Binoculars have long been coveted by professionals and common people alike. It is amazing how a good pair of optics can clear up your view of the world and the things it has to offer.
Binoculars are diverse viewing tools that can be used for many different purposes. Apart from casual and recreational use, binoculars are used by police and military personnel for surveillance and scouting.
Quick Answer: Here are my top Best Binoculars for Police Surveillance
Want to keep an eye on your newly shifted suspicious neighbours? Read my top recommended binoculars for peeping and apartment spying.
How to Choose the Best Police Binoculars?
The important thing to remember while buying police binoculars is to keep in mind how you intend to use it.
1. Prism design
For police use, the prism design plays a crucial role and determines which of the prism design is suitable for you.
# Porro Prism
Porro prism binoculars have wider hinges between the lenses and are commonly used by law enforcement personnel.
Porro prism is less complicated in terms of internal mechanism which is why they are more sturdy which is an essential element for any police surveillance binocular.
Another perk of Porro prism is that it lets you focus on the object even if it is moving, so you don’t need to change the focus every time the target moves. Also, they provide a wider field of view and good picture quality.
Of course, all this comes with a reasonable price tag which is why they are much more preferred by law enforcement personnel then roof prism.
# Roof Prism
Roof prism binoculars are more compact and portable as compared to Porro prism binoculars but at the same time, they are more complicated in term of the mechanism.
They are not as sturdy and tough as Porro prism so there is a fair chance of they won’t survive an accidental fall.
That being said, almost all roof prism binocs are waterproof which is a great feature to add to your arsenal if you are going to do a lot of scouting in rainy situations. As I said earlier it all depends on what you need.
A disadvantage of roof prism binoculars is that they demand to be focused at different viewing distances. So if you are viewing a rapidly moving object then you need to continuously adjust the focus.
The main advantage is, of course, the zoom in option that comes with roof prism binoculars. To experience maximum clarity and detailed vision of far off objects.
You just need to dial in the zoom option according to your requirement and, voila, a sharp and detailed image is now in your eye reach.
2. Weather tough and sturdy
You don’t want to neglect this option when buying binoculars for police surveillance. When you are out there on rooftops observing your targets or scouting in a rough and tough environment, accidents are bound to happen.
Binoculars are expensive especially good ones which is why you want a sturdy device that is long lasting and weather resistant so you don’t have to worry about its safety every time you take it out on the mission.
3. Bang for your buck
Sometimes you don’t have enough funds to buy a state of the art binocular so you settle for cheap ones. The problem here is that although there is a huge variety of binoculars in the market that comes with all the fancy features with a cheap price tag at the end of the day, they just don’t live up to your expectations.
Sometimes the image is not clear or aligned or you can break them easily. So you are bound to buy another pair and then another and so the cycle goes on.
To prevent all this, it is in your best interest to stretch your budget as much as you can. Don’t go overboard but don’t be too stingy either as binoculars can be a lifetime investment. Check out some budget binoculars in my detailed article.
4. Research and read
I cannot stress this enough. You need research and probing before making a decision. To make everything easy for you, I have done some research for you so all you have to do is read this article to get the hang of things.
Interested in buying tripods for binoculars? Read my reviews here.
4 Best Police Surveillance Binoculars for Law Enforcement
1. Celestron Sky Master Binoculars
Sky Master by Celestron is high-quality Porro prism binoculars with 15×70 mm magnification.
As the lens size is 70mm so the binoculars are pretty bulky to carry around.
Which is why they come with tripod adapter so you can easily mount them on a tripod and utilize this magnificent pair of optics to its fullest.
Talking about the quality and performance, I would like to mention that they are Porro prism based which means a good focusing mechanism that doesn’t need adjustment every now and then.
You can continue your spying mission without any hiccups and missing out important details.
These are particularly handy if you are observing a rally or protest from a rooftop. You just mount this beauty on a tripod and keep an eye out for anything suspicious without tiring your hand.
Skymaster is ideal for long distance terrestrial viewing so if you are spying on that drug deal or observing a safe criminal house then you surely want to keep your distance which is why they are ideal for police surveillance.
Multi-coated optical surfaces and BAK4 prism is used in the manufacturing of this binocular so you are guaranteed to get sharp and brighter images even in low light conditions.
These are Porro prism binoculars which means they are quite sturdy and can put up with the wear and tear which is inevitable in police work. You don’t have to worry about them breaking up if you accidentally drop them.
If you are a policeman that it is possible that you are operating on a budget. Although SkyMaster binoculars are high-quality binoculars with large aperture and all the features, they don’t cost much which is amazing considering everything they are equipped with.
These days almost every good binocular is water resistant and rightly so because accidents can happen anywhere. Plus if you are out on a mission and it starts raining then a water-resistant tool is literally a lifesaver.
You don’t want your lenses to go all foggy on you and accumulate fungus inside the lenses hence damaging your binoculars completely.
Many eyeglass wearers are confused about what to look for when buying binoculars. Eye relief is especially convenient for eyeglass or sunglass wearers. The longer the eye relief the better.
