A Guide to the Best All-Around / General Purpose Binoculars in 2018

Binoculars are a must have gadget, whether you are observing nature, watching birds, stargazing, hunting or any other outdoor adventure. Ideally, the best all around binoculars give you the biggest bang for your buck. These are some masterfully designed gadgets and selecting the fitting ones have the potential to either make or break your ideal long-distance watching activity.

As they come packed with a variety of features, sometimes it can be tricky to decide which one will give you the best viewing experience. The presence of thousands of binoculars in the market doesn’t help the case either. There are a few factors that you need to keep in mind before going for a binocular, as their entire performance can differ because of these features. In this article we will go over the best all around binoculars available in the market and which features you should look for when you are shopping for binoculars.

Quick Recommendation

 

This list has been put together to assist you in picking the binoculars that best suits your requirements and needs.

Celestron 71404 TrailSeeker 8x42 Binoculars

This is a sturdy, compact rugged, and high-performance pair of binoculars. These binoculars are particularly crafted to deliver an incredible optical result, bearing rough use and guaranteeing durability. These binoculars are multi-purpose and very efficient.

The Celestron 71404 Trail Seeker 8×42 Binocular has the capability to offer a stimulating and noiseless viewing experience alongside a high performance and great durability. The features of this binocular enable it to achieve this impressive feat. Here is a detailed description of the feature on this binocular.

  • Design & Exterior

The Celestron 71404 Trail Seeker 8×42 Binocular has a neat design supported by an amazingly sturdy chassis. The frame is crafted from a magnesium alloy. This decreases the weight of the binocular and improves its endurance.

The binocular comes in Army Green color. It weighs merely 1.45 pounds while the dimensions are 4.9 x 1.8 x 5 inches. It is also both water and fog resistant. The eyecups have metal built and have twist up shape.

  • Lens and Optics

The Celestron 71404 Trail Seeker 8×42 Binocular offers a brilliant optical viewing experience. The optics are multicoated which helps in supreme transmission of light. The built includes BaK-4 prisms which have dielectric and phase coverings. The FOV of this binocular is very wide and it offers eye relief. It has very decent 42 mm objective lenses and an 8x zoom. The metallic eyecups are both sturdy and comfortable. All in all, the Celestron 71404 Trail Seeker 8×42 Binocular promises to deliver a matchless viewing experience.

Notable Features:

  • Strong metallic twist up eyecups covered with rubber for easy and comfortable fit.
  • A wide FOV of 426 feet at around 1000 yards.
  • Completely Broadband Multi-Coated BAK4 prisms for optimum glass and bright, razor-sharp quality of image.
  • Dielectric and coatings for phase correction to provide best resolution and maximum reflection for vibrant, clearer, and shaper images.
  • Remarkable close focus space of 6 ½ feet.
  • Completely weather and fog-proof work in all-weather conditions.
  • A rubber covered build for a non-slip grasp and binocular safety.
  • Supported by Limited Lifetime Warranty of Celestron.

Pros and Cons of Celestron 71404 Trail Seeker 8×42 Binocular

So, as the remarkable built and the outstanding performance of the Celestron 71404 Trail Seeker 8×42 Binocular’s optics has been discussed already, let’s take a look at some of the pros and cons of this binocular:

Pros

  • Sturdy Magnesium Alloy Frame
  • Waterproof and Fog Proof
  • Lightweight and Handy
  • A Wide FOV
  • Great Looking Design
  • Outstanding Functioning in Low Light Conditions
  • Long Eye Relief
  • Comfy and Strong Metallic Twist Up Eyecups
  • Reasonably Cheap Price
  • Partial Lifetime Warranty

Cons

  • Bulky Design
  • Only One-Color Option

 

The Celestron 71404 Trail Seeker 8×42 Binocular is an outstanding all-around binocular. It provides a brilliant optical performance as well a prolonged endurance. The material for both the optics and the material is high quality. On top of that, it has a reasonably cheaper price for the wide array of features it packs.

How to Pick the Best Binoculars

 

Buying a pair of binoculars is more than just walking into the store and picking the first one you see. There are binoculars for every occasion and all it takes is a little bit of research to help you find just the right pair. Here are few things that need to be kept in consideration when buying a pair of binoculars.

