Additionally, These binoculars have a relatively high magnification, which is important for getting a close look at birds.They have good light-gathering ability, which is important for seeing birds in low-light conditions.

Both binoculars can be used for whale watching from the balcony. The main question is how far away the whales are. If you can see them already without binoculars, i.e. clearly see there are whales out there, and you only need an enhanced view then the Avalon 10×42 will work fine. It has the advantage that you can use these binoculars for other occasions too. But if the whales are often very far away, i.e. over 2 miles out at sea, then the Celestron 20×50 will work much better. Note that they are harder to use due to the stronger magnification but once you are looking at the whale you will defiantly see it in more detail. If your main use for the binoculars is indeed to look at whales and very distant subjects (boats, ships etc.) then the Celestron 20×50 is the right choice. When out on the water, a rugged, waterproof design is essential. Low magnification will make it easier to see on a pitching boat. A magnification of 7x to 8x should do just fine. You will also want a larger objective lens. Look for an objective lens that is equal to or greater than 35mm. Suggested size: 7X50. Astronomy Bushnell has a long history of producing binoculars for the U.S. market. Over the years, this company has been a primary supplier of binoculars to the U.S. Navy, including during the second world war. As a result, they have plenty of practical experience designing marine binoculars. The Celestron UpClose G2 10x50 is about as basic a pair of binoculars as you can get. The Celestron brand makes many different models of binoculars, some exceptionally high-end, but this pair of 10x50s represents the most affordable available. Alternatively if you want to use a tripod for better stability then we can recommend the Celestron 20×80 SkyMaster binoculars. They are larger and heavier (2.66 pounds) but provide a brighter image ideal for astronomy too. Details below:

The range of these binoculars is 1,000 feet, which is rather remarkable for such a small set of digital binoculars. This is due to Glassowl's new LED infrared illuminators, which are effective at longer ranges than older models.

For example, the Viking Badger 10x50 binoculars offer a superior quality over the 10x42 version due to the larger lenses. These binoculars offer the same build design and glass for the optics. Therefore, the only real difference that can be found is with how much light is taken in. Even with this increase in light, there are no guarantees that the difference would even be noticeable. Despite this, there are some scenarios where the 10x50 binoculars really do shine. If you were to use these binoculars in low-light conditions then the extra light transmission would certainly be beneficial. Surprisingly magnification is not too big a deal for large, stargazing models. Seeing as those stars are literally light-years away, you likely won't notice the difference between 10x and 12x. These bins are meant for gathering light and making things brighter rather than bringing them closer. If you really want to feel close to the cosmos, you'll have to go with a telescope (or fill your phone with Neil deGrasse Tyson podcasts). Glossary of Terms These are roof prism binoculars, waterproof and although they don’t use extra low dispersion glass (ED) like the Nikons, the glass is fully multi-coated to reduce flare and glare. These are also fully waterproof to the extent that they can be submerged in up to 3m of water. Throw in a 30-year warranty and you have a pair of binoculars that are likely to last you a long time. Of course, larger lenses will also mean more bulk and weight are added to the binoculars. A pair of binoculars with 50mm object lenses will gather a decent amount of light photons, but will be larger and heavier. Seeing It All TogetherHowever, the binoculars themselves feel solidly made, they’re light and portable and offer screw-out eyecups – a lot more than you’d expect for the money. Eye Relief is the distance the eyepiece of a binocular can be held away from the eye and still present the full field of view. This is important because longer eye relief reduces eye strain and makes it easier for people who wear glasses. The longer eye relief would provide a full field of view for someone who wears eyeglasses. A rule of thumb is, if you wear glasses, you'll need at least 15mm of eye relief. The lenses are multicoated, which increases brightness when necessary and reduces visual distortion. Bushnell's BaK-4 Porro prisms also contribute to even brightness and crisp picture reproduction, which means you won't lose detail no matter how far you zoom in. And with a 350-foot field of view at 1,000 yards, that extra detail comes in handy. Key Features:

