Look for FMC (fully multi-coated) lenses as these will have multiple layers applied to every lens, inside and out. Another contributor to better light transmission are the coatings applied to the lenses. ED glass allows for better colour rendition, so no colour fringing or haloing. The lenses themselves contribute greatly to the transmission of light so look for ED or Extra-low Dispersion glass lenses.

The most common glass used in binocular prisms is BK7 glass, which is still quality precision optical glass but with slightly more imperfections than BAK4. BAK4 glass is used in the production of the prisms of top quality binoculars as it has less imperfections than any other glass. Better light transmission comes through top quality optical equipment like the prisms and the lenses. So the binoculars you choose should be comfortable, comfort comes in many ways, not too large to hold, not too heavy, easy to grip, soft padding around the eyepiece, decent eye relief, and crisp, clear images.īinoculars rely on the transmission of light to produce the bright, crisp sharp images you see through the lenses. You’ll find that there will be more and more opportunities for using binoculars once your cruise begins. The higher the FoV the more you’ll be able to see without having to move your head. The field of view (FoV) is the area you can see (width) through the lens at a distance of 1,000 metres. Due to the design of both the exterior and the internal mechanisms roof prism binoculars can be fully waterproofed. The best type of binoculars for waterproofing capabilities are roof prism binoculars. Once any water gets inside the binoculars they’ll never be the same. We always recommend waterproof binoculars for general usage, but for Alaskan cruises, waterproof binoculars are essential.

However, for Alaska, they will need a fairly wide objective lens (see below). We would recommend either compact or mid size binoculars as these are lighter and take up less space. Going on a cruise in general usually means unlimited luggage, but as you’ll probably be flying to connect to the cruise ship, there will be luggage restrictions. So let’s consider what you need in a pair of binoculars for cruising, they need to be What Features Do You Need In Binoculars For Cruises?Īlthough most of the following information will apply to any cruise ship excursions, we’ll be focussing on Alaskan cruises specifically in this article. What Type Of Binoculars Are Best For Alaskan Cruises?.What Features Do You Need In Binoculars For Cruises?.

Binocular strengths