Admit it. You love birds. 

And when you go out bird watching, you really look forward to spotting some beautiful birds that will make your bird watching memorable. 

You want to hear a bird singing and immediately find the little beauty among the thick trees. 

You want to get a good look at all the beautiful colors and exquisite detail found in the birds in your backyard, the woods and beyond. 

And you really look forward to having a “WOW” experience, by seeing birds you've never seen before. 

So, you get your gear on and go out in the field really anticipating having a great bird watching adventure. Or, if you’re a backyard birder, you pull out your old binoculars hoping to see all the new bird friends that started visiting your back yard at the beginning of the season. 

But then…Something unexpected happens. 

Where you were hoping to get a magnificent view of these pretty little birds, you spend more time fussing with your binoculars, instead. 

Or, you hear a bird in the trees and spend all your time looking for it. But, no matter how hard you try, you can't find the little songbird as it hides behind the foliage. 

Or, after a lot of effort, you finally find your bird among the trees, but the image is so shaky that you can't get a pleasant view; and suddenly, you lose him again. 

You even spot a rare specimen you've never seen before, and as you try to focus your binoculars, he flies away.  And no matter how frantically you scan the sky back and forth, you just can't tell where he went. 

So, what you were hoping would be a memorable outing, turns out to be disappointing to say the least. You didn't see any birds you wanted, because you spent most of your time fidgeting with your binoculars trying to get them to work properly. And, at the end of the day, all you had to show for your outing was the neck strain you received from having to carry your big, bulky and heavy binoculars around. 

But, you have to wonder, why does something that seems so easy, like enjoying a simple bird watching outing, turn out to be such hard work? Why does something that seems like it would be so peaceful and enjoyable, bring so much frustration instead? 

Interestingly, you're not alone. Out of 40 million bird watchers in the US, countless articles and forums describe fellow bird watchers complaining about similar experiences: 

And so on, and so on… 

But what could be causing all of the obstacles to such a simple pastime like bird watching? 

I mean, why is it becoming so difficult to truly get the most enjoyment you can out of your bird watching experiences? 

It's your binoculars, plain and simple. 

It's amazing that something so small could have such an impact on your entire bird watching experience, but it’s true. 

Let's face it, having the right binoculars could help you create the most memorable bird watching experiences of your life. But, having the wrong binoculars can turn your birding adventure into an exercise in frustration. 

But why does this happen? 

This happens, because not all binoculars are created equal. Some binoculars are created for hunting; some are created for stargazing; and some are created for watching sports games and concerts. And some are specially designed for bird watching. 

And if the binoculars you are using for birding are not specially designed for bird watching, then you're in for a lot of disappointment. 

And because 80% of bird watchers get their binoculars by either borrowing them from a friend or family member, using an old pair they find in the attic; or get their binoculars from buying a cheap pair on Amazon, Walmart, or some big box store - then you start to understand why this problem so common. 

So, if you're interested in having the ultimate bird watching experience, then it is going to mean finding a pair of binoculars that are specially designed for bird watching. 

But what do binoculars need to have in order to create the ultimate bird watching experience? 

The top bird watching professionals say that if you have the following 7 binocular essentials, then every bird watching outing can be enjoyable, memorable, and be a life changing experience. 

So, what does one need to create the ultimate bird watching experience? 

Binoculars come in all different magnifications. You’ve probably seen people advertise binoculars as 8x42, 10x42, 12x50, etc. These numbers refer to the magnification and lens size of the binocular. The first number is the magnification: 8 means that you can see 8 times closer, 10 means you can see 10 times closer, and so on. The second number is the lens size in diameter, and the bigger the lens the brighter the image will appear. 

But what is the right magnification for bird watching? Well, you would assume that you should get the highest magnification in order to see the object as close as possible. So, a 10X or a 12X binocular would be ideal, right? 

Unfortunately, not. 

You see, there is a big trade off, because the higher the magnification your binoculars have, the more you lose things that are essential to bird watching. 

For example, the higher the magnification the shakier the image will be. So, if you go higher in magnification, you're either going to need nerves of steel, or a tripod to hold your binoculars steady. And unless you're willing to shell out the cash for a tripod, as well as lug it around with you for every bird watching outing, a lower magnification will serve you much better. 

