You can spend a lot of money on marine binoculars with seven times magnification and a 50 millimetre lens diameter. However, the Binomaster is said to cost just 140 euros, even though a compass with illumination is already built in. Are these binoculars a bargain, or is it once again a case of buy cheap, buy twice?
The Compass company has had Binomaster 7x50 marine binoculars in its programme for many years. In our last tests, the models had already attracted attention due to their good price-performance ratio. Now the manufacturer has revised the binoculars once again. The rubber armouring and eyecups have been made softer, and the integrated compass with illumination now comes from Suunto. The lens is also said to be fog-free thanks to nitrogen filling.
In practical use, the low weight and compact design are pleasing. The imaging performance does not come close to the top models in terms of brightness, colour reproduction and edge sharpness, but it is certainly sufficient for normal use in daylight. The attenuation of the compass is also usable in rough seas, but the scale could be more clearly marked.
Our rating: four out of five stars
Hauke Schmidt
Test & Technology editor
