Our Guide to the Best Binoculars for Long Distance Viewing

Have you ever seen a spectacular view at a long range and wished you could get a closer look? Or do you live on the side of a hill looking over a city or the ocean, or distant snow capped mountains and you're desperate to see it in more detail? Perhaps you enjoy tramping but would really like to see what’s over the next mountain range but it’s just too far away for viewing with your standard binoculars. It sounds like you would benefit from a pair of high magnification, long distance binoculars. But where do you start when it comes to choosing them and what features should you look out for when buying long range binoculars? Buying the best long distance binoculars for viewing can be a daunting task for those who are new to the binocular world. Let us hold your hand to get you started by suggesting our top 10 binoculars for long distances. We will suggest some good hand held binocular options, plus some larger options that are only going to be usable with a tripod. In addition, we have some image stabilised binocular options. We’ve also summarised the key features that make up the top long range binoculars so you know what to look out for. We’ll touch on the right magnification for long range binoculars, the importance of objective lens size and exit pupil, field of view and weight, along with other key factors.

Best 12 Long Range Binoculars in 2023

• Vortex Kaibab HD 18x56 Binoculars
• Canon 15x50 IS WP Image Stabilised Binoculars
• Vortex Diamondback HD 15x56 Binoculars
• Athlon Cronus 15X56 UHD Binoculars
• Nikon Aculon A211 16x50 Binoculars
• Vortex Razor UHD 18x56 Binoculars
• Canon 18x50 IS WP Image Stabilised Binoculars
• Konus Giant 20x80 Binoculars
• Bushnell Powerview 2 20x50 Binoculars
• Nikon Aculon A211 10-22x50 Binoculars

1. Vortex Kaibab HD 18x56 Binoculars 

These awesome high powered binoculars from Vortex offer 18x magnification and large 56mm objective lenses making them some of the best long range binoculars for bird watching, animal watching and viewing boats and more from afar. Their high definition lenses offer incredible brightness thanks to numerous multi-coatings. Best used with a tripod and the included tripod adapter. Not the cheapest binoculars on the market, but by far the best in their class for viewing from afar.

Key Features:

• 18x magnification power
• 56mm objective lenses
• Fully multi-coated lenses
• HD lenses
• APO lens system
• Dielectric multi-layer prism coatings
• ArmorTek ® scratch-resistant coating
• Waterproof
• Comes with tripod adapter
• Comes with special neck strap and body harness
• Non slip rubber armour
• 16.4mm eye relief
• 3.1mm exit pupil
• 59m field of view
• 1233g

Pros:

• Powerful 18x magnification gets you up close
• High definition lenses with XR Plus multi-coating deliver the highest level of light transmission Multi-layer dielectric prism coatings increase image brightness and clarity
• Incredible Vortex warranty

Cons:

• Not the cheapest binoculars
• On the heavier side so should be used with a tripod
• Due to the configuration of magnification and lens size, the exit pupil of these binoculars is quite small so they are best used in the day

2. Canon 15x50 IS WP Image Stabilised Binoculars

If you struggle with shaky hands then viewing though high magnification, long range binoculars can be virtually impossible as every little movement is magnified. One way to counter this is with a tripod, but another way is with awesome image stabilised binoculars like these ones from Canon.

Key Features:

• 15x magnification
• 50mm objective lenses
• Waterproof
• Image stabilisation technology
• Ultra low dispersion glass
• Can be used as conventional binoculars too
• 78m field of view
• 15mm eye relief
• 3.3mm exit pupil
• 1200g

Pros:

• Eliminates image shake that can really affect some peoples viewing
• Bright, clear images due to ultra low dispersion glass

Cons:

• Heavy compared to non stabilised binoculars
• Need to use batteries for stabilisation so they can run out
• Not the best eye relief
• Not cheap!

3. Vortex Diamondback HD 15x56 Binoculars

Part of American brand Vortex’s ever popular Diamondback range, these high powered binoculars are perfect for viewing animals and bird watching at long distances. Offering HD lenses that are best in class for their price range and an incredible Vortex warranty.