Now you know why you’re having such a hard time getting a steady image… 

But, you can't go too low in magnification either. Because remember, the lower the magnification the less you can see. 

Feels like a catch 22, doesn't it? 

The good news is that after a lot of testing and research, the majority of professional bird watchers agree that the ideal bird watching magnification is an 8x, whether an 8X42 or an 8X32. 

And, even better news, if a pair of 8x binoculars is specially designed with all the essentials in this article, an 8x can even beat out a 10x or more in magnification and clarity. 

So, for the ultimate bird watching experience, make sure your binoculars are labeled either 8X42 or 8X32. 

The field of view describes how wide a view you can see as you look through your binoculars. It is the difference between feeling like you are looking through a tube, or feeling like if you are seeing a wide panoramic view with your own eyes. 

But why is field of view so important? Well, if you’ve ever heard a bird singing, and tried to find it amongst the trees, you probably noticed how hard that can be. It’s because having a narrow field of view is like trying to find the bird with a telescope. The narrow field of view will make it twice as hard to find what you are looking for. Needle in a haystack, anyone? 

But a wide field of view will give you a bigger, more panoramic view to scan the entire tree. And, the bigger view allows you to look for the bird on each branch, until ultimately find its nest. 

Speaking of scanning, if you've ever tried to find a bird after it flies away, and you find yourself scanning the skies back and forth with no success, this is probably because the field of view of your binoculars is too narrow. 

A wide field of view on the other hand, gives you a panoramic view of the skies which makes it much easier to find your bird in flight. 

Now, the ideal field of view is anything above 390ft/ 1000 yards. This means you will see 390ft within a 1000 yard area. And, if you can get an extra wide field of view over 400ft, this is even better. 

So, for the ultimate bird watching experience, make sure your binoculars are labeled with a field of view of 390ft/1000 yards or better. 

Phase correction what? No, it's not something from Star Trek. 

Phase correction coating is a coating that is added to the prism inside binoculars in order to keep colors as clear and bright as the picture you're seeing. 

Actually, the technical explanation is that phase correction coatings on the binocular prism help keep light in correct color phases. These coatings are added on roof prism binoculars to enhance resolution, contrast, and color fidelity. 

Because these coatings keep the light in the correct color phases, they produce images that have better contrast, a higher resolution and have a better color reproduction. 

An example is in the image below.

The top half of the image shows the benefits of phase correction coating on binoculars. 

Without phase correction coating, the image you see will look bland and not as vibrant as can be. And, if you’re like most bird watchers, looking at the various beautiful colors on a bird is one of the greatest joys of bird watching, and something you cannot miss out on. 

Who doesn't get goosebumps looking at the color on a Gouldian Finch like the one below: 

Beautiful, isn't it? 

Without phase correction coating, the colors will not pop as well as the picture above. So why settle for bland, when adding phase correction coating to your binoculars will help you see Mother Nature’s work in all its glory? 

So, for the ultimate bird watching experience make sure your binoculars are labeled as having phase correction coating. 

Close focus is a binocular’s ability to see close objects magnified, which gives you the ability to see even more detail. 

Some would say close-up bird watching is the best kind of bird watching. This is because not only can you see your bird magnified, but you can also see even more exquisite detail because you are so up close. 

A great example is the image below: 

Exquisite, isn't it? 

If you’re right under a tree and spot a bird right above you, you have the perfect opportunity to see your bird up close and magnified for a magnificent view. Close focus ability gives you the opportunity to get memorable views you may never get watching birds from far away. 

The ability to see up close is especially important for backyard birders that want to get a close-up view of the little bird neighbors that visit their back yard every season. Let's face it, there's not a lot of room to move in your backyard, so having close focus will create perfect views from your back porch or even through your window. 

The ideal close focus rating for bird watching binoculars are 2m and below. This gives you the ability to be as close as 2 meters (6 feet) away and see a perfectly clear, bright and magnified view of your bird in exquisite detail. 

Unfortunately, most binoculars do not take into account the need for bird watchers to see up close so they don't have adequate close focus. This means you have keep walking back until you get a clear picture, which of course means you'll miss out on all the amazing detail you could be enjoying. 

So, for the ultimate bird watching experience, make sure your binoculars are labeled with close focus of 2m or below. 

Now let's talk about those big, bulky binoculars that your grandmother gave you, or that you found in the attic. 

