BINOCULARS

When you’re outdoors there is just so much to see! And if you’re like me, you don’t want to miss anything. Whether it’s something across a mountain valley or a bird in a nearby tree you want to see it up close. This is where a good pair of binoculars comes in handy. Binoculars range in price from less than $100 to $1800 or more. They all have the same basics; the price difference reflects the quality of the optics and the addition of extra features. Many excellent binoculars can be found in the $300 to $500 range.

Swarovski Binoculars

Swarovski Optik has been making binoculars since 1949 and offers several lines. The SLC line has been updated with the addition of the SLCnew binoculars. These are lightweight with improved ergonomics in a polyurethane shell for easy gripping. In the EL series you’ll find the SnapShot adapter which allows you to shoot photos with a digital camera through the binoculars. All Swarovski binoculars feature easy-to-clean lenses and are water and fog proof.

Pentax Binoculars

Pentax binoculars come in a range of sizes and styles. There’s the 20x60 PCF WP II; the first number means a magnification power of 20 and the second means the objective lenses (the ones away from your eyes) are 60 millimeters in diameter. These larger than average measurements make this pair great for stargazing or other low-light situations. And there’s the 8.5x21 Papilio Binoculars designed for very close-up viewing; you can get as close as 18 inches from your subject. Papilio is the Latin word for butterfly and that’s just what these binoculars are perfect for viewing. In between these two are many models in the more common 10x42 size.

Olympus Binoculars

Among Olympus binoculars the mid-size Pathfinder and Magellan series are very popular, but the brand also includes a couple of compact series as well as binoculars large enough for searching the stars on a clear night. If you’re looking for something small and compact, the 8x21 RCI Outback folds up into a package the size of a cell phone! Talk about portability!