Quality counts
A good pair of binoculars will last for years but there may come a time when your work or a developing interest requires something better than an average pair. When using binoculars regularly, comfort and image quality is key. Many lower cost binoculars are fine to identify a bird species or observe behaviour for a period of time, but it is astonishing the difference a higher quality pair can make.
Magnification
What exactly should you look for when you need binoculars for more than occasional use? Firstly magnification: what to go for varies little when upgrading. If what you are currently using works for you then don’t change! Higher magnification may allow you to see objects further away but brightness, clarity and field of view is lower than a comparable binocular of lower magnification. A magnification too low will restrict your ability to see finer details of distant objects. There is no rule as to what magnification you should use for certain activities such as observing birds, but it is generally accepted that 8x magnification is a good choice for a wide variety of applications.
Size and weight
Size and weight is an important consideration for the regular user. If working out in the field for long periods a compact lightweight pair may be preferable. But lighter pairs tend to have smaller objective lenses and thus let in less light making them less suitable for working in low light levels (e.g. dawn/dusk or in woodlands). Upgrading to a better model can allow you to combine excellent light-gathering ability and lightweight/compact properties needed for the professional user (but also come with a higher price tag!).
Optical coatings
A higher spec binocular should also have improved optical coatings which increase light transmission and reduce glare. Superior coatings are also more resistant to scratches and scuffs. Fully multi-coated optics are the best, but some are better than others depending on your intended use. For example, some screen out the blue end of the spectrum and enhances reds, oranges and yellows (including browns and tans) which is very useful for trying to spot brownish animals in green foliage. Some are the other way round, enhancing blues and greens which improves contrast between light and dark areas, giving the image extra 'sharpness'. Colour neutral (maintaining natural colours) coatings are the most suitable for bird watching when it is crucial to see the natural colours of the bird for identification. Ruby-red coatings that are advertised to protect from UV and glare off water are not good for wildlife/bird watching.
Your personal requirements
In conclusion, if you are about to invest in a high quality pair of binoculars think carefully about what you want from them. Its not a good idea to spend a lot of money on a super-compact pair that don’t allow you to see the detail you need in your work. Equally, comfort and ease-of-use can be just as important as optical quality when binoculars are going to be used regularly.
