Finally, the compact build design feels great to hold. The size of the binoculars makes them extremely portable which is perfect for long days out. The additional accessories that arrive with the binoculars only add to this further. Despite the compact size, the Viking Badger binoculars are incredibly durable and this holds up throughout testing. The rubber-armour finish protects these binoculars from any potential damage and ensures that they are waterproof. The Viking Badger binoculars perform exceptional in every aspect. Considering the price that these binoculars are available for, you will certainly find excellent value here. These are a suitable option for both beginners and intermediate users thanks to how accessible these binoculars feel. They are able to achieve this without compromising on any of the quality. Verdict Increasing the magnification also magnifies any movement or shaking, which can lead to it being quite difficult to keep the image still. Even tiny movements in the view can make it quite hard to then observe fine details, especially over long distances, which negates the advantage of a bigger magnification. The Viking Badger Binoculars have become one of most popular lines within the Viking Optical range and after getting our hands on a pair to try out it's easy to see why. These binoculars offer a cost-effective approach to achieving fantastic visual quality and perfectly suitable for beginners and more serious hobbyist birders alike. The Twilight factor is not a measure of brightness, but a rough guide to the amount of detail that can be resolved in low light. A larger twilight factor indicates that you may be able to see more detail in low light, or to put it another way, a larger twilight factor indicates a better resolution when viewing in the twilight or dim light.

Like all Viking binoculars, the Viking Badger 10x42 have high-clarity lenses that have been engineered to the highest standard. Featuring BAK 4 Prisms and multi-coated lenses that provide clear, sharp images. The lenses are nitrogen filled to ensure extra protection against moisture and prevent fogging – making them ideal for all types of weather. If however most of your birding is done during the day in reasonable light, a 10x42 may seem just as bright as an 8x42. Twilight FactorThe main reason that most people suggest using a lower magnification for birding over something like a 10x binocular is that in general 7x and 8x binoculars will have wider fields of view (FOV). Cons: Size. They are big. They are not lightweight by any means and while I don’t mind hiking with them, I could see how others might not like having a large set like these. When hiking I carry my Cannon with a 55-250 lens and these so it can get a tad cumbersome on longer hikes.

As I have already written an in-depth, but somewhat generalist article (with an included video) on the main advantages the 8x42 vs 10x42 configurations have over each other (see link above), I won’t go over it all again here, rather I will focus on my attention on how they compare against each specifically where bird watching is concerned. What is also important to note that some 10x binoculars with really wide FOV’s may actually have a view that is wider than an average 8x binocular. Whilst working as a safari guide in South Africa, I used my 10x42 binoculars more than any other, and whilst it is true that I was mostly looking at (and for) much larger and sometimes much scarier animals than birds, I found that in my particular circumstances they also made excellent birding binoculars. So much so, that even if I went out specifically for birding, I would still very often take them with me. The Viking Badger 10x42 binoculars feature a rubber armoured coating, allowing for a firmer grip in harsher conditions – even when wearing gloves. As well as being waterproof for up to 1m/3min, so the binoculars are prepared for spotting in different environments and the unpredictability of the British climate. Weighing only 590g, these Viking Badger binoculars are lightweight and easily portable. The Viking Badger 10×42 Binoculars are modestly priced binoculars offering excellent optical clarity and value for money. They are ideal for beginners or younger nature-watchers as they are rubber-armoured and fully waterproof to protect against the elements. As well as this they are easy to use and have twist-down eyecups for comfort and to help with spectacle wearers.For those that don’t know, the exit pupil is the diameter of the column of light coming out of the eyepieces, a wider column means more light gets to your eyes and therefore in theory and in certain conditions (see below) may seem to generate a brighter image. To explain why, in this article, I will take a close look at the main characteristics of 10x42 binoculars (10x magnification and 42mm objective lenses), which will demonstrate why in certain circumstances and some users they may actually be a better choice for bird watching. A wide FOV is also less important when you are observing larger, slower, or predictable moving birds – many water birds and raptors falling into this category.

Finally, the last point worth mentioning is how efficient the twist-down eyecups are. As previously mentioned, adjusting these eyecups provides more comfort during long-term use. They also allow for those that wear glasses to take the full view of the binoculars in. The level of eye-relief that each model offers is the important value here. The Viking Badger 8x42 binoculars offer the most eye-relief to the user at 18.2mm. This provides fantastic comfort to the user when using these binoculars.This helps make the binoculars the perfect choice for all outdoor activities. The eye-cups are easy to use and the overall operation is smooth. Performance The 10x magnification gets you just that bit closer to the action, meaning that you can see birds with just that little bit more detail. The more powerful magnification is obviously especially important over longer distances, so if you are bird watching from a hide or observing birds that just won’t let you get very close like many birds of prey. Conclusions Below you will see just why 8x42 is the most popular choice for general bird watching binoculars, but then we will also discover that in some situations and for some people these advantages may not be as important as the particular strengths that a 10x42 instrument has. Field of View In addition to this, the Viking Badger contains nitrogen in the lenses. The nitrogen helps to reduce any potential fogging. This ensures that you are able to achieve the highest possible results regardless of the weather. The nitrogen also helps to eliminate any dust or dirt from building up within the lenses. This helps to maintain the overall condition of the lenses.

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Viking Optical have been manufacturing premium optics for over 30 years and are the brand who make RSPB Binoculars. We are huge fans of Viking at liGo with two of their models taking the top spot on our list of Best Buy Binoculars: