Binoculars for Concerts: An In-Depth Guide to Enjoying Live Performances

If you’re trying to find a comprehensive list of the best binoculars for concerts and music festivals in New Zealand then you’re in the right place.

If you’ve bought tickets to attend a concert this autumn, or you’re eagerly awaiting the winter team sport season and want to get a front row seat to view it all, even from far away, then a good set of binoculars will help you achieve this. Indeed, binoculars are always good to have on-hand at concerts, gigs and more, as they allow you to instantly immerse yourself in all of the action that you may not have otherwise seen from upper seats or way back in the crowd.

When it comes to choosing binoculars for a specific activity, it’s important to find something that precisely matches your intentions. Our handy guide to choosing live performance and concert binoculars will highlight all of the key features to look for in concert binoculars including magnification, objective lens size, the quality of the optics, whether or not they’re waterproof and how compact and lightweight they should be. All of the binocular models we suggest will be good for going to concerts at night time when light is at a minimum.

We’ve got a wide range of binoculars that concert goers will get huge enjoyment from using. Let’s take a look at our top options for compact binoculars and mid sized binoculars.

Our Top 12 Picks for Concert Binoculars

Top Compact Binocular Models

When you’re busy dancing in the crowd at a concert to your favourite band, carrying some bulky binoculars with you to get the odd close up view of the lead singer probably isn’t favourable. For these situations we’d advise opting for compact roof prism binoculars.

• Zeiss Victory Pocket 10x25 Binoculars
• Vortex Diamondback HD 8x28 Binoculars
• Vixen Apex 10x28 DCF Binoculars
• Kowa SV-25 10x25 Binoculars
• Vanguard Vesta 10x25 Binoculars
• Bushnell H2O 2 10x25 Roof Binoculars
• Olympus 8x21 RC II WP Binoculars
• Simmons Venture 8x21 Binoculars

Top Mid Sized Binocular Models

If you’re going to be seated for the majority of the time at the performance you’re going to, and the light levels are going to be particularly low, then you may want to consider opting for some mid sized binoculars that have slightly larger lenses and in turn have better light gathering ability. These models don’t have quite as small size as compact binoculars, so we’d only advise opting for them if you’ll have the opportunity to put them away for a bit if they become too heavy.

Nikon Monarch M7 ED 10x30 Binoculars

Vanguard Endeavor ED II 8x32 Binoculars

Zeiss Conquest HD 10x32 Binoculars

Bushnell Prime 8x32 Binoculars

Compact Concert Binoculars

Zeiss Victory Pocket 10x25 Binoculars

These compact binoculars from Zeiss definitely aren’t at the budget end of the price range, but if you want exceptional quality and you have the funds available, then they’re totally worth the price.

Built with quality, fluoride glass optics, these awesome compact pocket binoculars offer fantastic light transmission. They’re pretty lightweight for a model with 25mm lenses and they have an asymmetrical design which makes them easy to fold up into your pocket.

Features:

• 10x magnification
• 25mm objective lenses
• SCHOTT fluoride glass produces 91% light transmission
• ZEISS T* multilayer lens coating
• Asymmetrical bridge for compact design
• Waterproof
• Roof prism design
• 105m field of view
• 16.5mm eye relief
• 2.5mm exit pupil
• 1.9m close focus
• 290g

Pros:

• Great quality glass makes for bright and clear images
• Extra compact design
• Decent eye relief for a compact model so good for eye glass wearers

Cons:

• Not the cheapest compact binoculars around
• Could be a little lighter

Vortex Diamondback HD 8x28 Binoculars

The Vortex 8x28’s from the Diamondback range have objective lenses that are on the slightly larger end for compact binoculars. This, along with HD, fully multicoated lenses means that these awesome optics have a large exit pupil and can produce pretty bright and clear images, even in lower light conditions than models with smaller objective lenses. This does make this model slightly heavier than other compact models.

