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A pair of marine binoculars is essential for general safety on board a boat and a great piece of equipment to have handy when you are looking for those little telltale signs that a lucrative fishing spot is up ahead - like a flock of gulls diving in for an easy dinner. There are some essential characteristics to look out for when you are shopping for a pair of binoculars for your marine adventures. Field of View An essential characteristic of any set of binoculars is the field of view. This is either indicated in degrees or more commonly in a number such as 300 x 1000 ft. The field of view tells you the distance from left to right that you will be able to see when the binoculars are up to your eyes. For marine binoculars it is especially important to get as wide a field of view as you can afford because looking out to sea there are few landmarks to help you zoom in on a given area. The larger the number per 1000 ft, or the bigger the angle, the less time you will spend panning the binoculars from side to side trying to locate the object you are looking for. It is also handy to have a wide field of view if you are tracking moving objects such as a bird flying in the distance or a speedboat racing in front of you. A general rule of thumb is that a lower magnification will give you a wider field of view, so keep that in mind when shopping. Power (Magnification) The power or magnification factor is the degree to which the binoculars magnify what you are looking at. There is tradeoff between power, clarity and field of view. When comparing marine binoculars, keep in mind that with extra power you lose both clarity and field of view and with lower power, you see a brighter image and have a wider field of view. Many experts agree that a magnification of about 7 or 8 times is a good power objective. Eye Relief When you focus the binoculars you can adjust each lens separately, so if you wear a simple glasses prescription it can be easier to take your glasses off. However, many people who wear glasses prefer to keep them on while looking through binoculars. A longer eye relief will be helpful for those you want to use their marine binoculars while wearing prescription lenses. 15mm is a fairly standard eye relief distance. 22mm gives you a little extra play to hold the binoculars forward from your eyes and still experience a reasonable field of view. Waterproofing Marine enthusiasts agree that one of the primary features all marine electronics must have is a good waterproofing system. Marine binoculars are no exception. Look for ruggedized casing that can withstand being dropped in the water and also look for lenses that have protective coatings that prevent water from clinging to the lenses. There are several types of lens coating provided by manufacturers of marine binoculars, some are anti-glare or anti-reflection, so look specifically for coatings that repel water and moisture. Once you understand the basic characteristics of a good pair of marine binoculars you can find good deals online at marine electronics outlets. Study the specifications to compare the differences between models, manufacturers and price ranges. Want to learn more about top-quality marine electronics? MarineWholesales.com has all the leading brands of discount marine electronics for yachting, boating and fishing.
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