Swarovski binoculars lightweight enough to take anywhere.

Vision for your outdoor adventures

Binoculars are as essential for outdoor adventure as good boots or a waterproof coat, but which pair will best suit your needs depends entirely on what they will be used for. Magnification, angle of view, brightness index, weight, focusing distance – all of these features should be carefully considered when choosing a pair of binoculars. Here are some guidelines that will help you find the right pair.

Magnification

Magnification refers to the power of your binoculars to increase the size of the scene you are viewing. For example, assume you're considering purchasing 10 x 25 binoculars. The first number, 10, means that the image will appear ten times closer than it would to the naked eye. The second number, 25, is the measure in millimeters of the front lens. In general, a large lens enables you to see better in dim conditions: the larger the lens, the brighter the image. The lens also compensates for the light lost by magnification. Powerful magnification can dissipate the natural brightness of your environment.

Angle of View

Angle of view refers to the field of vision you have when looking through your binoculars. The angle is measured in degrees, and the larger the angle of view, the easier it will be to spot a subject. A wide-angle binocular has an Apparent Angle of View of 65 degrees or greater.

Brightness Index

Those who plan on using their binoculars at a range of times during the day and in a variety of light conditions should be aware of the brightness index. The exit-pupil diameter is used as a way to measure the brightness of an image; this number is reached by dividing the objective lens diameter by the magnification power. Binoculars that are 10 x 42 binoculars have an exit pupil diameter of 4.2mm (42 divided by 10). If you plan on using your glasses in the daytime exclusively, an exit pupil diameter of 2-3 should suffice. Those who want the view wildlife at dawn or dusk will need to purchase a pair of binoculars with an exit pupil diameter of at least 5-7mm.

Consider the Conditions of Use

The weight, shape, and weatherproof capacities of a pair of binoculars is a matter of personal preference. That said, binoculars for a rainforest trip or boating use should always be water-resistant to avoid disappointment.

The endless quest for higher precision

“Our company’s true core product is providing customers with the enjoyment that comes from a precise, close-up view of remote natural wonders."

Swarovski Optik ATS/STS-80 (HD) Spotting Scope
Carina Schiestl-Swarovski
Chairwoman of the Executive Board
Strategy, Branding, Finance & Administration
Swarovski Optik

Swarovski. It is a name that is synonymous with exceptional glass crystal, precision abrasives, and inspired innovation. Since 1949, Swarovski Optik has developed superior-quality optical instruments that, quite simply, you need to see to believe.

Headquartered in Absam, in the Austrian state of Tyrol, The Swarovski Group was originally established in 1859, following Daniel Swarovski’s invention of the world’s first electric grinding machine for jewelry.

The origins of Swarovski Optik

In 1935, Daniel’s 17-year-old son, Wilhelm, an avid hobby astronomer who yearned to be “closer to the stars”—and with access to the precision lens grinding technology available in his father‘s factory—developed a unique prism fabrication and grinding process that he incorporated into his first 6x30 binocular. Thirteen years later, he founded Swarovski Optik. Wilhelm Swarovski’s first mass-produced binocular, the Habicht 7x42 is still in production today and is considered an industry standard in the field of hunting optics.

The relatively understated exteriors of Swarovski Optik instruments belie the intricate technology that resides inside them. In hermetically sealed clean rooms protected by airlocks, master technicians combine over 70 different types of glass by hand, all the while working to overcome the undesirable effects of dispersion, refraction, reflection, deflection, and edge distortion.

A world-wide reputation for optics excellence

The results of these labors may be initially hidden when looking at the finished product, but one look through the viewfinder of any Swarovski instrument, and you’ll immediately see why professionals from Canadian fire lookouts, Antarctic researchers, and air-traffic controllers, to recreational anglers, hunters, and nature watchers around the world have come to rely upon the flawless quality and exceptional performance of Swarovski Optik.

Orvis and Swarovski: A shared commitment to environmental causes

Swarovski‘s commitment to excellence in its products goes hand-in-hand with their commitment to environmental causes. Swarovski, much like The Orvis Company, actively initiates and supports numerous bio-diversity and nature protection projects.

The Swarovski Optik line at Orvis

Orvis offers a wide range of Swarovski Optik binoculars and scopes in various sizes, focal lengths, and weights designed to not only meet, but also exceed all your sporting needs.