8×42 binoculars – Buying guide & Comparison
Although reading up on binoculars can prove very engaging, people don’t always have the time to do the appropriate research before buying a pair. Not to worry, we are here for just this type of situation. We made our own research by going through dozens and dozens of specialized articles, product reviews and customer reports to help you find the best 8×42 binoculars in a reasonable price range. The Nikon Aculon 8245 seem to have received the most positive feedback both from satisfied customers and specialists, thanks to their high angle of view offered by a Porro prism, functional anti-glare coating, and highly ergonomic rubber eyecups, which will allow for hours and hours of nature watching without much discomfort. If you’re adamant on a straight ocular design, then you might find the Wingspan Optics SkyView Ultra HD to be a good pick.
Comparison table
Our Top Choice
If you're searching for a pair of binoculars that will help you take your sightseeing adventures to new heights, this model from Nikon might be worth your money. It features the Eco-Glass multi-coated lenses and the handy turn-and-slide rubber eyecups. The images it offers are true to life and without any distortion.
A drawback for those always on the run could be the fact that it might be quite hard to focus the binoculars while you're moving at high speeds.
Also note that the piece is designed to be ultralight, without sacrificing any features. It also has excellent ergonomics for easy use in wet conditions, and the central focus knob makes the binoculars a pleasure to operate.
2nd Best
Bird lovers and hunters should rejoice because this model is suited for all outdoor adventures. It has an understated and minimalist design, with no complicated and useless features. It can magnify any view without distorting colors, and its ED Glass makes it suitable for low-light use. Moreover, the unit is waterproof.
One flaw could be the fact that when you use the maximum magnification, things start to get a bit out of focus. But it is something that can be easily fixed.
Even if you drop the product from a considerable height, it will function like new since it was crafted from study materials. At 393ft, its extra-wide field of view provides a panoramic experience in all light conditions.
Also To Consider
These binoculars come with a sturdy strap that makes transporting them a breeze. Another thing that stands out is the 42mm roof prism and the fact that the piece is both water and fog proof. Needless to say, the images seen with its help will be of exceptional clarity. Additionally, the seller also offers a neoprene carrying case in the box.
When mentioning setbacks, one that stood out is the binoculars’ weight. This is no surprise if you consider the product's list of features.
The Celestron binoculars are bound to surprise all users and to provide many hours of fun. Its high-quality craft ensures its lifespan, and the fully coated optics guarantee that the piece will be reliable in all four seasons.
The 8×42 binoculars (we assume you already know what that means so we won’t delve into it) are usually preferred for the wide field of view they allow while still offering enough magnification to be effectively used for nature study. They are commonly employed for bird watching and are considered to be the most suitable size for the task. Consequently, we are going to concentrate on aspects of their functionality that are relevant for bird watchers in the short guide below, without neglecting the most important general aspects that any person needs to know when looking for some good 8×42 binoculars.
The field of view
Arguably, this should matter the most for bird watchers, since it determines how much of the scenery will be captured by the objective lens of the binoculars. Birds are fast moving critters, and they can quickly escape your sight if your focus is too close.
A binoculars field of view is expressed by either a number denoting the width that would fit inside the objective at 1000 yards or the angle of view that the piece allows for. There are two different measurements for the latter, the apparent angle of view, which assumes the angle you will be getting if placed at a distance from the target where it will appear as close to the naked eye as through the binoculars, and the actual angle of view, which is pretty self-explanatory.
The actual angle is calculated by dividing the apparent angle by the maximum magnification of the binoculars, in this case 8x. Magnification also plays a central part in determining the width of your field of view, with binoculars that offer small degrees of magnification but feature relatively big lenses displaying the widest picture.
Exit pupil and brightness
Another important factor to consider for all purposes is the exit pupil, which refers to the diameter or the light spot that hits the eye. This is determined by the objective’s size, divided by the magnification and should preferably be larger than the pupil is most of the time. Since we’re looking at 8×42, this will be a solid 5.25.
Since exit pupil also determines how bright the image will appear, even cheap 8×42 binoculars will handle fairly well in this regard. There is space for comparison between them if we consider glare, however, and how well suited the lens are to let the light through to the user’s eye, instead of reflecting it and making the image appear darker.
The quality of the glass used and special light absorbing coating are both factors in this, with some handling better than others. All good 8×42 binoculars are manufactured to optics equipment standards, but low dispersion or extra-low dispersion lenses can add a lot to the cost of a piece, so most manufacturers that aim for the mid-price bracket generally focus on providing an adequate coating.
