High Power Binoculars
High power binoculars are defined by the magnification value which is above 10x. This means that looking through your binoculars will present you with an image that is 10 times closer than if seen with the naked eye.These types of heavy duty binoculars are fantastic for things such as distant bird watching, watching sports or astronomy. Because of the high magnification, it will be best to use a tripod or stand, as high power models are usually big and heavy so image shake can be a problem.
It can also be more difficult to correctly focus high powered binoculars, this is another area where it will pay to have a very sturdy tripod or binocular mount.
The high power binoculars have one drawback over their smaller cousins though. As the magnification power increases, the light that is collected by the binoculars becomes smaller this can result in a darker image.
This is one of the reasons that for bird watching at middle distances, it would be best to use binoculars of slightly less power such as an 8x lens. For astronomy and bird watching at a greater distance, then the stronger ones are ideal.
Of course the cost of the binoculars usually increases with the quality of the lens and its magnification properties. If you come across a high powered pair that seem to be at a very cheap price, the chances are that the glass used and the general build quality will be low. Like anything in life the more you pay the better the quality.
Sticking to a top quality established brand is usually the best way to go. This isn't to say that smaller copmpanies dont make good binoculars, its just that bigger companies have more money to invest in development.
It is essential to try out your potential purchase before buying. A good strategy is to go to a bricks and mortar binocular dealer on the high street, try out lots of pairs to see which suit you, and then go back online and try and get yourself a bargain price.
