When it comes to viewing range, binoculars for long distances are at the apex. Also called high-power binoculars, they are specially designed for extreme magnification and have larger apertures to achieve a sufficient field of view to focus on objects, great distances away.
Best Binoculars for Long Distance
Below, we take a look through a list of our top five binoculars specially designed for long-range applications.
1. Celestron 71008 SkyMaster 25×70 Binoculars
The Celestron 71008 SkyMaster, like the name implies, is a true dominator in terms of long-distance viewing. With an impressive magnification of 25x and a large 70mm aperture, it balances great range with a wide field of view. It also boasts of superb image quality, an ergonomic rubber-coated design, and is highly adaptable to different wearers.
- Impressive 25x magnification for long-range viewing.
- Bright and crisp images.
- Ergonomic design for comfort and wearer adaptability.
2. Nikon 8252 ACULON A211 10-22×50 Zoom Binocular
Nikon is reputable for excellent optical devices, and this gadget sustains the trend. With an adjustable 10-22x magnification, it is highly adaptable to a wide range of activities and adjustable pupillary distance to suit different users. Its multicoated lenses accommodate as much light as possible for bright images and its rubber-coated armour for a comfortable, no-slip grip.
- Variable 10-22x magnification and pupillary distance.
- Lightweight, compact design.
- Ergonomic design and excellent wearer adaptability.
3. Sunagor Mega Zoom Binoculars 30-160×70
The Sunagor Mega Zoom boasts of the highest magnification range on the market. One look at this gadget, and you’ll know it means business; it comes with a 70mm aperture, an incredible 30 to 160x zoom, and focus control knobs to suit different users. It comes with BaK-4 prism for the best image quality and an inbuilt eyepiece correction.
- Powerful 30 to 160x magnification and large aperture.
- Ergonomic, rugged design for durability.
- Great image quality and user adapatability.
4. Gosky Titan 20×80 Astronomy Binoculars
This gadget stands true to its name, a titan with impressive 20x magnification and a very large 80mm aperture for the best images. Its sturdy aluminum polycarbonate skeleton ensures durability and is rubber coated for a comfortable, no-slip grip. It also comes with a bunch of accessories for excellent portability and adaptability to astrophotography.
- Large aperture and impressive magnification for the best image quality.
- Durable rubber coated casing.
- Comes with extra accessories.
5. BetaOptics 144X Military Zoom Binoculars
Superb 144x magnification, a large aperture for bright and crisp images, and maximum light transmission are some of the great features of this handy binoculars. It comes with an easy to use, focus adjustment knob for varying range, and comes with a carrying strap for improved portability.
- Impressive 20 to 144x magnification.
- Large aperture with BaK-4 prisms for the best image quality.
- Easy to use focus adjustment knob and carrying strap.
Binoculars for Long Distance Buying Guide
Binoculars for long distances are designed with much higher magnification than regular models. They also usually have larger apertures to complement their large zoom with enough field of view. Choosing the right binoculars for long-distance viewing can be quite tasking, thanks to the horde of brands that all claim to be at the top.
Our buying guide simplifies your shopping process for you as we review top rated binoculars on the market based on their features to give you a basis to compare them and choose the right product quickly.
Magnification
The most important factor you want to look out for in any binoculars for long-distance viewing is its magnification. Also called power, it is a measure of how large or close a distant object appears. Most regular binoculars have magnifications in the range of 8x to 12x. Binoculars for long-distance, however, have magnification from 20x to as high as 150x in some models.
Keep in mind, however, that the magnification is not the only factor to consider. High magnification is useful but may come at the detriment of other factors we will now look at.
Field of View
The field of view on a pair of long-distance binoculars is the width of the viewing area available to your eyes through the eyepiece at a fixed position. It is measured as a distance in feet or as an angle in degrees. In general, the field of view is inversely proportional to the magnification; as the magnification increases, the field of view decreases.
A large field of view is necessary to track and locate objects quickly. Generally, the wider, the better. However, a wider field of view will mean less image details for the same magnification.
Aperture
The aperture or size of the objective lens serves as the balancing factor for magnification and field of view. A larger aperture means the binoculars will accommodate more light and hence brighter and clearer images. It will also yield better performance in low light conditions.
Binoculars for long-distance should have at least 50mm of aperture and up to 80mm and above for the best results.
Tripod Stand
It is always the best idea to buy a tripod stand for your long-distance binoculars. The large magnification on these binoculars come with a catch; the slightest vibrations from your hands will yield highly exaggerated motions in your viewing field. A tripod stand is, therefore, necessary to ensure stability and, thus, the best viewing experience.
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