Here at Live Science we've created a guide to 22 gifts for nature lovers to give you some ideas on what to buy for other people, what about you?
Items such as cameras, binoculars and telescopes are not impulse purchases and certainly not restocking items. These are also very personal purchases, and often expensive. Trusting someone else to make the right choices on your behalf is risky, and frankly, we don't always recommend it.
We, of course, have individual guides to the best places. cameras, best binoculars, And best telescopesbut this guide is compiled based on what our editors would buy for themselves—and in some cases, have—in each of the categories below.
Binoculars
This first section is intended for sky watchers who don't need a telescope, as well as wildlife watchers and bird watchers. Other people may think they know what you want, but it's really worth doing the research yourself. Binoculars are not only about their power.
Binoculars vary depending on their purpose. Stargazing, bird watching, wildlife watching and sports viewing will require different lens sizes, more suitable fields of view and will require different qualities of glass and coatings. For example, a pair ideal for astronomy may be too heavy and impractical for long walks, and compact travel binoculars may not be suitable under dark skies.
Comfort is also an important factor. Weight, balance, eyecup design, interpupillary distance (will you use them with glasses?), and grip all affect how long you can comfortably use your binoculars. These are things that only you can judge.
In addition to comfort, optical preferences are also individual. Some people may prefer brightness, while others prefer edge-to-edge sharpness or superior color accuracy.
Binoculars are generally a long-term investment. A well-chosen pair can last for decades. It's worth making sure they suit your needs now and in the future. Here's a list of binoculars that we think strike the perfect balance between performance, versatility, and ease of use. Each is an outstanding choice in its category.
Telescopes
Next we have telescopes – and as mentioned earlier, choosing the right telescope for you depends on what exactly you want to observe.
Do you want to see local planets and the Moon or deep space objects? Want to use it for astrophotography? Do you need to move it from A to B often? Do you have a place to store it at home, assembled or not? There are many things to consider. Things that others might not think about.
Telescopes also have different experience requirements. Some of them can be used straight out of the box, while others are intended for advanced users. A well-intentioned gift may be too complex, leaving the recipient disappointed, or too simple, making it difficult for an aspiring astronomer to advance. Only you know your experience and/or patience level.
When so much money is spent on telescopes, whether yours or others', there should be no compromise. You want something that will be fun every clear night when you're outside. Here are some of our recommendations.
Cameras
The camera is another (and probably the most important) purchase in this guide that's best made by you rather than someone else guessing. You need something that matches your skill level and ambitions. Plus, photography is a very personal matter and buying a camera for someone else is difficult.
Each type of camera, and even each manufacturer, has its own strengths. Ergonomics also matters. Button placement and menu styles are a matter of personal preference. Features such as autofocus systems, megapixel numbers, and ISO control will vary depending on your shooting style. Even questions like how your computer handles image files are things that only you know the answer to (and the frustration that your computer can't handle!). If you're already a photographer with an ecosystem of lenses and accessories, you don't need to change that because someone thought they were doing the right thing by offering you an “upgrade.”
Finally, it goes without saying that cameras are expensive. Buying your own camera gives you the exact tool that suits your vision as a photographer. Here are some of our DIY gift recommendations.
