Squinting through a pair of empty toilet rolls will only show you so much added detail –so Chris Rowlands zooms in on the finest modern binos for all uses and budgets
POCKET PEEPERS
The waterproof watchers
Bushnell H2O 8x25
An affordable option for those who like to gaze across the waves, these budget binos don’t distort when wet. An IPX7 rating means they’re good in 1m of the drink for half an hour, while their aluminium build won’t drag you down –and strap lugs should stop them going overboard.
£69 / bushnell.com
The telescopic transformers
Pentax VD 4x20 WP
Even if you’re cheek to cheek, binoculars are hard to share. Distribute the view with these modular monoculars: in standard setup they work like classic binos, but split the set and you’ve got a pair of one-eyed watchers. Or combine the barrels in line for –ahoy there! –a single 16x scope.
£255 / pentax.eu
The dinky designers
Swarovski CL Curio 7x21
Most binoculars are made for looking through; these are also made for looking at. Slender at just 250g, they offer a useful 7x magnification factor, while their arched bridge folds for pocketability –though the bundled field bag is a more suitable stowing place than your grubby old jacket.
£680 / swarovskioptik.com
MID-RANGE MAGNIFIERS
The burly barrels
Nikon Action EX 12x50 CF
Whether you’re stalking sheep or hunting for a country pub, scouting in the wild is a test of toughness. Luckily, these Nikons can take a knock: built for tricky conditions, they thunk the scales at over 1kg. Rubber armour protects against outdoor mishaps, while nitrogen gas prevents fogging.
£239 / nikon.co.uk
The stable starers
Canon 12x36 IS III
The slightest movement turns into a disco freakout at high magnification, so Canon’s stabilisation system combats wobble with electronics. Slot in some batteries, hit the IS button and you’ll have a stable view of your moving target. And at 660g, they’re light enough to use with just one twitchy hand.
£720 / canon.co.uk
LONG-DISTANCE LOOKERS
The gyroscopic gems
Fujinon Techno-Stabi TS 16x28
Sentry duty demands blur-free visuals, even at 16x. Styled like something from QBranch, these super-powered specs use gyro-stabilisation to ensure your view isn’t shaken or stirred. Water-resistance means they can even survive the obligatory boat chase sequence.
£649 / fujifilm.com
The stellar stargazers
Celestron SkyMaster 25x100
To the naked eye, the night sky is twinkly but distant; magnified 25 times, the secrets of the cosmos become clearer. Turn
