If you want binoculars for spotting ships and boats, the ones with higher magnification will work best since ships, unlike planes or trains, are slow moving objects. You don’t need to think about a wider field of view. Instead, choose the binoculars that will give you the clearest view. Using a tripod will also help if you need more stability. Binoculars with high magnification tend to be heavier. You will have to take into account magnification to make shipspotting easier.
Here are perhaps the most appropriate binoculars for shipspotting:
These binoculars have a wide field of view but also good magnification. You will actually need a wider field of view if you are in a moving ship, to ease image shake. But magnification is still significant. These binoculars provide a balance between magnification and field of view, which is very suitable for spotting ships and boats. They are also fog and water-proof, which is important when at sea or on the coast.
Although they are not light in terms of weight, you can always use a tripod as an option. The rubber coating is good for grip and the model’s build is definitely not made of cheap materials.
This model is an excellent choice for the serious shipspotter. These binoculars offer very high magnification power. They are heavier and bigger but will come in handy if used for objects further away. The massive 20x magnification will provide clearer visuals on the ships. You will be able to observe minuscule details of the vessels even from a great distance. Heck, you could even view Jupiter in the night sky with these. It is advisable to use a tripod to handle the binoculars’ weight and to retain image stability, especially if you are standing on a moving ship yourself.
This model has a good balance and can also be held using only your hands even though it is quite heavy. The body is completely sealed so that no water can enter the internal system. It has a narrower field of view but compensates by offering higher magnification ability. The price is quite high but you will get very powerful binoculars in exchange. Certainly one of the best binoculars for shipspotting.