In fallout (whichever one you want) do binoculars have a purpose, other than a toy? Even modded to have strong magnification, I'm not so sure. The pipboy can use vats to target and zoom in on enemies, and on top of it you'll get info on them like the name of the creature/person and how hard they are to hit. That beats even modded-strength binoculars, as far as I know.
It's sort of a shame. I find myself wishing I needed binoculars once in a while.

Hmm... It inspired me for a mod idea.

Imagine if when you used binoculars it marked enemies the same way that Boone's companion ability did?

Seems interesting

Anything at all like that, just to make them have some kind of use beyond a toy or gimmick, I'd say. It'd get a bit gamey to give them some kind of scanning ability, but... they're already competing with the vats abilities, so they need something.

Well, I guess you would only enter VATS if you know you are looking at an enemy. I suppose some people might want to look an area for a bit an inspect it, maybe? I haven't found a use for them, honestly.

Yeah, vats does what binoculars do, and more. But surely there must have been some kind of 2077+ technology that made binoculars that were more advanced or had more uses than any in real life. It'd probably not be anti-lore to give them some kind of extra bonus or ability.
I just want a use for them... I was almost disappointed when I realized I could just use vats to check out distant opponents.

@Sirdanest True, there was some interesting mods on Nexus that added a cool overlay and night vision to them. At least it made them somewhat useful

i agree i wish binoculars were actually needed but indeed there not you can just use sniper scope thats what i usually do

Honestly this has given me a good idea for a mod, I wonder if it would be possible to add the night vision overlay from PN onto the binoculars, or maybe even the thermal vision, could be interesting!

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@Sirdanest IMO, I've always relied on binoculars in NV.
Sometimes the range of vats wasn't enough for me and I lacked the proper scoped weapons or range.
Mind you I wouldn't complain if I could mark enemies.

I always grab a pair of binoculars when the item presents itself to me, call it a force of habit but I do use them.

If the binoculars could give you like range details and stuff like that, and have nightvision, maybe they'd be used more for immersion sake?