Bird watching is a fascinating hobby that can become a lifelong pursuit. While many of us just like looking at the birds that visit our backyards, other people want to learn more about these interesting animals. One of the best ways that you can see these creatures is with a pair of bird watching binoculars or ‘bins’ as the bird lovers will call them.

Having a good pair of binoculars can make your life easier when you decide to become a little bit more serious about bird watching. There are some considerations that you should take into account before you buy a pair of bird watching binoculars though.

A compact model is good if your bird watching includes hiking or going on long distance bird trips where the amount of weight that you carry is a major consideration. On the other hand if you don’t have to worry about any weight problems then a standard model is a very good choice.

Whatever type of binoculars that you decide to buy, make sure that it’s one that you can afford, and that it feels good in your hands. You will also need to know if the binoculars feel comfortable when they’re pressed up near your eyes.

The other things that you must think of are that the bird watching binoculars need to be lightweight and sturdy. They must be built to withstand any terrain and environment that you will encounter. You should be able to hold them steadily and without any problems. The binoculars should have the capability to resolve delicate details and subtle colors with great accuracy.

Your binoculars should be able to focus very quickly and up close as well. They must be able to work and allow you to see even in dim lighting. Dust and moisture shouldn’t be able to cause problems for you when you’re out in the field.

There’s a choice of three different bird watching binoculars that you can look into. Porro prism binoculars have an angled design. When they stand on their barrels the figure M can be seen. The focusing mechanism which is an external wheel moves the eyepieces along an external barrel. Porro binoculars can be inexpensive but they are good.

Roof prism binoculars have 2 straight side by side barrels. When they stand on the barrels the figure H can be seen. Roof prism binoculars have internal focusing, but you need to adjust the focus with an external knob or wheel. This pair of binoculars has a narrow body shape, it is generally water proof, is very durable and it produces a larger image.

The last pair of bird watching binoculars combines the advantages of a digital camera with that of a binocular. You can focus on you bird subject and record the image so that you have a record of the bird in its natural habitat. Your bird watching hobby was never so easy and fun than with a good pair of bird watching binoculars in your hands.