Most binoculars recommended for marine use have a rubberized and waterproof shell and a 7×50 capacity. There is no sense in questioning why you need casing for marine use; the 7 times magnification is just enough to see things clearly from a moving boat. The 50 mm. lens gathers enough light and displays increased contrast for a quality image.
Marine binoculars are not only limited to the above-mentioned model. Image Stabilized or IS binoculars are becoming more popular these days among marine observers. Image stabilization is a technology we tend to associate with digital cameras, responsible for producing clearer images. It only makes sense that the technology would be a great help when installed in binoculars used aboard moving boats.
How does it work?
Image Stabilized binoculars have parts that take care of changing the position of the image. These parts are kept in place by gyroscopes, devices that maintain the orientation of the images. The same parts may also be held steady by powered mechanisms operated by inertial detectors. If not, these parts responsible for image stabilization may be mounted in a manner that resists and dampens perceived sudden movements.
If you should need the Image Stabilization feature during marine activities, they can be activated anytime in enabled units. When the IS feature is in action, the binoculars can zoom up to 20 times without needing a tripod. Despite being handheld at such a magnification rate, an improved image may still be observed from the binoculars.
Disadvantages
If you should decide to use IS binoculars as marine binoculars, you should also note that they present some disadvantages. For instance, they are heavier than regular binoculars and also tend to be more expensive. In contrast to a less stabilized unit mounted on a tripod, IS binoculars still produce an inferior view. This last disadvantage is trivial in this case, though; your view will still be unsteady despite mounting regular binoculars on a tripod on a moving boat.