Best Binoculars, Scopes & Optics

Optics for seeing far away and up close: binoculars, including astronomy and image-stabilized models, telescopes, smart rifle scopes and laser scopes, night vision goggles, microscopes and prepared microscope slides. Magnification is only part of the story. The diameter of the front lens sets how much light reaches your eye, so it matters for dawn, dusk and stargazing. Field of view, weight and, for night vision, the type of sensor are the other specs to compare.