Optic descriptions sound and look confusing. Once explained it will help you make the right choice in choosing the best binoculars for you. While this is not a through explanation of all the terms it is a good primer.

Optics give you the detail, clarity, brightness for the picture you are looking for. You can find good optics at a reasonable price, but great optics will cost you a lot more. You don’t need great optics to enjoy viewing, it will depend on what and how you will be using them.

Descriptions – Detail, Clarity, Brightness, Porro, Roof, Magnification, Objective.

Detail of course is how crisp the image is.

Clarity? Does it look like you are looking though smog or is the image again crisp?

Brightness – Can you see better in the mid day or do the optics work just as well in the morning and early evening?

Porro vs roof prism. Porro prism will be brighter than roof prism.

Roof prism is more compact than porro prism, so is also lighter.

Magnification is the first number such as 7x 8x 9x etc. Example a 7x will look 7 times closer a 8x will look 8 times closer.

Objective is measured in mm as in 40mm 50 mm etc this is the second number and tells you how much light can be gathered the higher the mm the brighter the image.

Coatings

Coated optics: one or more surfaces are anti-reflective coated with a single-layer coating.

Fully coated: all air-to-glass surfaces are anti-reflective coated with a single-layer coating

Multi-coated: one or more surfaces have anti-reflective multi-layer coatings.

Fully multi-coated: all air-to-glass surfaces are anti-reflective multi-layer coated.

Plastic lenses, however, if used, may not be coated.

Coatings will reduce the glare and reflections.

Good optical coating on a smaller pair will be better than a larger pair that are uncoated.

Eyeglasses.

Binoculars can be purchases with many more features suited for the individual.

Most will have a feature to adjust one eyepiece while leaving the other fixed, most of us have one eye that is slightly different than the other so the it can look out of focus. Adjusting one eyepiece will compensate for this and the image will look focus for both eyes. Some will feature eye cups for those who wear eyeglasses

Do your research, how will you use your binoculars? Do you have children who will use them? Size may count. Will you use them for Hiking? Weight may be a issue Will you use them for bird watching? Wild life viewing? Take a look see the styles. You don’t need to spend a lot to get a great pair for you, but maybe a little extra today will keep you from needing or wanting something different in the future. Shop wisely and they will last you many years if not a life time.