I recently read this article on Target Tamers and the beginning of the article is hilarious. It goes like this” Full size. No, we’re not talking about upgrading your fries order here” they went like we are talking about full size binoculars that are big, bright, and low-light champions of the binocular world.
Well, today we will be looking into more details of the best 12×50 Binoculars for the Money. When your small compact binos are not meeting your expectations, you simply need to switch to full size to bring you maximum performance in the field.
The Best 12×50 Binoculars
While most hunters and bird watchers prefer much small compact binoculars, sometimes for better distance viewing purposes, they might opt for the 12x magnification binoculars. Many companies do make 12x binoculars, and when combined with a 50 mm diameter opening, a 12x can give excellent image quality.
1. Bushnell PowerView Binoculars
This beautifully designed and durable binocular by Bushnell is made of high-quality optics and produces stunning HD clarity of objects. The Powerview series offers the largest line of the Bushnell brand which is affordable and is of high quality. These are easy to use and features general-purpose roof prisms.
This Powerview comes with a carrying case and a neck strap to prevent falling off and to provide you with convenience on the go. It is economically designed with a black rubber armoring to ensure they can sustain active use.
This model also features an Insta-Focus for fast and easy focus on moving targets. This pair is a general-purpose bino, it can be used by nature observers, travelers, and concert-goers.
Note: These are not water/fog proof.
Specs
- Focus System: InstaFocus
- Prism Glass: BK-7
- Magnification and objective lens size: 12x50mm
- Close Focus: 12.2m
- Eye Relief:7mm
- Pupil exit:4.2mm
- Field of view: 268ft/1000 yds
- Weight:842g
- Dimensions: 8.5 x 8.2 x 3.5 inches
Pros
- Adapts to Tripod
- Non-slip rubber armor absorbs shock while providing a firm grip
- Easily adjustable for HD image
- Very affordable price
Cons
- Quite heavy
- Not the highest quality if you want better quality you should invest more
2. Celestron Granite Binoculars
The Celestron Granite 12×50 features ED objective lenses which provide sharply defined colors and images even in poor light conditions. The Granite EDs are made with roof dielectric coated BaK4 prisms which have a modern, open-bridge design.
Just like most quality binoculars, which are sealed and nitrogen-purged to make them waterproof, fog-proof and dustproof, this pair of binos is not an exception.
These Granite binoculars models are made with high-density, Extra-low Dispersion glass, which provides major performance enhancements comparatively to their regular garden-variety glass. This binocular is an all-around bino. It can be used for: Bird Watching, Hunting, Wildlife and Nature Viewing, Travel and Outdoors, Sporting Events, Astronomical Viewing, Low Light, etc.
Specs
- Magnification and objective lens diameter: 12×50mm
- Eye Relief: 15mm
- Field Angle: 5.3 Degrees
- Field of view: 280ft/1000 yds
- Weight:1.73 pounds
- Product size: 5.2 x 2.4 x 6.6 inches
- Eyecup:twist-up
Pros
- Tripod adaptable
- Comfortable on the eyes with or without eyeglasses
- fully weatherproof
- Comfortable to handle even with one hand
- Great quality for the price
Cons
- Not major complaints
3. Nikon Prostaff 5 12×50 Binoculars
The Nikon 12×50 binoculars are lightweight roof BaK-4 glass prisms design made with polycarbonate frames. These binos many have said are very compact for a 50mm binocular.
Just like many binoculars, these Nikon 12×50 binoculars feature multi-coated Eco-glass lenses for brighter images. Plus, the Nikon 12×50 ProStaff 5 binoculars have full armoring for durability and are completely waterproof and fog-proof.
This Nikon PROSTAFF 5 has a long eye-relief which ensures a sufficient space between the user’s eye and the binocular’s eyepiece lenses to make them comfortable for everyone, even for those wearing eyeglasses
Specs
- Magnification and objective lens diameter: 12x50mm
- Eye Relief: 15mm
- Field of view: 246ft/1000 yds
- Weight:1.74 pounds
- Dimensions: 7.2 x 5.5 x 2 inches
- Close distance focus: 16.4 feet
Pros
- Fully weatherproof
- lightweight and provides a clear view
- Made with lead and arsenic-free Eco-glass
Cons
- Not tripod adaptable
- Caps for the eye viewers are not attached to the strap
4. Simmons 12×50 Binoculars
This high-powered bino is top of the line binoculars for the Simmons brand. but it didn’t just earn the top position because of its name but because of its amazing features.