You know the ones I'm talking about (if not, see image below). 

Most of us believed for a long time, (and some of us still believe), that if the binoculars we have aren't a big pair of military looking, bulky and heavy pair of binoculars, (known as Porro prism binoculars), then they aren't really binoculars. 

The truth is that a whole new line of sleek binoculars, called “Roof” prism binoculars, have just about done away with the need for the big, bulky binoculars that cause major neck strain. 

Roof prism binoculars are not only smaller, but they are more compact, lighter and easier to use. Even more, with roof prism binoculars that have all the essentials included in this article, you can have the most memorable bird watching experiences with binoculars that can even weigh under a pound. 

Not only are roof prism binoculars lighter, but they are also better in terms of clarity, brightness, and they are really user friendly. 

What does this mean? It means no more struggling with big, bulky and heavy binoculars on your bird watching outings. It means no more neck strain lugging that albatross (pun intended) around your neck through the woods. 

Instead, your compact and lightweight roof prism binoculars can be right by your side, in your pocket, and even around your neck without stress or strain, and most importantly, without tarnishing the fun of your bird watching adventure. 

So what is a good weight for the ideal bird watching binoculars? Anything below one pound and eight ounces (1.5 lb.) is perfect. You can even find lightweight models that are a little under a pound that can beat out the 3 lb.+ Porro prism bulky binoculars that have ruined many bird watching adventures. 

So, for the ultimate bird watching experience make sure your binoculars weigh between 12 oz. and 1.5 lbs.

If you've ever tried to look through your binoculars and keep seeing black spots that looked like giant kidney beans, it doesn't mean you need to trim your eye lashes. 

It just means that your binoculars don't have sufficient eye relief. Eye relief is the distance between the eyepiece lenses and your eyes (exit pupil if you want to get technical), and which ultimately determines the right focal point of your binoculars to give you the best image. 

Because the ideal eye relief distance is different for different people, (especially if you wear eyeglasses), it's essential to be able to adjust the distance between the eyepiece and your eyes to get a clear view. This is where adjustable eye cups come in. By being able to adjust the eye relief distance, you have the flexibility to get the perfect image for your eyes. 

If your binoculars don't have adjustable eye cups, (and most big bulky Porro Binoculars don't), this will mean that you will need to settle for binoculars that are not a good fit for your eyes. This will result in either a blurry image, or the infamous black spots around the edges (known as the kidney bean effect). So, you'll either end up cramming the binoculars against your eyeballs, or spending all your time moving your binoculars around to get a clearer view. That is, until your bird gets away. 

So, for the ultimate bird watching experience make sure your binoculars have adjustable eyecups that provide sufficient eye relief. 

A Lifetime Warranty is essential to make sure you don’t just have one amazing birding experience, but many.  Let me tell you why. 

Imagine you get the ideal pair of specially designed bird watching binoculars, and you are having the most memorable bird watching experience ever. All of a sudden, woops! Crack! 

Now, your perfect pair of binoculars are no longer perfect. Actually, they’re broken. And unless you're ready to shell out more money for a new pair, a Lifetime Replacement Warranty will come in really handy to get you back to fulfilling your lifelong hobby. 

But, the truth is, if you buy your binoculars on Amazon, Walmart, or some other big box chain, not only are the chances you will have the ideal binoculars for bird watching small, but the chances you'll get a lifetime warranty with your purchase will be nonexistent. 

Not only that, but if you finally buy a premium pair of specially designed binoculars for bird watching; if they break or get damaged, you'll need to shell out more money for a new pair. 

And considering how easy it is to drop, break or even scratch your binoculars when you're tramping through the woods, shelling out money every time to buy a new pair isn't feasible for most bird watchers. 

On the other hand, with a Lifetime Warranty, you can feel safe that if your specially designed bird watching binoculars are ever damaged, you can get a brand-new pair for free…for life! 

This means it can be the last pair of binoculars you'll ever need to own. Because with a lifetime warranty, they can always be replaced. 

So, finally, for the ultimate bird watching experiences both now and in the future, make sure your binoculars come with a Lifetime Warranty. 

I just wanted to add a few more components that if added to the previous list of essentials, not only will it take your bird watching adventures to a complete different level of “WOW!” experiences; but it will also make sure your memorable birding experiences continue into the future. 

