Military Surplus Binoculars

Military binoculars tend to be more expensive than the binoculars that are available to the general public because of several reasons. First of all, military binoculars are much more durable because they need to operate under much more stressful conditions. Some of the inexpensive binoculars may only last for a few years. Military binoculars generally come with warranties that last for 20 years or more and their quality is assured because they need to pass rigid standards. Finally, they also have special features such as night vision, which could prove to be a very useful capability for some sports such as boating or hunting. One way to acquire military binoculars at more affordable prices is to buy them at the military surplus depots.

Military Marine Binoculars

Those who are often at sea may want to consider military surplus binoculars that are specifically designed for marine applications. Regular binoculars cannot be used at sea because their visual range is not sufficient and they are not designed to withstand the corrosive effects of salt water and the rough weather at sea.

When shopping for military surplus binoculars for marine use, it is important to check the various prices for those that are being sold online. You may be able to save a substantial amount of money if you price-shop because these kinds of binoculars are a bit expensive.

Another important factor to consider when looking for marine binoculars is to determine if you will require night vision. The addition of this feature will add a substantial amount to the price because it requires advanced technology. However, if you often need to be at sea during the night then this particular feature is vital.

You will also need to check if there is a warranty and its duration. This is important if you plan to use the binoculars often. The harsh conditions at sea may cause even a well-design and quality set of binoculars to break down.

Military Zoom Binoculars

For those who are hunting enthusiasts, military zoom binoculars may be a requirement as long as they are not exposed to rain because they are not waterproof. Because of their accuracy, these kinds of binoculars are costly. This type of optic power may not be appreciated by the common person, particularly when it is so expensive. However, for the game hunter, the ability to find an animal in the distance is priceless. Military zoom binoculars may also be important for paintball enthusiasts.

When selecting the military zoom binoculars for your needs, it is advisable to consider how far you would be able to see because of the environment that you will be operating in. For example, if you hunt in the forest, the limiting factor would be the trees. If the trees permit a line of vision that is only 10 meters, it would be useless to have a zoom capability beyond that. On other hand, those who operate in an environment that has less obstructions may benefit from the powerful magnification. This is important because the price is directly proportional to the magnification capability.

Steiner Binoculars

The top-of-the-line for military and marine binoculars is Steiner Binoculars, which are manufactured by Stein Optik GmbH in Germany. The innovations that were introduced by this company include binoculars with rubber coating for protection, compact binoculars that can fit inside your pocket, UV protection, the Predator lens coating that makes it easier to distinguish objects against a background of trees, and the first binocular that included a compass.

This company offers binoculars for military, sports, outdoor, birding and wildlife, hunting, marine, astronomy and all types of leisure activities. When looking for military surplus binoculars, you may want to choose the Steiner models that can be applied for a broad range of uses, such as water sports, boating, hunting, forestry and spotting wildlife. Steiner military binoculars have rubber-protected shells and have good image brightness, long eye relief, and a wide field of view.

Steiner binoculars are waterproof and usually have a 10-year warranty. They are usually provided with a Sports Auto-Focus system and they have an integrated tripod mount. They have a diopter adjustment on the left side for image focus and a diopter adjustment on the eyepiece for reticular focus. They also have a center focus wheel.

Choosing a Hunting Binocular

It is hard to pinpoint the kind of binocular that is the most appropriate for hunting but there are a number of guidelines that can be followed. At magnification of 7x to 10x is usually sufficient for all kinds of hunting. While the tendency is to choose a higher magnification capability, it should be remembered that image steadiness declines as the magnification power goes up.

Zoom binoculars may not be recommended for hunting because they are not waterproof. These kinds of binoculars also have lower image quality and an inferior field of view. A waterproof spotting scope that is mounted on a tripod may be used instead of a zoom binocular. The suggested objective size for a hunting binocular is 40 to 42 millimeters. If you prefer a smaller binocular, you may compromise by choosing an objective size of 30 to 32 millimeters.

Choosing a Marine Binocular

The usual magnification for a marine binocular is 7x because the deck of a boat or ship is not stable. The largest magnification for marine binoculars is 7x because they are small enough to hold easily and strong enough for making a serious observation. While higher magnifications may be used, image unsteadiness will only negate the increase in image detail, unless an image stabilization system is applied.

The recommended objective size for the marine binocular is 50 millimeters. The bigger objective size has the advantage of better image brightness at night and it also provides a large exit pupil when it is combined with a magnification of 7x. The large exit pupil is preferred when the binocular at the unsteady deck of a moving ship or boat because it is more forgiving when the eyes are not accurately aligned on the eyepieces. And naturally, you will need a waterproof binocular for marine use.

When the Second World War ended, the Soviet Army managed to take possession of many German manufacturing plants, including that of optics maker Carl Zeiss. The manufacturing processes and device technology was taken to Russia. In Russia, the technology was streamlined and honed for the purposes of creating similar products, such as powerful military binoculars. These devices were strictly for military consumption for a few decades. The late 1980s saw Russian military binoculars exceed the performance of the iconic Zeiss devices they were initially based on.

The USSR Company, based in New York, now provides Russian military binoculars for sale to the public. Authentic items such as these optical devices are imported from their country from a military warehouse. Binoculars such as the 8 X 30 and 12 X 50 are some of their more popular products. The lineage and quality of the device is apparent, even in the aesthetics of the packaging.

The USSR 8 X 30 Binoculars

The 8 X 30 variant is a high-grade device, which comes in a meticulously-crafted leather carrying case. The brand-new 8 X 30 binoculars are virtually made as they were half a century ago, resulting in reliable binoculars with an antique look and feel. The original specifications were taken from the Zeiss factory, and subtly improved on by the Russian manufacturers. Despite the seemingly archaic technology utilized in the device, the visibility in the Zeiss lens is superb, no doubt attributed to the Zeiss legacy – the creation and use of excellent lenses, with equal clarity in all portions of the lens. These 8 X 30 binoculars also come with a Mil-scale reticule with increments in five mils, which equate to 19 inches every 100 yards per line. Adjusting the distance and focus is smooth and user-friendly, without much deviance in the field of view. The binoculars look and feel ten times more expensive, and are well worth the $75 price tag, especially in terms of field operation.

The USSR 12 X 50 Binoculars

The 12 X 50 military binoculars are also based on original German technology. However, this first-rate device shows signs of more contemporary craftsmanship and design. Its quality is equal to that of the 8 X 30, albeit with more practical packaging. The case is in durable hard plastic, as opposed to the 8 X 30’s leather container, which makes it suitable for arduous all-weather conditions. This device also comes with the same five-mil reticule, although adjusting the focus and distance on these binoculars is not as smooth as the 8 X 30’s. These are also larger than the other set of binoculars, although it has a surprisingly light weight. The specifications of the 12 X 50 contribute to great performance in the field, although many may find that it has more power than needed. Distance adjustments during field scanning with this variant often result in high degrees of deviation with the field of view, making it difficult to observe a specific area. The 12 X 50 binoculars are recommended for rifle users who wish to get better image detail and do away with using a riflescope. As with the 8 X 30s, this device is worth several times its $95 retail price.