Ten Steps on the Path to Perfection (in Birding Optics)

After a decade and a half in the optics retail business, there are a few truths I’ve come across when helping birders find a good fit with the optics they to study and enjoy birds. Some bits of wisdom are about navigating through a selection of optics around some genuine limitations, such as budget, weight, and magnification. Other considerations can be more subjective, like ergonomics, brand affinity, and even nostalgia. One consistent truth for most birders with whom I have consulted over the years is that there isn’t one ultimate or perfect binocular. While that holy grail of optics may be eternally elusive for most of us, the following 10 points—steps on the paths to perfection—may just help you get a lot closer.