For the avid prepper or survivalist a pair of binoculars is always going to be an essential part of their emergency gear. When they are choosing which binoculars to buy the importance of durability, small size, and reduced weight, always outweighs image quality, that’s why opting for the best compact binoculars makes perfect sense as they generally tick all of those boxes.
We know that everyone will have a different budget when it comes to buying a compact binocular so we have provided three tables below highlighting what we believe to be the best compact binoculars where cost is not an issue, followed by the best compact binoculars for under $100, and then those that cost $50 or less.
Remember, binoculars are precision tools hence the reason why those that have been produced to a much higher spec and higher quality are way more expensive than those that have not been. In other words, where binoculars are concerned, you certainly pay for what you get.
Best Compact Binoculars
| Best Compact Binoculars | |
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Bushnell Legend Ultra HD 10x42 Compact Binocular
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Wingspan Optics Skyview Ultra HD 8x42 Compact Binocular
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Carson 3D Series HD 8x32 Compact Binocular
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Vortex Optics Viper HD 10x42 Compact Binocular
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Nikon 7548 Monarch 7 8x42 Compact Binocular
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| Best Compact Binoculars Under $100 | |
|---|---|
Wingspan Optics Spectator Pro 8x32 Compact Binocular
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Celestron 71330 Nature DX 8x32 Binocular
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Vortex Optics Vanquish 8x26 Compact Binocular
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Bushnell H2O Waterproof/Fogproof Roof Prism Compact Binocular
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Nikon Trailblazer ATB 8x25 Compact Binocular
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| Best Compact Binoculars Under $50 | |
|---|---|
Celestron 71340 Outland 8x25 Compact Binocular
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Wingspan Optics Wingspotter HD 8x32 Compact Binocular
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Bushnell Powerview 16x32 Compact Binocular
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Pentax UCF R 8x21 Compact Binocular
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Occer 12x25 Compact Binocular
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Guide to Buying the Best Compact Binoculars
What to Consider when Looking for the right Compact Binocular
If you are in the market for a new pair of compact binoculars then you have an important question to answer; do you know where to start looking?
Picking the right pair of binoculars is not as easy as most people would think, the vast choice currently available may be pleasing but it can make the task of selection both difficult and confusing, this is particularly true for someone who has no previous experience of using or buying binoculars.
However, there is no need to concern yourself because we at Alpha Survivalist have got you covered. In this post, we will provide you with a time-tested guide that will help you to choose the perfect compact binocular that will fit both your needs and your budget.
Checking the Size of the Binocular
Size is one of the key factors that you should consider when buying binoculars. There are three main sizes: full size, mid-size and compact and we will cover them all here.
Obviously, as the title of this post suggests, we will be focusing on highlighting the best compact binoculars, but if it turns out that by reading this guide you suddenly realize that the compact size is not the best suited for your requirements, then that will simply justify us covering all the bases, wouldn’t you agree?
1. Full Size Binoculars (Common Specs: 8×42, 10×50)
If you are looking for a binocular that can perform excellently in low-light situations, full-size binoculars can be an excellent option for you. They come with high objective lens diameter that enables them to gather and transmit more light. As a result, they provide steadier images. They also have a wider field of view, making them great for wildlife viewing and for use on boats. This extra clarity and steadiness of image comes at a price though as full size binoculars are often the biggest and heaviest binoculars.
2. Mid-Size Binoculars (Common Specs: 7×35, 10×32)
Looking for an all-around pair of binoculars? The mid-size binoculars are what you should go for. They come with above-average light transmission and are great for bird watching and sports, and general outdoor use.
3. Compact (common specs: 8×25, 10×25)
These are the lightest and smallest type of binocular. They are best for daytime outdoor activities and are ideal for stowing in your backpack, glove-box, or in your best bug out bag, making them an ideal choice for preppers, hikers, hunters, and survivalists.
Magnification Power
One of the most important factors you need to consider when buying any pair of binoculars is the magnification power.
Most binoculars have a magnification power of between 7 and 12. Those binoculars that have a magnification power above 10 will be more difficult to master and are often used by individuals who have a lot of experience using binoculars. This is because they are very difficult to hold steady and require a very steady grip, alternatively the binocular has to be used attached to a sturdy tripod or when rested on something solid.
By far the best and easiest magnification power for regular use is between 7 and 10.
Field Of View
Field of view refers to the width of the area seen through the lens at a glance. It is usually expressed in feet or meters. Binoculars with wide FOV are best for viewing birds. Binoculars with narrow FOV are usually great for viewing stationary objects with minor detail.
