Courtesy of Susan Spear/Cornell Lab
April 16, 2018
Vlad George
Guest Writer
Consumer Resources
Sponsored
Purchasing a pair of binoculars for adults is far easier than doing the same for children. In this day and age, there are loads of products you should bear in mind if you want to make the right choice. Going through as many product reviews before making up your mind is the right method of ensuring you are spending your money wisely.
What factors matter most when you’re in the market for kids’ binoculars? We have showcased some of these aspects below, and we urge you to keep them in mind so as to make sure that you get the perfect optical device for your child.
Start with the age
When it comes to these optical devices, you really have two ways of going about things. If the child is very young, you should actually look for a binocular toy instead of a real one. Why’s that? The fact of the matter is that kids can be pretty clumsy, and there’s nothing wrong about that. They might drop things or treat them with less care because they haven’t yet learned that things cost money.
So, if you’re getting binos for a toddler, what you need is a very basic gadget made with a rugged case. It might not do all that much in the way of actually magnifying images, at least not by much, but it will be a good starting point.
On the other hand, if what you are after is a model that’s entirely functional and the age of the kid you’re trying to impress is more than 5 or 6, you can definitely select a more complex optical instrument because the user is capable of grasping the basics of using such a device.
Does the design matter?
While for adults, the actual looks of an optical device might be of less importance, for kids it might not be the same. Most children are attracted to flashy and vivid colors, especially if they’re very young. So you might have to consider getting a product that’s painted in red, yellow, or just the kid’s favorite color.
But looks aren’t everything, and this statement is so true that it’s almost become a cliche. So, do consider the child’s abilities and keep those in mind, too, not just the design of the binoculars. Besides, the model does have to come with a minimum of 3 to 4x of magnification, even if it’s made for children.
Ruggedness
As we were saying previously, sometimes kids can get clumsy without even wanting to. It is, therefore, your responsibility to make sure that you select a model that comes with rugged construction. It will be able to withstand the test of time; otherwise, it won’t.
Cheap plastics can be easily broken, so you’re better off with binos that have some type of rubber cover. If the kid is going to use the pair of binoculars for birdwatching purposes, for instance, you should try to opt for a unit that’s weatherproof. Birds are especially active and easy to watch in the mornings when the humidity can affect the device.
