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Low light binoculars are quite a crucial part of outdoor gear for nature enthusiasts, outdoorsmen, as well as hunters. The best time for viewing animals is usually dawn or dusk.
However, during those times, the natural light conditions make it quite impossible to view the animals clearly.
For this reason, you need to invest in the best low light binoculars. To help you pick, we’ll be exploring the top options you can get from the market today.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Low Light Binoculars
- OUR TOP PICK: Whew 10x42 Compact HD Binoculars
- RUNNER-UP: SkyGenius 10 x 50 Powerful Full-Size Binoculars
- BEST BUDGET OPTION: Aurosports 10x25 Folding High Powered Binoculars
Comparison of the Best Low-Light Binoculars
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Low Light 101 - What Are Low-Light Binoculars Used For?
Wildlife is the most active at dusk and dawn and is thus, the most visible at that time, too. Serious watchers, or even hunters, need binoculars that not only allow them to magnify the images but also the ambient light.
With the ability to see better, they can enjoy field optics that will provide them with rewarding views, not only in good light but also in the dark, deep forest shadows at midday. Similarly, they can also use such binoculars at the dim edges of late evening and early morning.
While mini-binoculars are all the rage today, even the best of those tend to reduce the amount of light that reaches your eyes. Meanwhile, large-sized binoculars enhance the brightness of the image, though only slightly.
However, low light binoculars magnify the image as well as ambient light, thus providing a clearer line of sight despite poor light conditions. So, not only can hunters benefit from them, but trail hikers can also use them for exploring rocky caves, dark shaded trails, and dense forests.
What to Look For in Low-Light Binoculars
Several factors make low light binoculars work best. So, when picking one for yourself, make sure to take care of the following:
Lens
The objective lens should be as large as you can afford. Remember that the bigger the lens, the greater the amount of light that will enter the binoculars, and thus, your eyes.
Lens Quality
The lens should be made of high-quality glass. The higher the quality of the glass used, the more light will pass through them without being diffracted. As a result, you will get to enjoy a more even stream of light to your eyes, which will, in turn, gives you more clarity.
Whew 10x42 Compact HD Binoculars are made of premium BaK4 FMC for superb visual clarity, premium large BaK-4 Prism, and a fully multi-coated objective lens and eyepiece ensure the image you view will be brighter and sharper, offering the best option for any outdoor lover who likes outdoor adventures.
Prism Quality
Prisms are mirror-like objects present within the binoculars that deflect both the image and light and flip it up to show you an erect image. So, the higher the quality of glass used for the prism, the better the transmission of light from one prism to the other and, in turn, into your eyes.
Lens Coatings
The surface of the lens is coated with different materials to manipulate light and to make the surface anti-reflective. The binoculars you choose must have these coatings to ensure that the greatest amount of light possible goes through the binoculars.
Review of the Best Low-Light Binoculars
Now that you know the factors that make an ideal low light binoculars, let’s look at some of the units we find to be the best of the best in the industry.
Best Overall:
Whew 10x42 Compact HD Binoculars
PROS
CONS
For our best pick, we have settled on the Whew Compact HD Binoculars. One of the things that makes it the absolute best is its versatility of use. You can use it not only for hunting, but also for bird watching, sports, and stargazing.
This pair promises a clear vision along with high power. The 10x high power magnification, as well as 42mm wide-angle objective lens and large eyepiece, promise a wide field of view. Moreover, the BAK4 FMC coating provides high visual clarity. The coating makes the view sharper and brighter, making it the best pick for outdoor enthusiasts.
Two other factors that make it the best are its ease of focus and portability. The pair comes with a nylon mesh carrying bag, which makes this highly portable and quite easy to carry. Moreover, the textured central focusing wheel allows you to make adjustments easily until you get a clearer image.
Bottom Line
Given its excellent features and the benefits it comes with, we are compelled to call this the best overall. It is the ideal option for daily use for various uses such as sports, traveling, sailing, hunting, camping, hiking, stargazing, and bird watching.
Runner-up:
SkyGenius 10 x 50 Powerful Full-Size Binoculars
PROS
CONS
Given its capability to produce nice and crisp images, we find these SkyGenius binoculars to be the second best.
In terms of the design, these have an overall contemporary look. Apart from the sleek design, this product also comes with a rubber outer finish that helps to avoid accidental falls. While the design isn’t truly compact, the unit does offer premium looks and feel.
When it comes to the specs of this pair, you shouldn’t expect anything exceptional. However, what makes this the second best is its 10x magnification and the 50 mm objective lens. In addition, the multi-coated lenses promise less reflection and in turn, a much crisper image.
Moreover, the pair promises 1000 yards of wide viewing angles, which is sufficient for an average user. Since this is a foldable pair, it also promises decent adjustability, too. In other words, there will be no problems for a daytime user.
Bottom Line
We recommend users get this pair for hunting and sightseeing both, given the crisp image it produces and the magnification it offers. However, it is to be noted that you can only enjoy all of this in daytime conditions.
Best for the Money:
Aurosports 10x25 Folding High-Powered Binoculars
PROS
CONS
This Aurosports folding binoculars come with all the necessary features one would want, making it the best for the money.
Thanks to its lightweight nature, this pair is a good choice not only for intermediate users, but for novices, too. Plus, its anti-slip grips promise greater usability. The lenses, meanwhile, are not only fully multi-coated and waterproof but also offer excellent feedback. Its small and robust design also allow users to take full advantage of it.
