TOP 9 LIST: Best Binoculars For Horse Racing in 2022
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Many horse-racing enthusiasts have long known the benefit of owning a good set of binoculars, to have along at the track. The thrill of watching your favorite pony thundering around the turns is made sweeter still when you’re watching it up close. We’ve researched all of the top brands for you already, and ranked each of them to bring you the very best in binoculars for horse racing!
What are the Best Binoculars For Horse Racing?
We could say that we traveled the world to find for you the Best Binoculars For Horse Racing and it’s partially true – we’ve been on the road since 2011 after all.
More importantly, we have done a very thorough research online and have gone through most of the available best horse racing binoculars that you can buy today. We read the comments left by people who bought and used these best binoculars for horse racing.
We also wrote a brief best binoculars for horse racing Buying Guide and FAQ sections to address most questions you may have.
Without further ado, here’s the list of top 9 best horse racing binoculars based on their pricing, specs and ratings by real users.
1. 10×25 Compact Binoculars for Bird Watching
Specs |
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Price: 💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 0.6 Pounds (0.3 kg) Size: 4.3 x 3.9 x 2 Inches (10.9 x 9.9 x 5.1 cm) Objective Lens Diameter: 25mm Magnification: 10x Eye Relief: 10mm Waterproof: Waterproof |
The 10×25 Compact Binoculars for Bird Watching is a good option for adults but also small enough for kids to use. This binocular is lightweight, so you will face fewer issues while traveling long distances. However, because the binocular is so lightweight, it may be slightly harder to keep it steady. Also, the diopter is not hard to adjust, so kids can learn how to use it with greater ease. Generally, this product provides good value for its price, considering the clarity it provides. Do take note that the eyepieces are slightly narrow. The accessories provided like the binocular casing and the binocular strap are only of acceptable quality.
Pros
- Binocular is lightweight,
- Binocular is small enough for kids to use,
- Diopter is not hard to use,
- Good value for its price
Cons
- Eye pieces could be too narrow for some people,
- Binocular case is not of the best quality
2. Carson VP Series Waterproof HD Binoculars for Hunting
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Price: 💲💲💲💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 1.9 Pounds (0.9 kg) Size: 5 x 6.5 x 2.3 Inches (12.7 x 16.5 x 5.8 cm) Objective Lens Diameter: 50 mm Magnification: 12x Eye Relief: 18.2 mm Waterproof: Yes Video: Yes |
The Carson VP Series Waterproof High Definition Binoculars for Hunting feature a 50 mm objective lens diameter and a 12 x magnification ability. They have BAK-4 phase corrected prisms and are fully multicoated to provide sharp and clear images. The optics are waterproof to allow for use in a variety of climates outdoors. The range of viewing is from 13.2 feet up to 214 ft. They have a large focusing knob that is easy to use. The 18.2 mm eye relief makes these good for use with eyeglasses. They have a protective case and neck strap included. Carson offers a lifetime warranty on these binoculars. The focusing knob has a small amount of slack in it, and the lens caps can pop off easily.
Pros
- Rubber textured exterior for best grip,
- Fully multicoated lenses for clear and sharp views,
- Good for low light settings,
- Hassle free warranty
Cons
- Lens caps pop off easily,
- Focusing knob has some slack
3. POLDR 12X25 Small Pocket Binoculars
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Price: 💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 0.4 Pounds (0.2 kg) Size: 3.8 x Inches (9.7 x cm) Objective Lens Diameter: 25mm Magnification: 12x Eye Relief: 16mm |
The POLDR 12×25 is suitable for beginners who want to have a feel at using one without spending a bomb on one. Being lightweight, you can use the binocular for many activities like climbing, birding, etc. You can even use it for traveling because it has a compactable body that will fit in your pocket. If you are trying to get your kid interested in nature, this binocular could be your option because it is small enough and not heavy to the extent your kid cannot support its weight. Do note that there may be a slight chemical odor stemming from the binocular. Also, you may experience some difficulty at the beginning when you try to focus the images.
Pros
- Lightweight,
- Suit adults and children,
- Compactable body,
- Bright images
Cons
- Hard fo get a focused image,
- Slight chemical odor
4. Skygenius 8×21 Compact Binoculars for Hiking
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Price: 💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 0.3 Pounds (0.1 kg) Size: 4.1 x 3.6 x 1.1 Inches (10.3 x 9.1 x 2.9 cm) Objective Lens Diameter: 21mm Magnification: 8X Eye Relief: 16mm Waterproof: No |
The pocket-size Skygenius binoculars are an affordable choice for both indoor and outdoor activities. The compact and foldable design helps save storage space, and the lightweight makes it easy to carry around. But their small size does not dim their power. With 8x magnification power, you can clearly observe the theatre or birds.