The first is waterproofing and fog proofing. It will obviously benefit you to have waterproofing and fog proofing added to your birding binoculars. Because being in nature, you want binoculars that can withstand any weather. 

Though waterproofing is important, the culprit you definitely want to avoid is binocular fogging. I don’t mean fogging on the outside of your binoculars, because that’s normal for all binoculars, especially in changing temperatures. But you want to avoid internal fogging, which can ruin your binoculars for good, as well as say goodbye to your wonderful bird watching adventures. 

The way to avoid this is to have binoculars that are nitrogen filled to prevent internal fogging. 

Technically, binoculars that are waterproofed and fog proofed are sealed internally with O-rings to prevent moisture, dust, and debris from getting inside your binoculars. The binocular barrels are filled with nitrogen gas (also known as nitrogen-purging), to prevent internal fogging caused when subjecting the binoculars to extreme temperatures, especially in high humidity. 

So, to keep having great bird watching experiences, don't get left behind because your binoculars were not waterproof or fog proof. Make sure your binoculars are nitrogen purged to prevent internal fogging. 

Another element that can really enhance your bird watching is the use of ED or extra-low dispersion glass in your optics. 

Extra low dispersion glass prevents or reduces chromatic aberration, which causes color fringing. Generally speaking, the better the aberrations are controlled the cleaner and brighter the image will appear. 

Binoculars that come equipped with ED glass help you see images that are clearer and sharper to your eyes. 

So, if you really want to take your bird watching binoculars to another level of breathtaking bird watching magnificence, get specially designed birding binoculars with ED glass and get ready to see the world like never before. 

Flat field lens technology? I thought you said no Star Trek? 

Well, before you glaze over, simply and in a nutshell, the benefit of flat field lenses is that they offer edge-to-edge sharpness as sharp and focused as the center image, free of any distortion. 

In other words, most lenses are clear in the center and a bit less clear at the edges. Flat field lenses make the entire image clear over the entire lens. And, if you’ve ever looked through flat field lens binoculars you would totally understand why I added it to this list. The clarity of the entire image you see is breathtaking, to say the least. 

Though it is not necessary, birding binoculars with flat field lenses bring your bird watching to a completely different level of mind-blowing quality. And trust me, after trying bird watching binoculars with flat field lens technology once, you will never go back. 

Well, if you're tired of… 

And, if you really want to have the kind of bird watching experiences that are both breathtaking and memorable… 

All at a price you can afford...

Then allow me to introduce you to a special company called Wingspan Optics. 

So, who is Wingspan Optics? 

Wingspan Optics is a company devoted to providing specially designed optics exclusively to bird watchers around the world. 

Every one of their optics is specially designed with the essential components that every bird watcher needs to have the ultimate bird watching experience. 

And what about price? 

Now, I know what you are thinking. Specially designed birding binoculars normally cost $2000 (Check Swarovski). So, Wingspan Optics binoculars should cost north of $1000.

The incredible news is that the folks at Wingspan Optics have dedicated a lot of time and effort to finding a cost-effective way of bringing high quality bird watching optics to as many bird watchers as possible. And they finally succeeded in providing these high quality and specially designed optics to the public, not for $2000. Not for $1000. 

Not even for $500. 

The good news is, that after all their research and testing, they were able to provide bird watching binoculars that can rival even the highest-priced binoculars, but at a price within a bird watchers budget. 

Wingspan Optics specially designed bird watching binoculars prices range from $99 - $199. 

That’s right, I’m not kidding you. 

And all that, with a Lifetime Warranty which guarantees that no matter what damage befalls your Wingspan binoculars, they will replace them for any reason. 

Seems too good to be true, doesn’t it? 

I mean, how can major binocular companies charge such high prices for binoculars, yet another company like Wingspan Optics, sell similar quality specially designed birding binoculars at 1/10th of the price? 

The reason… 

Binoculars don’t cost thousands to make. 

Even high-priced binoculars, that cost north of $1000, aren’t expensive to make, and the inflated price just turns into pure profit in the hands the major binocular companies that produce them. 

Now, I’m not saying binocular companies are mean people, out to make a fast buck. The truth is, the value of having high quality birding binoculars is really worth more than $2000 to a serious bird watcher. 

