Scope Out the 6 Best Marine Binoculars and Focus on Your Favorite

Marine binoculars are a necessity on a boat, kayak or canoe. Adding a layer of fun on the water, they provide a means of birdwatching and even help determine exactly what kind of boat that's out there in the distance. But more importantly, they provide a safe means to scope out weather and water conditions, so that you can steer clear and wait out a storm. As part of your boating gear collection, it's important to include a pair of the best marine binoculars. So read on to discover what makes a good set of marine binoculars and scope out one that works best for you.
How Do Marine Binoculars Work?
Just like regular binoculars, marine binoculars work via a series of lenses and prisms. This system brings it all in crisp and clear, as the prisms “reverse†the image. Without this system, your view would look inverted, reversed and just plain weird. Two side-by-side tubes are used to gaze through (rather than days of yore when sailors used a single telescope and closed one eye). Most binoculars are 7x50. This means there's 7x magnification and the lenses are 50mm in diameter. You're probably thinking Let's up that magnification to see even farther. But when dealing with marine binoculars, this doesn't exactly work. You see, when you increase the magnification, you'll also increase the amount of shaking (due to unsteady hands or the fact that you're on a boat a rocking boat). There's no getting around it. Higher power is just going to do that. For the best non-blurry vision, stick with 7x50. The 50mm lens lets in a lot of light and provides a large opening for marine use.Components of the Best Marine Binoculars
Marine binoculars, much like standard binoculars, have several features that provide comfort, convenience and great visibility. Between closed and open bridges, porro and roof prisms and center or individual focusing, it can get confusing. Let's go over the main points so you understand what's best for your boating visionary needs.Binocular Prisms
- Roof Prism A roof prism is when the glass tubes are in line with each other. It gives a more streamlined look. They're usually longer than the porro prism variety, and they can be more compact and ergonomic. However, most marine binoculars are...
- Porro Prism Porro prism means that the glass tubes are offset. This is the type most people picture when visualizing a pair of binoculars. Porro prism binoculars can provide greater depth of field and a wider field of vision than roof prism marine binoculars.
Binocular Housings
- Open Bridge The center part that connects the two tubes (on roof prism binoculars) is open. In other words, you could wrap your hand around it.
- Closed Bridge The center hinge and focusing dial are enclosed. This allows for a stronger mechanism but doesn't allow you to wrap your hand around it for a good grip.
Binocular Focus Systems
- Center Focus System A center focus system is when the focus wheel is on the binocular's bridge. Most binoculars have this type of focus system.
- Individual Focus Individual focus is when each eyepiece can be focused individually.
- Focus-Free The names says it all. There is no focusing, as the eyepieces react to your eyes. While certainly convenient, this can cause stress on the eyes.
Binocular Frame/Body
- Aluminum The most popular material. It's inexpensive, corrosion-resistant, lightweight and strong.
- Magnesium Has a high strength to weight ration. It's very strong, yet it's lighter than aluminum.
- Polycarbonate Strong, corrosion-resistant and temperature-resistant, which keeps the frame at a neutral temperature in extreme conditions (like winter boating). Think about wrapping your hands around super cold metal and you'll understand this feature's benefits.
Features and Options Found on the Best Marine Binoculars
Obviously, standard binoculars would work in a marine setting. As long as you can see, you're good to go, right? Yes. And no. In a marine setting hello rocking boat and spraying water!consider a few of the following when picking out a pair of marine binoculars.- Lens Coatings It's a good idea to choose marine binoculars with a lens coating that reduces glare, increases contrast and makes colors look clear and crisp.
- Field of View Field of view is the width of the image at 1,000 yards without moving the binoculars. Most fields of view are at seven degrees. When the view gets narrower (below six degrees), it's harder to see what you're trying to see. When the view is wider (above eight degrees), it's easier to see, but the view can be less sharp and defined. Stick with a seven-degree field of view.
- Image Stabilization Like the image stabilizer in your digital camera, this means that the binoculars automatically stabilize the image (allowing you to go above the typical 7x magnification). No manual focusing is required. Some even have night vision.
- Prisms Believe it or not, there's a lot of technology in the optical glass prisms used in binoculars.
BAK4 (Barium Crown glass), is the best type, as it transmits light well with less chance of lost light due to internal reflections or imperfections.
BK7, slightly lower in quality than BAK4, is probably the most widely used, as it has excellent light transmission and low internal imperfections.
SK15 falls somewhere in the middle. It has a higher refraction than BAK4 and BK7. Images have high contrast and great clarity.
- Floating You would never intentionally toss your binoculars overboard. But if you've been a boater as long as I have, you'll know the Law of Murphy pretty well. Some of the best marine binoculars are made to float. You can always invest in a floatable strap (check price on Amazon) if yours aren't made to float on their own. I suggest a bright color like orange or yellow; they're much easier to spot in rocking waves.
- Waterproof / Fog-proof This is probably what I'd call the most important marine binocular feature. Water, fog and condensation... need I say more?
- Non-slip Grip Again, when you're on a boat, anything non-slip is the best choice.
- Compass A built-in compass is an awesome marine binocular feature. If only for the cool factor.
Scope Out the 6 Best Marine Binoculars
Bushnell H2O Waterproof / Fog Proof Porro Prism Binocular
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Bushnell H2O Waterproof/Fogproof Porro Prism Binocular, 8 x 42-mm, Black
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BARSKA Deep Sea 7x50 Waterproof Floating Binoculars
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BARSKA Deep Sea 7x50 Waterproof Floating Binocular w/ Internal Rangefinder & Compass
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Celestron SkyMaster 20x80 Binoculars
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Nikon Oceanpro Global Compass Binoculars
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Nikon OceanPro CF 7x50mm Global Compass Binoculars, Black, 16026
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ProMariner Weekender 7x50 Water-Resistant Binocular
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ProMariner Weekender 7 x 50 Water Resistant Binocular w/Case
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Steiner Model 575 Marine 7x50 Binoculars
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