Key Features:

• 15x magnification power
• 56mm objective lenses
• Fully multi-coated lenses
• HD lenses
• Dielectric multi-layer prism coatings
• ArmorTek ® scratch-resistant coating
• Waterproof
• Tripod adaptable
• Comes with special neck strap and body harness
• Non slip rubber armour
• 15mm eye relief
• 3.7mm exit pupil
• 70m field of view
• 986g

Pros:

• Great quality optical coatings
• High definition glass
• Rugged and durable
• Just enough eye relief if you wear glasses
• Comes with a tripod adapter
• Comes with special binocular harness and carrying case
• Amazing Vortex warranty
• Weight isn’t too bad for their size

Cons:

• Glass isn’t as good quality as some of the higher end models but fantastic for the price

4. Athlon Cronus 15X56 UHD Binoculars

Built with Athlon’s extra low dispersion glass and their E2ES field flattening system, these epic full sized binoculars produce sharper, clearer images all the way from one lens edge to the other. Manufactured with all of the top quality lens coating you can think of, plus an ergonomic design, they’re sure to impress.

Key Features:

• 15x magnification
• 56mm objective lenses
• Field flattening system
• Extra low dispersion lenses
• ESP Dielectric Coating
• Waterproof
• 18mm eye relief
• 78m field of view
• 1281g

Pros:

• Incredibly high end glass and coatings
• Not too heavy for their size
• Long eye relief for eye glass wearers

Cons:

• Higher end of price range

5. Nikon Aculon A211 16x50 Binoculars

The Nikon Aculon 16x50 binoculars are a great long range, hand held binocular option. The carefully configured lens and magnification size means that you can view in high power without too much fatigue from their weight. Nikon are a well known and loved optical brand that offer great value for money.

Key Features:

• 16x magnification
• 50mm objective lenses
• Multicoated optics
• 73m field of view
• 12mm eye relief
• 3mm exit pupil
• 924g

Pros:

• Not too heavy
• Rubber armoured for protection
• Multicoated optics produce bright images

Cons:

• Not waterproof
• Eye relief could be better
• Mid quality glass compared to higher end models

6. Vortex Razor UHD 18x56 Binoculars

 

Quite possibly the most high end, long range binoculars on offer anywhere, these awesome ultra high definition binoculars from Vortex never fail to impress. Vortex really have thought of everything when it comes to the performance of these 56mm binoculars. The inclusion of larger than usual Abbe-Koenig prisms provides a longer optical path resulting in sharper image resolution. The UHD optical system offers unparalleled image resolution that cuts chromatic aberration and provides exceptional colour fidelity, edge-to-edge sharpness, and light transmission. In addition, the APO System corrects colour across the entire visual spectrum. Phase Correction Coating on roof prism models enhances resolution and contrast.

Key Features:

• 18x magnification
• 56mm objective lenses
• Abbe-Koenig prism
• UHD optical system
• APO colour correction system
• XR™ Fully multi-coated lenses
• Plasma Tech coating
• Phase correction coating
• ArmorTek ® Ultra-hard, scratch-resistant coating
• Waterproof
• Ergonomic design
• 3mm exit pupil
• 59m field of view
• 18mm eye relief
• 1179g

Pros:

• The very best quality optics on the market produce bright, clear images
• Not a bad weight for their size
• Great eye relief
• Come with ultra high quality harness and case
• Incredibly durable design
• Incredible Vortex warranty

Cons:

• Top end of price range

7. Canon 18x50 IS WP Image Stabilised Binoculars

Even more powerful than those listed above, these awesome image stabilised binoculars offer a whopping 18x magnification. Thanks to their image stabilisation technology you won’t have to worry about hand shake ruining the view.

Key Features:

• 18x magnification
• 50mm objective lenses
• Ultra low dispersion lenses
• Waterproof
• Image stabilisation technology
• 15mm eye relief
• 2.8mm exit pupil
• 65m field of view
• 1200g

Pros:

• Never worry about image shake again
• Bright clear images due to ultra low dispersion glass

Cons:

• Not cheap
• Pretty heavy
• Smaller exit pupil than the lower power model in the same range

8. Konus Giant 20x80 Binoculars

The largest binoculars on offer from ScopeUout, the Konus binoculars are very large and very powerful! These entry level binoculars are ideal for beginner observers looking for some giant binoculars to mount on a tripod for static observing of views, animals, boats and more. Larger than some standard spotting scopes, these binoculars mean business with their huge lenses.

Key Features:

• 20x magnification
• 80mm objective lenses
• 48m field of view
• 3.8mm exit pupil
• 16mm eye relief
• 2500g

Pros:

• Large lenses for bright images despite the lower glass quality
• Relatively good eye relief

Cons:

• Extremely large and must be used with a tripod
• Very heavy
• Entry level glass optics so won’t produce as good images as a higher quality binocular will

9. Bushnell Powerview 2 20x50 Binoculars

The most affordable binocular in our product round up for long distance binoculars, the Powerview binoculars from Bushnell offer a good entry level model that’s a great price. Unlike the higher end models, they’re optics are on the more basic end but they’re great for for those wanting to get started with a powerful binocular.

