The Vortex Optics Viper HD 8x42 were the best binoculars for birding in my larger review of the best binoculars. Ahead, learn more about why these binoculars were perfect for spotting winged wildlife.

The Vortex Viper HD binoculars are the rare Goldilocks binoculars. They’re neither too small, as some highly portable compacts can be, nor too big as some of the mega-chassis 15-power binoculars are.