| The question is which of the market leaders in the | | | | wearers and a 30 year guarantee. These are truly |
| field of optics can lay claim to having produced the | | | | professional marine binoculars which deliver an |
| world's best binoculars? | | | | amazing performance in all light conditions, a strong |
| It's not too hard to identify those that deserve a | | | | contender for the world's best binoculars in a marine |
| place in a directory for the world's best binoculars, | | | | environment. Other options are the Nikon Stabileyes |
| optics are specialist bits of kit and there is a clear | | | | which are twice the price but offer image stabilizing |
| divide between the basically poor, the reasonable to | | | | technology or Canon IS binoculars although these are |
| good quality and the exceptional. However to single | | | | specifically designed for marine use. |
| out one of the exceptional as the out and out best | | | | If you are after image stabilizing binoculars take a |
| binoculars isn't so easy given that personal taste and | | | | look at the Canon 10x42 WP IS binoculars. Users |
| binocular application both have a strong influence in | | | | absolutely rave about them. They are the first |
| the decision. | | | | binoculars with lenses which carry the red L-series |
| What can be said is that for any pair of binoculars to | | | | ring only previously found on Canon professional |
| feature in a world's best binoculars list they must | | | | camera lenses, are fully waterproof and have |
| create a passion, excite you when you pick them up | | | | unrivalled IS capabilities (in any moving environment). |
| and make you never want to put them down. An | | | | For the world's best binoculars for birding you might |
| exceptional pair of binoculars should not only have | | | | want to try the Swarovski EL 8.5 x 42's, a truly |
| outstanding quality optics but be so well balanced | | | | outstanding bit of kit which delivers a user |
| that you don't even know they are in your hand | | | | experience you will never forget. Another great bird |
| allowing you to observe for extended periods of | | | | binocular is the Leica Ultravid 42 series, absolutely |
| time in perfect comfort. | | | | stunning binos, compact (for their class) and yet |
| Unless you have experienced the difference between | | | | exceptionally bright. |
| good and absolutely superb you won't ever | | | | The best giant binoculars can deliver some stunning |
| understand how the world's best feels, so, if you | | | | views of sky objects and the right ones make an |
| really want to know just test a pair of Swarovski 8.5 | | | | excellent addition to the astronomer's toolbox. Fujinon |
| x 42 EL's against perhaps a Pentax DCF SP 8 x 43. | | | | produce top quality astronomy binoculars (up to |
| The Pentax is good, very good but the Swarovski is | | | | 150mm objective diameter) although at a price which |
| special. One word of warning, don't do this unless you | | | | is beyond the reach of the average user. The Nikon |
| can afford to upgrade as lesser priced binoculars will | | | | 10 x 70 IF SP WP's are more affordable and make |
| never seem the same again!! | | | | an excellent pair of astronomy binoculars. |
| As I said personal taste is important and there will | | | | Fujinon also make some of the world's best night |
| often be disagreements with one user believing that | | | | vision binoculars but they come with a very high price |
| Swarovski are the world's best binoculars while | | | | tag! |
| another will swear by Leica (for example) but what | | | | For every application there is often a different short |
| the top binoculars have in common is the | | | | list for the 'world's best binoculars' in that class so as |
| manufacturers absolute attention to detail in regards | | | | a starting point you need to decide exactly what you |
| to design, weight, size and balance and the | | | | want to use your binoculars for. This will then enable |
| exceptional quality of the optics and optical coatings. | | | | you to narrow down your search in regard to |
| Application is really important because the world's | | | | magnification, size of objective lens etc. and |
| best binoculars for birding would be absolutely useless | | | | manufacturers generally indicate suitable applications |
| for astronomy or for the marine environment and | | | | for their binoculars. Always check out the quality of |
| binoculars that work well for sports, travel or theatre | | | | the lenses and lens coatings, don't settle for anything |
| wouldn't be so good for observing nature or hunting. | | | | less than fully multi-coated optics and Bak-4 prisms |
| For marine use the Steiner Commander binoculars are | | | | (unless price is an issue for you). Price isn't always an |
| hard to beat. They are the only marine binoculars to | | | | indication as to how good a pair of binoculars is so |
| come with Steiner's Nano protection against the | | | | birding / astronomy forums etc are a good place to |
| environment, they are salt water resistant, | | | | find those little gems that perform as well as the |
| waterproof to 10mtrs, have long life NBR rubber | | | | known top performers but for a lesser price tag. |
| armouring, high performance optics, interchangeable | | | | Happy hunting for the world's best binoculars. |
| eyecup system with a specific eyecup for spectacle | | | | |