10×50 Binoculars What Does That Mean
The earliest constructed pair of binoculars dates back to the early 1600’s and they have been an invaluable tool ever since. Also known as fields glasses, a typical pair consists of two telescopes mounted side by side aligned to face the same direction. They provide the user with a three dimensional image (as opposed to a two dimensional image of a telescope) and are typically held in both hands. Hand held versions range from opera glasses to glasses with an object magnification of over 12 times; the latter is often used in outdoor spaces. They have been adapted for military use, alongside being commonly used by amateur astronomers, as well as becoming an important piece of equipment for hikers and birdwatchers. Although many technologies have surpassed a typical pair for collecting data, field glasses provide a cheap, easily accessible and simple to use tool to gather information when surveying a large area. Many typically come with an adjustable arrangement around the lenses, to allow the user to focus the image for better clarity, depending on variables such as light.
When looking for a pair of binoculars, you may be surprised at the wide range of prices that you encounter. This variation is often due to binocular magnification power, the field of vision, the lens coating, whether they are water/weather resistant (including being fog proof), the prism type used inside the lens and the focus ability of the lenses. Some versions also allow for lower light viewing, which may increase their speciality and thus the price. You also may have to consider the variation in the binocular size when browsing for a suitable pair. The more specialised your pair of lenses are the more money you will need to consider spending.
The good news is, you don’t need to spend £500 to get the most out of your pair; the uses of field glasses becomes even clearer when we apply them to an outdoor setting, such as on the side of a mountain or in a jungle. However, here are some of the top ways you can use your field glasses when out and about with nature-
Surveying land- very useful if you are planning to descend down the side of a mountain or moving through thick woodland. You will need a clear image of what you or your group have to be prepared for. Whatever environment you are walking into on your expeditions, a good pair of lenses in your hand will help you be ready for anything!
Hunting- an obvious but sometimes overlooked use, if you are taking your pair on a hunting trip, or if you are in a desperate situation, it is often very difficult to get close to animals you are hunting without startling them. Even a small pair of field glasses will help you get a clear visual on whichever animal you have your eye on and will help you estimate the best way forward dependent on distance.
Bird watching- of course, you don’t have to be hunting animals to look at them through a pair of binoculars! If you are out and about in a bird sanctuary, or even in your own back garden overlooking your bird feeders, observing birds is a fun filled way to use your lenses. Even a basic pair can help you when bird watching, and is perhaps the only essential piece of equipment for any amateur or professional bird watcher.
Signalling- back in the unforgiving wilderness, you can use the lenses of you field glasses to send signals to passing planes or boats, simply by using the reflection of the sun. Potentially lifesaving if you don’t have pocket mirror or a torch to hand.
