If you like to watch movies, you’ve likely seen a few with captains, sailors, or other seafarers in them. What do they often hold in their hands whenever a scene pans to them?
That’s right – binoculars (or a spyglass if you’re watching a pirate movie).
It might just be a coincidence, but it’s a simple fact that a good pair of binoculars is just as much a part of their essential attire as the famous fisherman’s cap. (Of course, I would argue binoculars are even more important.)
All jokes aside, I wrote this article because I know that there are quite a few of you among our readers who like to set sail during your summer vacation, and having a good pair of marine binoculars while at sea is arguably even more crucial than having them out in the wild where you and I are usually found.
So here are the top 10 marine binoculars and what you need to consider before buying them.
The list of 10 best Marine binoculars
- Delta Optical Sailor 7×50
- Fujinon 7×50 WPC-XL
- Nikon OceanPro 7×50 CF WP Compass
- Steiner Navigator 7x50c
- Fujinon 7×50 FMTR-SX-2
- Nikon 7×50 IF SP WP
- Fujinon 7×50 FMTRC-SX-2
- Steiner Commander 7×50 without Compass
- Canon 10x42L IS WP
- Steiner Commander 7×50 with Compass
What magnification is best for marine binoculars?
When it comes to choosing the right magnification for marine binoculars, the number often debated is seven times magnification. Why seven? It’s not just a random choice; it’s a result of years of experience on the water. Here’s why it’s considered the gold standard for marine use:
At sea, your boat is already moving and swaying, so higher magnifications can amplify that motion, making it harder to get a steady view. Seven times magnification strikes a good balance. It gives you enough zoom to spot distant objects without making the image too shaky.
With the advancement of optical stabilization technology, though, some users have started using binoculars with higher magnifications, like 10x, but there are some caveats to that.
High-magnification binoculars are often more expensive and less comfortable to use, especially in the marine environment.
I will admit, though, that the magnification often comes down to personal preference. This is why a lot of manufacturers produce marine binoculars in 10 times magnification just as often as 7 times, giving you as much choice as you need. But remember – without proper optical stabilization, the higher magnifications might not be as stable or user-friendly in the rocking sea.
What’s the difference between 7×50 and 10×50 binoculars?
When you start looking for marine binoculars, you’ll soon see that 7×50 and 10×50 are the most common configurations.
You’ll also often come upon 7×30 and 10×30 marine binos, which are very similar to the above-mentioned ones, but perform considerably worse in lowlight situations. This is something you need to be mindful of if you plan on using them in the dusk or dawn.
I want to make this part as simple as possible, so here’s a quick rundown of the main advantages of both 7×50 and 10×50 marine binoculars. Hopefully, this is enough to illustrate the difference between the both of them.
What 7×50 binoculars do better than 10x50s:
- They have a wider field of view.
- They perform better in low-light situations.
- The image is considerably less shaky with hand-held use.
- They have a better eye box, which is less sensitive to your eye position.
- They usually have better eye relief.
And here’s what 10×50 marine binoculars do better than 7x50s:
- They offer a better resolution.
- You will get a far more detailed image with 10×50 binoculars than with 7x50s.
Ultimately, it comes down to what you’re looking for and like I said before, it often comes down to personal preference. Personally, though, I’d lean towards 7×50. The fact that 10x50s can produce quite a shaky image even on stable ground—let alone on the waves—makes 7×50 a more practical choice in my opinion.
What you need to know about 7×50 marine binoculars
When it comes to marine binoculars, the 7×50 configuration is the gold standard. It’s the most common choice and for a good reason. In fact, some manufacturers focus exclusively on 7×50 models, and new brands often start their marine binocular lineup with this configuration.
One thing you’ll perhaps notice about 7×50 marine binoculars is their use of Porro prisms. They are actually becoming rare (if not even going extinct) in normal binoculars, but they remain popular for marine use because they provide superior waterproofing. Central focusing mechanism is hard to seal properly. The weather out in the sea can be quite tough on equipment—extreme temperatures and exposure to saltwater can lead to mechanical failures, and the more complex the mechanisms are the more can go wrong.
The Porro prism also offers better depth perception compared to other designs, which some users describe as giving a unique 3D effect to the image.
Additionally, many 7×50 marine binoculars come with an internal mechanical compass, which can be a handy tool for navigation on the water.
What you need to know about 10×50 marine binoculars
10×50 marine binoculars are the next step up for many manufacturers expanding their range beyond the standard 7×50 configuration. They offer a more detailed image, though they come with a few downsides.
Users who opt for 10×50 binoculars are typically willing to accept reduced low-light performance and a narrower field of view in exchange for greater magnification and improved resolution. The image can be shakier, especially when hand-held, and these binoculars often don’t perform as well in low-light conditions compared to their 7×50 counterparts.