This weatherproof bino has BaK-4 roof prism, can easily be mounted on a tripod and if you prefer a sleek design, this ProSport definitely won’t let you down.
As the most talked-about binoculars from the low budget manufacturer, this bino has earned a lot of respect among its peers. The ProSport Binoculars are encased in tough and durable rubber armor, for a sure grip and added protection in the worst weather conditions.
Specs
- Magnification and Objective Diameter: 12X50mm
- Power Variability: Fixed
- Close Focus Distance: 19 feet
- Dimensions: 4 x 10.2 x 9.2 inches
- Weight: 28.2 ounces
- Field of View: 255 feet/100 yards
Eye Relief:16 mm - Exit Pupil: 4.7 mm
- Optics Coatings: Multi-Coated
Pros
- Good value for the money
- Tripod adaptable
- fully weatherproof
- High power performance
- Durable
Cons
- Has some focus issues according to some customers
5. Visssvi Compact Zoom Binoculars
This focus adjustable zoom binocular delivers high Resolution, Contrast & Color Fidelity, Without Ghosting, Blurriness, or Focus Issues. It is perfect for camping, traveling, bird watching, sightseeing, concerts, hunting, surveillance and comes with a carrying case strap for your convenience.
The Visssvi feature Phase-correction coated high index prisms which create sharp, clear, HD images while the 50mm fully multi-coated objective lenses deliver the brightness and vibrant HD color of every feather.
The housing is Rubber Armored case which is tight-fitting to provide protection making it easy to withstand the toughest weather conditions. The shock-absorbing rubber armor gives it maximum protection.
Pros
- Great pair of inexpensive binoculars
- Easily adjustable focus
- Super easy maintenance with the cleaning cloth it comes with
Cons
- One customer complaint of receiving a faulty pair
6. Swarovski EL 12×50 Binoculars
The Swarovski EL 12×50 binoculars are some of the best 12×50 hunting binoculars out there. They are made of premium materials that intend to provide premium quality.
Talk of the excellent images, these binoculars featured enhanced lenses and prism coatings to guarantee you excellent color reproduction. The Swarovski EL binoculars lenses are flattened to enable the binoculars to achieve an almost flat image that is sharp.
This enables the binoculars to make the smallest details appear razor-sharp in with almost zero chromatic aberration. This is one of the reasons why they make for great hunting and bird watching binoculars. You can see great details of your target at a long distance.
Specs at a Glance
Magnification: 12x
Objective Lens: 50 mm
FOV (ft/1000 yds / m/1000 m): 145 m
Eye Relief: 19 mm
Weight: 999 g
The package includes: Swarovski Optic EL 10×42 Binocular, Field Bag, Eyepiece Cover, Objective Lens Cover, Lift Carrying Strap, Swarovski Optic Lifetime Limited
The Bushnell 12×50 Engage Binoculars are some of the best 12×50 Binoculars for hunting. They offer great quality viewing for an affordable price. That is why they are popular among hunters.
Also Read: Bushnell Engage Binoculars Review
Simply for the reason, whether you are scanning open terrain looking for that monster buck, or down the range to find your target, you will have a crisp clear image through Bushnell’s highest quality glass.
Engage is loaded with features. Packed with Bushnell’s best technology, including ED Prime Glass, Dielectric Prism Coating, Fully-Multi Coated Optics, and PC3 Phase Coating, Engage is a high-quality optic that won’t let you down.
Paired with EXO Barrier fog, water and debris protection, and Dielectric Prism Coating to enhance color and light, you will get the viewing experience of a lifetime.
Specs at a Glance
Magnification: 12x
Objective Lens: 50 mm
FOV (ft/1000 yds / m/1000 m): 280 ft
Eye Relief: 15 mm
Weight: 29.2 oz
8. Nikon 12×50 Aculon A211 Binoculars
The ACULON A211 12×50 binoculars are designed to be as light as possible along with excellent ergonomics. These ACULON A211 12×50 binoculars are built to handle virtually any environment you can bring them into.
