Imagine bobbing in the icy waters of Alaska on an expedition cruise expectantly waiting for a brief turn at the naturalist’s binoculars to get a closer look at a mama grizzly and her cubs on the distant shoreline. Or sitting frustrated in the safari vehicle squinting to see a tiny spec across the landscape as those with binoculars gleefully describe every detail of a rare yellow-billed stork. Not fun.

So you vow to purchase binoculars before your next adventure. But how to choose? How do you know what pair will best fit your needs?

To help take the mystery out of buying, here are a few expert tips by Heidi Krajewsky, a naturalist at wildlife cruise outfitter Maple Leaf Adventures.