Tech Editor Fox Morgan has many years of experience piloting around tricky estuaries and coastlines. Good binoculars are an essential bit of kit. Here’s 9 of the best pairs of binoculars worth considering. Whether for identifying a tricky harbour entrance, taking a closer look at an approaching ship or even looking for the breeze, a decent pair of marine binoculars will repay their purchase price many times over in peace of mind and as a useful aid to pilotage.
\nWhat to look for in a good pair of marine binoculars
\nBinoculars are available in many different guises online, in varying degrees of magnification, weight, size and waterproofing.
\nAt first glance you might assume that the greater the magnification the better, but on a moving boat, it\u2019s long been accepted that 7x is the best compromise between making objects appear larger and keeping them still enough to see.
\nThe trusty pair of 7\u00d750 marine binoculars narrows down the search somewhat, but you\u2019re also looking for light weight (to avoid tired arms), an adjustable eyepiece (to suit any eyesight, glasses and contact lenses), and ideally, they will be filled with nitrogen to keep moisture at bay.
\nWeight-wise, marine binoculars seem to fall into two camps \u2013 the cheaper ones, minus the bells and whistles come in at around 6-700g, and the better quality ones at around 1kg. Read our other article about three premium marine binoculars tested by Bruce Jacobs.
\nYou can buy models with internal compasses, floating bodies and even image stabilisation: luckily there are binoculars for every boat and budget out there, so I rounded up 9 of the best deals.
\nAt a glance: Best tried and tested marine binoculars \u2013 Steiner Navigator Pro, Best entry-level marine binoculars \u2013 Plastimo 7\u00d750 Autofocus, Best marine binoculars for glasses-wearers \u2013 Minox BN 7\u00d750 C
\nBest marine binoculars available right now<\/p>\n
Steiner Navigator Pro marine binoculars
\nBest overall marine binoculars
\nSpecifications: Weight \u2013 1,065 g | Dimensions \u2013 207 x 140 x 73 mm
\nReasons to buy: Nitrogen filled and waterproof to 10m; Great brand reputation; Nano-coated lenses
\nReasons to avoid: Premium price
\nSteiner is one of the oldest names in optics and their Navigator Pro model, available with and without a compass, is designed for sailors.
\nThe Navigator Pro is nitrogen-filled, waterproof up to 10m depth, and has a nano-coating on the lenses to enhance visibility and reduce glare. At 1.05kg they are comparable to the Minox binoculars in weight. A rubberised coating should protect them in case of impact.
\nSteiner has a good reputation for quality and reviews of these marine binoculars are particularly favourable.
\nBuy it now<\/p>\n
Steiner Commander XP
\nBest compact marine binoculars
\nSpecifications: Weight \u2013 555g | Dimensions -17cm x 12cm
\nReasons to buy: Nitrogen filled and waterproof to 10m; Great brand reputation; Nano-coated lenses, captive lens caps
\nReasons to avoid: Premium price
\nAs previously mentioned, Steiner optics are some of the best binoculars you can get for sailing and boating. These Commander binoculars are 7\u00d730, so not quite as heavy or bulky as the 7\u00d750 model also featured in this buyers guide.
\nThe Commander is sealed with 14-psi pressurized dry nitrogen within the optic, for fog-proof clarity in any temperature range. This particular model has the compass built in, though you can buy them without it. I always recommend a set with a compass built in as it is incredibly useful and if you don\u2019t need it, the marginal weigh addition isn\u2019t worth worrying about.
\nThese 7\u00d730 binoculars are a little lighter and easier to wield in rough conditions and are easier to hold steady. The Commander model is the top of the range in this series of marinised ruggedised binoculars.
\nThe floating strap is a bit of love and loath, it\u2019s brilliant if you\u2019re just wearing a t-shirt, but it also can be a bit annoying on a large foul weather jacket collar.
\nThese are a brilliant bit of kit that you can trust time and time again.
\nBuy it now<\/p>\n
Silva Eterna Marine 7\u00d750 waterproof binoculars
\nSpecifications: Weight \u2013 1,150 g | Dimensions \u2013 208 x 200 x 74 mm
\nReasons to buy:\u00a0Robust, fit for purpose, great anti-glare properties,\u00a0Nitrogen filled
\nReasons to avoid:\u00a0Long barrels can be harder to to hold steady; A little pricey
\nThese binoculars have been tried and tested for a good few years now.\u00a0 They\u2019ve stood up well to the general slinging around and rough stowage that most marine binoculars are subjected to.
\nThese were branded as Nexus, but they\u2019re now found in the shops branded as Silva. What they lack in sophistication they make up for in robustness and no nonsense fit for purpose aesthetics. The antiglare coating works well on the water.
\nThe model tested doesn\u2019t include a built in compass,\u00a0 but newer models offer this option which I would recommend over models without.
\nBuy now from Alpinetrek
\nBuy now from tradeinn.com<\/p>\n
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Plastimo Marine 7\u00d750 Autofocus binoculars
\nBest entry-level marine binoculars
\nSpecifications: Weight \u2013 790 g | Dimensions \u2013 \u200e180 x 180 x 80 mm
\nReasons to buy: Great entry-level option; Lightweight and autofocus; Fully coated lenses
\nReasons to avoid: Not waterproof; No adjustable eyepiece
\nThese entry-level marine binoculars from Plastimo are lightweight and will autofocus.
