Avid bird watching enthusiasts often look like pack mules hiking
to a gold rush in the west. Bird watching binoculars are one of
the critical pieces of equipment they carry.
Binoculars
There are a lot of issues when it comes to choosing binoculars
for bird watching. Optics and personal preference seem to be the
foremost, but here is a list of issues you should consider.
Bashability
Bashability isn't really a word in the English langauge, but it
certainly applies to bird watching. The bashability of
binoculars refers to how tough they are. For instance, if you
drop them on the driveway while loading the car, will they hold
up? What if you drop them off a small cliff? I, err..."a friend"
once did this on the cliffs above Torrey Pines beach in San
Diego. More than a few people have been surprised to learn that
binoculars go out of whack when bashed. Now, I realize you would
never drop them or subject them to anything but the finest
treatment, but just check them for me.
Costs
I like wine. I drink wine. Unless I am standing at the cash
register, I can't really tell the difference between a $10
bottle of wine and one selling for $100. Bird watching
binoculars seem to run along the same lines.
You can buy bird watching binoculars for as much as $1,000.
Heck, Victoria's Secret or Neiman Marcus probably have diamond
encrusted ones for $100,000. Do you need to spend this money?
No. My personal experience has revealed binoculars in the $200
to $400 range perform well and I've never missed a sighting
because of their quality.
Obviously, you can spend whatever you wish, but keep in mind you
don't have to go overboard. Plus, binoculars without diamonds
tend to still be on the beach once you make it down from the
cliff.
Feel
This may sound obvious, but you need to buy binoculars that are
comfortable. Ideally, you are going to lug these babies around
for 10 or 20 years. Make sure they "fit" your face and spacing
of your eyes. Also, make sure they don't weigh too much. After a
few hours of birding, this can become an issue.
If you're going to be a birder, you're going to need binoculars.
Like wine, you can go overboard on them, but don't need to.
More Information:Rick Chapo is with
www.NomadJournals.com - makers of diary and writing journals. Visit
www.NomadJournalTrips.com to read more articles about national parks and the great outdoors.
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