Features:

• 10x magnification
• 28mm objective lenses
• HD optical system
• Roof prism design
• Fully multi-coated lenses
• Dielectric multi-layer prism coatings
• ArmorTek ® scratch-resistant coating
• Waterproof
• Adjustable eye cups
• Centre focus wheel
• Diopter adjustments
• 101m field of view
• 18mm eye relief
• 3.5mm exit pupil
• 2.4m close focus
• 396g

Pros:

• 28mm lenses are slightly larger than other compact models so brighter images
• High definition glass and fully coated lenses for clear and crisp images
• Very good eye relief for compact binoculars
• Exceptional Vortex warranty

Cons:

• Not as lightweight as other compact models

Vixen Apex 10x28 DCF Binoculars

These compact Vixen binoculars are designed and made in Japan, the world leader for optics. Despite this, they come in at a great price point that’s attainable for even beginners. Their objective lenses are slightly larger than other compact models but despite this they still have a great, lightweight design. Where they lack in field of view and eye relief, they make up for in quality optics that produce bright, clear images.

Features:

• 10x magnification
• 28mm objective lenses
• Waterproof
• Roof prism design
• Central focus wheel
• Fully multicoated
• Adjustable eyecups
• Robust, rubber armour
• 87m field of view
• 12mm eye relief
• 3.5mm exit pupil
• 4m close focus
• 245g

Pros:

• Lightweight for the size of the lens
• Very good quality and made in Japan
• Good price point

Cons:

• Won’t be great for eye glass wearers as they have a short eye relief
• Field of view could be better

Kowa SV-25 10x25 Binoculars

The Kowa SV compact binoculars are a great all rounder in terms of performance. Quality optics and coatings mean that they produce bright, clear images, they offer a wide, 114m field of view and a good close focus of 1.5m. This will be great if you’re quite close to the action at the concert and would like to see even more details of your favourite singer.

Features:

• 10x magnification
• 25mm objective lenses
• Lightweight but strong polycarbonate construction
• Waterproof
• Twist-up eye cups
• Roof prism design
• Phase coating reduce chromatic aberration and ensuring colour fidelity
• Fully multicoated optics
• 114m field of view
• 12mm eye relief
• 2.5mm exit pupil
• 1.5m close focus
• 260g

Pros:

• Quite a wide field of view

Cons:

• Eye relief could be better

Vanguard Vesta 10x25 Binoculars

Relatively new to the Vanguard line, the Vesta compact binoculars were introduced as a great, low cost binocular model that offers all of the key features you need in a well performing binocular, without the big price tag. Compact, waterproof and pretty lightweight, they have fully multicoated optics and are great to throw in your bag for your next concert.

Features:

• 10x magnification
• 25mm objective lens
• Durable housing with a non-slip rubber armouring
• BAK4 roof prisms
• Fully multi-coated lenses
• Large centre focus knob
• Roof prism design
• Twist out and lockable rubber eyecups
• 110m field of view
• 10mm eye relief
• 2.5mm exit pupil
• 2.5m close focus
• 236g

Pros:

• Good price
• Good field of view

Cons:

• Not a good option for eye glass wearers

Bushnell H2O 2 10x25 Roof Binoculars

The Bushnell H2O binoculars do what they say on the tin; they’re waterproof, compact and also come in at a great, affordable price. Great for concerts in the rain, or indoor events where it’s hot and humid, they’ll perform regardless of the conditions and offer a comfortable viewing experience.

Features:

• 10x magnification
• 25mm objective lens
• Multi-coating lenses
• Dual-hinge bridge allows barrels to fold under for smaller footprint
• Twist-up eyecups
• Roof prism design
• Waterproof
• Slip-resistant textured rubber armouring
• Lightweight, durable, aluminium body
• 107m field of view
• 10mm eye relief
• 2.5mm exit pupil
• 5.1m close focus
• 303g

Pros:

• Good price
• Waterproof
• Nice and compact, foldable design

Cons:

• Short eye relief so eye glass wearers would be better with another option

Olympus 8x21 RC II WP Binoculars

The Olympus 8x21’s are popular with adults and kids alike thanks to their durability and compact and lightweight design. Multicoated lenses make for bright, clear images and they have a wide field of view.

Features:

• 10x magnification
• 21mm objective lenses
• Foldable and ultra-compact
• Rubber coated for convenient grip
• Multi-coated lenses for maximum brightness and contrast
• Convenient centre-focus knob for easy focusing
• Built-in dioptric correction adjusts to individual eyesight
• Waterproof
• Roof prism design
• 110m field of view
• 2.6mm exit pupil
• 11mm eye relief
• 3m close focus
• 215g

Pros:

• Extra lightweight
• Waterproof
• Good field of view

Cons:

• Smaller lenses mean that the images they produce won’t be as bright as larger, equal quality models
• Eye relief is very short

Simmons Venture 8x21 Binoculars

These bargain binoculars from Simmons aren’t anyone’s idea of high end optics. However, what they lack in high-end features, they make up for in their low price. An ideal option if you don’t think you’ll use them often but would like a closer view at an upcoming concert or event.

