, help you identify and observe distant animals and even let you gaze at the stars. Failing that, they can improve your view of the action at music and sporting events and upgrade your seat to the front row.

When buying binoculars it’s good to think how and where you will mostly use them. If it’s going to be wet, waterproof models make sense. More rugged designs will be better at surviving hiking and camping trips. If the wildlife you want to watch is going to be at a distance, look for higher magnifications although this will make them bulkier. Compact pairs you can slip in your pocket are more likely to be taken out on trips or to events if they are easier to carry. Binoculars can also work well for astronomy and experts will often recommend them over cheap, beginner telescopes. Here are the binoculars we recommend.

Bottom line

Binoculars have the potential to make any trip outdoors memorable by letting you get closer to nature. If you spot something that looks interesting at a distance you don’t want to miss the opportunity to observe it more closely that you can only get by using your binoculars. They are the easiest way to get started in astronomy too with none of the complicated setup of a telescope and often better results. The binoculars we recommend are the 12x42 Powerful Binoculars from Adorrgon. They offer lots of magnification in a lightweight form at a good price. Being light to hold means they come into their own for travel or when watching wildlife.

If you want to try astronomy, we would look at the Celestron SkyMaster 25x70 Binocular. Celestron knows what they’re doing when it comes to gazing at the night sky and they have made these powerful binoculars with multi-coated lenses comfortable to look through for extended periods.

First thoughts

I wasn’t blown away by the Celestron Nature DX ED 8x42 on my first inspection. They don’t feel as slick as the Nikon Prostaffs, which are just a little more expensive. Nor do they have the same quality feel. The dioptre and eyecup adjustments don’t have the same reassuringly solid feel and while the focus wheel was easy to use, I found the central hinge a little stiffer than expected.

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Hold them in your hands and you’ll notice a little extra weight. For people who are carrying these on a day walk or from the car to a bird hide, that isn’t going to be a big deal. But I wouldn’t be quite so inclined to pack them for that ‘just in case’ moment when I’m out walking or on a long day’s bike trip.

And while the metallic orange ring on the focus wheel gives them a slightly funkier look, they don’t have the same high-end look and feel as binoculars that cost just a little more.

In the field

Get the eyecups open, adjust the dioptre setting and it doesn’t take long before you’re focusing on what really matters – the image quality. Celestron make a lot of the ED glass technology that they say promises bright natural colours. And sure enough, these are really impressive.

I tested these on my local patch, where every morning a juvenile kestrel was learning to hunt among the limestone scree and wildflowers, resting between hunting attempts in a whitebeam about 30 metres away. That gave me long enough to compare each pair of binoculars and these did not disappoint. The blue grey tail feathers of his head and the fawn and chestnut browns were all superbly clear and faithfully reproduced. It was a real delight to sit and watch him through these binoculars.

As he dropped down on his prey, I did struggle a little at times to get the mid-range focusing super sharp, but when I did the image quality at this distance was a delight. And when a dragonfly landed just beyond my rucksack, and I could quickly refocus down to just 2 metres to enjoy the emeralds and blues of this autumnal southern hawker.

We gave this pair three stars, and that possibly feels a little harsh. The image quality is excellent, they do everything I need from birds to insects and I spent some wonderful mornings and late evenings roaming my local patch in their company.

For the average wildlife enthusiast looking for a pair at this price point, these are excellent. For anyone who has more adventurous aspirations, then the weight and feel may be an issue.

First thoughts

Nikon have recently redesigned this range and the new Nikon Prostaff 7S 8x42 quickly began to impress me as soon as I unwrapped it. The first thing you notice is the tactile delight that is on offer, thanks to the grippy, rubber coating.

They aren’t the lightest, or most compact on test, but the tapered barrels are an ergonomic joy that feel really impressive in your hands. Twist the eyecups and a series of clicks give you more control over the setting. That makes them very easy to use for people with glasses (which I use for reading, but tend to avoid when using binoculars).

