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.
8. Waterproofing and Fog Proofing
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.
9. ED (Extra-low Dispersion Glass)
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.
10. Flat-Field Lens Technology
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.