Binoculars come in a host of specifications depending on the brand and intended use, but all function to magnify distant objects and make them appear closer. Zoom binoculars are designed specifically for their magnifying capabilities and should thus have an excellent viewing range. They find application in a wide range of outdoor activities, including hunting, birding, concerts, and stargazing.
Best Zoom Binoculars
With a host of brands out there, choosing the right zoom binoculars can get overwhelming. Below, we help streamline your choices as we take a look at our top five zoom binoculars on the market.
1. Nikon 8252 ACULON A211 10-22×50 Zoom
This gadget is a real beast in magnifying power and comes with excellent ergonomic features. It boasts of adjustable zoom of up to 22x, eyepiece distance for different users, and adjustable focus to allow you to catch objects at different distances in detail. Its multi-coated glass lenses minimise glare to yield superb image quality, and its rubber-coated armour ensures a comfortable, non-slip grip and will absorb accidental impact.
- Adjustable 10-22x zoom and focus.
- Ergonomic features for comfortable, solid grip and the perfect eye match.
- Superb image quality.
2. Sunagor Mega Zoom Binoculars 30-160×70
The Sunagor Mega Zoom is a top of the line binocular pair that boasts of extreme magnification with adjustable 30-150x zoom. It comes with BaK-4 prism for excellent image quality and is protected in a rubber-coated casing for a good grip and impact absorption. It comes with awesome controls to quickly adjust the focus and eyepiece configurations to suit different users.
- Impressive 30-150x magnification.
- Crisp images and color retention.
- Ergonomic rubber-coated casing and excellent controls.
3. Celestron 71008 SkyMaster 25×70 Binoculars
The Celestron 71008 SkyMaster combines a large aperture with impressive 25x magnification into a compact, affordable unit. It comes with great viewing range and a wide field of view to allow you to quickly track objects; its multi-coated optics allow for crisp images. It is the ideal handy binoculars for both land viewing and stargazing and comes with ergonomics that emphasize user adaptability and comfort.
- Wide aperture and impressive magnification.
- Compact, lightweight design, with ergonomic rubber-coated casing.
- Crisp images and comfortable to use.
4. BARSKA Gladiator Binocular
The BARSKA Gladiator, like the name implies, is built to conquer range and give you crisp detailed images with its ruby lenses. Its powerful 10-30x zoom is ideal for a variety of outdoor activities and ergonomic rubber-coated shell for a comfortable grip and impact absorption. It also comes with a carrying case for secure storage and a harness for improved portability.
- Impressive range and detailed images.
- Powerful 10-30x zoom and rubber-coated shell.
- Comes with extra accessories for easy storage and handleability.
5. Celestron UpClose G2
The Celestron UpCLose G2 Zoom binoculars has many great features at an affordable price. Its multi-coated optics ensure as much light as possible gets through for sharp images, and its rubber-coated casing gives a no-slip, comfortable grip while protecting the unit against accidental impact. It is waterproof and comes with a carrying case and straps.
- Affordable and comes with accessories.
- Great image quality and viewing range.
- Ergonomic design and waterproof casing.
Zoom Binoculars Buying Guide
Zoom binoculars offer more magnification than any other models on the market and yield impressive range. They are great for the nature explorer, traveller, and stargazing enthusiast who wants to get an up-close view at all the magic the universe has to offer. Choosing a pair of zoom binoculars requires you consider some factors we will now look at.
Our buying guide compares the best zoom binoculars on the market based on their features to help you find the right gadget that matches all your needs quickly.
Magnification
The first factor you want to consider when on the market for zoom binoculars is its magnification. Used interchangeably with zoom, it places a measure on how detailed or large, a distant object will appear through the eyepiece. The magnification is directly proportional to the binoculars’ viewing range, and a higher value means you have access to finer details.
In general, however, too much magnification provided by a pair of binoculars sacrifices the image brightness. The ideal binoculars should tinker with a balance between magnification and image brightness.
Aperture
The aperture of your binoculars goes hand in hand with its magnification. The aperture is the size of the objective lens, where all the light from the object enters the binoculars. Larger apertures mean wider lenses, and thus, more light accommodated.
For a particular magnification, a larger aperture will yield brighter images and better performance in low-light conditions. Apertures of zoom binoculars usually stand between 50 to 70mm.
Intended Purpose
What you want to use the pair of binoculars for will determine what product you buy. For travellers, concert attendees, hikers, etc. compact binoculars are the ideal choice as they can be carried around easily.
For more advanced use like stargazing and astronomy, zoom binocular with large apertures are preferred. These allow for magnification in the order of hundreds and will perform excellently in low-light conditions. These will, however, usually require a tripod stand as they can be quite heavy.
Price
Another essential factor to consider is your budget. Like any product on the market, zoom binoculars come in different types, and prices vary wildly depending on the brands. Cheap models with fair specifications stand at a few tens of dollars, while more expensive units can reach a few hundreds of dollars.
If you are on a tight budget, then a couple of the binoculars we have looked at will just be right for you. If you are, however, willing to spend extra for better magnification and image quality, by all means, do so as these will serve you in the long run.
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