Full Size Binoculars

Though compact binoculars in the 30–33 mm aperture class have been steadily increasing in popularity due to their lighter weight and decent light grasp, it is arguably full-sized binoculars with apertures between 35 and 43 mm that have gained the greatest popularity among birders, hunters and even stargazers. There are a number of good reasons for the popularity of this class of binocular, as for many people, it offers the best compromise between functional performance and portability. Others would also argue that they offer the best bang for buck. Consider a typical modern 8×42 mm roof prism binocular. It will have an exit pupil of 5.25 mm, so considerably larger than an 8×32 in comparison. The larger exit pupil on the 42 mm binocular makes it easier to center your eye in the image. As a result, the majority of people will find viewing though the 8×42 more comfortable and intuitive than an 8×32. In addition, the larger objective size will gather more light than a compact model, and so will be a much better optical aid in low light situations or for use in stargazing, where a bigger exit pupil and large aperture objectives both conspire together to capture as much light as possible. The price you pay for this kind of performance is a larger carrying weight. Typically, a regular 8×42 will weigh about 30% more than an average 8×32 model. Full size binoculars remain very popular with birders, hunters and hikers because they are still relatively portable and can be stored away in a backpack or just worn around the neck. In this chapter, we’ll be taking a look at some representative models from the various price classes. But before we do that, I’d like to discuss a very nice cost-effective Porro prism binocular from Nikon; enter the Action EX 7×35.