Autofocus binoculars have great demand in the market. Most of the people prefer autofocus binoculars because they are easy to use and handle. But is there a misleading perception that autofocus binoculars really work on autofocus mechanism?
Autofocus Binoculars – Self Focusing Binoculars
Is there any autofocus mechanism in the binoculars?
The simple and short answer is “No”. There is no autofocus mechanism in the binoculars. It is just marketing. Most of the company shows that their binocular focus automatically.
Autofocus Binoculars – Confusion with name!
Binoculars brands and famous companies misuse the name “Autofocus binoculars, binoculars with autofocus and self-focusing binoculars” for marketing of their product. Truly speaking, there is no such mechanism that makes the binoculars self-focusing devices.
The true word that can be used with these binoculars is Fixed Focus Binocular. Fixed focus binoculars or constant focus binoculars are those that have permanent focus of particular sight. They are adjusted for a particular distance and this distance may be (30 feet to 60 feet) to infinity.
It means that these types of binoculars focus on anything that comes in the view. They provide a clear view of those objects that are at or beyond the 30 feet to 60 feet distance.
The Working Mechanism of Fixed Focus Binoculars
Fixed focus binoculars work on the same principle as other types of binoculars. The only difference is that they are fixed at a particular distance to focus. As mentioned above, the 30 to 60 feet is fixed to focus all the objects.
They are used in those conditions where you don’t want to adjust focus or want quick focus like sports in a stadium. Most of the brands producing fixed focus binoculars are known as Bushnell self-focus binoculars and Nikon auto focus binoculars etc.
Here we have discussed the advantages and disadvantages of autofocus binoculars in detail. So, must read the Pros and cons of the autofocus binoculars thoroughly.
Advantages of Fixed vs Autofocus Binoculars
As all the products have some advantages and disadvantages. Similarly autofocus Binoculars have some advantages with few disadvantages. So, be careful to purchase your product. Must read the pros and cons.
Advantages:
Following are the main advantages due to which self-focusing binoculars are preferred.
Fewer Moving Parts: Binoculars with autofocus have fewer moving parts. As they have fewer moving parts so It is easy to use them. Fewer parts affect the cost of the binoculars. So, they are cheaper than others.
Easy to make Water and Dust Proof: As mentioned, they have fewer parts so it is very easy to make them waterproof and dust proof. So, binoculars with fixed focus are ideal binoculars that can be used in all harsh environments and extreme weather conditions.
Light Weight: Fixed-focus binoculars are lighter in weight because of fewer parts. So, it is easy to carry them for a longer time. Nikon, Zeiss, Bushnell and other autofocus binoculars come with very light weight. While hiking on mountains, self-focusing binoculars are useful.
Weaker Eye Vision Users: Most of the binocular’s users wear glasses or they have weaker eye vision or they have one eye vision. So, Fixed focus binoculars are ideal for such types of users. They are comfortable and easy to use.
Quick Viewing: As fixed focus binoculars have fixed focus so they provide quick and clear view to you. Once they are set to a fixed focus according to your vision then you can use them quickly in any condition. Bushnell autofocus binoculars are available at affordable prices on amazon.
Field of View: The self-focusing binoculars have a good deep and bright field of view. The field of view obtained is not blurry because they have fixed focus for a certain distance due to which all the objects in the view are in focus. Tasco focus free binoculars are good for a large field of view.
Focusing Knob: There is no focusing knob in fixed focus or autofocus binoculars. So, they are less complicated binoculars. Elder individuals and kids can easily use them. Very easy to use and handle.
Disadvantages:
Once you adjust the autofocus or fixed focus binoculars according to your personal eye vision then you cannot share your self-focusing binoculars with other people. Because now they are not suitable with their eyesight. So, they are not sharable with other people.
Binoculars with autofocus do not have a close range. They are popular in wide or open places. Their focus begins from 30 feet to 60 feet that is why for a very close range they are not usable.
You can not adjust focus, so, whenever you need adjustments in focus for a particular object that is placed at a certain distance then they are nothing for you. So, in this situation you need the binoculars that have not fixed focus.
Also Read: Top 10 Best Binoculars for Safari 2023 – Ultimate Buying Guide
Final Thoughts
Hopefully, it is cleared that autofocus binoculars have no self-focusing mechanism. You can call them fixed focusing binoculars or binoculars with fixed focus rather than binoculars with autofocus. They have some advantages as well as disadvantages.
All in all, self-focusing binoculars are ideal for some outdoor activities like sports. I hope after reading this article thoroughly you will understand the benefits and drawbacks of autofocus binoculars. You can understand how companies use the name “Autofocus Binoculars” in the marketing of their products.