What You Need To Know About Pocket Binoculars
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Definition of a “pocket binocular”
Pocket binoculars are a special class of binoculars, in particular of compact binoculars ( which should be distinguished from normal size binoculars).
A compact binocular is a pocket binocular when:
1.Size: The binoculars should not be longer than 6 inches, higher than 3 inches and wider than 4 inches. This will ensure that it will fit into either a shirt or a jacket pocket.
2.Weight: It should be about 16 ounces if you wish to include reverse porro designs, but if not, not more than 12 ounces for roof prism pocket binoculars.
3.The best type of binocular design is the type where the objective lenses and eyepieces are in the same line, known as the roof prism binoculars. They are smaller and more light-weight than the porro binoculars. When you’re not using it, it can fold even smaller.
Pros of pocket binoculars
1.Small size: When small size is important, nothing beats a pocket binocular. A roof prism pocket binocular can fold so small, that you can hold it in your hand without it even being noticed.
2.Light-weight: You can take them wherever you go, walk miles, spend days in the mountains hiking, go to big sports events – and hardly be aware of them. They are no burden at all.
3.A pocket binocular is superior to normal size binoculars as far as their ability to focus up close is concerned.
4.Smallness does not equal inferiority at all: Generally speaking, a pocket binocular can be just as good as a bigger binocular.
The not-so-good aspects of pocket binoculars
1.In fading light pocket binoculars do not deliver an image as bright as in the case of normal size binoculars. This has to do with the fact that pocket binoculars have smaller apertures (lenses at the front) ( usually less than 25 millimeters), which does restrict the amount of light that enters the instruments. In bright daylight this is not a problem at all.
2.If your magnification (power) is more than 10x (considering pocket binoculars have smaller objective lenses than their bigger brothers), the field of view (FOV) of your instrument could be impaired. Fortunately the problem can be rectified by the way the lenses are organized inside the instrument. So, if FOV is important to you, make sure the pocket binocular of your choice meets your expectations as far as FOV is concerned.
What you should consider when you buy a pocket binocular
1.For what purpose are you looking to buy a pocket binocular? Example: It will make a difference to what you’re willing to pay if your pocket binocular will be the only one you have or just an extra one.
2.Budget: The eventual use of the instrument will play an important role in budget considerations. If it will be the only binocular you’ll have, you might be willing to pay more. If not, maybe a little less. In the case of binoculars price and quality go hand in hand. Even if you’re not going for the expensive ones, sacrificing quality should never be an option.
3.You should never compromise on quality. Always try to get the best instrument (within your price range). The most important feature are lens type and coatings: Just like all other binoculars, your pocket binocular should have “fully multi-coated” coatings on Bak-4 glass lenses. Water- and fogproof are always a bonus, whether you intend using the instrument in wet conditions or not.
4.Overall dimensions: The sizes of hands differ; pocket sizes differ as well. Make sure the one you choose is perfect for you as far as size (not too big, not too small) and weight are concerned.
Cobus Cronje has been writing articles on the internet for a couple of years. Apart from his website on pocket binoculars, you can also visit his blog on how to build a water feature.
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