Military work is full of danger and the soldiers always have to stay in the shelter to save their lives. But keeping an active eye on the enemies is important as well. Without binoculars, it is literally impossible to see the animals from safe shelters. But military binoculars are not an easy job due to the countless products available on the market. In this guide, we will talk about the best tactical binoculars.
Before going down to give you the reviews of top tactical binos, we would like to guide you that we have a well-organized research team that picks up the products for review. So, you can be sure about the quality and standard of our picked product.
Most of them are almost the same in terms of their functionality. But there are slight differences that set them apart. Our job will be to point out those small differences to make sure that you make a wise decision.
When going out to buy tactical binoculars, it is important to know about the basics to ensure that you don’t fall into the trap of the store owner. Here are some points that you should keep in mind.
Your chosen binoculars must be strong and rugged to bear accidental falls and rough usage as they will be used in harsh outdoor conditions.
Water and fog proofing should be on the top of your checklist. Having binoculars without excellent waterproofing is like having optics with no lenses – meaning they are useless.
The magnification and objective should be chosen by keeping in mind the fact that you will have to use them in low-light conditions. So, we suggest you go with 10x magnification and 50 mm of the objective lens. This specification will give you a good closer view of the target.
Shock Proofing is another factor that you will also like to keep in mind. We have seen many binoculars having good making material but they are not shockproof. Make sure to ask the store owner to give you shockproof and solid optics with some warranty.
If you have a handsome budget then we would recommend going with those binoculars that have a built-in rangefinder as it will help you a lot.
What are the best military binoculars?
The quick buyer’s guide is listed above to make sure that you have good knowledge of optics when you visit the optical store. However, we have picked some top military binoculars to save you the hassle of researching and finding the ideal product. As said earlier, having a bunch of optics experts helps us pick the top product available in the market. So, sit tight, have a cup of tea, and check the opinion that we have brought for you.
1- USCAMEL 10X50 Binoculars with Rangefinder Compass
These army binoculars are very popular due to their range-finding and direction-telling features. No matter if you use them in night or daylight, their capabilities of giving you accurate distance and directions will never let you down.
They have BAK-4 glass material in the prism which makes them specialized for giving you the image with pure color contrast and brightness. The FMC lenses further uplift the standard of their visuals and make them soothing to the eyes.
Their quick focus system is another plus that makes them a perfect option for military men. Suppose, you are tracking a fast-moving object then their focus system is designed in such a way that you will adjust the focus in and out with the help of your index finger.
Use them in heavy rain or thick fog, their performance will always be on the top. You won’t have to compromise when the weather is not good. Thanks to their nitrogen gas purging and o-ring sealings.
Their lightweight and compact size are also going to give you an excellent and comfortable viewing experience. Moreover, the additional accessories make the deal perfect and help you save money. These binoculars are not good for those who wear glasses due to weak vision.
These are very good tactical binoculars and perform excellently in all outdoor conditions. But if you wear glasses then we don’t recommend you to choose them due to their bad eye relief.
2- Steiner Military Series Binoculars
These Steiner binoculars are top across all the online optics stores and we have used them for testing purposes. To be honest, they are what an army man will need for keeping an eye on the enemies.
We liked the body construction and build quality of these optics. The company has done some research efforts in making them. Overall body is made up of rubber armor which is decent but the housing of these optics is made of polycarbonate which is very strong.
The combination of both NBR rubber armor and polycarbonate material makes them strong as well as lightweight. So, you can carry them for an extended duration and they won’t disturb you at all.
They have an autofocus system which adds more charm to the deal. Suppose you want to see something which is very quick and or moving constantly then their autofocus will adjust the focus according to the movement of the targeted object.
You won’t have to adjust the focus again and again. This is a small but very practical feature that helps you get rid of manual adjustment of focus. Their image quality is on the top. The lenses and glass material is perfect for giving you a crispier view of the targeted object.
One thing that we would like to tell you is that their lenses are made up of silicon and are very strong. Even if you use them carelessly, no scratches will come to their senses which is another plus point that makes the best military binoculars.
Note: They have a total weight of 17 ounces which makes them the lightest military binoculars reviewed in this guide.
Pros
Auto focus system
Lightweight and compact size
Very strong body
Silicone made lenses
Cons
We have tested them in the field and failed to find any bad aspects of them.
How are these binoculars different from previous products?
Their autofocus system and silicone-made lenses set up far apart from the other products. In Fact, they are the best pick of this guide and you can be certain about their performance and quality.
3- Waterproof Military Marine Binoculars with Internal Rangefinder & Compass
Previous products did not have range-finding and direction-telling features. But with these military binoculars, you will get many features and their prices are not too high – fair to say that they fall in the budget category.
They have an eye relief of 22mm which is ideal for those who wear glasses due to weak vision. Keep in mind that binoculars with bad eye relief are not going to give you a comfortable viewing experience even if you don’t wear glasses.
Concerned about the build quality? Well, these binoculars are made of rubber material which is not too strong – but still, gives them a decently solid outlook. However, you will have to take care of them, not letting them slip off your hands and fall on any hard surface.
These tactical binoculars come with tripod adaptability and you will love to use them while fitting them in a tripod stand. Using binoculars by fitting on a tripod stand gives you rock-solid stability in the image.
Overall body is covered with a rubberized coating which is good for making them shockproof. However, we don’t recommend you throw them away or don’t let them fall accidentally as they can end up wasting your money.
