If you are worried about stability and you still want to use 10x magnifications or higher, you have a couple of options: If you do a lot of birding in a hide or at home, you could attach your binoculars to a tripod with a tripod adapter or get binoculars with some sort of image stabilisation like one of the excellent Canon Stabilized Binoculars. Better Image Detail The 10x magnification gets you just that bit closer to the action, meaning that you can see birds with just that little bit more detail. The more powerful magnification is obviously especially important over longer distances, so if you are bird watching from a hide or observing birds that just won’t let you get very close like many birds of prey. Conclusions It must also be said that whilst an exit pupil that is larger than your eye’s pupil may not make the image seem brighter in these conditions, it can make the binocular slightly easier to use as it’s easier to position your eyes in line with the larger column of light – not only is this a nice feature but can really help those who have shaky hands for example. In addition to this, the Viking Badger contains nitrogen in the lenses. The nitrogen helps to reduce any potential fogging. This ensures that you are able to achieve the highest possible results regardless of the weather. The nitrogen also helps to eliminate any dust or dirt from building up within the lenses. This helps to maintain the overall condition of the lenses.

All other things being equal (glass and optical coatings quality etc), 8x42 binoculars will in theory be able to produce a brighter image than an 8x40 binocular, which in turn may seem brighter than a 10x42mm one in certain light conditions: The field of view, image stability, eye relief, and low light performance are critical, I would suggest opting for an 8x42mm binocular. A wide field of view helps when you need to scan over a large area looking for something, so for instance if you were looking for a deer or stag on the side of a hill across the valley. Whilst 7x and 8x are probably the most commonly used and recommended magnifications for birdwatching binoculars with the 8x42 configuration being the most popular combination (especially for general, all-round birding). It does not mean that options should be dismissed completely as in some situations a more powerful instrument can make a better option: The main reason that most people suggest using a lower magnification for birding over something like a 10x binocular is that in general 7x and 8x binoculars will have wider fields of view (FOV).

Conclusions

This guide aims to take an in-depth look at the Viking Badger range to understand how well they perform. Reviewing each part of the build design is essential to providing you with the information that you need. That is why our team of experts have spent some time putting these binoculars for the test. If these factors are very important AND you want/require a smaller binocular that is easier to carry about and store, then an 8x40 will be the right choice for you.

The Viking Badger binoculars provide a build design which is lightweight and compact. This makes them a fantastic choice for carrying around - especially during long-term trips. This helps ensure that these binoculars are the perfect travel companion. The Extra low Dispersion glass used in lens construction together with the multicoating and phase coated prisms give bright and crystal clear images whatever the conditions. The binocular is finished in smooth rubber armour and is really comfortable to hold. With a 12x bino, most people are still ok over shorter time periods, but not a great choice if you have shaky hands or look through your bins for long periods standing up. If however most of your birding is done during the day in reasonable light, a 10x42 may seem just as bright as an 8x42. Twilight FactorAs I have already written an in-depth, but somewhat generalist article (with an included video) on the main advantages the 8x42 vs 10x42 configurations have over each other (see link above), I won’t go over it all again here, rather I will focus on my attention on how they compare against each specifically where bird watching is concerned. The Viking Badger binoculars are an affordable set of binoculars that are ideal for casual users or beginner birdwatchers. With multicoated lenses for a clearer image, as well as waterproof design, they can be used in all weathers, making them ideal for the volatile British climate. They also come with a rainguard, case, and carrying strap, meaning they are ready to go straight out of the box.

In daylight, the pupils in your eyes contract to about 3mm, which is narrower than the exit pupil of the 8x40, 8x42, and 10x42mm binoculars and so much of the light coming out of the binoculars will fall outside the pupil and never actually enter your eyes at all and thus the image you look at won’t seem any brighter in either binocular. Finally, the compact build design feels great to hold. The size of the binoculars makes them extremely portable which is perfect for long days out. The additional accessories that arrive with the binoculars only add to this further. Despite the compact size, the Viking Badger binoculars are incredibly durable and this holds up throughout testing. The rubber-armour finish protects these binoculars from any potential damage and ensures that they are waterproof. The Viking Badger binoculars perform exceptional in every aspect. Considering the price that these binoculars are available for, you will certainly find excellent value here. These are a suitable option for both beginners and intermediate users thanks to how accessible these binoculars feel. They are able to achieve this without compromising on any of the quality. Verdict The overall results are impressive and the Viking Badger performs exceptionally well. The images consistently appear well defined thanks to the binocular's ability to provide bright images. There were some instances of colour fringing at the edges of the image. However, this does not detract from the overall quality of the image here. The only way to avoid this would be to opt for binoculars which offer Extra-low Dispersion (ED) glass.How much eye-relief you need will depend on your glasses, but most people advise about 16mm or more. The inclusion of multi-coated optics plays a key role in delivering images which are bright and well defined. The use of multi-coated optics helps to increase the transmission of light through the binoculars. The images appear brighter as more light is able to pass through the binoculars. This feature allows for the binoculars to perform even in low-light conditions. This ensures that the binoculars are suitable for use at any time of the day. These binoculars offer a fantastic combination of powerful magnification and high-quality optics. These binoculars are available in a number of focal ranges ( 8x25, 10x25, 8x32, 8x42, 10x42) to suit different needs. This ensures that the Viking Badger range is suitable for a wide range of activities.The best magnification and objective size will vary depending on the person. For more information on this, you can read our guide on which magnification is best. The Viking Badger 10×42 Binoculars are modestly priced binoculars offering excellent optical clarity and value for money. They are ideal for beginners or younger nature-watchers as they are rubber-armoured and fully waterproof to protect against the elements. As well as this they are easy to use and have twist-down eyecups for comfort and to help with spectacle wearers.