Prism
Prism also plays a large role in image quality, but also in the field of view. The most common systems are the Porro, which allows for the widest viewing angle as well as good image clarity and BAK4, which offers the advantage of higher convenience, making for an overall lighter and more compact unit.
The Porro is also significantly cheaper, so don’t turn away from a pair of wide lens binoculars (this is how you identify it) assuming it won’t perform due to poor quality. You’ll be surprised at the value you’ll be getting for your buck!
Other factors to consider
Low weight will be surprisingly important if you plan on keeping the binoculars lifted to eye level for any considerable amount of time, as well as how well the piece will handle the elements.
To prevent lens fogging in cold environment, the casing should be hermetically sealed with O-rings and preferably contain high-pressure gas that will keep most atmospheric air out. There’s also waterproofing to consider if you plan on using the binoculars near a lake or river.
5 Best 8×42 Binoculars (Reviews) in 2024
If you still have trouble deciding among the 8×42 binoculars available for sale we offer you a small selection of the products we found to function the best for the price. They were all given good marks in 8×42 binoculars reviews and received high praise from satisfied customers.
Contents
1. Nikon 8245 ACULON A211 8×42 Binocular
With an impressive field of view of 420 feet, this Nikon model will let you see a lot of the scenery surrounding your objective, either a bird or game, allowing you to easily keep your eyes on it if it suddenly moves.
The Porro prism it uses also allows for slightly better clarity and color definition than a similarly priced model with a straight ocular. Customers praised the great contrast it offers down to relatively short ranges and found the color distortion surprisingly small for the price.
This means you’ll get sharp and faithful images of wildlife, at which you’ll be able to look comfortable thanks to the well-praised rubber eyecups and good rubber grip. The brightness is also reported to be good, thanks to the multiple layers of light absorbing coating that Nikon has used.
One slight disadvantage would be the weight since at 2.4 pounds is somewhat heavier than 4BAK roof models, but still significantly lighter than your average Porro.
Pros
The product is perfect for sightseeing and bird watching and it is recommended for all nature lovers and hobbyists.
The binoculars are not only compact but they also feature a high-end construction that employs only high-quality yet cost-effective optics so that you can get a premium model for a low price.
The flexible rubber twist-up eyecups will provide a comfortable viewing experience without fatigue for situations in which you need to use the binoculars for long periods.
There is a rubber armor exterior which feels smooth on the hands, offers a good grip in wet conditions, and it provides the device with the protection it needs when you are out in the field.
The sleek black color of these binoculars is very stylish and it gives them a premium look.
Cons
Aside from small issues such as the strap which is a little difficult to set up at first, this model has garnered overwhelmingly positive reviews.
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2. Wingspan Optics Skyview Ultra HD 8X42 Binoculars for Bird Watching
Officially named the SkyView Ultra HD, this 8×42 BAK4 (a.k.a roof prism) was specifically designed for bird watching, and it has the specs to prove it.
The lens and prism were shaped in such a way as to confer it an amazing field of view 393 feet, so you won’t have to drop your binoculars if the bird suddenly takes flight.
The HD multi layer coating will ensure for high color definition and a sharper image, which will stay sharp down to a surprisingly small distance of just 2 m (6.5 feet), so you can study the full details of a bird’s plumage up close.
Since it’s expected to be used in the outdoors, it has adequate fog proofing provided by high-pressure nitrogen and reinforced O-rings, and you wouldn’t need to worry carrying it along in a kayak since it’s also been waterproof.
Pros
The Wingspan model uses phase-correcting coating to give the images better contrast and resolution so that you can see the splendor of nature in rich and incredible detail.
It weighs less than 1.5 lbs. and that gives this model unmatched portability which will make it easier to pack and store in your backpack for excellent grab-and-go convenience.
This is a versatile choice that is suitable for beginners, hobbyists, and advanced birders alike so you can safely purchase it as a gift for your nature-loving friends or loved ones.
The ED glass will reduce chromatic aberration significantly, leaving you with an image that is clean, sharp, and with life-like colors.
The manufacturer offers a lifetime warranty that includes free repairs in case of damage during the entire lifespan of the product.
Cons
While there is a lot of care put into the device itself, the same cannot be said about the accessories which don’t offer the same quality and reliability.
