Are you interested in buying the best marine binoculars?
Then you should read this article!
I’ll describe 5 best binoculars for boating that are available on the market. Read about their design, materials, functions and other technical specifications. You can also learn important information that will help you while buying marine binoculars. Compare the reviews and decide which boat binoculars are the most suitable for you.
Things To Know Before Buying Boat Binoculars
Where To Buy Best Binoculars For Marine Use?
You can find them in local and specialized stores, at official websites from brands and online retailers such as Amazon. In my opinion, online retailers are the best market because you can find the widest offer of models that you can easily compare and buy for lower prices in comparison to other markets.
Price Range Of Marine Binoculars For Sale
The price of binoculars for marine use will depend on the additional features included, material, optic system, and brand. In general, you can buy the best marine binoculars on the market within the price range from $20 up to $2000.
Useful Features Of Marine Grade Binoculars
Additional features you want consider when buying marine binoculars are the built-in compass that helps you in navigation, image stabilization that’s ideal when on boat and rangefinder that determines the distance from the object to lenses.
Construction Of Chassis
You want to be able to use binoculars in extreme weather conditions, therefore the structure of chassis should be high-quality made and hermetically sealed so the humidity doesn’t get in. Also, it should be waterproof and fog proof. It’s desirable if the rubber coating is included for comfortable carrying.
Type Of Optic System
Porro prism system is generally used in cheaper models, but it’s good enough for marine usage because it delivers the high contrasted image. However, the roof prism system ensures better images because of the direct lightpath. You can also choose between Bk7 and BaK4 glass type, while the BaK4 has better quality, but it’s included in more expensive models.
The Best 8 Marine Binoculars Review
The Best Marine Binoculars 7×50
Steiner Commander 7×50 Military Marine Binoculars
Updated Civilian Version
These Steiner marine binoculars are updated civilian version of military-issue binoculars. They ensure a sharp, clear and bright image for observing your surroundings. These Steiner military marine binoculars ensure clear images during low-light conditions.
Optic System, Dimensions And Weight
These Steiner marine binoculars have 7x magnification when looking through an objective that 50mm wide. The light is passed through Porro prism which ensures high-contrasted and bright images. These Steiner 7×50 military marine binoculars are 6” long, 8” wide and 2.75” high. They weigh 36 ounces.
Structure Of Lenses
The lenses are made from high-quality and finest optical glass and they’re multi-coated which ensures high light transmission and bright images. These Steiner marine 7×50 binoculars feature auto-focus that gives you a sharp view of an object even when you’re moving.
Eye Relief And Field Of View
The chassis of these Steiner binoculars marine model has eye relief that’s 0.7” long, which is a distance between the objective lens and your eye. According to other Steiner 7×50 military marine binoculars reviews, it’s a great model for eyeglass wearers. The field of view is 387 feet wide at 1000 yards away, and close focus distance is from 20 yards to infinity.
Construction Of Frame
The Steiner 7×50 military marine binoculars 2038 model has a rubber-armored structure that’s waterproof and fog proof, therefore reliable during any weather conditions. The chassis is made from strong and durable polycarbonate so these Steiner military marine 7×50 are long-lasting and they have a 10-year limited warranty on all parts.
- a strong and durable rubber armored polycarbonate chassis
- multicoated optic industry lens with sports autofocus
- long eye relief for eyeglass wearers
- 387 feet wide FOV at 1000 yards away
- 10-years limited warranty included
Steiner Navigator Pro 7×50 Marine Binoculars With Compass Version
According to other Steiner marine 7×50 binoculars review, this version is different from the model because it has an HD waterproof and illuminated analog compass that allows you to navigate. These Steiner marine ii 7×50 binoculars with compass have floating prism system and it’s 5.5” long, 8.2” wide and 3” high. It weighs 2.45 pounds.
- built-in analog compass
- floating prism system
Steiner Military Marine 10×50 Version
These 10×50 marine binoculars are unique because of their bigger magnification. They have 10x magnification when looking through the objectives that are 50mm wide in diameter. These military marine 10×50 binoculars have depth-of-field focusing. They’re lightweight. Lenght of these Steiner marine binoculars 10×50 is 8.2”, width is 2.8” and height is 5.2”.
- 10x magnification
- 50mm wide objectives
- depth-of-field focusing
Steiner Military Marine 8×30 Version
Magnification of these Steiner marine 8×30 binoculars is smaller than the previous verison but higher in comparison to the model. The Steiner military marine 8×30 eyecups are also smaller because of the 30 mm wide objective. The great feature of this military marine 8×30 is the floating prism system.
- 8x magnification
- 30mm wide objective
- floating prism system
The Best Marine Binoculars With Compass
Bushnell 7x50mm Marine With Illuminated Compass & Rangefinder Reticle Binoculars
Magnification And Lenses
These Bushnell marine binoculars ensure a 7x magnified picture when looking through their 50mm wide objective. The optic lenses are multicoated which ensures a bright image with great contrast and detail.
Waterproof And Fog Proof Chasis
With this Bushnell marine 7×50 binocular you can go anywhere, during any weather conditions because its design is waterproof and fog proof. According to other Bushnell 7×50 binoculars review, their chassis is nitrogen purged and O-ring sealed.
High-Quality Comfortable Design
Chasis of this Bushnell marine 7×50 waterproof binocular is high-quality made. Its structure is hermetically sealed so no moisture can get in. The rubber armoring ensures that they don’t slip from your hands, and they’re comfortable to hold.
Built-In Design And Compass
Although they have a durable structure, the binoculars are lightweight and easy to carry. They even have a built-in compass for navigation and high tech rangefinder that determines the distance from object or object size from distance.