The binoculars also offer a wide viewing field to observe the full scene. Additionally, the multi-coated green lens provides a sharp and bright image. You can easily adjust the binoculars to focus without causing yourself eyestrain. The knobs can be a little testy, but the overall product is reliable and convenient.
Pros
- It is compact and foldable to save space,
- It is lightweight to carry with ease,
- It comes with a carry case and belt loop,
- It has an easy-to-adjust focus
Cons
- The adjustment pieces are a bit stiff,
- The strap might break
5. Bushnell Falcon 10×50 Wide Angle Binoculars
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Price: 💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 1.8 Pounds (0.8 kg) Size: 9.3 x 8.2 x 4.2 Inches (23.6 x 20.8 x 10.7 cm) Objective Lens Diameter: 50mm Magnification: 10x Eye Relief: 9mm |
The Bushnell Falcon 10×50 is suitable for those looking for high magnification at a relatively cheaper price. This binocular is well-suited for activities like hunting and birding due to its wide field of view. It also features a rubber coating to protect the binocular. While trying to adjust the focus of the images, you might be delighted to know that the focus knob is not difficult to manipulate. The ability to focus well for long distances is a plus. Do be reminded that this binocular lacks a tripod attachment, thus it might be a concern for hands-off viewers. Also, the binocular proves difficult to focus in the short distance.
Pros
- Strong rubber coating,
- Easy to manipulate the focus dial for far objects,
- Prompt customer service,
- Binocular provides wide field of view
Cons
- Lack of a tripod attachment,
- Hard to focus in the near distance
6. Gosky 10×42 Roof Prism Binoculars for Adults
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Price: 💲💲💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 1.5 Pounds (0.7 kg) Size: 5.8 x 5 x 2.1 Inches (14.6 x 12.6 x 5.3 cm) Objective Lens Diameter: 42 Magnification: 10x |
The Gosky 10×42 Roof Prism Binoculars for Adults can be used for many activities like climbing, birding, and sporting events. There is a phone attachment provided to help you record the pictures on your phone. We also like how the rubber lens caps are lightweight to remove any unnecessary weight from the binocular. The focus knob is also user-friendly so beginners can consider this model too. Apart from these product perks, we also like the customer service provided by Gosky to customers that have reached out to them. Do take note that this binocular is a little heavy, and not as compact. The binocular casing strap is also not the most secure.
Pros
- Phone attachment is provided,
- Rubber lens caps are lightweight,
- Focus knob is easy to use,
- Good customer service
Cons
- Binocular is a little heavy,
- Binocular case strap is not very secure
7. 10×42 Vortex Optics Crossfire HD Binoculars
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Price: 💲💲💲💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 1.5 Pounds (0.7 kg) Size: 6 x 5.2 x Inches (15.2 x 13.2 x cm) Objective Lens Diameter: 42mm Magnification: 10x Eye Relief: 15mm Waterproof: Waterproof |
The 10×42 Vortex Optics Crossfire HD Binoculars are a great option for outdoor activities because this binocular is both waterproof and fog proof. It will be able to withstand the elements of different environments. It also features a wide field of view that can help to catch rapid movements. Having a robust and sturdy exterior, it is also well protected. One thing many like about this product is its ability to provide sufficiently clear images even in low lighting environments. One thing to take note of, however, is the weight of the binocular, together with the acceptable quality of its binocular casing.
Pros
- Waterproof and fog proof,
- Wide field of view,
- Robust and sturdy exterior,
- Provides clear images in low lighting
Cons
- Slightly heavy,
- Binocular case is not of high quality
8. 20×50 High Power Military Binoculars
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Price: 💲💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 1.8 Pounds (0.8 kg) Objective Lens Diameter: 50mm Magnification: 20x Eye Relief: 26mm Waterproof: Waterproof |
The 20×50 High Power Military Binoculars are a good option for those who want a wide field of view in their binoculars. The binocular has a strong rubber coating that can endure the elements of the weather. This binocular also features easy adjustment of the center-focus knob. A plus point about this binocular is how the lens cap is attached to the binocular itself so you don’t have to worry about losing them. We also like how the binocular is relatively lightweight, so you can carry it around for longer periods of travel. Do take note that if you are buying this binocular, you will not be able to attach it to a tripod because there is no screw-hole.
