Choosing & Using Binoculars A Guide for Star Gazers, Birders and Outdoor Enthusiasts

About this book

Binoculars are life-enhancing instruments, uniquely capable of bringing the intricacies of nature into sharp focus. Whether it be birds, majestic lakes and seas, alpine vistas, wild animals or exploring the glories of the night sky, anyone interested in buying binoculars today will be faced with a bewildering number of different models to choose from.

This book walks the reader through the fascinating world of binoculars, past and present, while exploring all of the main binocular types, their desirable features, how to test out and narrow down the choices a prospective customer should make, as well as looking at some of the best and most-sought-after binoculars money can buy. Uniquely experienced writer and binocular enthusiast, Dr Neil English, takes the pain out of narrowing down the search for your ideal binocular, whether your budget is $50 or $5,000. Dr English explores many of the timeless beauties of the binocular world, crafted by top European and Japanese manufacturers, such as Swarovski, Zeiss, Nikon, Leica and others. Sumptuously illustrated throughout with full-colour images, Choosing & Using Binoculars decodes all the technical jargon without sacrificing accuracy and presents the world's best compendium of binocular literature for the birder, hunter, inveterate traveller, nature enthusiast and stargazer.

Contents

Foreword
Acknowledgements
Introduction: The Joy of the Binocular

Part I:
Chapter 1. Binoculars 101
Chapter 2. A Brief History of the Binocular
Chapter 3. Pocket Binoculars
Chapter 4. Compact Binoculars
Chapter 5. Full-Size Binoculars
Chapter 6. Low Light Binoculars
Chapter 7. Range-Finding Binoculars
Chapter 8. Astronomical Binoculars
Chapter 9. Marine Binoculars
Chapter 10. Image Stabilized Binoculars

Part II:
Chapter 11. Leica Binoculars
Chapter 12. Zeiss Binoculars
Chapter 13. Swarovski Binoculars
Chapter 14. Nikon Binoculars
Chapter 15. Vortex Binoculars
Chapter 16. GPO Binoculars
Chapter 17. Opticron Binoculars
Chapter 18. Meopta Binoculars
Chapter 19. Maven Binoculars
Chapter 20. Kowa Binoculars
Chapter 21. Pentax Binoculars
Chapter 22. Oberwerk Binoculars
Chapter 23. Leupold Binoculars
Chapter 24. Fujinon Binoculars
Chapter 25. Bushnell Binoculars
Chapter 26. Popular Binocular Accessories
Chapter 27. Testing Binoculars. Notes from the Field
Chapter 28. Top Bargains in Today's Market
Chapter 29. A Brief Survey of Classic Binocular Literature
Chapter 30. Classic Binoculars
Chapter 31. Earth and Sky

Correction to: Binoculars 101
Binocular Repairers & Restorers
Glossary
Index

Customer Reviews

Biography

Dr Neil English is an internationally known astronomy and science writer who has published several hundred feature articles for Britain's best-selling astronomy magazine, Astronomy Now. His work has also appeared in Astronomy (USA), Salvo Magazine, and Britain's best-selling birding magazine, Birdwatching. He is the author of seven books on amateur and professional astronomy, including his magnum opus, Chronicling the Golden Age of Astronomy (Springer Nature). When not writing and travelling, Dr English runs a successful academic tutorial business, preparing students for careers in medicine, veterinary, engineering and physical sciences.