A binocular is the primary tool for a bird watcher. It gives you the super power of 8-times to 10-times magnified vision, which helps you see birds better so you can identify them. Identifying birds is, after all, at the very core of birding. The best practice is to spend as much as you can afford on binoculars. But if you’re not sure that you’ll be birding on a regular basis, getting a binocular that’s affordable is a good compromise. Plan to spend about $150 to $350 for a good starter bino. If you want to go all in, you can easily spend $2,000 or more for the top-end optics. It’s really wise to try before you buy since you need to select a model that fits your hands, eyes, and style of birding, and is not too heavy in the hand or on the strap on your neck. Festivals are a great place to try a variety of makes and models of binoculars before making a purchase. So is the American Birding Expo.
