These Steiner Navigator Pro 7x50 binoculars have been used (maybe slightly abused) for the past six years and have earned a 5 star review for being highly recommended as some of the best binoculars for boating.

The Steiners feel a bit like the Swiss army knife of binoculars, though that may be overstating their purpose a little.

Product Overview

Overall rating:

Steiner Navigator Pro 7x50 compass

Pros:

  • Quick and easy to adjust individual eye pieces
  • Short compact size easy to hold single handed
  • Bright clear optics
  • Illuminated internal compass
  • Lens caps attached avoids losing them

Cons:

  • Strap metal ring fittings rusted after a couple of years
  • The large captive lens caps can be a little flappy/awkward in strong breeze, though it's a fair compromise for not losing them

Product:

Best Binoculars for boating – Tested – Steiner Navigator Pro 7×50

Price as reviewed:

£399.00

These Steiner Navigator Pro 7×50 binoculars have been used (maybe slightly abused) for the past six years onboard my Dehler 36. I sail and race solo or double handed but take non-sailing friends and guests onboard throughout the year. These binoculars have been used for everything. I mean everything! They’ve been used to line up a racing mark and a bearing to a finish mark on a longer race, they’ve been used for general pilotage too. They’ve also been used by friends who want to learn to take multipoint fixes and plot them on a chart as practice for Day Skipper qualifications, and they’ve been used by friends and their children to spot local wildlife at anchor and trails up coastlines for exploration later on land. They’re without doubt some of the best binoculars for boating.

Steiner Navigator Pro 7×50 Compass Binoculars

Steiner Navigator Pro 7x50 with compass binoculars - tried and tested five star review

The best binoculars for boating? We think so.

Price: £399 / $419

Buy Steiner Navigator Pro 7×50 from Amazon.co.uk

Buy Steiner Navigator Pro 7×50 from Amazon.com


Note: This product was tested and purchased independently of any manufacturer influence. We may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site, at no extra cost to you. This helps to fund future, unbiased journalistic content.

They come with a basic padded strap (although some sub-par metal rings on that strap went rusty within a couple of years) and a decent padded bag. Although the zip on the bag has also gone fuzzy and needed a bit of persuasion to move recently. The padded bag has a detachable shoulder strap which is really handy for securing them to a pole, as I do on my boat. I just wind the strap around the pole a few times then reattach it. The binoculars are then stowed safely within easy reach of the companionway.

Steiner Navigator Pro 7x50 with compass binoculars - tried and tested five star review

Rusty metal strap fittings are easy to replace, though they went rusty fairly quickly.

Steiner Navigator Pro 7x50 with compass binoculars - tried and tested five star review

Padded carry bag with detachable strap

Steiner Navigator Pro 7x50 with compass binoculars - tried and tested five star review

Detachable strap on the padded carry bag

The antiglare coating on the lenses appears to work pretty well, I’ve never struggled with any kind of sun spots or glare. As they are so bright they are still easy to use at night for identifying shipping and distant lights, again, without halos, reflections or visual artifacts.
They’re robust too, as I may have accidentally dropped them and knocked them about generally and they’re still as good as new. They might not look clean and box fresh in the pictures I’ve provided, but the optics are absolutely tip-top.

Steiner Navigator Pro 7x50 with compass binoculars - tried and tested five star review

Rubber end caps stowed loosely between lens barrels

Steiner Navigator Pro 7x50 with compass binoculars - tried and tested five star review

Profile image of Steiner Navigator Pro 7×50 compass binoculars

The lens caps are captive which means you’ll never lose them, but as a tradeoff you do have to deal with a couple of rubber flaps bouncing and clanging around in a strong breeze. For the type of abuse I have given them , it’s probably a good idea that they’re attached.

Steiner Navigator Pro 7x50 with compass binoculars - tried and tested five star review

Rubber end caps in place

Steiner Navigator Pro 7x50 with compass binoculars - tried and tested five star review

Front lens cap in place

The individual eye adjustment is quick and easy and with just the right amount of friction that avoids them resetting themselves or turning by accident.

Steiner Navigator Pro 7x50 with compass binoculars - tried and tested five star review

Adjustable eye pieces / diopter adjustment

Steiner Navigator Pro 7x50 with compass binoculars - tried and tested five star review

Easy to read compass, day and night

Steiner Navigator Pro 7x50 with compass binoculars - tried and tested five star review

Bright, clear optics in all conditions

Steiner have launched some new models of the Navigator (which we will be reviewing as soon as we can get hold of a pair), but these are still available to buy at the time of writing this review. In which case you may well pick up a bargain. I highly recommend these as the best binoculars for boating, whether you’re a sailor, a motorboater or anyone out on the water. They’re available without a compass too.


For more binocular models you can read about them in our other review of the best boating binoculars at Yachting World and a broader buyers guide to binoculars via our sister site.


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Verdict

These Steiner Navigator Pro 7x50 Compass marine binoculars are one of the best in class and offer great value, for a quality item that will last for years.