So I thought why not do something similar within the field of binoculars and highlight some of the best binoculars in a range of the most common uses, including Best Birdwatching Binocular. Nothing new here as it turns out that with a little research Binoculars.com, on of the best on-line retailers of optics already has one.
Why I bring it up is in their choice of the best bird binoculars for 2010:
Pentax 8x43 DCF SP Binoculars
Now don't get me wrong, I think that these are a cracking pair of binoculars and they have a bunch of excellent features including aspherical eyepiece lenses, high-resolution phase-coated roof prisms, scratch-resistant hydrophobic coating on exposed objective and eyepiece lenses and multi-coated optical elements.
Where the lack a little is in one of the most important areas of any really great birding binocular and that is in their field of view. These Pentax binoculars have a field of view of 330ft at 1000 yards (110m at 1000m) or an angle of view of 6.3°, which to be honest in my view is only just above average - really great 8x42 wide angle binoculars like the Swift Audubon binoculars (see below) can have a field of view as wide as 430ft @1000 yards (8.15°)
The winner of the Best Binocular Reviews Best Birding Binocular 2010 was indeed the porro prism version of the Swift 8.5x44 Audubon ED Binoculars that does have a massively wide field of view as well as a host of other great features including BaK-4 Prisms, fully multi-coated optics and extra low dispersion glass (ED) that all add up to produce a very high quality and bright image.
For more take a look at the Best Binocular Reviews Annual Binocular Awards 2010.
Side Note:
For those who are interested the short-list for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2010 is below:
- Mark Cavendish
- Tom Daley
- Jessica Ennis
- David Haye
- AP McCoy
- Graeme McDowell
- Graeme Swann
- Phil Taylor
- Lee Westwood
- Amy Williams
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