There are mainly two types of roof binoculars.
Roof or porro prism binoculars.
If you are traveling with your binoculars roof binoculars will be a better choice than porro prism binoculars because they are designed to be a lot more durable and are usually waterproof.
But like most things in life the reality is all things aren t equal.
Porro prisms are the more traditional ones and these are seen in older binoculars with a zig zag shape.
Porro prism binoculars however do not need these coatings to reflect the same amount of light and so can match the better quality roof prisms at a lower cost.
The difference between porro prism and roof prism binoculars is in the design and the respective features.
Contain 2 prisms called dach or dachkanten prism and derive their name from abbe koenig ak prism design.
Roof prism design looks as if the light goes straight through.
However porro prism binoculars are great watching birds or other small objects.
Porro prism binoculars these types of binoculars have the more iconic and traditional binocular design and they ve been named after the italian inventor ignazio porro.
Roof prism binoculars were compact light and comfortable to hold.
These are easy to hold for you are more compact and more expensive than porro prism binoculars.
The standard porro and the reverse porro.
And they re much better for overall general use.
The prims are in the shape of a right angled triangle and they reflect the light rays through the binoculars so you see your image clearly.
Roof prism binocular is more streamlined as the glasses are in line with one another.
Roof prism binoculars are well known as more compact and lightweight which makes them more popular than porro binoculars.
Open bridge optical devices can be easily used on a tripod.
They ll provide just as vibrant an image as a corresponding roof set at a fraction of the cost.
So if you re on a tight budget go ahead and look for a porro set sporting bak 4 prisms.
Of both types there are good and not so good instruments.
Open bridge and closed bridge binoculars.
Therefore at the cheaper end of the market they can often outperform a roof prism of the same price because to save money the will use less layers or lower quality mirror coatings.
They made the offset zig zag shape of the porro prism design look as old fashioned as propeller driven aircraft.
Porro prism design has a jog in the light path through each barrel.
Roof prism bino sets are often much more expensive than porro designs of the same magnification.
Additionally there are actually two types of porro prisms.
Roof binoculars are in a higher general price category than porro prism binoculars and represent a class of more powerful viewing instruments.
Roof prism binoculars have lately become more popular than porro prism binoculars.
It is difficult to say whether porro prism or roof prism binoculars are better.
But it would be bulkier.
With components and labor efforts being equal porro prisms are superior.