Military Binoculars - The Firearms Forum

RunningOnMT · 06-07-2009, 09:27 AM

Does anyone know what power binoculars are standard military issue?

TranterUK · 06-07-2009, 09:35 AM

I can speak for three countries with 8x30. Bigger and more powerful are used, but that seems the most common.

Best I had/ have were Israeli issue Steiners.

Bruce FLinch · 06-07-2009, 10:19 AM

If I recall from 30 years ago they were 7x50. USN

Pistolenschutze · 06-07-2009, 10:21 AM

The ones I remember were 7x50, but that was a long time ago.

TranterUK · 06-07-2009, 10:26 AM

7x50 are used a lot, but are more bulky. I once had some military 7x50s with a built in compass. You took a reading through one eye piece. Very cool. They were Israeli Steiners too.

RunningOnMT · 06-07-2009, 10:28 AM

Thanks all. I used them when i was a part of F.O. teams but couldn't remember what power they were. Was just curious as i have a pair of Nikon 10X50's that seem to border on being unsatisfactory for hand held use...pretty jiggly.

Bruce FLinch · 06-07-2009, 10:38 AM

The ones we had on the Ship's Bridge were not small. Not something you wanted to "wear" for a 4 hour watch.

Trouble 45-70 · 06-07-2009, 11:15 AM

I still have a pair of 6X30s from a long time ago.

USMC-03 · 06-07-2009, 11:52 AM

As of a few years ago they were Steiner 10X50 with mil-dots.

Marlin T · 06-07-2009, 06:30 PM

194? German technology that my Dad brought back with him from WWII
These still work like a dream

Islandboy · 06-09-2009, 05:36 PM

Cool Pic above, I love my marine 7x50 steiners, 20 years old and going strong.
I bought them for my Dad years ago and got them back when he passed.

06-07-2009, 09:27 AM	#1
RunningOnMT Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Akron, Ohio Contributor Posts: 4,720	Military Binoculars Does anyone know what power binoculars are standard military issue? -->

06-07-2009, 09:35 AM	#2
TranterUK Advanced Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Cambridge UK Posts: 5,103	Re: Military Binoculars I can speak for three countries with 8x30. Bigger and more powerful are used, but that seems the most common. Best I had/ have were Israeli issue Steiners. __________________ DVC - Diligentia, Vis, Celeritas - Accuracy, Power, Speed. The light at the end of the recession tunnel IS a train coming the other way! Last edited by TranterUK; 06-07-2009 at 09:37 AM..

06-07-2009, 10:19 AM	#3
Bruce FLinch Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Bay Point, Kali..aka Gun Point Posts: 5,016	Re: Military Binoculars If I recall from 30 years ago they were 7x50. USN __________________ A bad day @ the Range, is better than a good day @ work.

06-07-2009, 10:21 AM	#4
Pistolenschutze Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 13,094	Re: Military Binoculars The ones I remember were 7x50, but that was a long time ago. __________________ --Pistolenschutze (Pistol Shooter)

06-07-2009, 10:26 AM	#5
TranterUK Advanced Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Cambridge UK Posts: 5,103	Re: Military Binoculars 7x50 are used a lot, but are more bulky. I once had some military 7x50s with a built in compass. You took a reading through one eye piece. Very cool. They were Israeli Steiners too. __________________ DVC - Diligentia, Vis, Celeritas - Accuracy, Power, Speed. The light at the end of the recession tunnel IS a train coming the other way! Last edited by TranterUK; 06-07-2009 at 10:27 AM..

06-07-2009, 10:28 AM	#6
RunningOnMT Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Akron, Ohio Contributor Posts: 4,720	Re: Military Binoculars Thanks all. I used them when i was a part of F.O. teams but couldn't remember what power they were. Was just curious as i have a pair of Nikon 10X50's that seem to border on being unsatisfactory for hand held use...pretty jiggly.

06-07-2009, 10:38 AM	#7
Bruce FLinch Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Bay Point, Kali..aka Gun Point Posts: 5,016	Re: Military Binoculars The ones we had on the Ship's Bridge were not small. Not something you wanted to "wear" for a 4 hour watch. __________________ A bad day @ the Range, is better than a good day @ work.

06-07-2009, 11:15 AM	#8
Trouble 45-70 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: NE Ar. W. of Black River Contributor Posts: 2,703	Re: Military Binoculars I still have a pair of 6X30s from a long time ago.

06-07-2009, 11:52 AM	#9
USMC-03 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Peoples Republic of the Pacific Northwest Posts: 1,825	Re: Military Binoculars As of a few years ago they were Steiner 10X50 with mil-dots. __________________ Let not the rifles of good and free men be reforged into plowshares, but may they rest in a place of honor; ready, well oiled and God willing unused. For if the price of peace becomes licking the boots of tyrants, then "To Arms!" I say, and may the fortunes of war smile upon patriots. - Fortes Fortuna Javat -

06-07-2009, 06:30 PM	#10
Marlin T Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: New Mexico Posts: 7,857	Re: Military Binoculars 194? German technology that my Dad brought back with him from WWII These still work like a dream Attached Images __________________ "But the simple truth--born of experience--is that tyranny thrives best where government need not fear the wrath of an armed people." Judge Alex Kozinski - United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit It is the duty of the patriot to protect his country from its government. - Thomas Paine Did you read todays GOOD shooting? >>>KEEPANDBEARARMS.COM <<<

06-09-2009, 05:36 PM	#11
Islandboy Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Off the right coast Posts: 676	Re: Military Binoculars Cool Pic above, I love my marine 7x50 steiners, 20 years old and going strong. I bought them for my Dad years ago and got them back when he passed. __________________ A politician can do only that which the law provides,but, a private citizen can do anything that the law does not prohibit. -AR. When they came and got me, I went Peaceful.