Key Features:

• 20x magnification
• 50mm objective lenses
• Tripod adaptable
• Multicoated optics
• 2.5mm exit pupil
• 50m field of view
• 10mm eye relief
• 805g

Pros:

• Great low price
• Powerful 20x magnification
• Adapt to tripod for stable viewing

Cons:

• As with any optic, you get what you pay for, so their optical quality mirrors that price. For their price bracket they perform well
• Small exit pupil so not great in low light
• Minimal eye relief so not great if you wear glasses
• Don’t have Bushnell rain guard on their lenses like their higher end optics

10. Nikon Aculon A211 10-22x50 Binoculars

These well priced zoom binoculars offer fantastic value for money. As their name suggests, the technology in these binoculars allows them to be used for standard viewing at normal distances thanks to their 10x magnification, then if you see something you’re interested in viewing a long distance away you can switch to the higher powered 22x zoom for a closer look. In practice, this allows you to be watching a whole flock of birds one minute, then change the magnification range and be watching one bird close up another. They’re super affordable and a great entry level binoculars for anyone with an interest in observing.

Key Features:

• 10x-22x zoom magnification
• 50mm objective lenses
• Multicoated optics
• Tripod mount included
• 8.6mm eye relief
• 66m field of view at 10x
• 5mm exit pupil diameter at 10x
• 2.3mm exit pupil diameter at 22x
• Rubber armour
• 961g

Pros:

• Can be used as a standard binocular or as a more powerful long distance binocular
• Easy to use centre focus wheel

Cons:

• On the heavier side
• Need to be used with a tripod at higher magnifications
• Minimal eye relief so not great for eye glass wearers
• Not the widest field of view
• Small exit pupil at high magnifications
• Not waterproof

Features You Should Consider When Buying Long Range Binoculars

Magnification

It’s important to remember that the most powerful binoculars are not always the best option and sometimes it is better to hold back a bit on magnification as there are many other important factors to consider when choosing the best long distance viewing binoculars for your specific needs. If you want to use the binoculars without a tripod then a 15x power will often allow for this without too much image shake, whilst still providing a highly magnified view. Whilst powerful binoculars give you more image detail, one down side to increasing the magnification is that it reduces the field of view. This means that the image you can see through the binoculars won’t be as wide as the one you’d see with a lesser magnification. As you go up in magnification, the width of the image that you can see gets narrower. This can make finding and following an object more difficult and is also not ideal if you want to scan over a wide area in search of something as at any point you are viewing a smaller area than you would if you had a wider field of view.

Durability

Accidentally dropping your binoculars can be catastrophic. In addition, exposing them to damp environments can render them unusable if they’re not waterproof. Wherever possible, opt for binoculars that are waterproof and have a durable and non slip rubber armour to reduce the chance of dropping them. 


Exit pupil

The term exit pupil refers to the amount of focused light; measured as a diameter in mm, that a binocular can deliver to your pupil. Exit pupil is effected by a combination of the magnification and objective lens of a binocular. The size of the exit pupil should be bigger than the diameter of your pupil so that more light from the image can hit your eyes and your view will be sharper and clearer. If a binocular has a small exit pupil and you don’t manage to line up your eyes exactly with this shaft of light, you get dark rings forming around the image and it generally makes viewing and thus using the binoculars more difficult. Where possible always opt for binoculars with as large exit pupil as you can find, especially if you want to use them in low light conditions.

Objective lens

Binoculars with larger lenses have the potential to capture and let in more light than those with smaller lenses and in turn deliver more light to your eyes. Unfortunately, as you increase the diameter of objective lenses, the larger and heavier the binoculars become. It’s important to consider when and where you’ll use the binoculars when deciding how big you want the objective lenses to be. If you plan on having to carry them far, or you don’t want to use a tripod then opting for lenses of around 50mm-56mm for long distance viewing will be best. If you want ultra powerful binoculars with large lenses then you should mount them onto a tripod to take the weight. This will also ensure image stability.

Field of view

As mentioned above the field of view of a binocular refers to the amount of the landscape you can see at one time when looking through them. Field of view is measured in meters at a certain distance and is effected by magnification, binocular design and lens size. If you think you’ll be panning the landscape for an illusive animal or scanning the skies for a flock of birds, then opting for binoculars with a wider field of view may be a key factor that you need to consider. 


