What to Look For When Buying Binoculars and Accessories
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Tips for Binocular Shopping

Want to buy a quality set of binoculars but not sure where to start? Here’s a few things to look out for:
  • As with many products, brand name can be a guide to quality. You can expect companies like Celestron, Leica, Minolta, Nikon, Pentax, Steiner, Swarovski, and Zeiss to sell quality products because they’ve spent years building their reputation on it. Other companies such as Tasco, Jason, and Bushnell have developed a reputation for low prices. You’ve heard the saying before, but it’s worth repeating, “You get what you pay for”.
  • Choose a dealer wisely. Good Binocular dealers will help you select the binoculars that fit lifestyle needs. Shop for binoculars at astronomy shops, camera stores and sporting goods stores (the type that sells guns, fishing tackle, etc.) over big box department stores that sell a little bit of everything. Specialty stores offer better binoculars and information.
  • Many retail clerks possess very little, if any, knowledge about binoculars. It is not uncommon to find that most of them aren’t even able to focus binocculars correctly. If this is the case, walk away. Never purchase binoculars from a store whose employees cannot supply you with information on the product you want to purchase. After all, it’s your money at stake and you’ll probably have to live with your unsatisfactory purchase for a long time.
  • Talk to avid hunters, sportsmen, etc. to get information and opinions on what binoculars they favor. These people have first-hand experience! But remember that you’re the one who will be using the binoculars so your needs should be given the highest consideration.
If you’re going to be making an investment in quality binoculars, you should also invest in EyeShields by Field Optics Research. These universal binocular accessories enhance the viewing performance of all binoculars by cutting out glare and other viewing distractions. You’ll love what you see, and what you don’t!