Popular Science USA – July-August 2019

38 FALL 2019 • POPSCI.COM by Stan Horaczek / photograph by Brian Klutch

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20x

Cheap lenses refract light un-

evenly, shrouding everything in a

purple halo. Nikon’s Monarch 5

20x56 sports dense optics with

a coating designed to correct

color, so striped zebras won’t

look washed out. Adjustable eye

cups let you catch the sights

without removing your glasses.

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8x

The wide angle provided by the

Vortex Viper HD 8x42 allows

you to spy a hummingbird in

your backyard, but will make the

blur of its wings appear eight

times closer. To prevent fogging,

engineers filled the two optical

barrels with argon gas, then

sealed them with rubber gaskets.

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10x

You’ll want a bit more power

when checking out soaring hawks

from a summit. The components

on Bushnell’s 10x42 Nitro have

a protective layer that improves

clarity, repels fingerprints, and

resists scratches. They’re water-

proof too, so don’t worry about

that accidental puddle dunk.

THERE

GET CLOSER

GO

OD

S

THE WOODS IN YOUR LOCAL PARK OR THE GRASS IN THE

African savanna hold visual treasures you’ll miss when just peering with

your eyeballs. Instead, after you spot that goldfinch or lion, raise a pair of

binoculars to reveal the details of their feathers or fur. Picking the right zoom

ensures you’ll get the best view of all the creatures in the distance.

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