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What is a marine binocular? |
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Whale
Optics Apprentice Joined: October/04/2015 Location: NYC Status: Offline Points: 180 |
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Posted: January/23/2019 at 18:23 |
What makes a marine binocular different from other binoculars? Is it the magnification? Coatings or weather proofing? Maybe a combination of all the above? Or is it just some cosmetic changes? I am asking because someone who is serving in out armed forces asked for some good marine binoculars. Maybe a member would know what is issued to our men and women who are serving in the armed forces. People in our community give care baskets, gift cards and other items. Thanks Charles.
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Sgt. D
Optics Master Extraordinaire Joined: February/20/2008 Location: North Carolina Status: Offline Points: 4525 |
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They are generally water proof with a heavy fitted rubber coat or wrap. I have a pair of Swift that have served me very well. Steiner also makes marine bino's but I have no experience with them. keep in mind no matter what the brand a good pair of bino's will not be cheap. Don't know if SWFA carries Swift so I won't offer any suggestions on who carries them but here is a sample of a good set. Swift 7x50 SeaHawk Series Waterproof Binoculars. They can run from 375.00 to 425.00. A good pair of Steiner will cost about the same. And these are on the low end of the cost options for quality. I commend you for considering such things. I made sure I had my Swift bino's and a good quality range finder when I deployed. They were worth their weight in gold on a few occasions. Do keep in mind who you or they send them to. I hate to even tell what I am about to it is shameful to need to say at the very least. When ever we received a care package that was not addressed "specifically" to the Chaplin or one of my team leaders (by name). One of the majors in admin would take it and keep what he liked and sell the rest to the enlisted or who ever would pay. Not all who serve in our military are "honorable". I know that is no surprise but, I was surprised to see things like that going on. Hope this helps, good luck with it!! |
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Take care of Soldiers, Show em how its done and do it with em, Run to the Fight & and hold your ground! I die my men go home! If you're a NCO and this ain't you. GET OUT! GOD BLESS AMERICA!
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NDhunter
Optics Journeyman Joined: September/15/2006 Status: Offline Points: 601 |
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Marine binoculars are made with heavy rubber armor, fully waterproof and usually in the size of 7x50 or so. 7 power is considered very good to view without shake of image in rolling seas. This would be a great gift, and what is your budget ? That would be important. |
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Whale
Optics Apprentice Joined: October/04/2015 Location: NYC Status: Offline Points: 180 |
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Don't have a budget.
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WJC
Optics Journeyman Joined: May/28/2014 Location: Twin Falls, ID Status: Offline Points: 328 |
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Hi, Charles, and welcome: From the time the United States moved into prismatic binoculars in the early 20th century. Their choice centered around two instruments: the 6x30, most frequently used in the field as an easy to carry and wield instrument and the 7x50, used both in the field and especially at sea. The key feature of the 7x50 was the fact that it was the largest practical hand-held binocular. As a 7-power instrument, it was easy to hold steady and had an adequate field of view. That magnification, coupled with a 50 mm objective lens, provided a 7.1 mm exit pupil, thus filling the entrance pupil of most military age folks who would need to use it. The larger the exit pupil, the more stimulation to the receptors in the eye and the brighter the image. None of the binos of WWII—a time in which the greatest amount of testing and experimentation took place—had armor. Not even those like the Navy Mk45, which was used in sub service. Although they were not armored and had no O-rings until well after the war, they did have heavy wax around areas that could leak. Most was “green wax.” The Mk45 had “black wax” (vacuum wax) which allowed the bino to be left topside (for limited periods) when submerged. Beware of what magazines call “marine binoculars” because so many of the writers and editors are fall short in their understanding as illustrated in the attachments. Cheers, Bill |
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“Water, water everywhere nor any drop to drink.” — Samuel Taylor Coleridge
“Social media everywhere but not a thought to think.” — me |
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vinn
Optics GrassHopper Joined: November/23/2018 Location: wa. state Status: Offline Points: 24 |
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i like the defination for "after ww 11". anything before that point are quite collectable. vin
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vin
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Son of Ed
Chuck Norris Joined: June/18/2011 Location: TEXAS Status: Online Points: 122209 |
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Me, too......
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Visit the Ed Show
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Son of Ed
Chuck Norris Joined: June/18/2011 Location: TEXAS Status: Online Points: 122209 |
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Visit the Ed Show
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Son of Ed
Chuck Norris Joined: June/18/2011 Location: TEXAS Status: Online Points: 122209 |
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Visit the Ed Show
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Son of Ed
Chuck Norris Joined: June/18/2011 Location: TEXAS Status: Online Points: 122209 |
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Visit the Ed Show
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Son of Ed
Chuck Norris Joined: June/18/2011 Location: TEXAS Status: Online Points: 122209 |
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Visit the Ed Show
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Whale
Optics Apprentice Joined: October/04/2015 Location: NYC Status: Offline Points: 180 |
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Should have stated that the price range was substantial.
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Whale
Optics Apprentice Joined: October/04/2015 Location: NYC Status: Offline Points: 180 |
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Sgt. D, Looking at the Steiner Commander 7x50.