The diameter of the objective lens is roughly 25 mm, which is enough for an average user. Moreover, it offers 1000 yards field of view along with a field angle of roughly 6.9 degrees. What makes this pair increasingly desirable is the set of twisting eyecups with BAK4-type prisms. The best feature, however, is the low-light night vision, enabling you to get a clearer view, even if the light isn’t enough.
Bottom Line
Considering its performance and design execution, we would deem this pair suitable for beginners and intermediate users. Plus, the price is also quite affordable, making it a good investment overall.
Best for Hunting:
Occer 12x25 Compact Binoculars with Low-Light Night Vision
PROS
CONS
Occer is quite well-known for producing compact binoculars. Plus, it is also a brand trusted by hunters since it promises excellent products at a pretty decent price point.
Staying in line with what they are known for, they have produced this 12x25 pair which can cater to all kinds of users. Not only does this have a stunning and compact design, but it also offers great durability and visibility.
It comes with a 25 mm objective lens and 12x magnification, which promise a decent viewing experience. Plus, apart from being compact, it is waterproof too, truly making it the ideal fit for hunters.
Moreover, its 273 ft./1000 yard viewing angle ensures you get a better image. Meanwhile, the FMC broadband coating and BAK4 prism structure work together to offer an immersive experience. The eyecups are also adjustable with the 15 mm eyepiece, which adds to the convenience of the user.
Bottom Line
These are also ideal for both novices and intermediate users. Nothing beats having a low-light night vision pair, particularly at such a reasonable price!
Best from Bushnell:
Bushnell Trophy Binoculars
PROS
CONS
Bushnell is known to be one of the best manufacturers of outdoor equipment and has a range of binoculars. Out of all, we found these Trophy binoculars to be the best the company has to offer.
For starters, it comes with fully multi-coated lenses, along with lead-free glass and BAK-4 prism. Moreover, it is made using heavy-duty and 100% fog-proof and waterproof construction, which means that you can use it in various weather conditions.
The pair comes with a large center focus knob as well as two-step twist eyecups so you can make adjustments accordingly. Meanwhile, the textured, non-slip, and non-glare rubber armor absorbs shock, adding to its durability.
Lastly, it offers 10x magnification and weighs only 25.3 ounces, making it a worthy investment.
Bottom Line
Given its magnification and durability, this is one of the best products by Bushnell. Plus, the image it offers is exceptional, making it suitable for various purposes.
Editor's Pick:
Celestron 71008 SkyMaster
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Buyers are highly satisfied with the product. They believe that the optics are truly amazing, considering the affordable pricing. You get a clear, sharp, and well-lit view at night. The product is a little heavy, but since it comes with a tripod, even that is not a problem anymore.
Why it Stands Out to Us
Celestron SkyMaster has an amazing zooming ability. You can view far away objects with extreme clarity thanks to its 25x zoom. Furthermore, it is great at capturing light at night. These qualities make it an ideal binocular for hunting at night. You can get your prey without putting yourself in danger.
Bottom Line
If you are looking for a binocular with an exceptional zooming range and great light capturing ability that is also affordable, then this is perfect for you. It also comes with a tripod, so you don’t have to carry its weight for long.
Aspects to Consider Before Buying
While you already know what makes a set of binoculars good from the information above, here are factors you should consider before actually finalizing the purchase.
Field of View
This refers to the area visible to you when you look through your binoculars. So, when choosing a suitable pair, make sure to look at the diameter size and magnification of the objective lens since both of these affect the FOV. To put it simply, higher magnifications mean the field of view will be smaller. Similarly, larger lenses mean that the field of view will be larger.
Magnification
There’s one misconception that must be cleared first. Higher magnification doesn’t always mean the product will be better. That all depends on how you use your pair. For instance, during hiking or hunting, you wouldn’t have the time that a higher magnified lens demands in order to get stable. So, the higher the magnification, the less steady the image will be. Generally, you can see the magnification mentioned with the objective lens diameter.
Objective Lens Diameter
When it comes to low-light, you must note that a higher diameter objective lens promises much better performance.
Conclusion
Watching or hunting animals at dusk or dawn comes with its own fun. However, that fun can be easily spoiled if you don’t have a low light binoculars that allow you to get a sharper and clearer image despite the reduced amount of lighting. So, by picking one of our best low light binoculars, you can ensure you enjoy your time watching the animals even if it is dark.
People Also Ask
Low light binoculars might look like a simple product, but they have certain specifications that might overwhelm first-time buyers. However, don’t worry. We understand this, and hence we have answered some top frequently asked questions for you. Read them and ease your mind.
How Far Can Night Vision Binoculars See?
A fairly decent low light binocular can help you see as far as 30 yards clearly. This is an average distance, however, and if you chose to buy high-quality, low-light binoculars, then you can easily see up to 50 yards at night.
Can Night Vision Binoculars Be Used in Daylight?
Yes, you can use your night vision binoculars in the daytime, too, if they are digital. This is because they don’t have intensifier tubes installed in them. These tubes permanently alter the vision of your device, and without them, the device can be used anywhere with any light. However, if they are not digital, then using them in daylight might damage them.
What is a Good Binocular Strength?
It depends on what you plan to do with your binocular. If you are using it for hunting, then 7x to 10x is enough, or if you like long-range shooting, then up to 16x will be fine. Furthermore, for bird watching, people usually believe 12x magnification is enough. But as a rule of thumb, a minimum of 7x is suitable.
