Words On Birds 08-07-26

Binoculars Bring Nature Closer
August 07, 2026
By Steve Grinley

     This weekend is the Massachusetts Sales Tax Holiday Weekend. A lot of people will be out buying big TVs and appliances. If you watch birds and wildlife, you may want to consider purchasing a new pair of binoculars or a spotting scope, or upgrade ones that you have. You can save money with store sales happening this weekend and by not paying sales tax on them.

     We are in the middle of shorebird migration, egrets are gathering in the pools on Plum Island, and the swallow spectacle has already begun on the refuge. Binoculars and spotting scopes will add to your wildlife viewing experience. Allow me to share again what to look for in binoculars and scopes:

     Today’s optics are lighter, brighter, and sharper than they were even a few years ago. You don’t need to start out with the best optics, as there are some fine lower priced binoculars and scopes, and you can always graduate to better optics as your interest grows. Or, as many experts advise, you can invest a little more money now and buy the best optics that you can afford, and they will bring you many years of enjoyment.

     The most popular size binoculars for birding are 8×42 or 10×42. The first number is the magnification. Magnifications of 8 or 10 power, will bring birds 8 or 10 times closer or make the bird look 8 or 10 times larger. Higher power may sound better, and it can be, but the higher the magnification, the harder it may be to hold a binocular steady. The lower power generally gives you a little more light and a wider field of view. The wider the field of view, the easier it is to find a bird in a tree, because you are seeing more of the tree. Ten power does bring birds closer for more definition, but with less field of view.

     The second number (i.e. 42) is the diameter of the objective lens, the lens that is furthest away from you, in millimeters. The larger that lens, the more light enters the binoculars. More light is important when light conditions are not ideal, such as on cloudy days, or at dawn or dusk. Some people use 30mm or 32mm binoculars that are smaller and weigh less, but they let in less light.

     Compact binoculars such as 8×20 or 10×25 are great for hiking, or for a second pair to keep in your car or backpack, but not very useful for general field use. The small objective lens limits both the field of view and the brightness of the image. But for those who just want to carry a pair in their pocket for long walks or for a sporting event, they may do just fine.

     Most binoculars are waterproof these days. Other factors to consider are the close focus (how close you can focus to see birds and butterflies a few feet away), and eye relief (important for eyeglass wearers to be able to have the full field of view of the binoculars). Binoculars vary greatly and these factors, as well as how they feel to you, is important! It is best to try them before you buy them, not only to match the binocular to your need, but also to get the one that feels good to you ergonomically.

     A big consideration is your budget. Binoculars come in all price ranges, from under $100 to $2500 or more. There are many excellent ones for just a few hundred dollars. You pretty much get what you pay for. The more you pay, the better the lens and the better the thin coatings that are placed on every glass surface that allow light to transmit through to your eyes rather than reflecting off the glass. They also provide sharper images and enhance color fidelity so you can see more detail and the true colors on a bird. The best binoculars have the “wow” factor – the ones that you put up to your eyes and you can say “wow.”

     All the same can be said for spotting scopes. Spotting scopes start at 15x or 20x magnification and can zoom up to 50x, 60x or even 70x times magnification. A tripod is necessary to hold a scope steady. Spotting scopes allow closer views of more distant birds. As you zoom up, the image darkens, so the larger scopes let in more light for those higher magnifications. The smaller scopes are lighter and more portable, and they still perform very well for viewing long distances.

     Scopes range from $300 to $4000 or more and, as in binoculars, you get what you pay for. It is best to try different ones to find one that satisfies your needs.

     This weekend is a great time to consider new optics to enhance your birding and wildlife viewing experience. Sunday, August 9, is our Optics Day at the store, Bird Watcher’s Supply & Gift, from 10am to 3pm. Representatives from major optics companies will be here and you can compare different binoculars or scopes. Most companies are offering special discounts for this free event, and with the Tax-Free Weekend, you will save even more! There is even a free raffle for a FREE pair of Nikon Monarch binoculars just for coming by!

     Hope to see you there!