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Single Hinge Binoculars

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Binoculars with Compass

VIDEO

Introduction

How often have you held on to something familiar merely because it was something you knew? This may be the case with binoculars that sport a classic single hinge design, as it has been around for so long. The name comes from the fact that the two barrels of the binocular are linked with a single hinge. This is the standard binocular design and is the most common for many users.

The single hinge design is used in both Porro and roof prism binoculars and found in all price classes, which cannot be said for open bridge binoculars. They feature a single, long joint, and are used with either central focusing, or with focusing separated for each eye. In the last decades, the length of the hinge has been getting shorter and shorter, like on the Vortex Diamondback HD. This is also one of the advantages. Here are more:

Steiner Ranger Xtreme 10x42

Pros

Along with the advantage above, another one is that these binoculars prove to be sturdy and reliable. Many times single hinge binoculars tend to be cheaper to produce and consequently, cheaper to buy. If you are not willing to spend much money on a pair of binoculars, this is an immense benefit for you. Notwithstanding, the single hinge design models may not cost a lot, but they sure do look like a million bucks, as they have a classic design to them.

Cons

Many factors need to be taken into account before you go out and purchase the first pair of binoculars that you have had your eye on. The only big disadvantage of single hinge binoculars we can pinpoint at the moment is the limit towards a comfortable use when viewing, in comparison to binoculars with an open bridge design.

Vortex Viper HD 10x50

Conclusion

There are different styles of binoculars on the optics market today, and different styles suit different people. Binoculars with a single hinge design are more affordable than the open-bridge design ones. They sport the most common construction, and it is what most users are used to. It is true that one cannot go wrong with a classic, but if your mindset is “I like to hold on to what I know”, maybe you should still reconsider your choice.

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VIDEO

Marine binoculars are designed to be used at sea, where magnification over 7x usually causes seasickness. These binoculars also offer great protection against the water and are not sensitive to high temperatures or their housing being exposed to sunlight.

Many of these binoculars also include a compass or some kind of reticle for range finding.

General features:

  • Waterproof housing

  • Porro prism design

  • 7x magnification

  • Individual focusing

  • Compass

  • A reticle for range estimations

Marine Binoculars with a Compass

At sea, having a compass is very useful for navigating and coordinating positions. To combine the compass and binoculars in one device seemed logical so that you do not have two things at once in your hands.

There are 2 principles of displaying the compass reading:
  •  An analog scale on the bottom of the field of view of the compass with degrees written on (can be illuminated in more expensive models)

  •  The digital display in the middle of the field of view (push the button to read the degrees, transparent display, which reduces transmittance. The compass is easier to use if it displays degrees in the middle).

 

Steiner Commander Global 7x50  - Marine Binoculars

Steiner Commander Global 7x50 

Built-in Rangefinder

Rangefinding Binoculars are more or less all very similar- having a scale in the middle of the field of view, with which you can calculate the distance to the observed objects if you know their size.

Good „miling“ requires a lot of experience and good prediction. It is the same principle as with tactical riflescopes. The scale is milliradian.

For now, there are no marine binoculars available with the laser rangefinder.

Why is 7x50 the most common Marine Binoculars configuration?

The 7x50 has established itself as a golden standard. While looking through the binoculars the 7x magnification does not shake the image to the point of getting seasickness, and our brains can normally compensate it.

Most of them have Porro prism because it makes them easier to seal and individual focus for each eye separately. 50 mm objective lens and 7x magnification give the 7 mm exit pupil, which is the most comfortable to use as it eliminates the trembling and allows us to always see a "full" picture.

Marine Binoculars with Image Stabilization and Individual Focusing

Image Stabilization

Most modern marine binoculars have this function, as it is possible to use higher magnification for better details. Normally, such binoculars are larger, heavier, and more expensive.

They usually do not offer as good resolution as the classic ones with the same magnification. It is also a major weakness that they are not as reliable (less permeable if they fall into the sea and less resistant to falls) and bumps and are less bright.

They do, however, offer the use of higher magnification on moving boats due to their ability to stabilize the image.

Individual Focusing

This feature is extremely common in this type of binoculars, as it also achieves the best water tightness.

Steiner Marine Binoculars

In Europe, Steiner has become an established provider of marine binocular to the extent that nobody else in the premium class actually produces them anymore (Zeiss, Leica, Swarovski ...).

Steiner has 3 series of this type of binoculars.
  • Steiner Navigator Pro
  • Steiner Commander
  • Steiner Commander Global 

Steiner Binoculars - Navigation

Steiner Binoculars (Photo by Konrad Frost/Volvo Ocean Race. 23 October, 2017)

Low Light Binoculars

Configuration 7x50 and Porro prism are optimal because of a 7mm exit pupil, good light transmission, and focusing separated for each eye.

All these features mean that this type of binoculars is also the best choice for observing in the dark.

Due to all of the above configurations, they are perfect for dusk and dawn - however, they are not popular in hunting due to their special appearance, size, and inadequate colors.