FOV And Porro Prism System
The FOV of these Bushnell marine binoculars with a compass is 350 feet wide at 1000 yards away. According to other marine binoculars with compass reviews, these deliver a very detailed picture because of the high-quality BaK4 Porro prism system. These marine binoculars with compass and rangefinder are 9.5” long, 8.7” wide and 3.9” high.
- built-in compass and rangefinder
- waterproof high-quality constructed chassis
- BaK4 Porro prism system
- multicoated lenses
The Best Marine Binoculars With Rangefinder
Pentax Marine Binoculars
Rangefinder Feature
These Pentax marine binoculars also provide 7x magnification through a 50mm wide objective. The lenses are multicoated and have a ranging reticle that determines the distance from the object or object size from a distance, which is a very user-friendly feature that the previous model also has.
LED Illuminated Compass
Besides that, these marine rangefinder binoculars have a built-in compass with an easy-to-read scale which you can use for navigation. The great user-friendly feature is the LED illuminator on the compass so you can read it during the night or low-light conditions.
Nitrogen-Purged Chassis
According to other Pentax 7×50 marine binoculars review, they’re ideal for outdoor activities because the chassis is nitrogen-purged which means the construction is waterproof and fog proof and won’t get damaged under extreme weather conditions.
Dimensions And Weight
The exterior of the Pentax marine 7×50 binoculars is made from high-quality materials that are durable and long-lasting. The design is rubber-armored to make viewing even more comfortable. They are 6.9” long, 4.7” wide and 2.3” high. The construction weighs only 2.1 pounds so they’re lightweight and easy to carry.
Roof Prism System And BaK4 Glass
The optic system has roof prisms that are unique considering previous models that have a Porro prism system. The roof prism system ensures more direct lightpath to the eyes, so the image is brighter and in more detail. The prisms are made from high-quality BaK4 glass.
- high-quality roof prism system
- BaK4 glass
- built-in illuminated compass
- rangefinder feature included
- nitrogen-purged waterproof chassis
The Best Image Stabilized Binoculars For Boating
Nikon Marine 7×50 Binoculars
BaK4 Prism Glass And FOV
Like the previous model, these Nikon marine binoculars also have high-quality BaK4 prism glass that ensures high light transmission which means better observing during low-light conditions and detailed images. They have FOV that’s 308 feet wide at 1000 yards away.
Porro Prism System And Anti-Reflective Multi-Coated Lens
They have a Porro prism system that isn’t as advanced as a roof prism system, but it ensures high contrasting images. The lenses of these stabilized binoculars marine models have an anti-reflective and multilayered coating that additionally contributes to brighter images and night vision.
Image Stabilization
Because of the feature I’ve mentioned, these are one of the best marine binoculars with image stabilization. They also feature a sports autofocus that allows you to move while having the same focus on the observed subject in surroundings.
Built-In Illuminated Compass And Large Exit Pupil
Besides the feature of image stabilization, this model also has a built-in compass that’s illuminated so you can observe it during low-light conditions. The large exit pupils of these Nikon marine binoculars with compass reduce the effect of rough seas when on the boat.
Dimensions And Weight
According to other marine image stabilized binoculars reviews, these are the best binoculars you can buy if you want to reduce disorientation that experienced when using binoculars in the marine environment. These image-stabilized marine binoculars are 8.3” long, 4.3” wide and 11” high. They weigh 2.49 pounds.
- illuminated compass
- large exit pupil and Porro prism BaK4 glass system
- 308 feet wide FOV at 1000 yards away
The Best Marine Binoculars Under 500
Fujinon 7×50 Marine Binoculars
High-Quality Construction For Great Price
These Fujinon marine binoculars have waterproof chassis, therefore they’re ideal for use in any extreme weather conditions. The structure is hermetically sealed so they are durable and long-lasting. This high-quality construction is offered for less than $500 which is a great deal.
Porro Prism Optic System
Also, they have a Porro prism optic system that allows you to see bright and high-contrasted pictures. It’s not as high-quality as the roof prism system, but it’s a great feature for this price. Each of the lenses is multicoated which contributes to the sharpness of the picture.
Built-In Compass With LED Nightlight
And each lens has an individual focus which you can adjust with the center wheel. Additionally, the structure has a built-in compass that has an energy-saving LED nightlight so you can easily read it even during low-light conditions.
Magnification And Night Vision
Because of the anti-reflective multi-coated lens, the light transmission is high so you will be able to observe far away objects during low light conditions. These binoculars offer a 7x magnified picture while looking through the 50mm objective.
Long Eye Relief And Warranty
The long eye relief lets you use these binoculars even if you wear eyeglasses. Eye relief is 0.7” long. Both compass and reticle display is visible through the left eyepiece. All parts are covered with a 5-year limited warranty. They’re 9.4” long, 13” wide and 3.1” high.
- long eye relief and anti-reflective lenses
- 5-year limited warranty
Conclusion: Which Two Best Binoculars For Boating You Should Buy?
In my opinion, the best marine binoculars you should buy are the Pentax and Steiner model. The Steiner boat binoculars have a 10-years limited warranty, sports autofocus, and military firm long-lasting construction. Pentax marine binoculars have a roof prism system with high-quality BaK4 glass, together with rangefinder and compass.
If you want to read more about military binoculars, visitthis post. In case you’re interested in models that have additional features such as a camera, you should read this review on the best binoculars with the camera. Read this review on the best binoculars on the market with a buying guide, to get even more information on the models that are available on the market.