How to choose your binoculars

The warm weather is just around the corner and now is the perfect time to get the perfect pair of binoculars for your summer plans. So we've put together a guide to help you in your search.

And now 10x42... what does that mean?

"Nikon Prostaff 7S 10x42 Binoculars". When you start shopping, the first thing you notice is the product name, especially the numbers at the end. Here is what they mean: the first number indicates the magnification factor of the binoculars. In this case, we would have binoculars that magnify 10 times what we see with the naked eye. The second number indicates the diameter of the lenses, and therefore the brightness of the image obtained. A 10x42 binoculars will be brighter (and easier to use in dark situations, like in the middle of a forest on a cloudy day) than a 10x30 binocular.

Does their shape change anything?

There are mainly two types of prism in binoculars: the roof prism (which gives straight binoculars) and the Porro prism (which gives wider binoculars). Specifically, the roof prism offers a more compact, solid and waterproof construction, while the Porro prism allows for better three-dimensional vision (and therefore better distance perception).

And their price?

There are several ranges of binoculars whose prices vary from about a hundred dollars to over a thousand. Obviously, the higher the price, the higher the quality you can expect, whether it be in terms of waterproofing, resistance, luminosity or the quality of the glass used.

Examples please!

The Nikon Sportstar EX 8x25 and EX 10x25 binoculars are small and portable, with a roof prism, so they are easy to carry at all times. They are rain and moisture resistant, but are not recommended for those who wear glasses due to their small size.

The Nikon Travelite EX 8x25 and 10x25, with Porro prism, are also small, but not foldable because of their inverted Porro prism construction. They are a bit more expensive than the Sportstar EX, but they have an aspherical lens to increase image quality. In addition, they are waterproof up to 2 meters for 5 minutes.

Nikon Aculon binoculars, with Porro prism, are economical while keeping a good magnification factor and a good brightness. They even exist in zoom version for the undecided :) On the other hand, they are not waterproof at all and do not have anti-fog.

The Nikon Action EX are similar to the Aculon range in size, but with better shock resistance and waterproofing to 1 meter for 5 minutes. They are also anti-fog and nitrogen filled for better image clarity.

The Nikon Prostaff 7S 8x42 and Nikon Prostaff P7 binoculars are an excellent blend of strength and quality, while remaining fairly economical. They have a roof prism construction and are waterproof to 1 meter for 10 minutes. In addition, they are sturdy and shock resistant. So they can follow you on all your hikes without worry.

The name Monarch has always been synonymous with optical excellence. Nikon Monarch M5 and M7 binoculars are available in several formats, they take performance to a new level, pushing resolution, brightness and field of view even further. They are solidly coated, waterproof and anti-fog. M7's offer the option of diopter locking. They also feature an oil- and water-repellent coating on the lens and eyepiece.

Finally, the Promaster Infinity EL 8x42 are roof prism binoculars, waterproof up to 1.5 meters for 3 minutes. Their lenses are equipped with a special coating that maximizes image sharpness and prevents dust from sticking as much as on normal glass. This ensures maximum performance of the binoculars at all times.