One of the first things any birder gets is a good set of binoculars - and often they get 2 or 3 sets as they get more into the hobby. How do you choose a pair of binoculars?

First, think about the qualities this pair of binoculars must possess. This would include:

* Price range - how much can you pay?
* Size - will they be large for home use, or small to keep in a backpack?
* Magnification - do you want to glimpse the bird, or really see its details?

Binoculars are amazingly sharp in current times, and you should be able to find a high quality pair of binoculars even at the lower price range. The way that binoculars are measured is in magnification and lens size. A pair of binoculars that makes an image seem 10 times larger than normal, with a lens that is 25mm wide would be called a 10x25.

You want the image to be large but clear. Having a giant image that is fuzzy does you little good ... and having a large image that is dark is also pretty unhelpful. The larger the lens, the more light it gathers, meaning the clearer your image is and the easier it is to see. On the other hand, large binoculars can be bulky and heavy to carry around. You will want to try out different binoculars in a store to see what balance of size vs ease of seeing works well for your use.

The pair I use is a Bushnell 10x50, the older cousin to this 16x50 in the photo. These binoculars are just GREAT and in fact I bought a pair for a relative after she tried mine and loved them. The image is large, the lighting is excellent and they're not too heavy to carry around.

I especially love the easy rocker-focus in the middle. Nothing to spin or move around, you just rock the center see-saw with your fingers while looking at the bird to bring it into sharp focus.

Whatever pair you get for your own use, remember that lenses need to be kept clean in order to work properly. Keep the lens caps on when the binoculars are not in use, and use a soft cloth to clean them. If you scratch up your lenses, the binoculars won't do you much good!

Buy Bushnell Binoculars from Amazon.com

List of Birding Binocular Manufacturers