All You Need to Know About Marine Binoculars
In this article I would like to introduce the main features of marine binoculars.
We have to conform to some features when we are looking for marine binocular, because the water is unique environment for observation and there is no stable support. Independently of binoculars` price, model or specifications, which tend to change frequently , we need to consider the following features , in order to make the right choice:
Waterproof
The most important feature of marine binocular is to be waterproof, fog-proof is also an advantage. You may look for binocular that is completely O-ring sealed as well as nitrogen-purged.
Magnification
Most of marine binoculars have magnification around 7--. Of course the objects are far away from us and we want larger magnification, but this entails complications. There is narrowed FOW and is difficult to observe. The image is unstable and the target is hard to find. If you still want larger magnification the binocular must have built in Image Stabilization. This largely allows us to obtain a qualitative image.
Lens
The most popular size of lenses, for marine binoculars, is 50mm. This is determined by the fact that a combination of 50mm objective with 7-- magnification gives a high starting beam of light to the eye pupil. All this contributes to easy finding and following of the object, important feature, considering to the unstable movement of the boat. An extra advantage is getting a better image at night observations.
Focusing sistem
Focusing System - at these binoculars both types of focusing, IF and CF, are used.
Regarding to the mechanism of binocular, you can use with Porro Prism and also with Roof Prism. The first one is bigger. A compass or a range-finder can be set, which is very useful. The most qualitative binoculars with Porro Prism were designed by Bak-4glass. The second one is more compact and more weather-proof.
The compass is very useful application to binocular. It helps for easy and quickly orientation.
At marine binoculars the rangefinder does not work with laser beam. There is a scale on the objective, on which can be calculate the distance to the object. But for that purpose, the size of the object (width or length) should be known.
About lenses coating, FMC (fully multi-coated) is definitely preferred, which provides a minimal loss of light. Lenses with MC (multi-coated) are compromise.
Weight
The weight of Marine Binocular is not determinate. This allows us to choose more robust construction.
Eye relief
This is very important about people who wear glasses. For them the minimum distance from the lenses is 15mm. So the binocular should be with higher value of eye relief. At MB with 7--50 combination, we get good values of eye relief. If you are short-sighted (myopic) or long-sighted, there is an opportunity the diopter to be offset by the binocular. But this is not valid about people with astigmatism.
Some Marine Binoculars can float on the water for some time, in case we drop it. There are even models that offer a special neck strap, which holds the binocular floating on water surface.
The most popular brands of marine binoculars are - Avian, Bushnell, Canon, Fujinon, Nikon, Steiner .
We have to conform to some features when we are looking for marine binocular, because the water is unique environment for observation and there is no stable support. Independently of binoculars` price, model or specifications, which tend to change frequently , we need to consider the following features , in order to make the right choice:
Waterproof
The most important feature of marine binocular is to be waterproof, fog-proof is also an advantage. You may look for binocular that is completely O-ring sealed as well as nitrogen-purged.
Magnification
Most of marine binoculars have magnification around 7--. Of course the objects are far away from us and we want larger magnification, but this entails complications. There is narrowed FOW and is difficult to observe. The image is unstable and the target is hard to find. If you still want larger magnification the binocular must have built in Image Stabilization. This largely allows us to obtain a qualitative image.
Lens
The most popular size of lenses, for marine binoculars, is 50mm. This is determined by the fact that a combination of 50mm objective with 7-- magnification gives a high starting beam of light to the eye pupil. All this contributes to easy finding and following of the object, important feature, considering to the unstable movement of the boat. An extra advantage is getting a better image at night observations.
Focusing sistem
Focusing System - at these binoculars both types of focusing, IF and CF, are used.
Regarding to the mechanism of binocular, you can use with Porro Prism and also with Roof Prism. The first one is bigger. A compass or a range-finder can be set, which is very useful. The most qualitative binoculars with Porro Prism were designed by Bak-4glass. The second one is more compact and more weather-proof.
The compass is very useful application to binocular. It helps for easy and quickly orientation.
At marine binoculars the rangefinder does not work with laser beam. There is a scale on the objective, on which can be calculate the distance to the object. But for that purpose, the size of the object (width or length) should be known.
About lenses coating, FMC (fully multi-coated) is definitely preferred, which provides a minimal loss of light. Lenses with MC (multi-coated) are compromise.
Weight
The weight of Marine Binocular is not determinate. This allows us to choose more robust construction.
Eye relief
This is very important about people who wear glasses. For them the minimum distance from the lenses is 15mm. So the binocular should be with higher value of eye relief. At MB with 7--50 combination, we get good values of eye relief. If you are short-sighted (myopic) or long-sighted, there is an opportunity the diopter to be offset by the binocular. But this is not valid about people with astigmatism.
Some Marine Binoculars can float on the water for some time, in case we drop it. There are even models that offer a special neck strap, which holds the binocular floating on water surface.
The most popular brands of marine binoculars are - Avian, Bushnell, Canon, Fujinon, Nikon, Steiner .
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