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Purchasing the right pair of military-grade, tactical binoculars can and should involve a lot of research. These are complex and expensive instruments and you want to be sure to purchase the right ones for your needs. Many serious hunters and outdoorsmen prefer these tactical binoculars for their superior craftsmanship, durability and reliability in the harshest environments on the planet.
Best Tactical Binoculars
Here are our reviews of the best tactical binoculars.
1. Steiner 2033 Military-Marine 8×30 Binoculars
These binoculars, from Steiner, are made for civilians using military precision and optics. Complete with a sports-auto-focus for one-handed use makes these binoculars great for stalking and tracking.
- Lifetime warranty
- Floating prism system uses silicone lens mounts to absorb shock
- Huge field of view
2. Steiner Tactical 10×28 Binoculars
These compact, collapsible binoculars, from Steiner, are easy to store, carry, hold and are as lightweight as they come—perfect for any outdoorsman or hunter.
- Steiner’s own Bak-4 prisms
- Multi-coated optics for clear resolution
- Center focus wheel with minimal rotation for fast focusing
3. Vortex Optics Viper HD Roof Prism Binoculars 10×50
These tactical binoculars are made with extra-low dispersion glass, delivering impressive color fidelity and high-definition images.
- Rubber armored with thumb indent for secure grip
- Anti-reflective lens coating
- Individual eye focuser
4. Steiner Police 7×50 Binoculars
These rugged binoculars, from Steiner, are built to withstand heavy damage and any climate—don’t believe us, have a look at their lifetime warranty.
- Durable polycarbonate casing
- Waterproof and fog proof
- Multi-coated optics and lenses
5. Bushnell H2O Waterproof/Fogproof Roof Prism Binocular
Built with quality optics that produce stunning high-definition clarity, these binoculars, from Bushnell, are a must have item for any serious outdoorsman.
- Bak-4 prisms and multi-coated optics
- 100% waterproof and fog proof
- Shock absorbing rubber armor for protection
Tactical Binoculars Buyer’s Guide
The above binoculars are heavy-duty, serious pieces of equipment; these binoculars are not made with bird watching in mind. Utilizing military grade materials and construction, these optics were manufactured for the most intense of outdoor activities. As these binoculars are no joke, take a look below at our buyer’s guide for some important features to look for when making your purchase.
Size
Tactical binoculars come in a variety of shapes and sizes, depending on their purpose. Some can be folded up, fitting into your pocket and others may need to be carried in a tactical binoculars case, harness or neck strap.
A small and compact design is desirable but keep in mind, these models don’t transmit light well and are not very suitable in low light conditions. Think about how you plan to use them and factor this into your purchase.
Magnification
When it comes to tactical binoculars, lower magnification levels (8X to 10X) are actually preferred. This is due to their ability to produce a greater field of view, which in turn, allows you to see more of the picture. A large field of view is desirable for many outdoor activities, including hunting where you need to track moving targets.
Durability
Don’t cheap out on this one. If you’re someone who often finds themselves in harsh environments, you’re going to want to have some well-constructed binoculars. Waterproof and fog proof features are a must, especially for hunters who don’t have time to be cleaning their lenses in the middle of a hunt. The good news is, in regards to tactical binoculars, they are all pretty much indestructible… Well, almost indestructible.
Image stability
Image stabilization is an important feature to keep an eye out for in any set of binoculars. The more zoomed in you are, the more unstable the image will be; even breathing can cause you to lose sight of your target. Many types of binoculars counter this issue by using liquid filled prisms and gyroscopes that compensate and correct this issue. Keep an eye out for binoculars that are built with this in mind.
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