Steadiness

The steadiness of the images you view through a binocular are mainly down to a combination of magnification power and hand shake. Everyones hands shake a little. Magnify this 10x or 20x and the image shake can be very noticeable and render the images useless. To combat this, opt for lesser magnification binoculars if you want to hold them with your hands or use a tripod for higher magnification options. You could also consider buying image stabilised binoculars which use special technology to counter the shake of your hands. 


Glass

Good glass costs money but is totally worth it. The glass used to build binoculars varies in quality, with BaK7 glass being the cheapest, and high definition or ultra low dispersion glass being the best. The better quality the glass, the more light the binoculars are able to direct to your eye, resulting in brighter, clearer images. Wherever possible go for the best glass you can afford. 


Coatings

Alongside the overall quality of glass having a significant effect on the images produced by binoculars, so do the coatings used on them. By adding special coatings to binocular lenses, manufacturers are able to further increase the amount of light that is directed to your eyes and reduce the amount of reflection. Always look for binoculars that are fully multicoated and also ones that are phase coated and have dielectric coatings if you can afford them. Some brands always use special scratch resistant coatings on the outside of the lenses to protect them.


Eye relief

If you wear glasses then eye relief is an important factor to consider. Measured in mm, eye relief refers to the distance that you can hold the binoculars away from your eyes and still see the full sight picture through the binoculars without seeing annoying black circles when you look through them. If you wear glasses then we’d suggest looking for binoculars with at least 16mm of eye relief.


Best Binoculars for Long Distance FAQs 


Which is better — 10x42 or 8x42?

If you’ve decided that you want to opt for a more standard, normal sized binocular rather than a long distance binocular then you may be wondering which specifications will suit you best. Well this all depends on the activity you plan on using them for. If you intend to do some bird watching at a relatively normal range, then you can’t really go wrong with an 8x magnification and standard sized 42mm lenses. These specifications provide the perfect balance of magnification, weight, and lens size to produce bright, clear images. If you’re planning on using the binoculars for hunting then this configuration is also a great option. If you think you may want to do some closer up observation of birds and animals then you may want to slightly more powerful binoculars such as those with a 10x magnification. Check out our articles to read more about choosing binoculars for hunting or birding. 

Are expensive binoculars worth the money?

When it comes to optics you get what you pay for. Good quality glass objective lenses and prisms that offer an enjoyable viewing situation cost money. But that doesn’t mean that you have to spend the earth. The main thing is to find binoculars within your price range that offer the best value for money in their optical class. We always say to spend as much as you can as you won’t regret it when you’re observing images with incredible brightness and colour rendition.

What are some common uses for long-range binoculars?

Long range binoculars can be used to view just about anything that is a long way from you. Common uses for long range binoculars are watching boats, animals and planes. In addition, they’re great for enjoying views and bird watching. Long range binoculars can also be used at the rifle range to check if you’re on target instead of a spotting scope.

What is the strongest pair of binoculars you can buy?

Binoculars come a whole range of models of different power. It’s important to remember that a binocular with a higher magnification power than another will not necessarily be better than a less powerful one. Indeed, lower powered models are often better than incredibly high powered ones as they have a higher exit pupil value and they’re not as effected by image shake. The highest magnification binoculars available from ScopeUout have a magnification power of 20x.

What is the best magnification for long-range binoculars?

When it comes to choosing long range binoculars one of the key considerations is how powerful they are. Higher powered binoculars aren’t always the right choice for your needs, so it’s important to consider when and where you plan on using your new binoculars. If you want to be able to use your binoculars without a tripod then we would suggest opting for ones with a power of around 15x. This is on the cusp of needing a tripod for use but you can often get away with using them without one which makes them more portable. If you plan on always using the binoculars on a tripod and don’t need them to be very portable then ones with a power of 20x will get you closer up on the action. It’s important to ensure that the configuration of magnification and lens size results in an exit pupil that will allow the binoculars to produce bright and clear images. If a binocular has a small exit pupil you’ll struggle to use them in low light.

What is a high power binocular?


We generally class a binocular that has powerful magnification of 15x or above as being high power. High power binoculars magnify your view more times than a lower powered binocular would which means that it brings you closer to what you’re trying to observe than a lower powered binocular would.

High Powered Long Range Binoculars From ScopeUout 


Now that we’ve taken a look at the most important key binocular features to look for when choosing the best binoculars for long distance viewing, along with considering the pros and cons of a range of high powered, long distance binoculars, it’s time to get yours. Opt for one of our top picks above, or check out our entire binocular range here. Buy with confidence from us here at ScopeUout, safe in the knowledge that all of our binoculars are sourced from the New Zealand authorised importer and have a full NZ warranty.