You can’t go wrong with Wingspan binoculars.
They’ve got a variety of products in every price range, and all of them are well-made and well-reviewed.
This pair of Wingspan’s will give you a wider field of view than almost any other pair of budget-priced binoculars, and at 8x magnification, you’ll see much further than what most compact models can show you. There’s a lot of power packed into this little pair.
This particular model, the Spectator, was actually built with bird watchers in mind, but you’ll find they are well suited to all outdoor uses. They are powerful enough to give you good, clear images of anything in your path, but lightweight enough to wear or carry all day.
The excellent construction means you won’t break them easily, and the sealed casing and nitrogen-filled lenses will keep them safe from fog and moisture, just like you’d expect from a more expensive model.
The best part about these binoculars is knowing for sure you’ve got something quality in your hands even though you didn’t spend much money. And Wingspan offers a lifetime warranty on all of their optics, which is handy if you’re planning to spend a lot of time in the field.
Overall, the Wingspan Spectator 8×32 binoculars are fantastic for anyone who wants a low-cost pair of binoculars to use while backpacking. However, while this pair is great for casual use, if you plan on using your binoculars frequently during your trip then this isn’t the pair you want.
Why not?
Well, low cost binoculars come with multiple disadvantages, such as “headache glass”, low glass clarity overall, low eye relief, and multiple other cons. In other words, budget binoculars function fine, but that’s just about all they do. They’re also prone to breaking upon impact if dropped.
So, to conclude, if the cons associated with low cost optics don’t bother you, or you’re buying these binoculars for kids/infrequent use, then go ahead and buy this pair, as they are the best in this price range for backpacking.