The ACULON A211 binoculars feature multilayer-coated optics to deliver a high-quality image under a multitude of lighting conditions, making these binoculars effective during those ever-important low-light hours of hunting near dawn and dusk.
These binoculars have a central focus knob, a fully rubber armored body, and turn-and-slide rubber eyecups to simplify use with eyewear.
Specs at a Glance
Magnification: 12x
Objective Lens: 50 mm
FOV (ft/1000 yds / m/1000 m): 272 ft
Eye Relief: 11.5 mm
Weight: 32.1 oz
9. Vortex Diamondback Roof Prism Binoculars
The Diamondback binocular series are known to be the workhorse of the Vortex lineup. Because they are some of the best 12 power binoculars for the money.
The Diamondback binoculars are known for their impressive Optical; quality and durability. The lenses and prism are dielectric and fully multi-coated to transmit more light and clearer, brighter images.
That is why the Vortex Diamondback binoculars are popular among hunters. Not only are they durable and deliver good optical performance, but they are also economically affordable.
They have sleek, short hinge design with rubber armor and thumb indents that leaves more room for your hands creating an easier, secure, non-slip grip.
They are also Argon purged to provide enhanced waterproof and fog proof performance in extreme weather conditions.
Specs at a Glance
Magnification: 12x
Objective Lens: 50 mm
FOV (ft/1000 yds / m/1000 m): 271 ft
Eye Relief: 14 mm
Weight: 28.7 oz
For more details read the full review of the Diamondback 12×50 binoculars here.
What does 12×50 mean in binoculars?
The 12×50 binoculars meaning will help you understand what to buy them for. The 12x50mm indicates the magnifying power and objective lens size of the binoculars.
The first number of 12x is the magnification. This means that when you look at an object through this type of full-size binoculars, the object will appear ten times closer than if you were to use your naked eyes.
The 12x binoculars are for birding, hunting, sightseeing, etc.
The second number describes the objective lens diameter size in mm. The objective lens is the larger lens in your binoculars at the far end of your eyes. While the lens closer to your eyes is called the eyepiece lens. Check out my recent article, If you wish to read more on understanding binoculars optics here.
The larger the objective lens, the higher its ability to gather more light, doubling the lens diameter quadruples the light gathered.
This is particularly important for the night or dawn outdoor enthusiasts such as birders, astronomies, night hunters, etc. Thus, because they work very well in low light conditions. They are able to see far in poor light conditions.
However, in as much as we will all love to see thousands of yards away with ease, but the problem that higher objective lens size binoculars present is, they are heavy.
This can make them tiresome to hold and are bulky. If you are standing in a fixed place, you can easily solve this problem by using a standing tripod to support them. nonetheless, if you seek a higher power, then you have to make a compromise.
What are 12×50 Binoculars Used for?
12×50 binoculars are used for many activities. They are some of the best long-distance viewing binoculars. When it comes to outdoor adventures such as hunting, bird watching, stargazing, etc, you would find the 12×50 binoculars useful.
The 12x magnification power allows you to see great details at a distance away from your target and the 50 mm objective lens diameter enables the 12×50 binoculars to gather more light from the target to make seeing details from the long-distance possible.
The only cons of these binoculars are that they become heavy to hold with hands while viewing. Because of that, you might get blur images. This can easily be corrected by mounting them on a tripod.
Final Thoughts
The world of binoculars is huge. There are many brands and manufacturers out there. They provide these binos with similar features but at the end of the day, you will have to choose which one actually meets your needs.
Through thorough research and customer feedback, I have come up with these above featured best 12×50 Binoculars for the Money. They are to help reduce the time you spend going through the hundreds out there. So as to make an informed decision on before you pull your wallet or purse out for a purchase.
However, if you have also come across some really good brands within this 12 by 50 Binoculars that I have not mentioned, please feel free to leave it in the comment box.
Interested in knowing how binoculars really work?. Check my recent article out.