Behind glasses, binoculars are the most widely used optical instruments. If you are the type of person who enjoys observing the intricacies of the world, binoculars are a necessary part of your explorer kit. But buying the first pair is not a simple task. Binoculars come in various sizes, versions and qualities. So the best way to ensure you buy a quality product is to learn about the most relevant features and specs. Nothing like a simple introductory guide to this instrument.
The "XxXX" formula
You have probably noticed a recurrent formula in binocular jargon, a formula such as 8x35 or 10x60. This refers to the concrete optical properties of the instrument. The number before the "x" represents the magnification power, while the number after the letter represents the aperture (or diameter) of
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Binocs produced by serious companies usually feature some kind of lens treatment. Coated (C), Fully-Coated (FC), Multi-Coated (MC) or Fully Multi-Coated (FMC) binocs are guaranteed quality products and the differences between their optical quality is very small. This is a very important technical detail because there is a real qualitative difference between coated and non-coated lenses, both in optical performance and durability.
Unfortunately, this detail has been appropriated by aggressive marketing agendas in order to catter inexperienced customers. If you truly care about quality, be mindful not to buy into the "FMC" marketing hype from non-specialized vendors. Many of their products are devoid of any lens treatment or protection at all.
Purpose, FOV and binocular size
Different purposes entail very different types of binoculars. There are compact binoculars for indoor environments, hunting binoculars, astronomy binoculars, bird watching binoculars, boating binoculars, low light binoculars, and so on. Each type is characterized by distinct purpose-specific