Features:

• 8x magnification
• 21mm objective lenses
• Fully-multi coated lenses
• Rubber armour
• Roof prism design
• Weather resistant but not waterproof
• Folding roof design
• 10mm eye relief
• 116m field of view
• 2.6mm exit pupil
• 9m close focus
• 164g

Pros:

• Very low price
• Very lightweight
• Good field of view

Cons:

• Not waterproof
• Not the highest quality optics
• Mid Sized Concert Binoculars

Nikon Monarch M7 ED 10x30 Binoculars

The Nikon Monarch M7 ED 10x30 Binoculars take optical excellence to a whole new level, pushing resolution, brightness and field of view even further than before. If you’re looking for high quality, mid sized binoculars that will be great for concerts and other observing of birds, animals and more, then they’re a great option.

Features:

• 10x magnification
• 30mm objective lenses
• ED glass
• Phase coated
• Roof prism design
• Rubber armour
• Waterproof
• Turn and slide eyecups
• 106m field of view
• 15.8mm eye relief
• 3mm exit pupil
• 2m close focus
• 470g

Pros:

• Fantastic quality glass
• Decent eye relief
• Overall quality construction
• Great size for a range of activities

Cons:

• On the heavier side

Vanguard Endeavor ED II 8x32 Binoculars

The Endeavor ED binoculars from Vanguard have bright, clear optics, a fantastic field of view and great eye relief. They’re comfortable to use and produce exceptional images. Great for a range of activities, not just concerts.

Features:

• 8x magnification
• 32mm objective lenses
• Extra-low dispersion (ED) glass
• Phase-corrected
• Roof prism design
• Fully multicoated optics
• Ergonomic open-bridge
• Durable magnesium-alloy housing
• Textured centre focus wheel
• Waterproof
• Twist-up eyecups
• Rubberised armour
• Right-eye locking diopter adjustment
• 126m field of view
• 17mm eye relief
• 4mm exit pupil
• 1.8m close focus
• 540g

Pros:

• Slightly larger lenses produce brighter images
• ED glass for crisp images
• Ergonomic design for comfortable use
• Wide field of view

Cons:

• The larger lens makes them slightly heavier than other models

Zeiss Conquest HD 10x32 Binoculars

Up there with the very best mid sized binoculars on the market, the Zeiss Conquest binoculars are made in Germany and feature exceptional high definition optics.

Features:

• 10x magnification
• 32mm objective lenses
• German made
• Roof prism design
• Ergonomic design
• Rubber armour
• Waterproof
• HD glass
• LotuTec® lens coating
• T* multi-layer coating
• 107m field of view
• 4mm exit pupil
• 16mm eye relief
• 1.4m close focus
• 623g

Pros:

• Exceptional German HD glass
• Ergonomic design
• Good eye relief

Cons:

• Higher end of the price range
• Could be a bit lighter

Bushnell Prime 8x32 Binoculars

These mid sized Bushnell Prime binoculars are the most affordable mid sized model in our binocular round up for concert going. They have a great price tag and come with all of the basic features you need for enjoyable concert viewing. They’re waterproof, not too heavy, had a decent eye relief and a wide field of view. Excellent value for money.

Features:

• 8x magnification
• 32mm objective lenses
• Waterproof
• Full multicoated optics
• Roof prism design
• BaK 4 glass
• 130m field of view
• 4mm exit pupil
• 18mm eye relief
• 2.7m close focus
• 479g

Pros:

• Lightweight for mid sized binoculars
• Long eye relief
• Wide field of view
• Bargain price and excellent value for money

Cons:

• The glass is entry level to mid level in quality so won’t be as good as more expensive models

Key Features to Look For When Buying Binoculars for Concerts

When you’re at a concert, festival, gig or other performance and want to get a closer look at all the on-stage action, binoculars are a great piece of equipment to have on hand. As a binocular user, you want to get the best view possible, at the best price and without having to carry around bulky equipment. That’s why all of the binoculars in our round up have a few key features in common; they’re compact to mid sized, they have a wide field of view and as good quality optics as possible for their price bracket. Let’s take a look at the key features to look for when buying optics for enjoying music events.