In summary, then, an 8×42 pair of binoculars magnifies a scene 8x and has 42mm lenses; a 10×25 pair has 10x magnification and 25mm lenses. Should I care about features such as prism types or ED glass? That first number that generally follows the model name of a pair of binoculars refers to the magnification. For example, an 8x42 pair of bins provide eight times magnification, which makes things look eight times larger. A 10x42 pair offers 10 times magnification, and so on. The compass itself is viewable through the lenses in a crescent-shaped display, which is out of the way and doesn't interfere with the sight picture. The lenses are coated to produce a high-contrast image, which helps reduce disorientation when bobbing around in choppy seas. Key Features: Key specs – 10x magnification; 42mm objective lenses; 7.6° field of view; 18mm eye relief; adjustable cups; 2m close focusing distance; 850gBinoculars with a 20×50 configuration are good for astronomical use because they provide a wide field of view and a lot of light-gathering power. This makes them ideal for observing faint objects in the night sky, such as stars and galaxies. Relative Brightness is the exit pupil squared. The relative brightness has no relation to how bright a pair of binoculars will be. The quality of the optics has more to do with the brightness of the binoculars than exit pupil size. What’s more, you’re not just getting decent optics, but a solid, rubber-armoured build, smooth focusing and a comfortable, lightweight design. Sure, at 900g the Aculons weigh more than most equivalent Roof Prism binoculars, and they do get tiring over prolonged use, but compared to some budget 10 x 50s, they’re well-balanced and easy going. Nikon also bundles a case and a comfy padded strap. The lenses themselves are multicoatedto improve sharpness and clarity. The coating also increases brightness when necessary, such as in twilight conditions. Coated lenses also have a positive effect on bright days, reducing glare and improving detail. I use single-use lens wipes. I try to do this sparingly because you really never know if there is a tiny grain of something on the lens that will scratch. I have taken waterproof models and dunked them before wiping them down, but this is still a risky thing. Do you have any advice on how to keep your binoculars safe and clean when in the field?

The sweet spot for birdwatching and nature-spotting binoculars is 8x. This gives you a reasonably broad field of view (usually around seven to eight degrees) and a good level of magnification, and you’ll be able to hold them easily without getting too much distracting shake. Finally, the binoculars’ large size will make them more stable when you are trying to hold them steady for long periods of time. 12×50 Binoculars — Stargazing Another consideration with focusing is the ease and smoothness of the system. The focal knob should comfortably be positioned under your index finger as you hold the binoculars. It should operate evenly and smoothly without any looseness, stiffness, or irregularities of movement. Keep in mind that the more an image is magnified, the harder it will be to keep that image steady. Many users find a magnification of 8 or 10 to be the highest that they can keep steady with their hands before a tripod or another type of platform is needed. A pair of binoculars with 20 times magnification would likely benefit from a tripod. Objective Lens Diameter Exit Pupil: Magnification and the size of the objective lens determines the size of the exit pupil. You can see the exit pupil by holding the binoculars at arm's length and looking at the eyepiece. That round dot of light is the exit pupil. To compute the exit pupil, you divide the diameter of the objective lens in millimeters by the magnification. For our 8X42 binoculars, we would divide the objective lens 42mm by the magnification 8, or 42/8 for an exit pupil of 5.25. If we look at a pair of compact binoculars, say a pair of 8x25, we would have an exit pupil of 8/25=3.125.As you shop for binoculars, you’ll see that each pair has a spec listed in this number x number formula. The first number in this equation indicates the magnification power that the optics provide. The second number indicates the objective lens diameter for the binoculars. These numbers, taken individually or together, can tell you a lot about the viewing quality of that particular model. Magnification The large objective lenses also provide a bright and clear image, making this binocular perfect for use in low-light conditions.No matter what your needs are, the 12×50 binocular is a great choice. 12×50 Binoculars — Advantages and Disadvantages Advantages Inside the UpClose G2 are two Porro prisms, reflective optical prisms that the form of a right-angle triangle with two sides of equal length. Porro prisms make binoculars more compact without compromising focal length or the dispersion of the light rays as they pass through it giving the classic “broad-shoulder” shape of a traditional binocular. Our Porro prisms are constructed of BK-7 optical glass, which provide high reflectivity so that more light passes through the optical path to your eye. Viewing through UpClose G2 is comfortable for eyeglass wearers and non-eyeglass wearers alike, thanks to its rubber eyecups. Keep the eyecups up for proper positioning of the eyes without glasses. If you are wearing glasses, simply fold them down and out of the way.