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Sgt. D
Optics Master Extraordinaire Joined: February/20/2008 Location: North Carolina Status: Offline Points: 4525 |
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They are good but not marine ie. waterproof. At SWFA
Steiner 7x50
Commander Binocular
Black, Porro Prism
MPN# 2304 UPC 840229101207 $1,049.99
•Black •Sports-Auto
Focus™ System
•High
Definition Optics
•ClicLoc®
System
•Memory Ocular
•Floating
Neckstrap
•Makrolon®
Housing
•N2 Injection™
System
•Steiner Nano-Protection®
Consider these. They are marine meaning waterproof
and at these prices you could equip more soldiers.
Steiner 7x50
Military Marine Binocular
Green, Poro Prism
Stock# STE5840 UPC
077068002758 $399.99
•High Contrast
Optics
•Floating
Prism System
Sports-Auto
Focus™ System
•**Waterproof** •Rubber Armored
or
Steiner 7x50 Marine Binocular
Black, Porro Prism
MPN# 575 UPC 000381805751 $299.99
•Blue
•High Contrast
Optics
Floating
Prism System
•Sports-Auto
Focus™ System
•**Waterproof**
•Rubber
Armored
Edited by Sgt. D - January/25/2019 at 19:40 |
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Take care of Soldiers, Show em how its done and do it with em, Run to the Fight & and hold your ground! I die my men go home! If you're a NCO and this ain't you. GET OUT! GOD BLESS AMERICA!
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NDhunter
Optics Journeyman Joined: September/15/2006 Status: Offline Points: 601 |
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Get the Zeiss 7x50 B/GA T* marine. This one is probably the most used by ship or boat captains all over the world. You may as well get the best.
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Sgt. D
Optics Master Extraordinaire Joined: February/20/2008 Location: North Carolina Status: Offline Points: 4525 |
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Zeiss!! now your talkin my language..........unfortunately the 7x50 B/GA T* has bee discontinued. You can find a pair on ebay once in a while. And they would likely run 1000.00/1200.00 if you do find some. Don't know if Zeiss has offered anything in its place. Didn't find any on a quick search. |
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Take care of Soldiers, Show em how its done and do it with em, Run to the Fight & and hold your ground! I die my men go home! If you're a NCO and this ain't you. GET OUT! GOD BLESS AMERICA!
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RifleDude
MODERATOR EVIL OPPRESSOR Joined: October/13/2006 Location: Texas Status: Offline Points: 16337 |
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Yes, SWFA does carry Swift. |
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Ted
Money can't buy happiness... but it's much more comfortable to cry in a Porsche than on a bicycle. |
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RifleDude
MODERATOR EVIL OPPRESSOR Joined: October/13/2006 Location: Texas Status: Offline Points: 16337 |
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No, Zeiss (and Swarovski, and other upper tier manufacturers) have stopped making porro prism binoculars because they don't sell as well as roof prism binoculars. The typical buyer of uber high end binoculars prefers the more compact, more ergonomic shape of roof prism binoculars over porro prisms, so the manufacturers of course have responded by making what sells. There is nothing about a porro prism bino that makes it uniquely suited for "marine" use; it's just a tradition thing. Most of the upper tier roof prism binoculars available today are rubber armored and waterproof, so they can be just as well suited for "marine" use as any of the porro prism types called "marine binoculars" as long as you pick one with a rugged hinge design and heavy rubber armoring.
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Ted
Money can't buy happiness... but it's much more comfortable to cry in a Porsche than on a bicycle. |
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Peddler
Optics God Joined: July/04/2012 Location: Oswego,NY Status: Offline Points: 13526 |
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Nikon used to make a 7X50 Marine Binocular with a compass in it.
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When you are dead, you don't know you are dead.It is difficult only for others.
It is the same when you are stupid. |
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RifleDude
MODERATOR EVIL OPPRESSOR Joined: October/13/2006 Location: Texas Status: Offline Points: 16337 |
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The term "marine binocular" is mostly just marketing jargon nowadays. A few decades ago, the majority of binoculars produced were porro prism (the dogleg shape) designs and most porro prism binos were not "waterproof." Manufacturers like Steiner started making rubber armored porros that were also waterproof and began marketing them as "marine" binos. 7X50 became the classic configuration for "marine" binos, ostensibly because it was a good compromise of enough magnification but not too much magnification so it was easier to stabilize the view hand-held on a pitching boat deck. However, I've seen some 8X and 10X binos given the "marine" moniker as well. Most (maybe all?) binos with the "marine" designation also have individual focus vs. the center focus you see on the majority of binoculars because the former is easier to seal.
So in summary, a typical "marine" bino is: - Porro prism - Individual focus - Heavy rubber armored - Typically 7X50, but will have moderate magnification - "Waterproof" (something that used to be uncommon and a big selling point, but today is common). - Sometimes includes rangefinding reticles and compasses Brands like Steiner, Swift, Fujinon, and Nikon still offer high end porros, but today, the vast majority of the porro prism binoculars you see are cheaply made. The predominance of cheap porro prisms has lead to the current perception by many that porro prism binoculars are "low end." The chief advantage to porro prism binoculars is that they are less expensive to manufacture than roof prism binoculars, so they offer the potential for excellent image quality for less money than a roof prism binocular of similar image quality. The tradeoff is that the dogleg shape is wider, more bulky, less convenient, and less ergonomic than a straight-barreled roof prism of the same magnification and objective size... which is why they have fallen out of favor by the average high end binocular consumer... and as a result, why several optics companies have stopped offering them.
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Ted
Money can't buy happiness... but it's much more comfortable to cry in a Porsche than on a bicycle. |
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