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3. Celestron 71346 8 x 42 Outland X Binocular
Bird watching, hunting, concerts, sporting events — you name it, and this Celestron will bring it closer in good definition.
Well, we need to clarify that the definition is only good for the price since this is a particularly affordable pair of 4BAK roof prism binoculars.
The system used keeps it light and fairly tough. You’ll have rubber covering, so you won’t have to worry too much about hitting it on tree branches or dropping it to the ground.
The field of view is decent but unremarkable, with 357 feet at 1000 yards and the same can be said about the minimum focus distance of around 13 feet.
However, customers appreciate their toughness and the practicality offered by the extra items it comes with — a neck strap, a holding box, lens covering and wipes. Although they are rated as water and fog proof, some customers found their particular pieces to fog, which might be due to unfortunate factory defects.
Pros
The housing of the binoculars is nitrogen-purged and O-ring sealed and that makes the unit waterproof and fog proof so that you can safely use it in any weather condition.
The BaK-4 prisms employed by this device are synonymous with high-quality binoculars since they offer enhanced color fidelity and better image clarity.
It is extremely lightweight and that makes it very easy to carry around, be it with a neck strap or by using the included carrying case.
The rugged exterior will provide protection along with a secure yet extremely comfortable gripping surface that will prevent fatigue during long sessions.
Customer feedback is always important and as far as this product is concerned, there are hundreds of positive reviews that praise its quality and reliability.
Cons
The primary complaint with this model concerns the focus which is not easy to adjust since the mechanism is not fine enough and that makes it easy to roll past the perfect focal point.
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4. Nikon Prostaff 7S 8×42 Binocular
Nikon is a too established name not to offer good quality, and this is what you’ll be getting from the Prostaff 7L, without having to pay the price of a small car for it.
It offers good image sharpness and contrast, which is common enough for Nikons as to be considered a trademark of the brand, while color gets only slightly distorted during low light conditions (again, cheaper than a car)
Thanks to the rooftop prism design it is remarkably lightweight for an 8×42 at only 1.43 lb, which will make it comfortable to hold in one hand without the need for a potentially bothersome neckstrap.
You shouldn’t be worried if dropping it in a puddle since this product is waterproof and also offers some fog resistance.
This isn’t perfect, however, with some customers reporting that it does fog up sometimes, but it’s not that big of an issue to warrant dropping a whole star off its rating.
Pros
These binoculars are designed to be used by people of any background or experience which is why they have a very user-friendly design.
The product has a long eye relief which makes it possible for the device to be used even by eyeglass wearers, and it provides a much more comfortable viewing experience for everyone.
One of the highest praises Nikon gets is the fact that it uses environmentally-friendly materials so that buyers can get a product which does not harm the nature they so love to observe.
Despite being extremely lightweight, this model has a rubber armor that confers it protection against shocks and a firm non-slip grip.
It is waterproof, fog proof, and dustproof so that you can continue using the binoculars in any environment or weather condition.
Cons
There are reports of the lens caps and the eyepieces’ caps not fitting very well and getting easily damaged.
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5. Bushnell Binoculars Legend M Series
Despite being a mid-range model, this Bushnell model is bristling with features you’ll expect to find on more expensive models.
It has a magnesium chassis to cut down on the weight while keeping it tough, a high definition rain guard to make it all weather, and a dielectric coating to let as much light in as possible.
Thanks to this and the phase 3 prism coating it works significantly well in low light conditions and offers very sharp contrasts under a bright sun. Needless to say, this helps a lot when bird watching.
The weight is pretty good, at 1.59 lb, and this combined with the fact that it has an open bridge design to allow for better grip makes this item very portable, ideal for hiking or kayaking.
It’s hard finding anything wrong with the item, perhaps just the diopter knob being a little hard to twist, but this is already pretty pedantic.
Pros
It comes equipped with the latest hydrophobic and oleophobic lens coating that will keep water, oily fingertips and fog away from the lens and for you to enjoy a crystal-clear picture.
The ultra-wideband coating is another nifty addition to the Legend M series and it will keep reflections and glare away while preserving the optimum brightness viewing experience.
There is also a locking eyepiece diopter that will keep your dominant right eye settings perfectly locked in so that you never have to worry that the mechanism might move accidentally.
The cost to value for this option is also very impressive since while it might look costly at first glance, the features it offers are so impressive that the unit ends up looking like a bargain.
Cons
The product comes with an impressive list of accessories but they don’t all have the same quality as the binoculars themselves and some don’t even fit properly.
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