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Single Hinge Binoculars

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Introduction

How often have you held on to something familiar merely because it was something you knew? This may be the case with binoculars that sport a classic single hinge design, as it has been around for so long. The name comes from the fact that the two barrels of the binocular are linked with a single hinge. This is the standard binocular design and is the most common for many users.

The single hinge design is used in both Porro and roof prism binoculars and found in all price classes, which cannot be said for open bridge binoculars. They feature a single, long joint, and are used with either central focusing, or with focusing separated for each eye. In the last decades, the length of the hinge has been getting shorter and shorter, like on the Vortex Diamondback HD. This is also one of the advantages. Here are more:

Steiner Ranger Xtreme 10x42

Pros

Along with the advantage above, another one is that these binoculars prove to be sturdy and reliable. Many times single hinge binoculars tend to be cheaper to produce and consequently, cheaper to buy. If you are not willing to spend much money on a pair of binoculars, this is an immense benefit for you. Notwithstanding, the single hinge design models may not cost a lot, but they sure do look like a million bucks, as they have a classic design to them.

Cons

Many factors need to be taken into account before you go out and purchase the first pair of binoculars that you have had your eye on. The only big disadvantage of single hinge binoculars we can pinpoint at the moment is the limit towards a comfortable use when viewing, in comparison to binoculars with an open bridge design.

Vortex Viper HD 10x50

Conclusion

There are different styles of binoculars on the optics market today, and different styles suit different people. Binoculars with a single hinge design are more affordable than the open-bridge design ones. They sport the most common construction, and it is what most users are used to. It is true that one cannot go wrong with a classic, but if your mindset is “I like to hold on to what I know”, maybe you should still reconsider your choice.

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VIDEO

Astronomy binoculars are often said to be the best first telescopes to slowly introduce you to sky gazing and astronomy. With wider field of view than telescopes they allow you to scan the whole sky at once and easily track the observing object. They are more portable, lighter, less bulky and do not require a tripod because lower magnifications bring less shaky images and easier handling. The main advantage of astronomy binoculars is that you are allowed to see with both of the eyes, giving you more natural viewing and easier tracking of the objects - two barrels collect more light. An important factor in astronomy binoculars is the size of the objective lens as they are mostly used in low light situations (at twilight or in pitch dark). The bigger the lens, more light is let through. Increase in light, high quality optics and coatings all contribute to brighter and more detailed image. Astro binoculars may be only water resistant which is enough of a feature to protect your binoculars before dew and moisture occurring at night. Waterproof and fog-proof features just add to the price. Astronomy binoculars may not be a replacement to a telescope, they are simply an addition.

Features of Astro binoculars

  • (+) bigger lens diameters
  • (+) wide field of view
  • (+) portable
  • (+) suitable for low light observations
  • (-) heavier in comparison to other binoculars

A few reasons why the astronomy binoculars are (sometimes) better than the telescope

Astronomy binoculars are suitable for anyone who does not want a large and clumsy telescope. For the telescope, you will spend a lot more time if you want to set it up for the observation. Astronomy binoculars are smaller and have smaller magnification, but for this reason, they are extremely compact and portable. They also have a much larger field of view than the telescope and because of the use of both eyes, observation is much more natural and comfortable. They capture a larger amount of light and, consequently, the image we see is much brighter. It is important that we choose a magnification below 12x if we want to hold the binoculars in our hands and observe; otherwise, they will need to be mounted on a tripod. With astronomy binoculars, you can see a larger number of stars and clearer planets, however, for the details and even more focused observation, choose a telescope.