Pros
- Not difficult to adjust the binocular’s settings,
- Comfortable size to grip,
- Lens cap are attached to binocular to prevent losing them,
- Binocular is lightweight
Cons
- Binocular strap is not too secure,
- No attachment to pair with a tripod
9. Nikon Prostaff 3s Binocular
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Price: 💲💲💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 1.3 Pounds (0.6 kg) Size: 5.9 x 5.1 x 2 Inches (15 x 13 x 5.1 cm) Objective Lens Diameter: 42mm Magnification: 10x Eye Relief: 15.7mm Waterproof: Waterproof |
The Nikon Prostaff 3s Binocular is suited for a range of activities because it is so lightweight. Its wide field of view also makes it suitable for activities like sporting events and birding. One perk of this binocular is its rubber coating that protects the binocular and also gives you a comfortable grip even when using it for a long period. Do note that some may find that the image may be hard to focus and it may take some time manipulating the focus dial. Lastly, the binocular lenses are not fog proof and may require frequent cleaning in certain environments when temperatures are fluctuating.
Pros
- Lightweight,
- Suits many activities,
- Wide field of view,
- Comfortable rubber coating
Cons
- Hard to focus image,
- Lenses are not fog proof
Verdict
TLDR: Quick summary of our findings as to what can be considered the best binoculars for horse racing is below:
Overall best best binoculars for horse racing out there: 10×25 Compact Binoculars for Bird Watching
Premium Pick if money is not much of an issue: Carson VP Series Waterproof HD Binoculars for Hunting
Budget Choice – there’s no shame in spending prudently: POLDR 12X25 Small Pocket Binoculars
Our other reviews you may find useful in your research:
What You Should Know Before Buying Best Binoculars For Horse Racing
Magnification
Binoculars with a high magnification may sometimes not be beneficial. For instance when hunting/fishing, you do not want a binoculars with magnification that is too high because it reduces the quality of the images. The best magnification is between 7X and 8X. High magnification narrows the field of view, but if your aim is to zoom in on far away items, then higher magnification is your best bet.
Objective Lens Diameter
The objective lens’ size determines the amount of light entering the binoculars. Therefore, the larger it is, the better the image in terms of quality, especially in dark places. When buying a pair of binoculars, check for the lens size, which is the numeric figure right after the X on its description. A ratio of 5 to magnification is best, so in a case where you have an 8 X 25 versus a 8 X 40, the 8 X 40 has better images because generally the lens diameter is wider.
Angles Of Vliew
The angle of view is the perspective you can see through your binoculars lens. The larger it is, the larger the field of view is. The angle of view is measured in degrees and is usually a low number such as 6 degrees or 7 degrees. If you need a pair of binoculars with a large field of view, make sure to look for the one with the highest number among those offered. At times the number is higher such, as 45 degrees or 55 degrees, but is still expressed in degrees. It’s known as the apparent angle of view, and the larger it is, the larger the field of view.
Weather Proofing
Modern binoculars are made weatherproof by coating the housing unit in silicone. Pairs for hunting are also made from reinforced leather painted in camouflage. The lenses and eyepiece glass is coated with water, dust, and scratch-proof film. These features invariably drive the price of a pair of binoculars up, with multi-coated pairs being the priciest.
Questions and Answers About Best Binoculars For Horse Racing
What binoculars do race callers use?
Most race callers use binoculars with a 10X magnification. They also need binoculars that have good color rendition and a wide field of view to see the running horses without scanning through the field a lot. It is essential to have image stabilization to get precise and less shaky images.
What is the maximum range of binoculars?
Binoculars have no limit on how far you can see with them; the magnification of your binoculars is what determines how near the object seems to be. As a result, high-powered binoculars will enable you to see crispier and clearer images over longer distances. However, the horizon and atmospheric conditions may limit how far you can view. When it’s rainy, cloudy, foggy, or highly polluted outside, you can’t see as far as you can in clear weather. The horizon limits how far you can see, and its distance may vary depending on where you are positioned.
What is a good field of view for binoculars?
Binoculars with a good field of view (F.O.V) should allow you to see more of the terrain and detect your prey without having to adjust your binoculars. Additionally, when targeting a moving animal, binoculars with a good field of view should also support a long-distance view within the circular frame of lenses without shifting the binoculars. In general for a distance of 1,000 meters, most high-quality binoculars have a field of view of 300 to 375 feet.
Do all binoculars have diopter adjustment?
A good pair of binoculars will have a diopter adjustment ring to help you focus a single barrel. However, a cheaper pair of binoculars may only have one focus adjustment to adjust both barrels at once. The purpose of having a diopter adjustment is to account for the difference in visual acuity in the left and right eyes to provide crisp images.
Which is better 8×42 or 10×42 binoculars?
It really depends on what you are trying to view. If you are trying to view a bird within a mid-range distance, a 8×42 would be better because it provides a wider view. This can really help you follow the bird closely. In contrast, a 10×42 can be used more appropriately for viewing objects from mid-range to long-range distances.