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These are a beautifully engineered pair of binoculars with an easily adjustable focus wheel and smooth central hinge that makes it easy to get a single, sharp image at any distance.

In the field

Not only do Nikon Prostaff 7S 8x42 feel like the real deal, they also deliver really exceptional image quality. I usually use a pair of Minox binoculars that are slightly more expensive and that feature a slightly larger (and rather unorthodox) 44mm objective lens that should allow them to deliver a brighter image in low light. For the majority of my time testing, I kept wishing I’d bought this Nikon pair instead. They feel smoother, the daylight image was at least as good and I just loved using them.

Watching a group of corvids mob a juvenile kestrel on my local patch, the Nikon Prostaffs made it easy to track their movements across the sky and tweak focus as they got further away. The central image is sharp and impressively bright and it’s only at the very edge that you notice a little distortion. Colours are bright, natural and stay in focus across the spectrum.

There’s very little to fault here. As a general pair of do-anything, adventure binoculars these are an excellent option. They’re tough, waterproof, great to use and are guaranteed to boost your enjoyment in the outdoors.

There are only two reasons for not investing in these. Firstly, if you want to get really serious about your birding – and you have the budget – at least consider a more expensive pair. We tested Zeiss and Kowa binoculars that are definitely more serious contenders.

Also if you are particularly interested in bees, dragonflies, butterflies and invertebrates, the 4m close focusing isn’t that impressive. Look for something that offers at least 2m or ideally less.

But as a rugged, accessible pair of general binoculars, these are a delight to use and deserve their five-star rating.

First thoughts

I’ve tested the Kowa YF 8x30s before, so I knew exactly what I was going to get. It was still pleasing to be reminded just how good the image is at this price point. These are porro prism binoculars. So rather than the seemingly straight barrels that you get with more modern roof prism binoculars, here you get a rather old-fashioned M shape, where the objective lens and eye piece do not line up.

They definitely aren’t as sexy as more modern bins, but they pack a surprisingly impressive visual punch at this price point. That’s because the technology required inside is far simpler than more modern roof-prism binoculars.

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Out of the box, they feel good in your hands. They’re small enough to be easy for kids to use, but they have a sufficiently rugged, commando feel to suit any outdoor user.

I’ve had to work really hard to keep track of the objective lens protectors (I would fully expect to lose these within the first few weeks) but I’ve really enjoyed my time testing them out.

In the field

Despite being the cheapest pair of binoculars on test, these delivered the biggest coup. Walking into the Forest of Dean, just as we rounded a corner, we were presented with a goshawk, circling a small area of open grassland about 30 metres away. I pulled these out of my pocket and got the most incredible view of this rare and spectacular bird.

I’m sure that a more expensive pair would have delivered a brighter, perhaps slightly sharper image, or offered a wider angle of view to track it as it flew off. But these were sitting in my jacket pocket waiting to see one of my top wildlife spots of the year. It is a moment I will never forget.

I’m not going to pretend that I would swap these for my existing binoculars, but I do think they have a lot to offer. If you’re operating on a budget and your priority is a pair of compact, lightweight binoculars then these are fantastic. If you’ve got more money to spend, go for the Opticron Explorers.

If you want to take your birding and wildlife watching more seriously, then by spending a little more money you’ll get something that really meets your aspirations. But these are definitely worth consideration. They suggest a close focus range of 2 metres, and I did struggle to achieve this.

That said, these Kowa YFs are really impressive. They deliver a bright, sharp image with good colour and very little sense of fuzziness at the edge. The field of view is wide enough for them to work as a primary pair of bird watching binoculars and they offer relatively good close focus. They are great for smaller hands, and perfect for young birders who want their first pair of bins.

If you’re buying on a budget, these are robust, light, easy to pack, sit neatly in a waterproof jacket pocket and are ready for action when you need them. So not just for kids and beginners, these are brilliant binoculars for anyone at this price point.

