Before buying either, try them on, said Owen Hogle of the Wild Bird Center in Holladay. You need to try a pair and compare before you buy.
Comfort is as critical as all the other specifications.
A birder should examine as many types as possible, seeking comfort, special features and the right fit. A good binocular shop will offer numerous choices. Hogle, for example, carries seven different brands and about 45 different kinds of binoculars. He said wildlife watchers or birders need to ask three basic questions before making their purchase. Binoculars are labeled by their power and by the number of millimeters across their lens.