Binoculars are the perfect accessory to have in your possession, especially if you want to see an object crystal clear, without being too close. Or, perhaps you cannot think of any reason to invest in a good set of binoculars, because you don’t know anyone who actually owns a pair. If you are scratching your head and trying to figure out how binoculars could benefit you, then keep reading, you may be surprised. Some of the best hobbies and most interesting pastimes involves the use of high-powered binoculars. For example, wildlife observation such as: whale watching, birdwatching (birding), long-distance hunting, and some types of fishing requires the use of binoculars. Another activity that tops the list for binocular use is stargazing, which is looking at the sky from a rooftop, or another high place to get a glimpse of celestial bodies at night. In the case of stargazing, binoculars are less expensive than high-powered telescopes, but provides a better view than the cheapest telescope.

So, as you probably have guessed by now, all binoculars are not the same and neither is the cost. Some folks may place emphasis on features like the focus wheel, wanting one that can be easily manipulated with one finger, or a single hand. The next person may focus the weight of the binoculars more than the coating on the lenses. The preference is contingent upon what you will be viewing with your binoculars, and what type of weather you are likely to encounter while using the binoculars. Athlon Optic offers a wide range of binoculars that are built to last. Anyone can find a good set of binoculars with Athlon for almost any activity. However, the best part is that the company accommodates varying budgets and offers a lifetime warranty.

 

What Should You Look For When Buying Binoculars?

You will definitely see the following terminology being used when reading through the various product descriptions of binoculars, which may be confusing if you are new to using them.

Binocular Lenses and Prisms

 

One thing to keep in mind is that binoculars use different types of lenses to show a magnified image. However, depending on the lens, the adjusted light rays can produce a less than clear image of the viewed object. Therefore, binoculars are created with different style prisms inside, to prevent everything from appearing upside down due to the bent light rays. There are two types of binocular prisms: Porro and Roof.  Porro prisms offer really good optics, but they are bulkier than binoculars with roof prisms. They are less expensive because they are easier to manufacture. Roof is type of prism that is more compact. It takes a bit more precision to make binoculars with roof prisms, which places them in a more expensive price range than those with Porro prisms. Athlon Optic has two different types of binoculars that fall within the $89 to $219 price range, called Neos and Talos respectively. Both Neos and Talos include BAK-4 Prisms, which are the best type of Porro prism because they are made of superior optical glass to produce clearer images. Light is reflected away which makes an image appear darker and unclear. Therefore, different coatings are used on different lenses to ensure a crisp, clear image. Neos and Talos, also have multi-coated lenses to assist in a more vibrant, sharper image of the viewed object.

Binocular Magnification Power and Size

Binoculars are identified by two numbers. You may see 8x42 or 10x50 when looking at the various types of Athlon Optic binoculars. These numbers show magnification power and objective lens diameter. For example, 8x42 have a magnification power of 8. So, if you see a deer that is 200 yards away through an 8x binocular, it will appear 25 yards away. (You divide 200 yards by 8). Binoculars can be categorized in three different sizes based on their objective lens size: full, mid, and compact. Full size binoculars are usually 8x42 or 10x50. These are best for wildlife observation and for use on boats. Full-size binoculars capture light better and are more effective in dim light situations. They usually provide more solid images and a wider field of view, which are better for bird watching. The con is that they are heavier. Mid-size binoculars are usually 7x35 or 10x32. These are the most common choice for wildlife viewing and sports use. Mid-size binoculars are less heavy and they encompass above-average light transmission. Finally, Compact size fall between 8x25 and 10x25, which are the lightest in weight. However, these compact sized binoculars are not comfortable to use for an extended time. Athlon Optic’s provide models in all three sizes.

Eye Relief

There is an ideal distance that your eye should be from the eyepiece, with all binoculars. This distance is called the eye relief. Folks who wear glasses will only see the center of the image they are viewing through binoculars, if the eye relief is too short. If your eye is further away from the eyepiece than the eye relief distance, you will start to lose the outer edge of the image. You definitely want to invest in binoculars whose eye relief is long enough to accommodate eyeglasses if you wear glasses. Therefore, binoculars whose eyepieces come with a minimum of 16mm is ideal. Athlon Optics top full-size binocular Cronus has a 19.3mm eye relief, and some models are adjustable.

Waterproof and Weather Resistant

One important thing to think about is if you will be using your binoculars while on a boat, or on land during a rainy day. You should look for waterproof or weather-resistant binoculars. Waterproof binoculars usually have O-rings to stop moisture from entering the binoculars. These types of binoculars also prevent dust or debris from getting into the binoculars. There is a difference between weather-resistant and waterproof binoculars, weather-resistant does not necessarily mean waterproof. They are designed to protect against light rain but not submersion.

 

Athlon Optic’s Three Top Binocular Models

All of Athlon Optic’s binoculars include high-quality features. The Athlon Optic models are Cronus, Ares, Midas, Argos, Talos, and Neos. These binoculars stand out from their competitors with specifications such as: composite chassis, multi-coated lenses, XPL protective coating, and 100% fog & water proofing. You will definitely find a pair of binoculars that fit your needs and budget. It depends on what you are looking for when making your decision. So, let’s take a closer look at the top three models.

 

• Cronus: The highest quality binocular is the Cronus binocular and featured as the most elite. It has an Edge to Edge Sharpness System (E2ES), which is a field flattening system that produces higher clarity images, from the edge of one lens to the edge of the second lens. E2ES works with the ED lens which produces little to no chromatic fringe, meaning it creates a sharper, clearer image for your eyes. It is coated in a magnesium alloy chassis and can endure the most rugged weather. This is the heaviest of all the models, but also the one with all of the bells and whistles. It would be great for serious wildlife viewing, fishing, and long-range hunting because it can endure the harshest weather.  

 

• Ares: The model next in line behind Cronus but is a little more lightweight and has an open-bridge design. The open-bridge design is very important, because it provides a stronger grip and makes it easy it to manipulate with just one hand. It has ED lenses which provide a sharper, more vibrant image. This model has BAK-4 Prisms and the lenses include the Advanced Fully Multi-Coated lenses along with XPL Coating that protects from dirt, debris, and oil. They also feature twist up eye cups to alloy you to set the eye-relief to the ideal setting for your eyes. These would be great for wildlife viewing, long-range hunting, and fishing as well.  

 

• Midas: This is the binocular model that comes after the Ares are the Midas binoculars. It has ED lenses which provide a sharper, more vibrant image. This model has the BAK-4 Prisms as well, and the prisms are coated in the same coatings as the Ares model of binoculars to deter dirt, oil, and debris. It has been used as the Gold standard for its class of binoculars and can be used in the harshest of weather, just as the Cronus. It does not have the open-bridge design and is not as easy to manipulate with one hand, but it is still great for long-range hunting and wildlife observation. It is a bit bulkier than the other binoculars. However it is also composed of the magnesium alloy chassis, which helps protect it from scrapes and scratches in rugged terrain.  

One of the most important attributes to note about all Athlon Optic Binoculars is that they are accompanied by an Athlon Gold Medal Lifetime Warranty, which guarantees that the product is free of defects in materials and workmanship. It also guarantees that Athlon will repair or replace any product that becomes damaged through normal use, at no cost to the customer. No receipt is needed, and no registration is required. All of the Athlon Optic binoculars are high-quality, and a wise investment for anyone who wants a crystal-clear view of their viewed image.