| Avid bird watching enthusiasts often look like pack | | | | $100. Bird watching binoculars seem to run along |
| mules hiking to a gold rush in the west. Bird | | | | the same lines. |
| watching binoculars are one of the critical pieces | | | | You can buy bird watching binoculars for as much |
| of equipment they carry. | | | | as $1,000. Heck, Victoria's Secret or Neiman |
| Binoculars | | | | Marcus probably have diamond encrusted ones |
| There are a lot of issues when it comes to | | | | for $100,000. Do you need to spend this money? |
| choosing binoculars for bird watching. Optics and | | | | No. My personal experience has revealed |
| personal preference seem to be the foremost, | | | | binoculars in the $200 to $400 range perform well |
| but here is a list of issues you should consider. | | | | and I've never missed a sighting because of their |
| Bashability | | | | quality. |
| Bashability isn't really a word in the English | | | | Obviously, you can spend whatever you wish, but |
| language, but it certainly applies to bird watching. | | | | keep in mind you don't have to go overboard. |
| The bashability of binoculars refers to how tough | | | | Plus, binoculars without diamonds tend to still be |
| they are. For instance, if you drop them on the | | | | on the beach once you make it down from the |
| driveway while loading the car, will they hold up? | | | | cliff. |
| What if you drop them off a small cliff? I, err..."a | | | | Feel |
| friend" once did this on the cliffs above Torrey | | | | This may sound obvious, but you need to buy |
| Pines beach in San Diego. More than a few people | | | | binoculars that are comfortable. Ideally, you are |
| have been surprised to learn that binoculars go | | | | going to lug these babies around for 10 or 20 |
| out of whack when bashed. Now, I realize you | | | | years. Make sure they "fit" your face and spacing |
| would never drop them or subject them to | | | | of your eyes. Also, make sure they don't weigh |
| anything but the finest treatment, but just check | | | | too much. After a few hours of birding, this can |
| them for me. | | | | become an issue. |
| Costs | | | | If you're going to be a birder, you're going to |
| I like wine. I drink wine. Unless I am standing at | | | | need binoculars. Like wine, you can go overboard |
| the cash register, I can't really tell the difference | | | | on them, but don't need to. |
| between a $10 bottle of wine and one selling for | | | | |