Binoculars

Selection

Whether you�re hunting, bird watching or simply taking a closer look at nature, binoculars are a great tool to own. At Field & Stream, you�ll find a great selection of binos from premium brands like Barska�, Leupold�, Nikon�, Swarovski�, ZEISS� and more.

Need more than just binoculars to get the job done? Check out our entire selection of optics, where you�ll find quality scopes, rangefinders, monoculars and more.

Buying Considerations

Before you buy your next pair of binoculars, it helps to understand a few key terms:

• Power of Magnification: On the Field & Stream website, you will usually see binoculars listed with two numbers separated by an �x� (EX: 10x42). The first number refers to power, or the power of magnification. So, binoculars listed as 10x42 would magnify an image 10 times.
• Objective: The second number, or 42 from our example above (10x42), is the diameter of the objective, or front lens. The objective determines how much light enters the binoculars; the larger the objective, the brighter the image will be.
• Exit Pupil: This is also an indicator of image brightness. A larger exit pupil will result in a brighter image. It is recommended that your exit pupil be at least 4mm if you�re using your binoculars in low-light situations like dawn and dusk. To find the exit pupil, you simply divide the power by the magnification�for example, binoculars with specs of 10x42 would have an exit pupil of 4.2mm.
• Eye Relief: This is the maximum distance you can hold the binoculars away from your eyes and still see the full field of view. Longer eye relief can help reduce eye strain.
• Field of View (FOV) at 1,000 Yards: Simply put, this is the total width of the area you are able to see with the binoculars at 1,000 yards. A wider field of view makes it easier to follow action, like animals on the move.
• Prism: Your binoculars will come with one of two prism features: roof or Porro. Roof-prism binoculars typically feature a lightweight, user-friendly design. Porro-prism binoculars typically provide greater depth perception and a wider field of view, but they do tend to be a bit heavier.

Quick Tips

For most hunting situations, you�ll want the power of magnification to be anywhere from 7x to 10x (Note: This range is also suitable for general use). However, if you�ll be doing long-range shooting (i.e. varmint hunting), go with 12x to 16x.