We are about to launch something really exceptional – brand new thermal imaging binoculars that encapsulate all of the best features we’ve developed so far in a classic design. And while we’re waiting eagerly to tell you more, we asked our brand ambassadors – Erik, a hunter from Sweden, also known as Night Vision Viking, Phil Taylor, a hunter from the UK, and Boris Belchev, an ornithologist from Lithuania, as well as Christin Geuting representing our German distributor, Bresser GmbH, to tell us some of the reasons they and their peers love binoculars and choose them for their outdoor adventures.
Hunter's review
Why do hunters and outdoor enthusiasts choose binoculars?
When we asked our brand ambassadors why they chose binoculars over a monocular, the first thing that came to everyone’s mind was comfort. “In my opinion, binoculars are easier to use and feel more natural than a monocular, especially if you’re using them for longer times. The Accolade is light and can hang around the neck most of the time, waiting to be used when needed,” says Night Vision Viking.
Phil also adds that he usually goes for the Accolade 2 LRF PRO when he knows he’s going to be observing his surroundings for a long time: “I find thermal binoculars the most useful when I am going out for long periods of time as they are more eye-friendly than a monocular.”
Christin, too, notes that customers who choose binoculars are the ones who intend to spend more time outdoors and are seeking for increased comfort.
I find thermal binoculars the most useful when I am going out for long periods of time as they are more eye-friendly than a monocular.
Phil Taylor, a hunter from the UK
Photos by Phil Taylor and Night Vision Viking.
Hunter's review
The most favorite feature
Christin also mentions that the built-in laser rangefinder is an important feature for hunters looking to purchase thermal binoculars: “Especially over long distances, it is easy to misjudge the distance with a thermal imaging device. A laser rangefinder (LRF) is very helpful here.”
We have some similar impressions straight from the field, too. “The integrated laser range finder is easy to use and gives you the opportunity to find distances, so you can prepare and plan your hunting, or just make a quick distance check if there’s suddenly something in front of you,” says Night Vision Viking.
Phil, when asked about his favorite features, also mentioned the LRF: “It is a fantastic addition to the Accolade as distance is harder to judge at night when foxing or when you are on an unfamiliar land that you have been invited out on. You don’t need to rely on other people’s judgment with these binoculars – just a quick ping and you have the answer yourself.”
Especially over long distances, it is easy to misjudge the distance with a thermal imaging device. A laser rangefinder (LRF) is very helpful here.
Christin Geuting, Bresser GmbH
Hunter's review
The power of thermal vision
And you may wonder, why should you invest into thermal imaging binoculars when there are plenty of usual ones, which are often cheaper? Well, here is what Night Vision Viking tells us: “When it gets dark, your normal binoculars don’t work anymore, regardless of how much they cost. The Accolade will still show you everything that is going on around you, with a great field of view and the possibility to zoom in. And there is really a lot going on in the forest and in the field as it gets dark! That’s actually when the real action starts. This device will spot anything from a small mouse to wild boar that moves without a sound through the forest. Just remember, it’s not a magical X-Ray machine that can see through leaves, trees and stones. But if you use it right you will be able to spot animal behavior that you’ve never seen before.”
But he isn’t the only one – Boris also loves using the Accolade at night: “I didn’t have a clue how much there is going on at night in the forest before I had Accolade. Now, I can go out on expeditions at night, observing birds and other animals in complete darkness or fog. I also plan to use this device during my tours – I can connect it to my tablet and show the birds to my visitors real-time, without disturbing the animals. Plus, I use them for counting birds in flooded meadows, looking for ducks who spend the winter in the Baltic Sea, participating in competitions, and catching the long-eared owls. To me, the biggest advantage of Accolade is that it helps me see the birds way before I could spot them with my bare eyes.”
I didn’t have a clue how much there is going on at night in the forest before I had Accolade. Now, I can go out on expeditions at night, observing birds and other animals in complete darkness or fog.
Boris Belchev, an ornithologist from Lithuania
When it gets dark, your normal binoculars don’t work anymore, regardless of how much they cost. The Accolade will still show you everything that is going on around you, with a great field of view and the possibility to zoom in.
- Night Vision Viking, a hunter from Sweden
The vast range of uses
While Christin admits to have sold most of the Accolades to hunters, she also notices that its the primary choice for those looking for a device for bird watching, bat studies, rescue missions or checking solar installations.
Boris, of course, mostly uses it for bird watching, but he also notes that his colleagues from other fields might make use of them. “Other bird watchers are fascinated by the Accolade, but I think these binoculars would be great to have for those working in protected areas – they would be helpful in gathering information about birds that hatch on the ground, mammals in general, even looking for rare species. I also think farmers should use them to protect animals nesting or sleeping in their fields,” says the ornithologist.
Phil, too, notices that binoculars have a use well beyond hunting: “They lend themselves to hunters on pest control duties, deer managers who are doing deer surveillance and counting them for cull plans.”
The final note
The comfort, the quality, the usability – these are all important features, but both Boris and Christin note that battery life is really important in binoculars. Naturally, when you’re choosing a device for long observation periods, you want one that will work for hours and will have a quick-change external battery just in case you need more time. Boris also tells us about a long night in the Baltic Sea this winter, when the temperature dropped well below zero: “I used it for the whole night and in the very early morning, at dawn, for spotting birds and recording them. The battery has lasted throughout the whole expedition, no matter the cold.”
To sum up everything, we’ll leave you with Night Vision Vikings’ words: “The Accolade has given me some really nice moments with mother nature that I would not have been able to witness without this piece of technology.”
If you’re considering getting yourself a pair of binoculars, you might want to watch this space – there is a new model coming very soon, and we already know it will deliver the best performance in its class.
Before purchasing any night or thermal vision device, please make sure you adhere to the local legislation and only use it when it is allowed. Our ambassadors come from various countries and travel a lot, which allows them to test different devices. We do not encourage or support the illegal use of our devices in any events. If you wish to learn more about export and sales restriction policy, please visit the following link: Export and Sales Restriction Policy.