Not sure how to adjust and use your new binoculars correctly? Check out this beginners guide on how to use binoculars — the right way!
A hiker, a bird watcher, a game lover, a stargazer, an art lover, and even a sports enthusiast, all have one thing in common, binoculars! You will always see a tool, mostly black, hanging around the neck of any of these people. A pair of binoculars is used to enlarge distant objects that cannot be easily seen by the naked eye.
Binoculars come with different features for a specific activity; it is not a one fit all kind of tool. For instance, most binoculars come with a special focus wheel called a diopter. It is used to adjust the central focus to help a traveler get the clearest view.
With the kind of tiny details that most people look for, it is no surprise that their binoculars have central focus points to help in that quest.
Related: Best Binoculars for Under $100 Reviewed (includes guide on how to choose the best pair of binoculars for you)
Steps on How to Use Binoculars for Beginners
Okay, we are going to start by saying this — reading about how to use a pair of binoculars is a great way to get started. Yes, you need to know the basics, but the best way to figure out what works for you is to start using them.
There's a lot of "technical" stuff to learn about binoculars (and we have links to our other articles to help you with that), but the goal of this article is to provide you with a general overview of what you need to know to use your first pair of binoculars.
This step-by-step guide on using your binoculars also includes a few videos so you can see what we are talking about (pun intended). Let's go, shall we?
Step 1 - Know Your Tool
Like any other item, tool, or activity, if it is your first-time using binoculars, you need to first get acquainted with it before you start using it. Learn everything you can about your binoculars. Observe it thoroughly and see if you can identify the parts.
A manufacturer's manual helps in this case, thus making the process less daunting. You will notice your binoculars comes with a bag; inside the bag is the binoculars, a neck strap for securing the tool around your neck, a cleaning cloth to keep your lenses clean, and lens caps, for the two lenses.
Video: Understanding Binoculars: Fit and Focus
Various ways to adjust and calibrate a pair of binoculars to suit the individual user. | Courtesy of Eagle Optics
Step 2 - Focus or Adjust your Lenses
Take out your binoculars from the bag and practice using it by adjusting the lenses to the perfect view. Hold the barrels and push them towards each other if you want the distance between them to increase and pull them further apart to increase the distance between them. Adjust until you see a perfect circle.
Adjusting your lenses to full length helps you view an expansive area. Adjusting your tool also helps block out unnecessary light, dirt, and dust that may be detrimental to your view.
For more in-depth information, you may also want to read: How to Adjust Binoculars for Clear Images
Step 3 - Locate the Diopter
A diopter is a magnifying tool that is often placed on the right barrel that helps you magnify your objects further. Our eyes may not have the same view and at times may need a little boost. This is where a diopter comes in to compensate for the poor view of one of the eyes.
The diopter has + and - signs on both ends where you can either increase or decrease the adjustments according to your needs. The diopter increases the magnifying power of the binoculars making it easy to spot objects easily. Only adjust the diopter if you are looking for tiny details in your object that the lenses alone cannot give you.
Step 4 - Practice Using Your Binoculars
You do not want to face awkward moments in the outdoors trying to use your binoculars especially if you are an amateur. Practice as much as you can before you leave for your adventure. Aim at objects like trees, buildings, bushes, and see if you can identify details that you could not see without the binoculars.
As you practice focusing your tool, also use this time to make proper adjustments on the diopter or the barrels. You can also practice on moving animals and take note of every little feature. That's why you use binoculars, to see the little details you can’t spot without it.
Related: Best Bushnell Binoculars for Beginners
Step 5 - Focus without the Binoculars First
Always scan around the areas with your naked eye first, and once you have identified your object, bring your binoculars to your eyes. This takes practice and might be frustrating at first but with practice, you can manage it. When you scan around with your naked eye first, it brings your view straight to the object when you use binoculars.
When bird watching or on a game drive, be alert too and listen for any movement of the wildlife. Most of the time, you hear them before you see them. When you hear the direction where they might be located, you can then focus your binoculars in that area and try spotting the animals.
Video: How to Use Binoculars for Birding
Step by step tutorial on how to use binoculars for birdwatching. | Courtesy of Extension Citizen Science
PRO TIP: Never clean your binoculars with your shirt sleeves. There is always a cleaning cloth that comes with the binoculars when you purchase it. Use that to clean the lenses, which is necessary for a perfect view. You may also want to pick up a binocular cleaning kit that includes lens spray and extra cleaning cloths.
A Few Final Thoughts…
A pair of binoculars is a versatile tool that every traveler needs to pack as they prepare for their journey. You need to track the objects of your desire first before you set out. Having binoculars can help you achieve this, by taking in the whole scene beforehand.
You might also be able to spot certain things that you may not see from a distance, and this is true for game lovers. Wild animals camouflage with vegetation, which makes it difficult to notice them at close range. With binoculars, you will be able to spot them from a distance, and this will help you keep safe while communing with the animals.