  • The Viewing Features

The best binocular promise you an incredible viewing experience, and they do so with the help of their viewing features. First things to look for are the three qualities of their objective lens; the diameter, coating and its magnification. Different lenses are suitable for different requirements. Binoculars that have medium level of magnification, they are great for pretty much about everything. Ones with larger, multi-coated and low magnifying lenses work great for all-purpose nature viewing. While, lenses possessing great magnification are well suited for bird watching, hunting and star gazing.

  • Special Qualities

There are binoculars specially designed for some purposes like stargazing, night vision, and observation of wild or aquatic life. They offer the best results for their intended purpose so go with the ones that are best suited for your viewing. There are also binoculars that offer eyeglasses compatibility, tripod attachments, etc.

  • Design and

Generally, the ideal binoculars should be sturdy enough to last, especially they will be exposed to the elements of nature like water, dust, etc. There are binoculars that offers such waterproof and fog proof features along with sturdy builds to withstand any kind of adventures. Look for these features along with strap attachment, tripod compatibility, etc.

Another key factor to consider is the portability of the binoculars. The size and weight can make a huge difference when you are out in the wild. Lightweight and compact pairs make it easier to travel with, but this is a simple matter of preference.

  • Price Tag

Unless you have tons of money to spend, you would want to get a binocular within your budget. Do the features justify the price tag? Where does this pair stand in comparison with other options at this price range? There are economical options as well as high-end binoculars that can cost a lot.

  • Warranty and Support

It is important to note that good companies offer support and warranty for their products. It is also something that needs to be kept in view when you are choosing a pair of binoculars.

Here are few other excellent binoculars that you may want to consider.

Nikon – MONARCH 5 8x42 Binoculars – Black

Nikon MONARCH 5 7576 binoculars offer an exceptionally clear view of distant objects and landscapes. This performance is achieved by the 42mm-diameter ED glass lenses, the completely multicoated optics and an 8x magnification. This binocular is both water and fog-resistant, with a nitrogen filled O-ring-sealed build that protects it from the elements of nature. It has a rubber covered exterior which makes it easier to grip and enhances the sturdiness.

The excellent lens offers a clear image, adjusts chromatic aberrations and provides color compensation. This binocular has a 330′ field of view at 1000 yards as well as a 47.5° apparent FOV. It also features dielectric, highly reflective mirror and phase-correction coatings for prism. The rubber eyecups are turn and slide style which makes them a comfortable fit. The compact design of this binocular makes it easier to carry it around.

Bushnell Legend Ultra HD Roof Prism Binocular

The Bushnell Legend Ultra HD Roof Prism Binocular is another amazing gadget that comes packed with tons of features. It has 42mm objective lens and offers a magnification of up to 10x.  It has a lightweight and sturdy magnesium chassis, which makes it easier to carry around. The binocular has a rain guard, fog resistant and a waterproof lens coating. The optics on this binocular are ED Prime Glass and have Ultrawide band coatings. The outer built has soft touch grasp for easy holding. It comes in a carrying case, carry bag and a neck strap.

Celestron 71400 TrailSeeker 8x32 Binoculars (Army Green)

The Celestron 71400 TrailSeeker 8x32 Binoculars has a Magnesium alloy build, which gives it a light, sturdy casing that makes it a reliable option for outdoors use. It is both water and fog resistant. It has BaK-4 prisms featuring phase and dielectric coatings. The multilayer coatings of glass increase the transmission of light, making the images brighter and clearer. The 6.5′ close focus allows for an up close, detailed viewing of the subject. These binoculars are ideal for bird watchers. They are also monopod and tripod compatible and eyeglass friendly. The eyecups are twist-up style, which makes them easier to use. The packaging includes several accessories.

Nikon 7245 Action 10x50 EX Extreme All-Terrain Binocular

The Nikon 7245 Action 10x50 EX Extreme All-Terrain Binocular are a rugged water, fog proof model that offer an all-around great viewing experience. The optics are bright and multicoated which provide sharper and crisper images. This binocular has a 42mm with high-reflective dielectric prism with multiple coatings, enabling it to offer livelier, sharper colors, and brilliant performance in low-light conditions. It is available in three variations depending on the magnification. The outer body has a rubber covering for firm grasp in all conditions. It also comes packed with a number of accessories in the bag.


Hopefully, these reviews of the top all around binoculars will help you get a better understanding of your options. Determine your budget and check out the recommended products. They’re all great value for the money in their price class, so you won’t regret whichever one you choose.