Wondering how to buy binoculars? Binoculars bring you up-close-and-personal with wildlife you wouldn’t otherwise see, or help you spot a landmark over a long distance when you’re out in the wild. However, binoculars vary in terms of field of view and focus, so make sure you get the right binoculars for your needs.

Understand binocular labels.
Most binoculars are labeled with two numbers, such as 8x25. The first number is the magnification. A binocular labeled with an 8 as the first number magnifies the image by 8, or makes you feel like you’re 8 times closer to the object than you actually are. The second number is the size of the front lens. An 8x25 binocular magnifies the image by 8 with a front lens of 25 millimeters. Generally speaking, a larger front lens produces a clearer, brighter image, but it also makes the binoculars heavier and more difficult to use.

Three numbers in a label indicate zoom, with the first two numbers indicating magnification. For example, 8-15x25 binoculars start with a magnification of 8, but can zoom up to 15. The zoom numbers might be irrelevant, though; unless you’ve got a tripod to steady it, anything higher than a magnification of 10 is impractical in a hand-held binocular.

Check the brightness.
Brightness in binoculars is measured by the exit pupil. The exit pupil is the size of the light beam that hits your eyes from the binocular. An exit pupil of 3 millimeters to 5 millimeters is fine for normal daylight conditions. However, if you want to use binoculars for astronomy or low-light viewing, you’ll want an exit pupil of 7 millimeters.

Field of view is a big consideration.
If you want to look for wildlife, you’ll want field binoculars with a larger field of view; typically up to 9 degrees for wildlife-viewing binoculars. If you’re using binoculars to focus on something specific and small, a smaller field of view is fine. Generally speaking, a wider field of view translates to lower magnification, and vice versa.

Choose your focus options.
The most inexpensive binoculars have a fixed focus, which means you don’t have the ability to focus the lenses to bring the image into sharp detail. More expensive binoculars have a center knob which enables you to adjust both barrels simultaneously to bring an image into focus. If you have special focus needs, consider binoculars with a right diopter ring, which enables you to focus the right barrel independently from the left barrel.

Learn how to buy binoculars you’ll want to use.
The best binoculars in the world are worthless if you don’t use them, so get binoculars you’ll want to use. If you’re planning to use binoculars in the wild, you may want smaller field binoculars that are relatively compact, waterproof and travel easily. If you’re looking for how to buy binoculars specifically to view distant objects, you might need high power binoculars. Keep in mind that if you get high power binoculars, you might need a tripod to hold the binoculars steady or you may have too much trouble seeing your desired target.