In this day and age, it is important that we keep our eyes on everything that is going on in our community. As much as we would love to believe that we live in a completely safe world, we don’t. You have to pay attention to your surroundings.
So, when you1re thinking about staying safe, the first thing that comes to mind is surveillance. Having the right equipment to set everything up, it’s crucial to the success of your strategy.
After cameras, binoculars are the best addition to a successful surveillance strategy. They allow you to see at a wide range and keep your eyes on everything. So, which is the best binocular for surveillance? According to surveillance specialists, your best option is the roof prism design.
Now, no matter what kind of binocular you choose, the important thing is that you get the right one for the specific task that you want. This means making sure that you’ll be able to have a view of the distance that you want and also be able to see depending on the light conditions.
In the case of surveillance, it is a great option to pick one with night view, if it fits within your budget. Most of the surveillance activities will happen during nighttime.
Still, the main thing that you should worry about is the range of the view that it allows you to see. It’s not a rule of thumb but usually, the binoculars with longer bodies have a wider range.
You should also look for something that is light and easy to carry. If your surveillance isn’t happening from your home, you won’t want to be carrying a heavy binocular around.
So, make sure that you look for the specific characteristics that you’ll need. This way your surveillance adventures will be more efficient and pleasant overall.
Multicoated Lens
This is something that you might see all the time when looking for a binocular. The multicoated lens, basically means that the image that you get is sharp and clear. You won’t get distorted colors or images that are too different from the real thing.
This happens because the amount of light that enters the lens is controlled by it. Since light controls color and other aspects of an image, this interferes directly in your image quality. It’s simple, but as you can see, quite important.
Nikon 7576 MONARCH 5 Waterproof/Fogproof Roof Prism Binoculars
Let’s start off with the fact that Nikon needs no introduction when it comes to the quality of their products. So, obviously, this is a great binocular. It is on the high-end of the price range, but it’s worth every penny. This binocular is a great tool for surveillance purposes.
One of the best features of this binocular is that no matter how much light you have available, it doesn’t matter. You’re going to be able to see in the oddest light conditions. The lenses are also multicoated with anti-reflective technology. This means that you’ll be able to see the images with clarity.
When it comes to the body of the binocular, the built of the Nikon 7540 is impressive. You get a polycarbonate body that is designed to last and endure rough falls and conditions. It is also waterproof, which makes it even better.
The Nikon 7540 is the perfect binocular for surveillance. It is resistant, waterproof, high-quality lenses, and technology to make you able to see in no-light situations. You can see objects from long distances, and as a roof prism, you’ll get nice quality of the images you’ll get.
So, if you want a binocular that can last a lifetime and above all else does what it was intended to do really well, the Nikon 7540 is a great option for you. Remember that for surveillance purposes, you need to keep your distance and make sure that the binocular is capable of having a viewpoint of the target. Click Here for current pricing on Amazon.
Whew 10×42 Roof Prism Binoculars
This is another great binocular. Here, you get a 10X field vision which allows you to see objects at a long distance. The 42mm offers a high-quality lens with a wider range. You won’t have to worry about a narrow field. The lenses are the high-point of this model when you consider other ones in this price range.
If you have ever made use of binoculars outside of a balcony, you know that the environment can get in the way of your vision. Depending on where and when you are, fog and water can ruin your spying moment. This is why the waterproof and anti-fog technology of those lenses are incredible. Also, if you have trouble to not let the binocular fall, the anti-slip feature will become handy for you.
The fully multicoated and prism lenses also allow for a sharply and brightly watching experience. You won’t have trouble to see objects clearly like with many other binoculars. Everything will be crystal clear to you.
This binocular is perfect for those who want to spend a lot less, but don’t want something that is virtually disposable. Now, if you want something to be used regularly, then maybe the Nikon 7540 will be better for you.
So, this is a model that delivers a good quality lens with interesting features that will ensure longevity. You don’t have to worry about it being too sensitive and easy to break. The waterproof and anti-fog technology also improves the resistance of the lenses. So, whatever it is what you’re surveilling, you won’t have problems with this one. Click Here for current pricing on Amazon.
Bushnell Legend Ultra HD Monocular
If you have ever watched a TV crime drama, you have watched a stake-out. That moment when the cop observes a criminal from their cars. Usually, they use a monocular. The reason may be about preference, but it’s also because a monocular works well for this purpose.
In this case, the Bushnell Ultra HD monocular has one of the best lenses for surveillance. The anti-fog, waterproof, and multicoated lens resist anything. You’ll be able to observe long-distanced objects and people with outstanding quality. More than that, it is resistant to all the rough situation you might put it through, which is important because you don’t want to throw money away. This is a high-quality model.
