7 Best Marine Binoculars Under $500 [For Better Maritime]

As a marine biologist, I’m always looking for binoculars that are lightweight but still do the job properly. We are all familiar with the quality of top-tier brands like Steiner, Fujinon, and Bushnell. Sure, these are great – but they usually cost about $500 or more.

If you’re on a tight budget or just curious about what you could be getting for your money these days, keep reading! Here I’ve reviewed some of the best marine binoculars under $500.

So how do you pick out a pair of binoculars that would actually benefit you in the long run? The following info will guide you in this direction.

The 7 Best Marine Binoculars Under $500

1) Steiner 7×50 Navigator Pro Binoculars

Magnification: 7x
Lens Diameter: 50mm
Prism Type: Porro
Angle of View: 6.7°
Field of View: 351.7 ft
Minimum Focus Distance: 66’/20.1m
Exit Pupil Diameter: 7.1mm

Steiner Navigator Pro Binoculars come with a 50 mm diameter objective lens which is great and offers clear and crisp views so you can see all the details in your area.

The rubber eyecup and temples of Steiner Navigator Pro provide a grip even when you’re wearing gloves or when your hands are exposed to cold or wet weather. In fact, the rubber eyecups also prevent the binocular handles from sliding off your hands when looking through them. 

The Navigator Pro is the best marine binocular at Steiner brands if you want something that offers a wide field of view. These binoculars are built for use in ocean environments so they are guaranteed to stand up to the test of your rigorous naval environment.

Read more: The Best 8×42 binoculars.

2) Steiner 7×50 Marine Binoculars

Magnification: 7x
Lens Diameter: 50mm
Field of View at 1000 yds.: 356 ft.
Dimensions (in.): 5.5 x 8.1 x 3
Weight: 36.3 oz

Steiner Marine Binoculars are a good choice if you are looking for high-quality binoculars that are less than $500. They have a lot of features that are usually only seen in higher-priced models.

They have waterproof, fog proof, and shockproof capabilities, which makes them usable in all conditions including extreme ones.

They come with a large objective lens that is of a Zeiss quality. Many people also report that Steiner has very long-lasting lenses.

Steiner Marine Binoculars are not only durable but also offer standard optics as well as elegant ergonomics compared to other models.

Read more reviews: Best Image Stabilized Binoculars for Boating

3) Steiner Military-Marine Series Binoculars

Magnification: 10x
Lens Diameter: 50mm
Weight: 36 oz.
Field of View: 302 ft
Waterproof

Steiner Military-Marine Binoculars also have an 6x magnification power, which allows you to get wide-field views of your area without having to make adjustments.

These marine binoculars are built not only for looks but also for strength thanks to their big stainless steel double-cross system. This goes hand in hand with its high-quality lenses that are also made of Zeiss quality.

The rubber eyecups and temples of these Steiner marine binoculars offer grip and this is very important since it’s necessary for users to keep their handles steady and not be able to feel the slip-slide of the hands-on handles.

The military-style lenses ensure you get crystal clear viewing, so you don’t have to work with a blurry image. The best thing about these binoculars is that they can handle any weather as long as there’s enough water in them (or as long as the sea opens them up).

Read next: Olympus 8×40 DPSI Binocular.

4) Bushnell Marine 7×50 Waterproof Binocular

Magnification: 7x
Lens Diameter: 50mm
Premium BaK-4 Prisms
Waterproof and Fog-Proof
Dimensions: 7.01 x 2.8 x 7.4 inches
Weight: 2.25 Pounds

Bushnell Marine Binoculars offer multicoated optics, which is what you should expect from an expensive pair of binoculars. This means that they will provide clear images even at extreme angles.

The watertight roof prism housing keeps water out, even in the worst conditions. The rubber eyecup and temples on these Bushnell Marine 7×50 (waterproof) binoculars also provide good grip thanks to their design.

Bushnell Binoculars are built with a double hinge system. This will allow them to last you for many years because the hinges are able to withstand pretty much any condition.

These binoculars are also precision-engineered to be waterproof, shockproof, and fog-proof. These binoculars have accessories, including a nylon carrying case, lens cloth, and lens caps.

5) Fujinon Mariner 7×50 Porro Prism Binoculars

Magnification: 7x
Lens Diameter: 50mm
Prism Type: Porro
Eye Relief: 18 Millimeters
Item Dimensions: 3.1 x 13.03 x 9.45 inches
Item Weight:1.95 lbs

Fujinon Mariner is designed with ED glass, which is what you would expect from an expensive marine binocular. This type of glass provides standard color definition and contrast, which makes it easier for you to identify objects in your area.

Fujinon Mariner Binoculars also have multicoated lenses that offer a clear and crisp image. The 7x magnification power means you’ll be able to pull out details from far away easily, which is useful if you’re looking at the horizon during the day or at night under artificial light.

The front half of the housing features center-focus prisms that work with a unique multicoated roof prism that uses Polarizing filters to clear out the glare from your environment.

This Binocular employs a multi-layer coating to keep them waterproof and fog proof, which is good for those who want to take them in and out of their boat or who want to use them in rough conditions.

6) Leupold BX-4 10x42mm Binocular

Magnification: 10x
Lens Diameter: 42mm
Weight (oz): 24
Length (in): 5.60
Eye Relief (mm): 16
Linear FOV (ft/1000 yd): 326

The rubber eyecups and temples on these Leupold BX-4 marine binoculars also provide a grip. They keep your hands steady and prevent them from slipping even when you’re wearing gloves or when your hands are exposed to cold or wet weather.

These binoculars can be used in water under 100 meters deep because they are waterproof and fog proof. They also have a nitrogen purging system that prevents the entrance of moisture.

These binoculars make use of a phase correction coating to provide you with clear images. In addition, they have phase-coating on the exterior as well as throughout the interior which provides them with distortion-free views.

Leupold Marine Binoculars are made with a hinge system that allows them to last you a long time, even under harsh conditions or during rough transport.

7) Barska Deep Sea 7×50 Waterproof Marine Binoculars

Magnification: 7x
Lens Diameter: 50mm
Prism type: Porro
Prism Glass: BAK-4
Field of View: 395 feet at 1,000 yards
Eye Relief: 23mm
Close focus distance: 22.3 feet
O-ring sealed
Weight: 38.8 ounces

Barska Deep Sea is designed with multi-coated nitrogen purging system that keeps them 100% waterproof and fog proof. That means that they can be used in any weather and under any conditions, and they will still remain crystal clear and lightweight.

Final words

We have done our best to find the best models that are available on the market today. You should start by looking at the magnification, which will give you your main focal point for taking photos with your binoculars. Then you should consider the eye relief, the field of view, optical quality, and finally the other features listed above.

If you are having trouble picking out a good pair of marine binoculars, then you should try to find one that has all of these features. You don’t need to buy something right away; instead, you should research the products that are available on the market today. There are plenty of different styles and types available, but it is important to try them out before making a decision about what ones you want to buy.

Happy boating!

Matthew Koch

Hi, I'm Matthew, a passionate blogger and traveler. I'm also a hard-core hiker. Hiking with friends and visiting new places is what I live for. Currently, I'm working at Gear Odds as CEO & Columnist. I would like to provide my best outdoor experience possible.