When you buy binoculars you probably aren’t giving much thought to the history of the technology, or how these seemingly simple devices have been put to extensive use by the military. Until it was replaced with new prism technology, the earlier Galilean model was used in the 1800s by military campaigns all over the world. One of the main differences between military and civilian binoculars is in quality and durability. Military binoculars are built to stand up to extremely difficult conditions, and thus are far more sturdy than the usual civilian pair. They tend to avoid fragile components, and for this reason use individual eye-piece focusing rather than a central focusing unit. Usually the prism sets are given an aluminized coating so that if they get wet the reflective properties won’t be lost.
Military binoculars come equipped with some very specialized tools. Binoculars used during the cold war were often fitted with sensors that could detect infra red emissions. Today, military binoculars are most often seen with filters that block laser beams and a stadiametric reticle which helps to distance and range when looking through the field of view. Some are also able to pinpoint location as well, and contain specialized compass technology. Binoculars used at sea require even more specialized technology, both to stand up to the harsh saltwater environment, and also to counter the vibrations and movement of the boat. Many naval binoculars are mounted to provide more stability, however hand-held models are also used. These usually contain large prism sets and have specialized eyepieces, both of which allow the image to be more easily seen regardless of the movement of the boat. In World War II, some navel binoculars used to find enemy gun ships weighed in at over ten tons. These powerful binoculars had objective lenses up to fifteen meters apart. These are now basically obsolete, however it does show how powerful binocular technology really is.
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Military Style 10 x 50 Optical Hiking Binoculars Scope US $32.94 (0 Bid) End Date: Tuesday Jan-06-2009 2:52:43 PST Bid now | Add to watch list |
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NcStar 10X42 Waterproof Military Binoculars *New* US $49.95 (0 Bid) End Date: Tuesday Jan-06-2009 12:03:59 PST Bid now | Buy it now | Add to watch list |
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HAMMERS 7X50MA WATERPROOF MILITARY BINOCULARS *NEW* US $169.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Tuesday Jan-06-2009 13:31:00 PST Bid now | Buy it now | Add to watch list |
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PowerView 20X-120X35 Military Spotting Zoom Binoculars US $45.99 End Date: Tuesday Jan-06-2009 14:13:32 PST Buy it now | Add to watch list |
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PowerView 20X-140X70 Military Zoom Binoculars +Tripod US $109.99 End Date: Tuesday Jan-06-2009 14:15:27 PST Buy it now | Add to watch list |
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AlumAlloy PowerView 20X-280X60 Military Zoom Binoculars US $89.99 End Date: Tuesday Jan-06-2009 14:17:56 PST Buy it now | Add to watch list |
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AlumAlloy PowerView 20X-120X50 Military Zoom Binoculars US $49.99 End Date: Tuesday Jan-06-2009 14:21:04 PST Buy it now | Add to watch list |
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German WWII CAG binoculars,military tan,Swarovski,strap US $49.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Tuesday Jan-06-2009 14:25:06 PST Bid now | Add to watch list |
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NEW 20X50 MILITARY STYLE CAMO BINOCULARS WITH RUBY COAT US $15.00 End Date: Tuesday Jan-06-2009 15:29:00 PST Buy it now | Add to watch list |
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TOP MILITARY STYLE 20x70 "VISION" POWERFUL BINOCULARS US $45.50 (0 Bid) End Date: Tuesday Jan-06-2009 16:00:21 PST Bid now | Add to watch list |
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New 20X-140X60 Military Spotting Super Zoom Binoculars US $49.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Tuesday Jan-06-2009 17:08:11 PST Bid now | Add to watch list |
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WA Big Eye lens 1" PowerView 70X70 Military Binoculars US $49.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Tuesday Jan-06-2009 17:13:29 PST Bid now | Add to watch list |
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PowerView 20X-120X35 Military Spotting Zoom Binoculars US $39.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Tuesday Jan-06-2009 17:20:47 PST Bid now | Add to watch list |
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Vintage French LEMAIRE Military Binoculars 1917 US $21.50 (4 Bids) End Date: Tuesday Jan-06-2009 18:18:09 PST Bid now | Add to watch list |
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BARSKA 7x50 BATALION MILITARY TACTICAL BINOCULARS US $349.95 End Date: Tuesday Jan-06-2009 19:58:19 PST Buy it now | Add to watch list |
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BARSKA 7x50 MILITARY WATERPROOF TACTICAL BINOCULARS US $299.95 End Date: Tuesday Jan-06-2009 20:31:46 PST Buy it now | Add to watch list |
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7x50 BARSKA MILITARY USE TACTICAL BINOCULARS US $179.95 End Date: Tuesday Jan-06-2009 20:50:14 PST Buy it now | Add to watch list |
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NEW Russian Military Binoculars 20x50 WA CLEAREST Optic US $125.00 End Date: Tuesday Jan-06-2009 23:16:34 PST Buy it now | Add to watch list |
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NEW Russian Military Binoculars 12x50 WA CLEAREST Optic US $115.00 End Date: Wednesday Jan-07-2009 2:20:19 PST Buy it now | Add to watch list |
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NEW Russian Military Binoculars 20x50 WA CLEAREST Optic US $125.00 End Date: Wednesday Jan-07-2009 2:20:52 PST Buy it now | Add to watch list |
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NEW Russian Military Binoculars 12x50 WA CLEAREST Optic US $115.00 End Date: Wednesday Jan-07-2009 2:22:32 PST Buy it now | Add to watch list |
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Strong idea Military Zoom Binoculars US $104.99 End Date: Wednesday Jan-07-2009 9:04:54 PST Buy it now | Add to watch list |
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Antique Chevalier binoculars (Military) VERY OLD! US $54.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Wednesday Jan-07-2009 9:35:30 PST Bid now | Add to watch list |
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Steiner 10x50 G Military Marine Binoculars USA 210 NEW! US $514.99 End Date: Wednesday Jan-07-2009 10:46:15 PST Buy it now | Add to watch list |
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NEW Russian Military Binoculars 12x50 WA CLEAREST Optic US $115.00 End Date: Wednesday Jan-07-2009 13:25:29 PST Buy it now | Add to watch list |
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