1302 W. Broadway (at Birch)
Vancouver, BC V6H 1H2
While it is possible to enjoy birds without any special equipment at all, there are two items which many bird lovers would consider indispensable: a field guide to identify birds and binoculars, without which many birds will remain vague, poorly seen, and as good as invisible to the inattentive.
A good pair of binoculars will allow you to identify and enjoy distant birds as easily as the birds on your backyard feeder—and will also render those “close” yard birds more striking, individually distinct, and beautiful.
Even if the only place you watch birds is in your yard, a pair of binoculars will add greatly to your enjoyment of the hobby as you learn to identify different species with ease, wonder at details you never noticed in the most common of birds, and above all develop an alert eye and the habit of visual curiosity—it is when you begin to constantly ask “what is that movement over there?” that you will see things you never realized existed.
If you have never used binoculars, or if you have only used low-quality models, you may be surprised at the bright, clear images and the ease of use offered by even moderately priced optics. $200 worth of bird seed might last for months and attract a dozen species of birds to your yard, but a $200 pair of binoculars will last for many, many years and will open your eyes to hundreds of species of birds with a level of detail and enjoyment that is otherwise impossible.
The best way to choose a pair of binoculars is to get your hands on them and try them out for yourself! We recommend paying us a vising in-store and testing out a few different models to see what feels right.
We'll guide you through how to hold, focus, and use the binoculars. Knowing your intended use is also key in finding your perfect optics match, as someone who plans to sit on their back porch and watch feeder birds will have vastly different needs than someone who plans to take their binoculars on deep-woods hikes!
Vortex provides world renowned optical instruments to birding and observation enthusiasts. A well-respected brand for many years, Vortex brings a wide range of reliable top-quality binoculars, monoculars, and scopes to bird and nature lovers of all skill and experience levels.
Whether you're looking for your first pair of binoculars or are upgrading to something more specialized, Vortex is the brand we reach for first when showcasing the diversity that's available in optics. There's a Vortex model and price point for everyone, and as an added bonus they come with one of the most comprehensive manufacturer warranties around!
Compact binoculars offer smaller size, lighter weight, and generally lower cost than full-size models. While these smaller models generally offer similar levels of magnification as full-size binoculars, they have smaller objective lenses, resulting in less light-gathering capacity and darker images, particularly under low-light conditions. They are also generally less easy to use than full size models.
Vanquish
Diamondback (compact sizes)
Bantam HD (youth binocular)
For more demanding users, optical quality continues to improve as binoculars increase in price. Mid-range models such as the Vortex Diamondback are well-known among birders for their excellent value.
This level of optics is fully satisfying for many users—these are certainly not “beginner only” models and will provide many years of enjoyment and excellent performance even under demanding use.
Diamondback
Crossfire
Viper HD
Razor HD
Fury HD
While binoculars for birding generally offer magnifications of 8x or 10x, spotting scopes magnify up to 60x. This additional magnification is essential for the viewing of distant birds, such as shorebirds or waterfowl, but can also greatly enhance your enjoyment of birds in your own yard.
A scope trained on your backyard feeders will offer the magical sensation of a being only a few feather-counting-close inches away from the birds!
Viper HD Spotting Scope
Razor HD Spotting Scope
You can always have a quality optic close at hand with a monocular. Compact and easy-to-carry, monoculars deliver quality viewing for many types of outdoor enthusiasts.
Great for backpackers, long walks, biking, carry-on only travel, or anyone who wants a quick and compact way to get a closer look at birds or nature.
Solo
Binoculars from ZEISS have a legendary reputation. A reputation founded over the years on exceptional optical performance, outstanding ergonomics, robust construction and a world of innovations that have constantly expanded the limits of the technically possible.
Generations of nature lovers swear by their ZEISS binoculars. Many of them are still in constant use today. Nevertheless, time never stands still. Today, ZEISS offers highest-quality equipment for a wide range of different needs – from special binoculars for observation in the twilight hours and at night to compact binoculars for everyday use.
Zeiss Victory
Conquest HD
DF Terra ED