Magnification

If you’re at a concert in a big indoor or outdoor stadium, it’s likely you’re pretty far away from the action. Wouldn’t it be great to see your favourite singer in more detail? Well that’s why all of the binoculars in our selection have either an 8x or 10x magnification, allowing you to see things of interest in either 8x or 10x more detail than your naked eye can. 


Objective lens diameter

When it comes to choosing the best objective lens diameter size for enjoying concerts, it’s a real balancing act between finding a lightweight and compact binocular, but also one that will work well in low light situations. The front; objective lenses of binoculars come in a range of different sizes and in general, the larger the front lens, the brighter and clearer the images will be as they’ll be able to let more light in. Unfortunately, with lens size comes bulkiness and weight, so a balance between the two needs to be struck depending on the activity you plan to use them for. Most concerts are at nighttime in low light conditions so a larger lens would be favourable to produce the brightest images, however the last thing you need at a busy concert is a huge set of binoculars hanging round your neck when you’re trying to dance! With this in mind, we’d suggest opting for compact or mid sized binoculars with lenses between 21mm and 32mm and trying to buy the very best quality model that you can afford to ensure that despite a smaller lens size, the better quality glass will perform better in the lower light conditions.

Low light performance

Alongside objective lens size having an affect on a binoculars performance in low light situations, so does the overall quality of glass used in their construction, and also the quality and quantity of lens coatings used to finish their lenses. We’d always suggest opting for binoculars with fully multicoated lenses and, where possible, other coatings such as dielectric lens coatings as these increase the reflectivity of light and help to enhance brightness, colour resolution and contrast. This is really important when watching concerts as most of them are in the evening when light is at a premium.

Field of view

The field of view of a binocular is measured in meters and refers to the amount of the landscape in front of you that you can see at one time. Field of view isn’t hugely important when spectating at a concert with only one small stage and one performer on it, however it becomes more important if you’re at a big performance where you may want to see the whole band at once, or be able to see all of the backing dancers perform a spectacular show. With this in mind, we’d suggest considering field of view when purchasing concert binoculars, and if you have a choice of two very similar looking binoculars, choosing the one with the larger field of view. 


Size and weight

If you’re in a crowd of people, dancing and standing up for long periods of time at a concert then you’ll want any optical equipment you have with you to be as lightweight as possible. With this in mind, compact binoculars make for good concert optics. If you’ll be seated and can have a bag with you, then opting for slightly larger, mid sized binoculars may be beneficial, as despite the added weight, they’ll likely perform better in low light conditions. It’s important to note than even though two binoculars may have the same specifications (for example 10x25), one may weigh significantly more than another due to its quality and construction. With this in mind we’d always suggest carefully comparing binocular specifications when making your choice.

Eye relief

If you wear glasses, then choosing binoculars with long eye relief is vital for any activity.

Fogproof and waterproof

We’d always recommend choosing binoculars that are waterproof and fogproof, regardless if you plan to drop them in a stream or use them in the rain. Damp, sweaty, humid environments can make non-waterproof binoculars fog up internally, rendering them unusable, so opting for binoculars with a full strength waterproof finish is always a good idea.

Durability

Even the most careful users can accidentally drop their binoculars, especially if you’re in a dark, crowded and busy concert environment. Where possible choose the most robust binoculars you can, with rubber armouring to make for a sure grip.

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Now that you’ve had time to consider all of the important key features to look for in concert binoculars and to compare the different compact and mid sized concert binoculars in our product round up, it’s time to make your decision. We understand that we’ve provided a whole heap of different options to consider and choosing can be tricky, so there are a couple of recommendations we can make that will help to simplify your decision. If you want the very best product you can get your hands on then choose the Zeiss Victory Pocket 10x25 Binoculars. Looking for a mid priced option? The Vanguard Endeavor ED II 8x32 Binoculars make the perfect mid sized companion. Don’t have much to spend but want to opt for a waterproof model? The Olympus 8x21 RC II WP Binoculars will be a great option.

If you want to do some more reading before making your decision then we’ve got a wide range of buying guides to sink your teeth in to. You can also check out all of our binoculars here and filter them through a range of options including magnification, lens size, weight, eye relief, waterproofing and more. Our entire range is sourced from the authorised importer for NZ and comes with a full warranty. If you need any help at all in making your decision then our helpful family team would love to hear from you - contact Jodi today.