5 Most Common Myths About Binoculars & Monoculars – Know The Truth!

Different optical devices have been developed to ease our distant object vision. Some of the important devices are monoculars, binoculars, spotting scopes, rangefinders, etc. But many people don’t have a clear idea of these optics. Sometimes people with small knowledge might have misconceptions about these devices.

Today we’ll discuss several of the common myths about binoculars and monoculars. As an optics lover, you should know these commonly held misunderstandings. Let’s read on to clarify these delusions about optics.

Debunking Binoculars & Monoculars Myths

Myth 1: Higher Power Optics Allow Seeing More!

What is the truth?

Common myths about binoculars

This is not exactly like that in all cases. Using higher magnification (power) optics, you will be confined to see less. The larger the power is, the heavier the weight of the optics will be. Thus, it will be difficult to hold the large optics steadily for an extended period.

So, the device will wobble inevitably and this increases with weight. This is why birdwatchers or stargazers use a tripod to make their high-power monoculars and binoculars stable.

Myth 2: A Larger Objective Lens Gives A Wider Field Of View!

What is the truth?

Another most prominent misconception about monoculars and binoculars is “larger objective lens gives a wider field of view.” But it is not always true. Sometimes smaller objective lens optics might give more field of view than the larger ones.

Basically, the field of view (FOV) of optics is measured by magnification and eyepiece design. The higher magnification optics provides a narrower FOV usually. Several manufacturers add extra glass in the eyepiece to extend eye relief and field of view.

Read: Compact binoculars review

Myth 3: Larger Binoculars Are Brighter!

What is the truth?

In the daytime, a 32 mm scope produces bright images like the 42 mm or 50 mm optics. The bigger night use binoculars and monoculars are advantageous in the darkness when your pupils are fully dilated.

If you need bright images, consider some other factors such as lens coating, resolution, sensor and display quality, and so on. For example, a fully multi-coated (FMC) lens gives brighter images.

Myth 4: Monoculars & Binoculars Are Made For Day Use Only!

What is the truth?

You may think, optical devices allow using them for daytime only. It’s totally wrong, specially designed night vision devices make it possible to use these devices for the night. But traditional devices don’t allow use in dark times.

Newly developed thermal and digital scopes work simultaneously day and night. They will not obscure even in fog, smoke, dust, or rain. So, whenever you need day and night viewing, the last two optics will help you greatly.

Myth 5: Rubber Armor Makes Optics Waterproof!

What is the truth?

We’re getting very close to the truth, still, there is some room for confusion. Rubber armor prevents moisture to get into the optical device, but this doesn’t make optics waterproof fully. Sometimes water seeps into the device from the lens placing spot.

Moreover, the ocular lens is located outside of the device, so you can’t waterproof the device in that way. So, O-ring seals are used to make the optics waterproof.

Many optical devices are focused by rotating the objective lens, so O-rings are important here as well. Most waterproof optics are filled with inert or nitrogen gas so there is no latent water vapor or moisture inside the optical device.

Conclusion

Hopefully, after reading this article your misconceptions about monoculars and binoculars have gone away. Now it’s your duty to clarify others’ delusions about optical devices. And you can start with your friends and family simply sharing this article.

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