Auto focus binoculars seem to be rare in the optics market even though they save you from having to constantly focus.
When you need to focus in on something immediately, traditional binoculars are sometimes not enough. The best auto focus binoculars usually stay focused from a range of 80 feet onward, and give you great depth of view.
An auto focus binocular is any binocular that does not need to be focused to be used. However, most auto and fixed focus binoculars do have adjusters to compensate for different individuals’ eyes.
You should know that these binoculars are not meant to be used for viewing things at close distances. Most only focus from 40-100 feet and on, making them great for birdwatchers and hunters, but not as good for hobbyists.
Without further ado, here are our top 5 favorite auto focus binoculars:
Top 5 Best Auto Focus Binoculars Reviews
1. Bushnell PermaFocus 10×42 Binoculars
No review about the best auto focus binoculars would be complete without the Bushnell PermaFocus series. Bushnell is well known for their quality products. The PermaFocus 10×42 binoculars have fully coated lenses and a rubber non-slip grip. The ideal buyer for these binoculars would be a hunter or birdwatcher looking for a durable, moderately priced pair of binoculars. The Bushnell PermaFocus 10×42 binoculars also come in either black or camo.
Pros
- Price
- Choice of Black or Camo
- Good Depth of Field
Cons
- Fogs Easily
2. Celestron Echelon 10×70 Binoculars
Celestron is famous for their telescopes, and their binoculars are just as good. Their lenses are made in Japan, and assembled in the USA for the best image quality possible. However, these are no basic binoculars. These professional binoculars are completely fog and water proof. The ideal buyer for these binoculars would be a professional looking for a high quality pair of binoculars; others should stick to less expensive models. These definitely top every single other pair of binoculars on this list, but the price is the only thing holding these Celestrons back from the #1 spot.
Pros
- Best Build Quality
- Fog and Water Proof
- Tripod Mount
- Comes with Waterproof Case
Cons
- Price
- Very Large
3. Bushnell Marine 7×50 Binoculars
These binoculars are also fog and water proof like the Celestrons, but they come in a much smaller package. I personally like them because they bring the quality of the other Bushnell binoculars without fogging up. These binoculars could be ideal for a large variety of users, but they were built with the boating audience in mind. This is a plus for the boating community, but everybody can enjoy their weather-proof design none the less. They also include a built in compass with a light that can be viewed by looking through the left eyepiece.
Pros
- Excellent Build Quality
- Built in Compass
- Nitrogen Water/Fog Proofing
- Floats in Water
Cons
- Compass Can Make Image Slightly Hazy
- Lens Caps Are Easily Breakable
4. Celestron Calvary 7×50 Binoculars
The Celestron Calvary 7×50 binoculars are our number 1 pick for the best auto focus binoculars. The Celestron Calvary 7×50 binoculars not only have a built in digital compass and marked reticle, but they also boast a GPS with coordinates and elevation that can viewed from the LCD screen on the top. These binoculars also include the same Celestron nitrogen water and fog proofing that can be found in their telescopes. Though these binoculars would perfectly serve a very wide range of users including hunters, boaters, and law enforcement, they are a high-end model and are therefore located on the higher end of the price spectrum (though they are less than a third of the price of the other Celestrons).
Pros
- Built in Digital GPS/Compass
- Reticle Can Be Used to Calculate Distance
- Nitrogen Water/Fog Proofing
- Extremely Wide Field of View
- Limited Lifetime Warranty
- Tripod Adaptable
- Multi-coated Lenses
- Case Included
- LCD Screen is Also Waterproof
Cons
- Heavy for 10×50 binoculars
5. Barska Auto Focus 10×50 Binoculars
The Barska Focus Free binoculars are a very nice pair of focus free binoculars. They are basic, compact, and inexpensive. These binoculars are what I would consider a good entry-level pair of auto focus binoculars for their price. The ideal buyer for these binoculars would be someone not looking for an extravagant pair of binoculars, but something standard, well-built, and dependable.
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Price
- No Frills
Cons
- Materials are Cheap
- No Diopter Adjusters
- Low Image Quality
Conclusion
Personally, it was clear that the Celestrons dominated the competition. The sheer number of features, the build quality, and the brand name all tell us this is the best auto focus binocular on the market. The other pairs were better for certain situations, but the Celestron’s stood out by appealing to all audiences looking for quality binoculars. When you’re searching for binoculars, it’s important to make sure that your pair fit you.
Hopefully you found this review helpful, and we encourage you to browse our other reviews for more information on the best optics, and other gear!