\nThey are \u2018splashproof\u2019, so no nitrogen filling, and won\u2019t appreciate a dip in the sea, but they do boast fully coated lenses for protection against scratches and damage.
\nThey don\u2019t have an adjustable eyepiece but have rubberised cases on the handles for impact resistance.
\nBuy it now on Decathlon
\nBuy it now on Amazon<\/p>\n
Minox BN 7\u00d750 C marine binoculars
\nBest marine binoculars for glasses-wearers
\nSpecifications: Weight \u2013 1,100 g | Dimensions \u2013 223 x 160 x 72 mm
\nReasons to buy: Nitrogen filled; Extra-large eye-pieces
\nReasons to avoid: Premium price; Heavy
\nA good rival to the Steiner Navigator Pro, fellow German brand Minox can trace its origins to Cold War spy cameras.
\nThese good quality binoculars have an integrated analogue compass and boast extra large eye-pieces, which will help glasses-wearers, who often struggle to use standard binoculars. They are nitrogen-filled, and have a single eyepiece adjuster to correct for the user\u2019s vision.
\nWeighing 1.1kg, they aren\u2019t the lightest of those we\u2019ve looked at, but the build quality of Minox marine binoculars is impressive.
\nBuy it now on Amazon<\/p>\n
Bynolyt Searanger II marine binoculars
\nBest marine binoculars for compass accuracy
\nSpecifications: Weight \u2013 1,000 g | Dimensions \u2013 246 x 214 x 90 mm
\nReasons to buy: Nitrogen filled; Waterproof and shockproof; A mainstay for the RNLI
\nReasons to avoid: Heavy
\nThese compass binoculars are waterproof and shockproof and are filled with nitrogen. They\u2019ve also been chosen by the RNLI for use on their lifeboats since 1999.
\nThe compass has a stated accuracy of 1 degree and is illuminated. Weight is comparable with the Minox and Steiner marine binoculars, and these float with the aid of a neck strap.
\nThe Non-slip rubber body will ensure they stay put when you put them down in the cockpit.
\nBuy it now from Amazon<\/p>\n
Bushnell Marine 7\u00d750 waterproof binoculars
\nBest multipurpose marine binoculars
\nSpecifications: Weight \u2013 1,020 g | Dimensions \u2013 188 x 177 x 71 mm
\nReasons to buy: Nitrogen filled; Waterproof and nonslip; Coated optics
\nReasons to avoid: Relatively unknown in the marine market
\nThese well-specced marine binoculars from US outdoors firm Bushnell are waterproof, non-slip, rubber-covered and nitrogen filled.
\nWhile relatively unknown in the marine market, they have long been associated with hunting and outdoor sports.
\nThese binoculars have coated optics for increased light transmission and brightness. A single eyepiece is adjustable to suit your eyesight, and the eye caps can fold down to suit glasses-wearers.
\nBuy it now on Amazon<\/p>\n
Force 4 Floating Waterproof compass binoculars
\nBest all-round marine binoculars
\nSpecifications: Weight \u2013 890 g | Dimensions \u2013 200 x 150 x 80 mm
\nReasons to buy: Nitrogen filled and waterproof; Adjustable lenses
\nReasons to avoid: Lack the premium feel and features of more expensive options
\nThese waterproof, floating binoculars from well-known chandlery Force 4 are a good all-rounder at a decent price: they float, have an internal, illuminated compass, and are nitrogen-filled to keep moisture at bay.
\nWith adjustment on both lenses, they will suit most types of eyesight, and a rubber case should keep damage from knocks to a minimum.
\nThe lenses are coated to reduce glare and increase visibility and brightness.
\nbuy it now<\/p>\n
Waveline Autofocus 7X50 binoculars
\nBest budget marine binoculars
\nSpecifications: Weight \u2013 780 g | Dimensions \u2013 Not disclosed
\nReasons to buy: Splashproof; Great for occasional use
\nReasons to avoid: Basic, lacking features; Won\u2019t survive a trip overboard
\nThese 7\u00d750 binoculars are available from a number of marine outlets.
\nThey are about as basic as they come: autofocus, splashproof and impact-resistant, they won\u2019t float and aren\u2019t nitrogen-filled, so aren\u2019t likely to survive a trip overboard either.
\nHowever, for occasional use and if stored down below in their supplied carry case they are likely to prove perfectly adequate for boaters on a budget.
\nBuy it now
\nFurther reading across our titles\u2026
\nIf you want more binoculars with built-in compasses, you can read more about those in our other dedicated article on sister title Practical Boat Owner
\nIf you want to know how binoculars actually work and what the numbers mean, you can read about that at our sister title, Yachting Monthly
\nYou can read about night pilotage: how to enter unfamiliar harbours at our sister title Yachting Monthly
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Tech Editor Fox Morgan has many years of experience piloting around tricky estuaries and coastlines. Good binoculars are an essential bit of kit. Here’s 9 of the best pairs of binoculars worth considering. Whether for identifying a tricky harbour entrance, … <\/p>\n