Leupold Binoculars for Birding, Butterfly Watching, Big Game and Sports Activites

This is part 2 of a 2 part article on choosing the proper binocular for a specific need. As we previously mentioned with Leupold Binoculars you'll like what you see. Unlike more expensive binoculars, Leupold binoculars feature precision optics for significantly better imange clarity, brightness and color transmission. All Leupold binoculars and spotting scopes are waterproof.

Now for a closer look at specific features and styles that will be important for you to know in choosing the right binocular for your needs.

Recommended models for birding: Birders are the most technically demanding of all binocular users due to the need for close focus and the need for sharp resolution as well as demanding field of view. Generally 8x is considered best but there are some exceptions for the tropical birdwatchers.

General field birding:

Golden Ring 8x42mm

Golden Ring 8x32mm

Pinnacles 8x42mm

Olympic 8x42mm

Katmai 8x32mm

Cascades 8x42mm

Yosemite 6x30mm

Coastal birding:

Golden Ring 10x42mm

Golden Ring 10x32mm

Pinnacles 10x42mm

Olympic 10x50mm

Olympic 12x50mm

Cascades 10x42mm

Cascades 10x42mm Internal Focus Porro

Mesa 10x50mm

Tropical birding:

Katmai 6x32mm

Yosemite 6x30mm

Recommended models for hunting. Resolution must be sharp and the binoclular must have the ability to perceive small details in poor light. Color is not as important to hunters.

General North American big game:

Golden Ring 10x42mm

Golden Ring 10x32mm

Pinnacles 10x42mm

Olympic 10x50mm

Olympic 12x50mm

Cascades 10x42mm

Cascades 10x42mm Internal Focus Porro

Mesa 10x50mm .

Consider these models if the terrain is heavily timbered and there is dense vegetation.

Golden Ring 8x42mm

Golden Ring 8x32mm

Pinnacles 8x42mm

Olympic 8x42mm

Katmai 8x32mm

Cascades 8x42mm

Cascades 8x42mm Internal Focus Porro

Archers and those hunting in forests would do well to consider an even lower magnification model:

Katmai 6x32mm

Yosemite 6x30mm

Recommended models for Turkey hunting. Turkey hunters wo need to see the birds against foliage covered terrain, must have exact color resolution which is necessary to view the head color as well as the beard.

Golden Ring 8x32mm

Cascades 8x42mm Camouflage

Mesa 8x42mm Camouflage

Mesa 8x23mm Compact

Yosemite 6x30mm Natural

Yosemite 6x30mm Dark Red (highly useful in peak of fall foliage)

Recommended models for Butterfly watching: required a close focus distance of 5 to 10 feet. Lower magnification and larger field of view allow for fast location of the flying butterfly.

Golden Ring 8x42mm

Golden Ring 8x32mm

Pinnacles 8x42mm

Katmai 8x32mm

Katmai 6x32mm

Recommended models for hiking and camping are small, light weight and durable.

Golden Ring 8x32mm

Golden Ring 10x32mm

Olympic 8x25mm

Olympic 10x25mm

Katmai 6x32mm

Katmai 8x32mm

Katmai 10x32mm

Mesa 8x23mm Compact

Mesa 10x23mm Compact

Yosemite 6x30mm

Recommended models for water sports such as kayak or canoe. Lower magnification and larger objective diameter allows for movement of the kayak or canoe.

Katmai 6x32mm

Yosemite 6x30mm

Recommended models for water sports and activities where you have continual movement;

Katmai 6x32mm

Yosemite 6x30mm .

Recommended models for sports events and performances. A model that offers a clear sharp image, a wide field of view and be small enough to carry and handle in a crowd.

Golden Ring 8x32mm

Golden Ring 10x32mm

Olympic 8x25mm

Olympic 10x25mm

Katmai 6x32mm

Katmai 8x32mm

Katmai 10x32mm

Mesa 8x23mm Compact

Yosemite 6x30mm

Recommended models for Theater concerts and similar performances. A small binocular that is easy to carry but provides a clear image in lower lighting is recommended.

Olympic 8x25mm

Katmai 6x32mm

Katmai 8x32mm

Mesa 8x23mm Compact

Yosemite 6x30mm

Recommended models for law enforcement:

Mark 4 10x50mm

Mark 4 10x50mm Mil Dot

Mark 4 10x50mm TMR

:Recommendation for visual impairment:

Katmai 6x32mm

Yosemite 6x30mm

Recommended model for loss of vision in one eye or non-tracking eye:

Golden Ring 10-20x40mm Compact spotting scope - lighter than a binocular with the added benefit of zoom magnification

Recommended for decreased papillary dilation common with age:

Katmai 6x32mm

Yosemite 6x30mm

you can also find the complete list of recommendations on my blog at http://www.opticsunlimited.blogspot.com/