How to buy long range binoculars?
Estella Asked:
I want long range binocular, I know that it usually is directly proportional the the area of the lenses, but i eared that some electronically amplify the light from the source and by so can get a high zoom with great luminosity with a small collecting area...what would be the best? my budget is about 300$
Reply:
Along with what Stargaze said, check the lenses. Look for a Bak4 lens. These are better quality than Bak7. Especially since you plan to spend such a high amount on binocs.
Lens coatings will play an important part as well. If you want to use them for astronomy, look for the "green" coated lenses. You will notice imediatly between those or the ruby coated ones.
If you go to a sporting goods store, and the person behind the counter looks confused if you ask about Bak4...leave.
Try going to a camera store that also sells binocs and telescopes. They can answer your questions based on what you want out of them.
US $19.55
Awesome shooting.
If you are mostly going 25, 50 and 100 yards, I think I'd stick with a good set of binoculars. I often lug my spotting scope and pedestal to the range only to use my binocs most often anyway at shorter ranges.
For 200+ yards there is no sub for a quality spotting scope, but for the ranges you discuss binocs work well, especially if you have a friend/spotter working with you. Binocs are so much more versatile as well. You can get into a quality pair of binocs for $100 or so, whereas a good spotting scope is going to be $300+.