Pros
Tripod adaptability
Affordable pricing
Ideal eye relief of 22 mm
Nitrogen gas purging for water and fog proofing
Rubberized coating present on the body make them shockproof
Cons
We are not big fans of their build quality. Rubber armor is not going to save them when used harshly.
How are these binoculars different from previous products?
They are very good military binoculars for those who want binos with optimal performance but at affordable pricing. Their range finding and direction-telling features make them stand out in this guide.
Generally, all the armies and specifically the US army use Steiner binoculars for their work. So, it is going to be the second product of the Steiner brand in this guide. Our aim is to provide you with in-depth knowledge about military binoculars and give you those options that are actually used by military corps.
These binoculars are well known due to their water resistance strength. Even if you dip them in water or leave them there for hours, their performance won’t go down at all. In Fact, they have got nitrogen gas purging and very solid o-ring sealing, making them an ideal choice for military men.
They also come with auto-focus capabilities meaning that you won’t have to adjust the focus again and again. Instead, they will adjust according to your central point. You will be able to keep an eye on very fast-moving objects with the help of these binoculars.
They have a premium optics system which helps them to give you a crispier and sharper image with no chromatic aberration. Their objective lens size of 50 mm is perfect for capturing all the light present in the environment to give you a sharper and brighter image in low light conditions.
As these optics are made for the military, their weight is very low to ensure that they won’t put any extra burden on the shoulders of army men. Moreover, the compact size is another plus that makes them the best military-grade binoculars.
How are these binoculars different from previous products?
They are ideal tactical binoculars and provide you with all the features that you will need. But their prices are a bit high and a common man cannot afford them. If you have a handsome budget, we recommend you grab them to get the best out of your outdoor adventure.
5- Vortex Optics Crossfire Tactical Binoculars
These are top-selling products in all the online optics stores. The affordable prices and the required features make them a decent option to be used by army men.
The most important point is that we love these optics in the usage of aluminum material which is very strong and durable. So, no matter whether you use them carelessly or throw them for height, they are not going to disappoint you for sure.
You will get an image free from chromatic aberration, with true color contrast and edge-to-edge clarity with these binoculars. They have 12x magnification and a 50 mm objective lens which is ideal for giving a brighter and sharper image in low light conditions.
They don’t have an autofocus system for tracking the objects that are moving fastly. But they have a central focus system which gives you a small knob or wheel to adjust the focus and make them the best tactical binoculars.
Nitrogen gas purging is used for protection against water and fog. We have used them in the rainy season, and their performance did not disappoint us. However, it would have been ideal if the company would have used argon gas instead of nitrogen
How are these binoculars different from previous products?
They are budget products and can be very realistic options. However, they lack an autofocus system which definitely adds a negative point to them. If you’re happy with a central focus system to adjust the setting manually, you can opt for them.
6- Steiner Tactical Series Binoculars
These binoculars are specialized for military usage as they are capable of bearing extreme temperatures and pressure. Their performance won’t disappoint you even when you use them carelessly. It is confirmed that military men use binoculars with as harsh an approach as they mean to be.
So, it is important to choose rigid and rugged binoculars for them and nothing can beat these Steiner tactical series binoculars. You might think that they are made of rubber material which may not work well to make them durable. Instead, the reality is the opposite.
The rubber armor which is used is of high quality and magnesium housing uplift the security and standard of these optics. Their lenses are made of silicone which is scratchproof and provides you outstanding viewing experience. The coating present ensures that you get a brighter and sharper image.
Their weight is not too high and the size is also smaller so you will be quite comfortable while carrying them ino outdoor conditions. The provision of additional accessories further makes the deal attractive. You won’t have to spend extra bucks on buying their accessories.
After using them in the field, we came to the point that they are very strong and show good resistance against water, moisture and fog. Thanks to their N2 injection system which makes them invincible.
Pros
Durable and strong body
Compact and lightweight
Excellent gripping and handling
N2 injection system for water and fog proofing
Exceptionally brighter image with 100% resolution.
You can attach and detach a neck strap or harness with the push of a button. Thanks to their clicLock system
How are these binoculars different from previous products?
They are the ideal military binoculars with all the features one may need for outdoor survival. Although their prices are slightly high, their features deserve the prize. They are value-to-money products. The clicLock system helps them stand out in this guide.
Frequently Ask Questions
What binoculars do Navy SEALs use?
Steiner brand is the one that makes binoculars for the military. Almost all the navy seals use Steiner binoculars which are very strong and rugged to stay longer with them.
What type of binoculars do the military use?
Military uses strong and rugged binoculars with water and fog proofing. They don’t use those binoculars which are fragile. In Fact, they have strict standards to check body strength. However, Steiner binoculars have been used by the military around the world due to their ruggedness.
What magnification are military binoculars?
Most of the time, they use 10x magnification power in their binoculars. However, we have seen many soldiers using 7x or 8x magnification-powered binoculars.
Conclusion
Military binoculars should be very strong and rugged to bear the shocks and accidental falls from height. So, we went very deep and found the best tactical binoculars that will be a perfect match for those who don’t care about the optics and use them recklessly.
We hope that these buying guides will be greatly helpful in making your decision easier. Keep in mind that all the optics are equally good and have slight differences that set one on the top and the other on the second position. Buying any of the objective-mentioned binoculars will give you amazing results.
