Top 2 Features to Look for in Marine Binoculars

Long ago, mariners would use a spyglass to view something far off, usually when looking for land or other ships. A spyglass is a type of handheld telescope that usually only had a single magnifying power. Nobody uses these things anymore, but instead have made the logical transition to binoculars. They are easier to use, more compact, and are much more versatile.

Whether you are on a lake or on the sea, it is always nice to have binoculars when you are out on the waters. Having the power to view something far off can help you plot a new course, find a buoy, or maybe even figure out where in the world you are. But you don’t want any old pair binoculars. You want to find a pair that has everything that you really need so that they won’t fail you when you need them most.

The first thing you should look for in a pair of binoculars is durability. Since you are going to have them out on the water, you need to make sure that they are truly waterproof. You may need to use them while it is raining or when the waves are crashing into your boat. The rain or spray from the waves could ruin your view and make the binoculars useless. On top of being waterproof, they need to able to take a few blows. I doubt you’ll be throwing them against the wall of the cabin, but you may accidentally drop them. So find a pair that is heavy duty and has a good rubber shield so that if they are dropped, they won’t get whacked out of alignment.

Another thing you should look for can best be described as versatility. You want to be able to adjust how far you are able to see, as well as be able to view objects in bright and low lighting. A good set of binoculars will at least have a maximum magnification factor of 5, which means that whatever you are looking at will appear to be five times closer to you. You will also want to have lenses that are a fairly big because they will be able to capture more light. During the daytime this won’t matter much, but when it is foggy, overcast, or twilight it will mean a great deal. One of the better standards for marine binoculars is 7×50, which means that they have a magnifying factor of 7 with 50 millimeter lenses.

Once you have purchased the binoculars that you feel are best for you, use them often. The more you use them, the more adept you will be with them. You will be able to zoom in and focus on something quicker and be able to view it without shaking as much. Have plenty of fun with them as often as you wish. Then, if you need them in an emergency, you won’t have any problems finding what you need to find.