But, unfortunately, 90% of bird watchers can’t afford a $2000 pair of birding binoculars. So, instead of letting the birding community settle for bland, disappointing bird watching experiences, Wingspan Optics decided to sacrifice the inflated profits, to provide bird watchers with high quality bird watching optics, at a price they can afford. 

So, instead of costing thousands, now you can get high quality optics, specially designed to give you the ultimate bird watching experience, all for a price between $99 - $199. 

So now, whether you’re a beginner, intermediary or advanced bird watcher; or whether you’re a backyard birder, or a birder that likes to travel; or whether you have plenty of extra cash or you’re on a tight budget; now you too can own high quality, specially designed bird watching binoculars and stay well within your budget. 

Most importantly, what this means is that the ultimate bird watching experience is now within your reach, and it’s only just a click away. 

So, get to know Wingspan Optics. Visit them at their website by clicking the link below. 

If you're skeptical. Take a pair of Wingspan Optics Bird Watching binoculars out for a test drive. 

I mean it. 

You wouldn't buy a car without taking it out for a test drive, right? 

Why not take one of Wingspan Optics Professional Bird Watching Binocular out for a test drive? 

How about trying one of the binoculars from their Ultra HD Bird Watching Binocular collection? 

After servicing almost 100,000 Wingspan Optics customers, here is what some of them had to say about their experiences with Wingspan Optics binoculars: 

 

"Carried these on my daily 5 mile walk. Didn't feel like I had them on. Too cold for very many birds but the ones I did see jumped out in full detail and high contrast. These glasses even lighten up shaded areas. From a cardinal at 20 feet to an airliner at 20000 feet it was simple to refocus and get a clear crisp image. Also like the thumb grooves on the underside of the barrels, makes it easy to quickly bring them up to look at an object with a solid firm grip. Light and compact enough to fit in a jacket pocket but also easy to have around the neck. Excellent product. Highly recommended."

"After reading some amazing reviews of several less expensive Wingspan binoculars, I looked at the "most expensive" pair which also had stellar reviews are were not very expensive at all compared to what I was considering. I was looking for binoculars to see marine life when we visit the coast and our upcoming Kauai trip (I go nuts over seeing dolphins, whales, seals & sea lions, otters, etc.) I currently own a pair of Humvee binoculars purchased at my local sporting goods store, although not lightweight or waterproof, they have been fine for the last several years. However I wanted something smaller & lighter and the toughness and upgraded optics on these looked to be a huge plus! I tell you, these new Wingspan binoculars do not disappoint!! I was so blown away by the clarity and ease of use.... I appreciate all nature but am not a "birder", however may become one with these binoculars! The birds in my own backyard, I have never seen with such detail and definition - it's like looking at a National Geographic magazine! Haven't had the opportunity to visit the water as of yet but I'm sure these will be glorious to see my marine mammals here and in Kauai! Oh, and we also purchased the binocular harness recommended at the bottom of the Amazon page. Haven't used it yet, but I look forward to having hands-free, bounce-free comfort when we are hiking from place to place or even sitting on the beach waiting for a dolphin to jump!"

"I'm extremely satisfied with my binoculars. They produce a razor sharp image; better than my Nikon 5's. They are so very slightly less bright under lower light conditions, but it is minor and the clarity is so much better that I don't care. You can buy 2 pair of these for the cost of the Nikon 5's and never look back. The case of the Wingspan's is much better, and the eye covers actually stay on. With an unlimited lifetime warranty, for me, the choice is an easy one to make. The Nikons are going to my parents. I rate these 9.6 out of a perfect 10. I'd give my Nikons 9 or 9.1. And no I do not work for Wingspan Optics."

"Before receiving the binos I was a skeptic. My other binos are Swarovski. I ordered the Polaris out of curiosity after reading the good reviews. I recommend these with some caveats. They appear to be solid, well made and the optics are very very good. Even if you are Leica/Swarovski junky I suggest these are worth the money that you want a pair just to have another pair someplace for when you need them. Seriously take it from a skeptic. These really are worth the money and much more. p.s. - I used these on an Audubon birding walk this weekend. I maintain that the optics are very good but I notice a slight tendency for the need to adjust the diopter from time to time. I suspect that the focus mechanism is not moving both side of the binocular exactly the same amount and this is why some binoculars cost more than others - you pay for precision design and construction of the moving parts. BUT I maintain that these are very good optics for the $$ and am glad I purchased them."