Binoculars for Boating

For those of us that take to the water for recreation: whether in a kayak, canoe, motorboat, sailboat, or yacht, we want our binocular along. Here are 3 tips for buying a binocular to enhance our adventures on the water.

1. Buy a binocular that is waterproof and fogproof. These features are standard on most of today’s binoculars, but it’s good to ensure this by checking the specs before you buy. These binoculars are O-ring sealed to prevent moisture from entering the optical system, and the barrels are nitrogen purged to prevent internal fogging of the lenses. Waterproof binoculars can survive splashes or a quick dip in the water, but not extended submersion. When I’m in my kayak, I keep my bin around my neck or tether the strap to the kayak in case it goes overboard, so I can quickly fish it out.

2. Low magnification works best when you’re on the water. Choose a magnification of 6x or 7x. When your feet aren’t on solid ground, even a magnification of 8x may be too hard to hold steady; definitely steer clear of 10x. Low magnification also gives a wide field of view. For a better understanding, check out our short video, Understanding Binoculars: Magnification.

3. Choose a compact or mid-sized binocular that is portable, lightweight, and easy to pack in your gear and carry along.

Note: Where there is water, there is usually sand. Beware of wiping your binocular lenses around sand. A grain of sand on your lens may be too small to see, but when rubbed in, can cause a scratch. Blow the lenses with your breath or use a soft brush before using a cleaning cloth.

I’m counting down the weeks until I’ll be packing up and heading to the river. How about you? We’d be happy to help you choose the right binocular for your next season of boating. Give us a call!

Originally published on February 16, 2012