Auto Focus Binoculars

So what exactly are autofocus binoculars, how do they work and why are there so many names to describe basically the same thing?

For someone just looking to buy a pair of binoculars, all these different names can get real confusing so far I have found these variations of what I guest would most accurately be described as Permanent Focus Binoculars:

Auto Focus Binoculars
Self Focusing Binoculars
Focus Free Binoculars
Permanent Focus Binoculars
Always in Focus Binoculars

The clever thing about autofocus binoculars is that they actually use your eyes to focus!

Fixed Focus binoculars use sophisticated optics that have a good deep field of view and then use the natural ability of your eyes to focus on an object. So basically they are permanent focus binoculars where everything from about 40 feet to infinity will remain in focus and you do not have to make any additional adjustments at all when you look through them.

So we have worked out that this type of binocular does not actually "auto focus" at all, they are in fact fixed focus, so what applications are this type of binocular good for:

Because you do not have to change the focus of the binoculars, they work well in situations where things happen quickly and you may miss what you are looking for if you had to spend that split second focusing.

So there are now Fixed focus binoculars for everything from wildlife viewing, hunting, birdwatching to watching sports.

Another advantage of this type of binocular is that they should be longer lasting as there are fewer moving parts within the binocular and so less that can go wrong.

One word of caution, if you do plan on buying fixed focus binoculars, I would opt for a quality pair as the quality of their lenses will make the difference between enjoying using them to a frustrating experience.

The brand known as "Jason" were responsible of making fixed Focusing Binoculars popular

Established in 1947 in Kansas City, USA. The Jason brand made a group of self-focusing binoculars that became very popular during the 1970's and early 80's.

Later on, the Jason brand of binoculars was sold and is now owned by Bushnell who have now re-branded them as their line of PermaFocus binoculars.

Bushnell, along with Steiner's "Sports Auto-Focus system" make some of the best auto focus binoculars on the market today.

If you are looking for a tough, solid compact binocular that offers plenty of magnification, rainproof construction, and maximum versatility, with a permanent focus that offers all the benefits that a fixed focus binocular offers, then the Steiner 8x30 Military-Marine binoculars might just be what you are looking for.

The 8x30 Military-Marine binoculars feature a tough rubber armour exterior that helps protect them from day to day bashes, at 18 oz. they are pretty light making them easy and comfortable to carry with you all day.

Steiner's has also incorporated an increased depth of view that now puts all the action in focus at once, meaning that you will not miss that fast moving antelope or bird because you are fiddling with the focus.

Long eye-relief accommodates eyeglass wearers.

With these binoculars, Steiner, one of the most respected names in binoculars has refined the design by years of use in a variety of settings and these include mountaintops to deep canyons, aboard and ashore - they're excellent for spotting game and everything else that nature has to offer. The Steiner 8x30mm Military-Marines are fine, go-anywhere, do-anything binoculars.

For more, including video reviews and where to buy, check out the Steiner 8x30 Military-Marine Binoculars on the best binoculars reviews website.

One of the best all round cheap auto focus binoculars on the market has to be the Bushnell Perma Focus 8x25 Binoculars.

The very affordable PermaFocus binoculars from Bushnell are fixed-focus, good for long-distance viewing. They also have a pretty wide field-of-view that makes them ideal for spectator sports, distant wildlife observation.

The ergonomic and comfortable grip means you won't drop them, even with gloves on. This means that using them during winter with gloves is no problem.

The fully-coated optics ensure that the image you are viewing is bright and crisp.

The 8x25 Bushnell Binoculars feature:

• Fully coated optics for superior light transmission and brightness



• Unique "Focus-Free" feature stays in focus at most viewing distances



• Non-slip rubber armour absorbs shock while providing a firm grip.

Below are a few links to websites that I have found useful relating to Binoculars and Fixed focus binoculars in particular.

If you have a resource that you feel should be on here, please feel free to contact me or make a comment below.

How Self Focusing Binoculars Work
This is an article I wrote on The Best Binoculars & Binocular Reviews website all about self focus / fixed focus binoculars. The website also reviews binoculars and has links to were you can buy them, which is great for price comparison

Binoculars.com
Other than Amazon.com, I think this is the best place to buy binoculars, including self focusing ones. But where they are better than Amazon it that they are binocular specialists and so can answer any questions you may have.

I guess one of the biggest advantages of a pair of self focusing binoculars over a normal focusing binocular is that they have far fewer moving parts.

Because of this it means that far less can go wrong with them, there is less to break and in theory they should last you longer. I would stress though as with all binoculars, you should always try and buy the best quality binocular you can afford. Higher quality binoculars will not only have much higher grade optics, making the "image" you see a lot better, but they will usually built with better materials and to a higher standard, which once again will help with their durability.

Waterproof Binoculars
Also look out for waterproof / fog proofing when you are deciding which auto focus binocular to buy, even if you don't plan to go anywhere near water as a waterproof binocular should be immune to fogging to the inside surfaces of the lenses up with the changes of humidity and atmospheric conditions. Another bonus is that being waterproof, things like specks of dust will not be able to enter the body of the binocular which too can spoil your viewing with dust on the inside surface of your lenses.