Most popular
Vortex Kaibab HD 18x56
- Most popular of the 5 compared
- 43.5 oz, lighter than the typical 44.8 oz
- 16.4 mm eye relief, enough for glasses
18x56 binoculars: 5 models compared
All 5 models in the 18x56 size give the same 194 ft field of view, and the median weight is 44.8 oz. Calculated from the size, the exit pupil works out to 3.1 mm.
Top picks
Lightest
Vortex Razor UHD 18x56
- Lightest of the 5: 41.6 oz
- 18 mm eye relief, enough for glasses
- Takes a tripod adapter
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- Exit pupil
- 3.1 mmcalculated
- Twilight factor
- 31.7calculated
- Median field of view
- 194 ftat 1,000 yd
- Median weight
- 44.8 oz
Most popular 18x56 with a listing: Vortex Kaibab HD 18x56
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Every 18x56 binocular in the chart
5 18x56 models, most popular first, with the best figure in each column in bold.
| Model | Maker list price | Amazon | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vortex Razor UHD 18x56 Lightest | 194 ft | 18 mm | 10 ft | 41.6 oz | over $2,000 | |
| Vortex Kaibab HD 18x56 | 194 ft | 16.4 mm | 19.8 ft | 43.5 oz | $1,000 to $2,000 | Check price on Amazon |
| Maven B.5 18x56 | 194 ft | 18 mm | 9.8 ft | 45 oz | $1,000 to $2,000 | |
| Maven C.4 18x56 Lowest maker list price band | 194 ft | 16.4 mm | 16.4 ft | 44.8 oz | $500 to $1,000 | Check price on Amazon |
| Maven B.5 18x56 MOA/MIL | 194 ft | 18 mm | 9.8 ft | 45 oz | $1,000 to $2,000 |
18x56 by the numbers
- Binoculars compared
- 5
- Median field of view
- 194 ft
- Field of view range
- 194 to 194 ft
- Median weight
- 44.8 oz
- Median eye relief
- 18 mm
- With 16 mm eye relief or more
- 5 of 5
- With an Amazon listing
- 2 of 5
What 18x56 is used for
The first number is magnification and the second is the objective lens diameter in millimeters, so 18x56 magnifies eighteen times through 56 mm lenses, as the National Audubon Society explains the numbers. Dividing 56 by 18 gives the 3.1 mm exit pupil, which is calculated from the size rather than printed by a maker.
Nikon puts the human pupil at about 2 mm in daylight and 7 mm in the dark. A 3.1 mm exit pupil fills the eye well in bright light. ZEISS says dawn use calls for at least 4 mm, so this size gives up some brightness as light fades.
Celestron says a tripod becomes necessary at 15x and higher, and Audubon notes that magnification multiplies hand movement by the same factor. All 5 models are tripod adaptable, and the guide to when binoculars need a tripod covers the mounting side. For lower power on the same lens size, see 15x56 and 8x56.
How the 18x56 models differ
Field of view does not separate them, since every model lists 194 ft. Weight does. The Vortex Razor UHD 18x56 weighs 41.6 oz, against the 44.8 oz median, and carries 18 mm of eye relief and a 10 ft close focus. It sits in the over $2,000 maker list price band.
The two Maven B.5 models, Maven B.5 and Maven B.5 MOA/MIL, share the 9.8 ft close focus, the shortest in the size. Each also has 18 mm of eye relief, ED glass and a $1,000 to $2,000 band, at 45 oz.
The Vortex Kaibab HD 18x56 weighs 43.5 oz but focuses no closer than 19.8 ft. The Maven C.4 focuses at 16.4 ft and weighs 44.8 oz, and it is the only one in the $500 to $1,000 band. Both have 16.4 mm of eye relief.
Eye relief and glass in this size
Every model clears the RSPB's figure of at least 16 mm of eye relief for eyeglass wearers, and the median is 18 mm. Three of the five have ED glass, and the most common prism type is roof. Try the exit pupil calculator to compare this size with others, or the best binoculars compared for the full set.
Other sizes and how 18x56 compares
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18x56 questions
What does 18x56 mean on binoculars?
18x56 means the binocular magnifies 18 times and each front lens is 56 mm across, so a subject looks 18 times closer than with the bare eye.
How bright is a 18x56 binocular?
18x56 gives an exit pupil of 3.1 mm and a twilight factor of 31.7. Nikon puts the eye's pupil at about 2 mm in daylight and 7 mm in the dark, so a larger exit pupil matters most at dusk and at night.
Which 18x56 binoculars work with glasses?
5 of the 5 18x56 models with a printed figure have 16 mm of eye relief or more, the minimum the RSPB advises for people who wear glasses. The median for the size is 18 mm.
Is the 18x56 exit pupil large enough for dusk?
The calculated exit pupil is 3.1 mm. ZEISS says dawn use calls for at least 4 mm, so this size falls short of that figure.
Can you hold 18x56 binoculars by hand?
Celestron says a tripod is necessary at 15x and higher, and 18x is above that point. All 5 models in this size are tripod adaptable.
Do 18x56 binoculars suit eyeglass wearers?
Yes, by the RSPB's figure of at least 16 mm. All 5 models have 16.4 mm of eye relief or more, and the median is 18 mm.