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I often get asked by people who already own a perfectly good pair of field binoculars so why they should pay more for a pair of marine binoculars. There are several good reasons and we’ll cover some of them here. Binoculars are specified using 2 numbers, such as 7 x 50 or 8 x 35. The first number is the magnification power of the lens, so a 7x will give you seven times magnification. You might think a bigger magnification will be more useful, but many people report that when you use marine binoculars you are constantly subject to the motion of a boat. Add to that the wobble or shake that occurs when you are trying to hold a binocular steady and the bigger magnification can actually be a disadvantage. If you are shopping for your first pair of marine binoculars, I highly recommend the 7x magnification which will give you more than adequate viewing under most conditions and less wobble than a more powerful magnification. The second number is the size of the lens. A smaller number gives you a narrower field of view but generally a sharper image. On board a boat or ship, you will by default be moving around somewhat so a bigger field of view is a considerable benefit for finding and keeping an object in view. Again, if this is your first pair of marine binoculars, you can’t go wrong with a rugged pair at 7x50. Marine Binocular Prism Types There are two primary types of prisms used in all binoculars. The most common is the Porro prism. This type uses offset prisms to increase the image your binoculars can see in a compact design. Inside the binocular the image is inverted and then re-oriented to be right side up. Meanwhile, the path that light travels down inside the binocular is increased so you get a clearer image. The roof prism is a more compact and heavier design, resulting in long, straight binoculars. The roof prism marine binocular is durable, heavy binocular that delivers a clear image, but for similar quality viewing it is more expensive than the Porro prism style. Additional Features of Marine Binoculars Now let’s get to the features that make marine binoculars stand out from the pack. First, waterproofing is an absolute essential; field binoculars that are not waterproof will probably be ruined at their first appearance on board your boat. Second, lens coatings that provide protection against fog and moisture are worth their weight in gold. Look for marine binoculars that are o-ring sealed to keep out condensation. Image stabilization is also a huge advantage in a marine binocular. This is usually done with gyro-stabilizing techniques (also used in cameras, camcorders and military binoculars) to compensate for shaky lenses even when you are bobbing up and down on the waves. Additional features in marine binoculars include optional extras such as a compass and or a rangefinder. Even if you have GPS on board, a traditional built-in compass is a quick reference that is always handy and a rangefinder gives you a mechanism for quickly estimating the size of an object in the distance. Want to learn more about top-quality marine binoculars? MarineWholesales.com has all the leading brands of discount marine electronics for yachting, boating and fishing.
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