Which binocular is best suited depends on the intended use. We categorize binoculars into three different categories.
How strong a binocular needs to be depends on what it is to be used for. In principle, a higher magnification is usually desirable, but higher magnification also requires more light: a larger lens is necessary. More power always comes with the binoculars being heavier and larger. Regarding hunting applications: A lightweight binocular for stalking should have a magnification of 6-8 with a lens diameter of 50 mm; for sitting during the day and at night, we recommend a magnification of at least 10 with a lens diameter of at least 56 mm.
A binocular consists of two telescopes that are aligned and connected so that one can look through with both eyes. The lenses focus the light beam and initially project the viewed image upside down and reversed. The prism system ensures that the image is inverted and can be seen upright and correctly. Without a prism, the image would be upside down and mirrored. The eyepiece is used to view this intermediate image and is comparable to a magnifying glass. The focusing ensures that the light rays exit the eyepiece parallel. When this is the case, the viewer sees a single, sharp image.
The first number stands for the magnification, the second for the diameter of the lens. Example: 10x50 - The image is magnified eight times - the apparent viewing distance is therefore only one-eighth of the actual distance. Disadvantages of high magnification: On the one hand, the section you see becomes smaller. On the other hand, as the distance increases, it becomes more important that the binoculars do not shake.
A larger lens diameter means that more light can enter the binoculars, and the image appears brighter. The larger the lens, the brighter the image, and the more night-capable the binoculars are.
The twilight number is determined to provide a rough estimate of how high the night capability of a binocular is. It is a calculated value that only considers the characteristics of magnification and lens diameter. However, it does not take into account the resolution of the binoculars, the quality of the lenses, or the light transmission.
The twilight number can be calculated as the square root of the product of magnification and lens diameter. A binocular with the specifications 10x56 has a twilight number of 22.36. A binocular with the common specifications 8x42 has a twilight number of 18.33 - the twilight number of the former binocular is higher - an indication that the binocular is better suited for night hunting.
A high twilight performance provides an overview of the overall performance as an optical-mechanical system in twilight or residual light at night. This performance includes large lens openings, high brilliance, high contrast, excellent correction of image errors, materials used, quality of manufacturing, etc.
The light transmission in % indicates how much light is transmitted from the lens to the eyepiece. A high light transmission is around 92%, which means that 92% of the light also reaches the user's eye. High-performance models from premium manufacturers can achieve light transmission of up to 97%.
Some modern binoculars have an integrated laser rangefinder. The laser is aimed at a target for which the distance is to be measured, after which a laser pulse is sent out and reflected by the object. The rangefinder can measure how long it takes for the pulse to be reflected and thus calculate the distance. This information is displayed in the field of view of the binoculars.
As with all equipment for hunters, a good binocular can become very expensive. For high-performance models from manufacturers like Swarovski, Zeiss, or Leica, often 2000 euros or more are required. However, decent entry-level models start at around 100 euros - of course, the performance is not at the same level as the professional models, but for a large part of hunting situations, they reliably help to get a good overview - and especially in good lighting conditions, the quality differences do not play a significant role yet. Good optics make a big difference, especially in low light.
There are several reasons to buy a used binocular - high-quality, especially older models can last 50 years or more with good care. Good platforms include eGun, Auctronia, and the weapons market of the VDB, as well as platforms like eBay or eBay classifieds, since binoculars are not subject to weapon laws. On Gunfinder, the most common platforms can be searched for used binoculars - users selling used binoculars online can list their offers for free on Gunfinder.
For young hunters, the binocular is part of the absolute basic equipment alongside the first rifle with the appropriate scope, hunting clothing, and one or more good hunting knives. Since a lot of equipment needs to be purchased at once, a budget limit is often quickly reached, which is why we recommend initially opting for a model that costs up to 200 euros. To be usable for as many hunting situations as possible, a binocular with the specifications 10x50 is recommended - models with this magnification and this lens diameter are not too heavy and still provide the necessary visibility.
Meanwhile, the majority of hunters hunt with a thermal imaging device, which has somewhat pushed the binocular as a classic basic component of the equipment into the background. We recommend acquiring both and placing a bit more emphasis on the thermal imaging device. Here, the price difference is much more noticeable than with a binocular.
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