Knowing how to use binoculars, plus knowing which pair to get in the first place, is tremendously important if you're to get the most out of your bins. To bring these considerations into focus, we're here with this straightforward guide. Whether you're an experienced user or have just bought your first pair, there'll be something for you here.

If you're thinking of investing, you'll want to know how to make the right choice. An avid birder needs a totally different style of binoculars to someone checking out the many craters that pockmark the Moon's surface. Meanwhile, a hiker who wants to take a compact pair for their next hut-to-hut trek will have different needs to a police detective on a stakeout. 

Here are all the questions you need to ask in order to make sure you buy the best binoculars for you – along with some top tips on getting the best from your bins when you head out and about with them.

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What's your budget?

• You don't need to invest a fortune to get great performance
• You should be able to find excellent binoculars for less than $200/£200

When considering how to choose binoculars, the most important thing is to identify how much you want to spend. Advances in optical technology mean that you don’t need to invest a fortune to get great performance. Even well under the $200/£200 mark, you can find excellent binoculars that will meet the needs of most outdoor enthusiasts.

If you’re looking for great value for money, it might be worth looking at traditional porro prism binoculars like the Kowa YF, which offer impressive performance but at a much lower price.

Newer roof prism binoculars are often more compact and look neater, but they do require more technology inside to get the light from the objective lens to your eyeball. 

If you don't know your porro prisms from your roof prisms, give our guide on how binoculars work a look.

What are the options?

• Some binoculars are designed for looking at the night sky
• Many are aimed at nature watching, with a wider angle of view and lower magnification
• If you're taking them hiking, cycling, canoeing or wild camping, you'll need a robust pair

There are binoculars that are designed specifically for looking at the night sky, and these come with powerful magnification and large, light-gathering objective lenses, such as the Celestron Skymaster.

There are others that are aimed at nature watching, and these tend to have lower magnification, wide angle of view, and are lighter and easier to hold to get a stable image. If you have an interest in butterflies and invertebrates, then look for a pair that offer close focusing, ideally less than 2 meters, such as the Kowa BD.

And if you intend to use them while hiking, climbing, cycling, canoeing and wildcamping – and we think you should carry binoculars on every adventure – you are ideally looking for something that is robust, such as the Bushnell Prime, or compact and lightweight, like the Opticron Explorer.

What do those numbers mean?

• The first number applies to the magnification
• The second number applies to the size of the objective lens

What do the numbers mean on a pair of binoculars? Well, you will see two numbers next to the product name – these refer to the magnification and size of the objective lens (the glass at the opposite end to your eyes). So the NOCS Provisions Waterproof Field Issue 10x32, for example, magnifies things ten times, and has an objective lens that is 32mm across.

Are binoculars with big magnification the best?

• The larger the magnification the harder it is to keep the image stable
• The sweet spot for general use is between 6 and 10 times magnification

You might think that a bigger number here is always better, but the greater the magnification the harder it is to keep the image stable when you are holding the binoculars. At over 12 times magnification it becomes very difficult and you may well need to use a tripod.

Greater magnification makes tracking objects more difficult, which is why birders favor a magnification factor of 8. Whereas binoculars that are used to study stationary or slow moving objects may often have a higher magnification. The sweet spot for most general use is between 6 and 10 times magnification.

Why is the objective lens size important?

• The larger the objective lens, the brighter the image should be
• If you plan on using binoculars in low light, you'll need a large objective lens

The size of the objective lens determines how much light goes into the binoculars, so this will play a role in the brightness of the image. The larger the objective lens, the brighter the image should be. But it is worth noting that brightness of image is also a function of the technology used to bounce light around inside the binoculars.

The Celestron Skymaster features a magnification of 15 and has a huge 70mm objective lens that is used to collect as much light as possible from the night sky.

If you plan to use your binoculars for nature watching in low light, then you will want binoculars that can offer a bright image in these conditions.

