Bushnell 7×50 Marine Binoculars Review
Having used several different makes of marine binoculars, I would say that Bushnell 7×50 is my personal favorite for many reasons. The first reason is the price point of course.
Carrying these Bushnell Marine 7×50 binoculars every time on a sailboat for 2 years. I have not seen any condensation and optics have remained clear & the rubberized shell is still in good shape as well.
With this review of Bushnell 7×50 Marine binoculars, I would point out my experience with these sets.
However, regardless of the make, no binoculars come without cons. Keep up with me, I will divulge some cons and alternative pairs too.
Let us see how the Bushnell Marine 7×50 Binoculars perform on Various parameters.
For Whom They Are For
Bushnell marine binoculars are aimed at anyone who spends time on the water.
For this reason, binoculars are an indispensable companion for whale and dolphin sightseeing tours. It is also a good practice to store them on a boat or other ship for emergencies.
The 7×50 binoculars are best suited for sailors, boaters & birdwatchers who prefer a larger magnification. For marine binoculars a conservative magnification (no more than 7x) and a lens diameter of at least 50mm is advisable.
They can be suitable police surveillance binoculars too.
- Quality optics with stunning HD clarity
- 100% quality materials used and tested extensively
- Beautiful design and durability built to last
Bushnell Marine 7×50 Binoculars-Video Review
Design And Body
The binoculars are well made, sturdy & well sized as I expected. They fit well in the hands and the design is streamlined.
The binocular features robust rubber armor for a secure hold.
Given the harsh environment in which marine binoculars are used, they should be waterproof and resistant to fog. To my delight, These binocular is lightweight and waterproof.
Also, If you have significant pressure or temperature changes, there is the potential for fogging in the lens that can render your binoculars unusable. To prevent this, look for nitrogen purged binoculars, which means that their air has been replaced by nitrogen.
The above criterion is satisfied with Bushnell Marine 7×50 as they have a nitrogen flushed O-ring gasket to keep moisture away and another gasket to ensure that moisture cannot penetrate.
Another impressive feature of the Bushnell Marine 7×50 binoculars is that they are designed to be resistant to saltwater corrosion, which is because they float in the water when dropped.
In Short, They are designed for boating and other maritime purposes and have a variety of features designed to excel in harsh nautical environments, making them ideal for use when 100% endurance is required.
Optical Performance- Bushnell Marine 7×50 Binoculars
Thanks to the 50mm lens in Bushnell marine 7×50 binoculars, you get bright images that are crisp and sharp.
The magnification of the binoculars is 50 mm, and the lens guarantees stable image tracking and a large field of view.
Other features include BAK-4 prisms, multi-coated optics, large UV-coated lenses, and bright images at dawn and dusk.
I was impressed with these binoculars as you will be able to see colors, light sources will not have as much of a halo to obscure detail elsewhere, and the scene will be brighter.
In full daylight, 7x50s will actually appear less bright than most other sizes, which is an advantage in reducing strain.
Another feature is the focusing mechanism of these binoculars. They focus with each eyepiece. There is no center focus. I like this way since my eyes are different which makes focusing easy for me.
In addition to the lens system you get from the Bushnell Marine 7×50 binoculars is an excellent workmanship.
Compass & Rangefinder Performance-Bushnell Marine 7×50 Binoculars
At this price point, the marine binoculars also come with an integrated liquid-filled compass for direction and location as well as an internal rangefinder for determining the distance and size of objects which is impressive.
The built-in compass can be illuminated at the press of a button for near dark navigation
Compass bearings are called out in easy-to-read 1-degree increments, and a range-finding scale allows the viewer to estimate the range of objects to a known size.
However, the rangefinder seems to be a marketing gimmick as, exactly instead of it it has vertical graduations that will enable you to estimate the distance to an object if you know its height, as you would in the case of a lighthouse.
Interestingly, The compass is nicely damped and seems to work well even at fairly large angles above and below the horizontal.
Also, to my surprise, the compass is an analog display that basically is a representation of a compass dial.
Features
- Porro BaK-4 prism system
- 7x Magnification
- 50mm objective lens Diameter
- Good 18mm eye relief ( we tested it to be around 16mm)
- Analog Compass & Illuminated Reticle
- FOV- 367 ft @1000 yds
- Weight 37 oz
- Close focus- 35 ft
Pros
- Rugged Construction
- Fog proof and waterproof
- Fully Multi-Coated Optics/UV Protection
- Highly resistant to saltwater corrosion
- Performs well in low light
- Suitable for different weather
Cons
- Slightly bulky
- Strap Quality Can Be Better
- No Image Stabilization
- No Ed glass
- Bushnell does not provide a bracket for a tripod.
Alternatives-Bushnell Marine 7×50 Binoculars
There are many marine binoculars on the market, some are not very good, others very good, and some very expensive.
Binoculars are precision tools and small details can have a big impact on your overall user experience.
Binoculars like Steiner Navigator Pro 7×50 have an autofocus system that adjusts depending on the distance an object receives. There is also an individual focus eye that can be adjusted in the diopter, which is good for people with astigmatism.
Read also our picks of the best binoculars for boating
If you need something more wallet-friendly, Bushnell H2O 7x50mm Porro Prism binoculars are ideal for you.
If money is a no hurdle, I would encourage you to have a go with image-stabilizing binoculars.
As the image is stable, greater magnification can be used and so the benefits are more than just the stabilization. With stabilized binoculars 14x provides a better view than 7x without stabilization.
Moreover, I find IS to be excellent when at sea – the movement of the boat prevents easy identification of marks if you don’t have IS.
You can take a look at Canon’s 15X50 IS All Weather Image stabilized pair. When approaching San Francisco Bay, with these binoculars, I could read the buoy numbers clearly.
Also, At that magnification, excitingly, I can read the name on a boat when they are still far enough away to call and arrange a pass.
Conclusion-Bushnell Marine 7×50 Binoculars Review
These Marine binoculars feature the BAK4 Porro Prism System with a wide field of view and multi-coated optics that deliver bright and clear images.
Bushnell dedicates his time to developing the best binoculars at affordable prices and the Marine 7×50 is such an incredible product from the company.
Moreover, To adapt to extreme environments Bushnell Marine 7×50 is waterproof, nitrogen-flushed, fog-proof, and swims in the water.
What More You can ask at this price point. These are not Stern or Nikon binoculars.
Among the cheap binoculars, these have a good quality vs value ratio.
They are affordable, have OK optics, and seem to be durable.
Also, They are light enough for anybody to use them. In a nutshell, These are a good choice when you are looking for usable binoculars, with interesting features without paying too much.
If you like our review of the Bushnell marine 7×50 Binoculars, do comment below.
Check Comparison: 7×50 Vs 8×56 Binoculars
Last update on 2024-12-22
