Binoculars

Our Binoculars range covers marine binoculars built for use on the water – waterproof or water resistant, with wide fields of view and often a built-in compass, for spotting marks, other vessels and hazards.

Marine binoculars differ from general-purpose ones in a few practical ways: waterproofing and fog-proofing (nitrogen or argon purged) matter on a boat in a way they don’t on land, and a wider field of view helps track a moving target from a moving boat. 7×50 is the traditional marine standard – enough magnification to be useful without amplifying hand shake on a rolling deck, with a large enough objective lens for reasonable low-light performance. Some models include an internal illuminated compass, useful for taking a quick bearing on a mark or hazard.

A floating strap is worth having as standard, since dropped binoculars sink.

Frequently asked questions

Why are marine binoculars often 7×50?

That magnification is high enough to be useful without amplifying hand shake on a moving deck, and the larger lens helps in low light – a long-standing marine standard.

Do I need waterproof binoculars for boating?

Yes – fog-proof, waterproof construction copes with spray and damp far better than general-purpose binoculars, which can mist up internally.