Exit Pupil
Another factor you should consider when choosing a binocular is exit pupil. You can calculate the exit pupil diameter of your binoculars by dividing the lens diameter by the magnification. For example, with a mid-size binocular, 7×35, you will divide 35 (objective lens) by 7 (magnification power). A pair of binoculars with a large exit pupil diameter allows more light to reach your eyes. The more the light, the simpler it is for your eyes to focus on objects without distractions.
Lens Coating
If your binoculars reflect some of the light entering it, this can result in unclear and dim images. Most binocular makers are now applying special types of coating on binoculars to reduce light reflection.
This coating helps to increase the overall light transmission, making images clearer and brighter. There are four types of lens coating: coated, multi-coated, full-coated and fully multi-coated.
- Coated lenses: These types of lenses usually come with a single layer of coating. Binoculars with this type of lenses are marked as “C”.
- Multi-coated lenses: These types of lenses come with multiple layers coating. If a binocular is marked “MC,” this means that it has multi-coated lenses.
- Fully Coated Lenses: These binoculars have a single layer of coating on all lenses. You can easily identify them for looking for the “FC” mark.
- Fully-multi-coated lenses: They are usually marked as “FMC”. If you see a binocular with this mark, it means all air-to-glass surfaces have multi-layers of special kind of coating applied to them.
Weight
Don’t forget to ask yourself this essential question: What is your ideal weight for a pair of binoculars?
Binoculars with higher magnifications and wider lens diameters weigh more than those with lower magnifications and narrower lens diameters. You need to know what weight meets your needs before you choose a binocular.
If you travel a lot or don’t have sufficient storage space, choosing a lighter, portable binocular can be an excellent option. If you buy a heavy binocular, you may also want to invest in a tripod. A tripod will make it easy for you to use and stabilize the binoculars.
Waterproof vs. Water-Resistant Options
Do you want waterproof binoculars or water-resistant binoculars? If you will be visiting an area that’s prone to bad weather or you live in a place where your binoculars can easily get wet, go for a water-resistant unit.
If you intend on carrying your binoculars when skiing or rafting, choosing a waterproof binocular would seem the wisest option. If you decide on buying waterproof binoculars be aware that they will cost considerably more than those that are simply water-resistant.
In fact, our advice would be to only choose a binocular that is completely waterproof! When faced with surviving a SHTF situation, worrying about keeping your binocular dry is one headache you could do without!
Budget
How much are you willing to spend?
Make sure you answer this question before you shop for a binocular. Set a price range that you are comfortable working within. Knowing your budget will make it easier to determine which binoculars are right for you.
Don’t be a spendthrift, avoid ridiculously cheap binoculars; most of them will be made from low-quality materials, will have low image quality, and will probably fall to pieces or break the first time they get dropped or knocked.
Investing in a pair of “top-of-the-line” binoculars may seem like an extravagance, but with binoculars the old adage “you get what you pay for” really does apply. If you want durability and the best optics then you want quality, and quality costs bucks!
Should You Opt for Plastic or Glass Lenses?
The other important factor you should consider is whether you want glass or plastic lenses. Glass lenses generally provide clearer and brighter images. If the image quality is your first priority, then glass lenses are what you should be looking for. If durability is your highest priority, go for plastic lenses.
Generally, plastic lenses do not provide you with clear and bright images but are definitely tougher and stronger than their glass counterparts. Having said that, there are now binoculars using plastic lenses that offer a high level of image quality similar, if not the same, as that achieved with glass lenses!
Only Consider Fog Proof Binoculars
Fogging is a common problem that is often encountered with binoculars. It is generally caused by moisture condensing inside your binoculars. Fogging leads to poor image quality and can even cause internal rusting, which is obviously a serious issue. This is why investing in a binocular that is fog resistant is a no brainer!
Fog resistant binoculars are made using a special technique that often involves replacing the air inside the binocular with inert gases and then vacuum sealing the binocular to prevent any possible penetration by water, moisture or any other element that could cause fogging to occur.
Summing Up
There you have it, what to look for when shopping for a binocular. In short, you want to fix a price range you’re comfortable with, decide on the size and weight based on probable usage, and make sure it’s water and fog proof!
One thing we didn’t touch on was the color of the binocular. Most models will be available in black which is perfectly okay but we think, if the option to select a camouflage or drab green is available, it would make sense to take it.