The Binocular Advisor
Page 8
by Michael and Diane Porter
  Answers to questions from real people with real questions about how to choose a binocular.
Situation: What binoculars would you recommend for use by middle school students to birdwatch in the woods? I am establishing an outdoor classroom in the stand of woods on school property, and would like to do some birdwatching. We may also use them in our garden courtyard to watch the birds and butterflies. We would need to get something inexpensive, but functional and durable. (A tall order). Thanks. — Judy
Our Advice:
It is a tall order, because durability comes with higher expense. While very expensive binoculars survive amazing abuse, no economical binocular will withstand rough treatment (dropping, tossing, two kids yanking, etc.). If they are knocked about, binoculars will get out of alignment, and then they can cause eye strain.
Here are the two we sell the most for kids.
 We have had very good results with the 8-power Eagle Optics Triumph binocular. It is small and easy to handle, and it holds up quite well even for kid use, provided someone impresses the kids with a few rules. (Always use the binocular with the strap around your neck. Don't swing it in the air by the strap, don't toss it into the box when you're done. And so on.) It's the least expensive good binocular you can buy, and it works both for people who wear glasses and those who do not.
Another binocular that we sell for kids is the 8-power Eagle Optics Energy. This one costs less. It may get out of alignment more easily than the Triumph, but with care it can serve well also. This one does not work well for people who wear glasses, however. An advantage of the Energy is that is comes in five colors (red, green, yellow, blue, and silver).
Copyright 2007 by Michael and Diane Porter.
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