Best Affordable Binoculars for Yellowstone National Park

When we took our trip to Yellowstone we struggled to find affordable binocular recommendations. We wanted to be able to see unique animals but didn’t want to spend the recommended $200 for binoculars we might not use again. So we bought a pair of random affordable binoculars from a store at the last minute. While they were better than not having any binoculars, we really wished that they were better in low light. We also wish that we had brought along a spotting scope so that we could have seen the wolves. Seeing the wolves was the animal my daughter wanted to see most. Without further ado, here are our picks for the best affordable binoculars for Yellowstone National Park.

This article is intended for people who are not avid wildlife observers. This is for people like me who don’t use binoculars regularly and don’t want to spend a fortune on a pair that may only be used once.

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Why You Will Want Binoculars For Yellowstone

• To see distant wildlife up close
  You never know when or where you will see animals at Yellowstone National Park. Many of those times will be looking at wild animals from quite a distance. I mean, grizzly bears will look like slow-moving black dots. Without binoculars, you may not see half the animals in their natural habitat that you would otherwise.
  

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How to Read Binocular Specs.

If you don’t have experience with binoculars, you probably don’t know what all the terminology & numbers mean. So, here is a quick breakdown:

Magnification is how many times the binoculars will enlarge the object. You can find the magnification of binoculars by looking at the first number in the name. For example, the binoculars Occer 12X25, have a magnification of 12. Gosky 20-60X80 has a variable magnification of 20x-60x. This means that magnification starts at 20x and can go as far as 60x.

Lens Diameter is how big the lens of the binoculars is. A large objective lens will allow more light in, work better in low light, and help to produce brighter images & colors. It also has a wider field of view. The lens diameter is the last number in the binocular name. We’ll use Occer 12X25 again. In this example, the lens diameter is 25mm.

Bak4 is the type of glass used to create the prism. It is considered the best prism material because it has a high refractive index and a lower critical angle. This means that it transmits light better which helps to create a more vivid picture.

Roof Prisms or Porro Prisms refer to the type and configuration of the internal prism. Internal prisms are used in binoculars to magnify & transmit light through the binocular. The Roof Prism is straight while the Porro Prism is bent.

BEST Affordable Binoculars for Yellowstone

Best Affordable Distance Spotting Scope for Yellowstone

Gosky 20-60X80 –
I chose the Gosky spotting scope for long-distance viewing for multiple reasons.

1. It has a higher magnification power of 60. This magnification is perfect for getting a closer look at wildlife across the valley. This spotting scoop has a zoom lens which means that you can choose from a magnification range of 20X-60X. I find that having the ability to zoom is nice.
2. It’s waterproof and fog-proof making it great for all weather conditions. This isn’t a must-have unless you are headed there during a rainy or snowy season but it’s nice to have.
3. It has a big lens diameter which helps with image quality by allowing more light in. It also has a wider field of view.

The downside to using a spotting scope is that it is the heaviest option. It is not something that you will want to hike with. Instead, you’ll want to pick a spot to set up and sit for a while. This is also the most expensive option.

We used binoculars that were 10X zoom and that zoom was great for most things. But that magnification power was not even close to allowing us to see the wolves which was my daughters dream.

*You’ll only really need a spotting scope if you are trying to see the animals that are more hidden like the wolves.

Best Affordable All Purpose Binoculars for Yellowstone

SkyGenius 10X50
I chose the SkyGenius as the best affordable all-purpose binoculars because:

1. They have a magnification of 10X which is great for most wildlife viewing at Yellowstone National Park.
2. The lens diameter is bigger than most binoculars with a 10X magnification. The bigger the lens diameter, the better it is in low light. (The binoculars that we took to Yellowstone were terrible in low light and became useless at a certain point during the day. We really wish we had binoculars that did better in low light.)
3. The eyepiece is adjustable.

While these aren’t zoom binoculars, they should still work great for most of your Yellowstone needs. At $40 they are the best binoculars at that price point.

Best Affordable Compact Binoculars For Yellowstone

Occer 12X25
These binoculars are a good option for compact binoculars because:

1. They have a great compact design that easily fits in your hand, hiking backpack, or coat pocket.
2. For being so small they have an impressive range of 12X magnification.
3. They are waterproof which is a bonus especially if you are hiking.

At only $30 you’re getting a high-quality compact binocular at an affordable price.

The most important things to keep in mind when choosing the best affordable binoculars for Yellowstone are lens diameter & magnification.

Finding a good pair of binoculars for Yellowstone can be tough especially if you are not experienced with them. The terminology alone can be daunting. I hope that I have broken down everything enough so that you can choose what is best for you.

Helpful Resources We Can’t Live Without

Accommodations- We love and swear by HiltonHonors, but when we want to stay someplace different, we use Hotels.com. You can search for deals on hotels, cabins, houses & more.

Getting There- Roadtripping with our car is how we prefer to travel. That being said, Skyscanner has great deals on flights and RVShare has deals on RV rentals.

Other Favorites-
Save money on gas- Upside
Find pit stops on your route- RoadTrippers
Deals on local food & attractions- Living Social
Explore top city attractions at a fraction of the price- CityPASS

Looking for gear? See the best deals on clothing & gear here, & best travel essentials here.
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