What are the best binoculars for wildlife watching?

• For bird watching 8x32, 8x42, 10x32 and 10x42 are all suitable
• If you have an interest in bugs, look for a pair with a close focus of 2 meters or less

For bird watching, we think that a pair of binoculars around the 8x32, 8x42 mark are ideal, although a pair of 10x32 or 10x42 are also worth considering. A wide angle is useful to catch the action in flocks of birds or to find and then track fast moving species. Binoculars that deliver natural colors will help if you need to identify tricky species. If you have an interest in butterflies, bees and dragonflies, then look for a pair that offer a close focus of 2 meters or less.

What binoculars are best for outdoor adventures?

• Smaller binoculars are easier to slip into your jacket pocket and carry long distances
• They also need to be robust and durable

Smaller binoculars are easier to slip into a jacket pocket and carry on longer multi-day trips. If you are doing something more adventurous than carrying your binoculars from a car to a bird hide, then they need to be robust and durable. A lifetime or long guarantee is a good indication of the manufacturer’s faith in their product.

How do I get the most out of my binoculars?

• Adjust the central hinge until you get a clear, single image

When you're thinking about how to use binoculars, first of all you need to get familiar with the four points of adjustment on your binoculars. The first one to address is the central hinge. This moves the two eyepieces closer together and you need to adjust it until you get a clear, single image.

How do I focus binoculars?

• First, adjust the diopter by putting a lens cap on the side that has the diopter setting
• Then, use the central focus wheel to focus the image for the other eye
• Next, cover the opposite lens and focus the other eye with the diopter adjuster

You first need to compensate for differences between your eyeballs, using the diopter adjustment. This is often found under the right eyepiece and it offers a small slider and an adjustment scale marked plus (+) and minus (–).

To adjust this, first put a lens cap on the side of the binoculars that has the diopter setting. Then use the central focus wheel to focus the image for the other eye (this will usually be the left hand side). Then cover the opposite lens and use the diopter adjuster to now focus for the other eye. When you remove the lens cap, you should have a sharp image, if not simply repeat the process.

If you are watching fast moving objects, it’s worth keeping a finger on the central focus wheel so that you can adjust as it moves across your field of view and gets closer or further away.

How do I adjust the eyecups?

• You should adjust the eyecups to position your eyes the correct distance away from the lens
• People with glasses will need to look for binoculars that have a minimum eye relief of around 16mm

You can also adjust the eyecups to position your eyes the correct distance away from the lens. This adjustment makes sure that you get the maximum field of view and do not lose any of the image at the edges. Additional micro-adjustments can be made by resting the eyepieces on your forehead and slightly altering the distance between your pupils and the eyepiece.

People who wear glasses will want to leave the eyecups down and need to look for binoculars that have a minimum eye relief of around 16mm. Any less than this and you will not get the full image with your glasses on.

How should I carry my binoculars?

• It's best to have your binoculars around your neck or in a readily accessible pocket
• This is so you won't miss fleeting opportunities

Most binoculars come with a carry case and lens protectors that will help look after your investment. But if you are heading outdoors, you really want your binoculars to hand at all times. If they are in the bottom of your bag, and you see something interesting, the chances are it will have vanished before you get them out. So it’s best to have them ready around your neck and with the lens caps off, or in a pocket and easily accessible.

Smaller, lighter binoculars are easier to carry, and you will also benefit from a wide, comfortable neck strap.

Are fast and light binoculars worth it?

• Yes, fast and light binoculars are worth it
• They will enhance your experience on any adventure

Yes. Binoculars can open up the night sky on a wildcamping trip, give you better views of a climbing route as you approach a crag, and identify a landing point if you’re kayaking across a lake. And even if you have only a passing interest in wildlife, they are guaranteed to boost your understanding and enjoyment of the natural world.

We often take our binoculars on cycling and running trips and they give you the perfect excuse to stop, take in the view and appreciate more of the natural world around you.