Binoculars and spotting scopes for bird watchers

This page will provide you with choices as you prepare to purchase optics for your bird watching pleasure. You will find that optical accessories are divided into two main groups: Binoculars and Spotting Scopes. The majority of bird watchers find that binoculars are best suited for general use.

I would be hard-pressed to decide if the a field guide is more or less important than binoculars in your bird watching life. I guess that a good pair of binoculars just has to come first. You can't identify it if you can't see it. I have used cheap pairs and I have used good pairs. My advice is to buy a good pair.

Here is a prime source for your binocular selection process. These people have a great selection and they will "talk" you through a lot of the technical issues that may be a bit confusing. It is a very worth while site to see even if you do not buy from them.

These people also are a great source for bird watching optics. You will not regret the time you spend looking different models of binoculars. Consider weight and size as well as the more obvious optical

This is variety source which features an amazing variety of merchandise including many fine pairs of binoculars. They will not provide you with a great deal of advice but they might give you very good prices.

In an effort to be helpful, I am repeating a portion of the page dealing with setting up your binoculars. This part describes how to best use the binoculars in the field.

The finest tuned binoculars in the world won't do you any good if you can't find the bird in the lens image. The normal way to use a pair is to put them to your eyes and then search for the bird. That will work sometimes but here is a simple better way: Look directly at the bird without using the binoculars and keep the bird right in the center of your field of view. Simply bring the binoculars up to your eyes and allow them to intersect your view. If you have not moved the center of your focus, ,the bird will simply appear like magic! It works every time. It is particularly effective with hawks way up in the sky.

Now, this is a great idea! This harness allows you to hang the binoculars from your shoulders instead of your neck. I removed the original neck strap that came with my binoculars and replaced it with this. The comfort level soared. No more sore necks! I would never use a pair without this little strap. Also, it is made of elastic so that I can pick up the binoculars and raise them to my eyes with no drag at all. I strongly recommend this strap. Simply click on the image at the right and you will be taken to a vendor who can provide you with one. When the vendor page loads, in the search window on the upper right of the page, enter
" Audubon Harness"

The Audubon Harness