Wildlife and Travel Buffs: Bausch and Lomb 12 X 25 Binoculars Versus Eagle Optics 8 X 50 Binoculars

I learned how to use binoculars on a bird watching expedition in New Zealand with Earthwatch. At the time, I followed the advice of the principal investigator and bought an 8 x 50 pair of binoculars, finding them at a local drug store for about $30. I didn't know the difference then, but over the years I've learned a few things about the differences between that first pair and more expensive brands.

I should say though, if you're new to binoculars, you look for your viewing object--bird, plant, tree, airplane, star, first, then, without moving your eyes, you bring your binoculars up to your face. If your wear glasses, unless you fold back the binocular's eyecup, you're likely to have a distorted and minimized view.

On that first New Zealand trip, we learned to find the bird by ear, following the call of the bird, and then looking for it when the sound indicated direction and that the bird was close by.

More prosaic uses have evolved since that time. Since we always have binoculars with us, we often use them to read traffic signs in areas where we've never been. On many occasions, we've managed to skip more than one trip around a European style traffic circle, by seeing the sign early from a distance. In some countries, they even put the signage in huge print and include the options before you enter the circle. But not always. Binoculars can also stand in for a magnifying glass, allowing you a close look at shells, flowers, and bugs. Often, a view through the binoculars will cue us to a good photograph.

Our favorite brand of binoculars for birding is the Eagle Optics 8 x 50, since we bird frequently. Based on the recommendation of a helpful birder in a forest in Arizona, we tried them out and bought a pair. The 8 x 50 size is good for birding, the 50 foot field of vision and the 8 times magnification provides suitable precision at that distance, but also allows a really close magnification of a bird located within three feet of you. A 10 x 50 pair is less able to support close viewing, but helps at distance. The features of these binoculars that we love are:

1) the enhanced light captured by the optics which permits dusk viewing with ease,

2) the rugged design of the binoculars with full life warranty. I dropped my on the cement, denting the casing and messing up the alignment of the lenses, and Eagle optical repaired them for the price of shipping.

3) Water proofing that permits viewing in the rain. I dunked mine in the ocean when I slipped on a rock and they continued to work just fine.

4) Focusing is easy to do via a dial between the two barrels.

The Bausch and Lomb Binoculars 12 x 25 however, is a permanent resident of our car's dashboard. It's small, easy to carry in a pocket, has awesome lens clarity, and in a pinch can substitute for a broken or forgotten pair of Eagle Optics. They also work delightfully in the opera house.

With a magnification of 12, close-ups are very easy to do. The smaller field of vision means you have less area to search to find your object. That's why these are an ideal replacement for a magnifying glass, bringing bugs, mushrooms, and other tiny objects into sharp focus. Trying to find distant objects like a bird in a tree is less easy to do, but possible.

The features of the Bausch and Lomb binocular that we really like:

1) light weight and small size means convenient for carrying. With your binoculars conveniently in a pocket, there's no shoulder or neck ache from carrying them.

2) The lens quality is very sharp and close ups are easy to perform.

3) They fit well in a purse for opera use.

4) Focusing is at fingertip and the eyepieces are separated at a good distance to start.

Overall, for people with poor vision, we find using binoculars really enhances our lives by allowing us to see things we might not see. Although my inexpensive drug store brand of binoculars worked just fine for five years, having the higher quality pair from Eagle Optics has meant I can bird in wet conditions, find birds and other objects after dusk, treat my binoculars badly or forget them and generally improved my quality of life. And when I forget, there's always the Bausch and Lomb pair in the cubbyhole.