If you do not own binoculars, please consider putting them on your holiday wish list. While we do not require you to buy your own, you will need them throughout the course and if you do not have a pair, you'll have to find some to borrow. Check out eagle optics for some options--they have very helpful salespeople when you phone them. I recommend 8x42 for general birding. The Pentax DCF HR II 8x42 are excellent value.

Binoculars are indispensable for watching birds.  They will serve you well throughout your life-time, so buy the best you can afford.  If you simply cannot afford anything, please come and see me—we’ll work something out.  The quality of your birding experience is strongly influenced by the quality of your binoculars.  Keep these factors in mind when choosing a pair:

Light over magnification.  Many people who do not know anything about binoculars believe that the higher the magnification (the first number in of, for example: 7 x 24, 8 x 42, 12 x 50).  Not so!  Light gathering capabilities are influenced by the size of objective lens (the large lenses on the bird side of the binoculars) and are represented by the second number above.  As the magnification:light ratio increases, the field of view gets smaller making birds harder to find, and the birds won’t seem as crisp because fewer light waves are getting to your eyes.  The problem is, to make 12 power binoculars with an appropriate magnification:light ratio would mean having absolutely huge, heavy binoculars.  I like 8 x 42’s.  People who do a lot of seabird work (and have to focus on very far-away birds) often opt for 8 power.  Many 7 power binoculars are perfectly adequate for most birding purposes.

Lens quality and coatings really do matter.  This is a more complicated subject and one that I don’t entirely understand.  However, there is a lot more to the quality of binoculars than just the magnification and light-gathering capabilities, and the huge range in price of binoculars has much to do with lens quality and coatings.  In general, more coatings are better (inside and out).  Nitrogen purged is good (reduces fogging).  Waterproof is good (you don’t have to worry about when it rains but not such a huge deal in the desert).  Roof prism “H”-shape binos (as opposed to porro prism which are the classic M-shape) are usually a little lighter, easier to handle, and have fewer moving parts on the outside.  The image appears larger and most high-end binoculars are roof prism design.  However, a roof prism design doesn’t necessarily imply that a difference in quality.

Size and weight.  You don’t want to buy something that you don’t want to have around your neck all day every day.  It’s better to have a pair of compact binoculars than to not have them with you at all because you’re tired of lugging them around.

Price.  Reasonable binoculars don’t have to be expensive if you shop wisely.  Think of it as a textbook that you will continue to use long after this class is over.  Do not rush out to Walmart and buy the first thing you find on the shelf.  Talk to experts at a binocular store either locally or phone Eagle Optics (800- 289-1132, http://www.eagleoptics.com/).  A good salesperson will help you find the best quality for your price range.  Then consider asking a relative for a pre-graduation present!