For the latest Audubon Guide to Binoculars, we divided the bins into six categories, based on price. We took the following steps to try to obscure the make/model of binoculars: Each price group was color-coded and each pair of binoculars within the group was given a different letter by which it was identified (e.g., ‘Red A’ or ‘Blue D’), and we covered identifying marks on the bins with masking tape. As our goal was to assess binoculars within price groups, we asked reviewers to select at least one color group and to test all of the binoculars within it—rather than randomly selecting binoculars from multiple groups.
We asked reviewers to rate binoculars on a scale of 1 to 10 for each of nine categories, with 10 being the highest score. Below are the categories, along with the weight we assigned to each when analyzing the results in parentheses. We calculated a weighted average score because we consider some factors, such as clarity and brightness, to be more important considerations than others, such as close-focus capacity and eyecup quality.
Image Quality
Clarity (1)
Brightness (1)
Edge-to-edge focus (.7)
Color rendition (.8)
Close-focus capacity (.5)
Overall Feel
Ease of focus (1)
Balance (.9)
Comfort in hands (.5)
Eye Comfort
Eye relief (1)