The 10X42 mm lens is incredible, especially when it comes to allowing you to get a good quality image. Quite often, you’ll see models that don’t allow you to get a clear vision of your target. This becomes even more important when you’re shopping for a surveillance binocular. The Bushnell Legend corrects contrast and image degradation that might happen.
So, the best way to use it, it’s to choose a focal point. A monocular is more comfortable than a binocular but it requires more stability on your grip. If you want to use it for surveillance, they’re great because they also don’t attract too much attention to you.
When you consider the quality of the lens and the technology to make sure that you get a great vision, it’s easy to understand why the Bushnell Legend made the list. Click Here for current pricing on Amazon.
Pentax Papilio II 6.5×21 Binoculars
One of the great things about this binocular is its design. Let’s get that out of the way because it’s pretty unique and nice. Even though you shouldn’t buy a binocular just because of the design, it can be one of the many important factors to take into consideration. Pentax Papilio II’s design is compact, modern, and efficient.
When it comes to the lenses, it is a Porro prism but it’s a high-quality one. You can not only use it to surveillance but also to watch the moon and the stars, and even bugs. The multicoated lens also assures you that the right amount of light will pass through, enhancing the quality of the image.
Uni-body design was made this way also to improve durability. The lenses and the body have a synchronizing movement to reduce the chances of some pieces getting out of place. This increases the longevity of the equipment. The built of the product is one of the highlights of this model.
One of the main reasons why this model is perfect for surveillance is that it has a compact design, aligned with good quality lenses. You can use it both at daylight and nighttime. Still, they work better if you have some light source available.
So, the Pentax Papilio II is another interesting contender if you’re looking for the right binocular for surveillance. You get a better focal point than in most models, a nice design with durable built, and the necessary features to perform your surveillance tasks. Click Here for current pricing on Amazon.
Nikon Trailblazer 10×25 ATB Waterproof Black Binoculars
The Nikon Trailblazer is a great option for people who want a nice binocular on a budget. The first thing that gets your attention is the rubber armored body. It’s anti-slip and gives you the sensation that is worth more than you paid for. The designers were really careful with this one. You get a relatively cheap binocular that feels like a very expensive one.
It also has anti-fog and waterproof features like most Nikon models have. Again, this increases longevity but also improves the quality of the lens. In this model, you get a roof prism lens with extra-high-resolution images. The nitrogen filled technology that was used to make the lens, also make them better and more accurate.
The multicoated technology in the lenses control better the light entrance, making the images sharper and clearer. You won’t have problems with distorted colors or images in general. This also reduces that. Sometimes it’s just a problem with the lens and sometimes it is the sunlight messing up with the image.
The built of this model is nice for this price range. The rubber armored body and the elongated size makes it hard to let it slip. Also, it’s nice for surveillance because you can better control to where you’re pointing and control the binocular in general.
So, the Nikon Trailblazer is another model that will do it really well if you want a nice binocular for surveillance without spending a small fortune. Even though it is big, it isn’t too heavy. After doing surveillance for more than an hour, this fact will matter to you. Click Here for current pricing on Amazon.
Roof Prism vs Porro Prism
The answer isn’t that simple here. On one hand, you may think that roof prism binoculars are better because they’re usually more expensive. Now, on the other hand, Porro prism binoculars are not only cheaper but also the oldest around.
If you’re a hobbyist or want to start with a not so expensive model, you should consider the Porro prism binoculars. They’ve been around since World War II and get the job done.
They work better if you’re looking at small objects at a distance. They’re perfect for birdwatching from your balcony. They’re not waterproof but are cheaper for you to get one.
Now, the roof prism binoculars were invented later. They’re usually the expensive ones. If you’re looking for a model on the high-end of the price range, it’s probably a roof prism.
They’re waterproof, most of the time, and have the latest technological advancements. So, if you want to watch something bigger like a human-being, the roof prism might be a better choice.
The models with night vision are usually roof prism. Their lenses are better equipped to handle dirt, in case you want to be in a less comfortable place than your balcony.
Now, it’s important to point out that the roof prism models are usually better for surveillance tasks. Still, this does not mean that you can’t use a Porro prism for that task. If your budget is small or you simply don’t want to spend that much, you’ll still be able to use a Porro prism for surveillance.
Final Thoughts
So, this is it. Now you have all the tools to choose the best binocular for surveillance for you.
Remember to take into consideration the quality of the binocular and how much time you’re actually going to spend doing the surveillance.
Once you do that, just go with the one you liked more. The models above are all great for surveillance.