If you’re interested in sales numbers, I can let you know that 10×50 models typically make up less than 10% of the sales of 7×50 marine binoculars.
What to look for in marine binoculars
Magnification power and objective lens diameter
As I’ve mentioned, 7×50 binoculars are usually the best choice for marine use. They offer the right balance of performance and stability. However, if you’re not gonna use them at dusk or down and you’re looking for something more compact, you might consider 7×30 binoculars.
The 7×30 marine binoculars provide the same field of view and image stability as the 7x50s but are more portable. The trade-offs are reduced low-light performance and a slightly less comfortable eye box.
Waterproof rating and fog proofing
Marine binoculars need to handle getting wet, whether it’s from a splash or an accidental drop. When buying a pair, make sure they’re waterproof. You can also look for models that float or come with floating straps—those can be lifesavers.
Also, make sure that you buy marine binoculars with Porro prisms as they don’t require the tricky central focusing mechanism. Central focusing is a complicated mechanism that is hard to seal completely. However, with porro prisms, focusing can be done individually for each eye, making it much easier to achieve waterproofness.
Fog-proofing is just as important. Marine binoculars often face wild temperature swings, so they’re filled with dry nitrogen to prevent internal condensation.
Durability and quality of materials
It would be an understatement to say that marine binoculars face harsh conditions. At sea, that can mean anything from relentless sun exposure to frequent saltwater splashes or even occasional “swims” in the water. Some manufacturers like Steiner developed special materials just to fight prolonged exposure to sun and saltwater in the best possible way.
As a result, the materials used for their housing and external parts must be exceptionally durable. Some manufacturers have even created specialized materials to handle these tough environments.
Another thing to consider is rough handling. On racing sailboats and similar settings, binoculars often endure bumps and drops. This means their construction needs to be robust enough to keep the optical axis perfectly aligned. If the alignment fails, you might experience double vision.
Optical performance and image quality
Optical performance and image quality are usually closely connected with the price of the binoculars. Higher-quality binoculars offer a glass of higher quality and with more sophisticated coatings. Image quality is also influenced by the general quality of the optical design which is derived from the experience of binoculars manufacturer.
Built-in compass
Many marine binoculars have a built-in compass. You can decide on your own if you want one or not, but you should remember that later upgrades are almost always impossible.
In the past, some manufacturers experimented with digital compasses, but these never quite caught on. This is why most marine binoculars with a compass use a classic analog design. This compass is usually located at the bottom of the field of view in one of the optical tubes. When you combine the images from both tubes, the compass area appears to take up a small portion of your view.
The best models offer illuminated compasses, allowing you to read the compass even in low-light conditions.
Price range and affordability
Marine binoculars can start as low as 100 euros but don’t expect much from these budget options.
On the higher end, however, prices can soar above 2,000 euros. For a solid pair of marine binoculars, I’d recommend spending at least 300 to 400 euros. This ensures they’re durable enough to withstand the challenges out at sea.
On the other hand, if you’re a professional or require top-notch quality for whatever reason, aim to invest at least 1,000 euros. This price point is where you’ll usually find the “pro” stuff.
You might also want to consider which brand to choose. The leading ones are Steiner, Fujinon, and Nikon. While these established names offer great quality, there are also other more affordable brands available, though they may not have the same track record.
Top 10 Marine Binoculars for 2024
Now that you know what to look for in marine binoculars, here are my top 10 recommendations. I have more than 20 years of experience in this field and I base all of my recommendations on them, but if you feel like I made a mistake somewhere, please let me know!
10. Delta Optical Sailor 7×50
Pros:
- cheap price
- float if dropped in the water
9. Fujinon 7×50 WPC-XL
Pros:
- impressive optical performance considering the price
8. Nikon OceanPro 7×50 CF WP Compass
Pros:
- Nikon is an established brand
- illuminated compass
7. Steiner Navigator 7x50c
Pros:
- similar to Nikon, Steiner is also an established brand
- great build quality
- great warranty (10 years, which is a lot considering how much can happen to binoculars out at sea)
- modern design
- good materials
6. Fujinon 7×50 FMTR-SX-2
Pros:
- good build quality
- near top-notch optical performance
Cons:
- Weight
- size
5. Nikon 7×50 IF SP WP
Pros:
- classic design
- excellent build quality
- excellent optical performance
Cons:
- weight
4. Fujinon 7×50 FMTRC-SX-2
Pros:
- top optical performance
- great build quality
Cons:
- The looks are quite old-fashioned
3. Steiner Commander 7×50 without Compass
Pros:
- top quality all around
- specifically for those who don’t like a compass in their FOV and don’t compromise on quality
Cons:
- Lack of compass
2. Canon 10x42L IS WP
Pros:
- outstanding optical stabilization
Cons:
- weight
- electronics that can fail
1. Steiner Commander 7×50 with Compass
Pros:
- best all around
