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Magazine > Information > Binocular information > Understanding binoculars
Information

Understanding binoculars

There are 6 features common to all good binoculars. Knowledge of these will allow you to quickly find the right ones for you.

Fernglas Schwarz Alt Russisch Dunkel

It may look complicated at first, but it isn’t: we'll help you to understand the mysterious numbers used to describe binoculars. Whether it relates to aperture, magnification, exit pupil or twilight factor - all these values are ultimately only there to help you find the right binoculars for your observation purposes.

Magnification x aperture
Magnification x aperture

How do I identify the aperture and magnification of a pair of binoculars? And what are these numbers actually telling me?
Field of view
Field of view

The difference between a large and small field of view, and how you can quite easily calculate it.
Resolving power
Resolving power

Comparing binoculars’ resolution: this formula makes it really easy.
Exit pupil
Exit pupil

Light from the eyepieces enters our eyes. Learn what effect the exit pupil has on your observation.
Aberration
Aberration

They affect the appearance of what you see and cause poor images. It’s good to know what to look out for...
Twilight factor
Twilight factor

A short tour of the twilight performance of binoculars. This article shows you how to determine it.