Binoculars are an expensive but essential piece of marine safety gear. All skippers should keep a pair close at hand whenever they are at the helm—and for good reason. Being able to clearly identify any object that comes within range of your boat—be it a ship, raft, piece of flotsam, navigational marker, or a nearby shoreline—makes for a safer passage and better peace of mind.

The West Marine Tahiti was one of only three binoculars to receive an Excellent rating for day/night viewing.

Experience has shown that binoculars with a maximum magnification of 7x power are best suited for a boat’s rough-and-tumble motion. This magnification, coupled with a large 50-millimeter front lens, has proven to be the ideal setup for viewing distant objects from aboard a boat, especially…