Skymaster binoculars have whopping 18mm long eye relief which is ideal for anyone with weak eyesight.
Although this binocular is tripod adapter, they are comparatively lightweight than other binoculars of the same size. You can even carry them in hand for a short period of time.
It is understandable to get intimidated by the size of this binocular but here is the thing, if you are on a mission then you probably want your best tool with you. Skymaster is indeed the best choice as law enforcement binoculars keeping in mind its ability to provide clear images even from long distance which is not something you want to compromise on as a law enforcement personnel.
Also, they are pretty easy on the pocket and therefore the best option for you if you are on a tight budget.
Features
- 3.28 lbs in weight.
- The magnification power is 15x while the lens diameter is 70.
- It also comes with a diopter adjustment option.
- Porro prism and multi-coated optics ensure high-quality terrestrial viewing.
2. Nikon MONARCH 5 8×42 Binoculars Review
Nikon is a well-known brand in binoculars and Nikon Monarch series is coveted by optic users all over the world.
Nikon monarch series features some of the finest and high-quality binoculars which is the reason they are so popular.
Nikon Monarch 5 binocular is an outstanding device that combines cutting edge technology with less price tag.
Monarch 5 is equipped with phase correction high reflective silver alloy coatings. This simply means that the loss of light and phase differentiation inside the binocular is reduced by 99%. Hence providing you with high resolution, high contrast and full colour corrected images that look real.
Fully multicoated lenses make sure that maximum light passes through the lenses. With this coating, you will get brighter, sharper and cleaner images with zero to no blur. It is also helpful when you are out on the mission in low light conditions.
Central focusing knob is important in any binocular because you have to use it time and again to focus your binoculars. Smooth and effortless mechanism of the central knob in monarch 5 binocular provides you with the best experience in your spying missions.
Durable Polycarbonate rubber armour is ideal for your outdoor endeavours. Firstly it is very easy to grip and the chances of dropping it are minimal. Secondly, the ergonomic design is very handy when you are on a scouting mission for an extended period of time.
Let me tell you, that this is roof prism binocular which is why it is so portable and lightweight. It can easily fit into your pocket also which is a bonus when you are out and about on an important mission
Monarch 5 has a multi-click twist and turn eyecups which is ideal for eyeglass wearers. For comfortable viewing, they can adjust the extended eye relief to their preferred setting easily.
Another cool feature included in Monarch 5 is objective lens covers. This feature is particularly important if your binoculars are exposed to dirt and dust on a daily basis which is the case in police surveillance mostly.
Like other roof prism binoculars, Monarch 5 is also nitrogen-filled and O-ring sealed which means zero condensation in inner lenses.
Another added bonus is that this binocular is tripod adapted so you can easily mount it on a tripod when you are out observing a suspicious house or a big gathering.
Nikon is a leading brand in the field of optics and the Monarch 5 is one of the best binocular it has to offer. Roof prism binoculars are more expensive than Porro prism binoculars due to their complex mechanism.
But Monarch 5 is an affordable option compared to similar binoculars. Moreover, it is a lifetime investment and will last you a long time.
With Monarch 5 you can perform your mission effectively while at the same time you can use it for recreational purpose with your family. Two birds with one stone, eh! It is totally a worthy investment, one that you will not regret.
Features
- 8x magnification and 42 mm lens diameter
- 330 ft field of view at 1000 yards
- Weighs 1.25 lbs
- The extended eye relief is whooping 24mm.
- Nikon provides 25 years warranty on all its products
- Comes with useful accessories like travel case, neck strap, and lens covers.
3. Bushnell Power View Binocular
Bushnell is a brand that needs no introduction in the field of camera and digital equipment. This legacy continues in Bushnell binoculars too which are high quality and affordable as well as versatile and sturdy.
Bushnell power view binocular is a professional and a multi-purpose binocular with a wide angle of view and insta-focus mechanism. 10x magnification and 50mm lens diameter provide you with clean and detail images of far-flung objects you want to observe while on surveillance.
Multi-coated optics yields better light transmission thus rendering the view that is brighter and clearer even in long-distance viewing.
The built of Powerview binoculars is very stylish and the ergonomic design is an added bonus. Equipped with the latest technology, the Bushnell power view is one of the most affordable binoculars that does what it claims.
And you don’t have to worry about the quality because with Bushnell the quality is always unmatched. That is what makes it one of the most trusted brands in the market.
The rubber clad armour is very easy to hold and is shockproof lest you accidentally drop it given the nature of police job. It will also last you for a long time.
Bushnell Power views binocular is a Porro prism binocular with BK-7 prism which provides you brilliant, clean naked eye like images. It is ideal for police spying as we have established earlier. It is lightweight and easy enough to carry around on your outdoor endeavours.
Bushnell offers a limited lifetime warranty for their binoculars. It comes with handy accessories like carrying case and necks strap.
In short, Power view binoculars are a popular choice among many users. It is an ideal product for someone who wants the guarantee of a good brand without breaking the bank.
Bushnell has been providing us with quality plus affordability for very long.
Power view binocular is a tough and reliable pair of optics that will aid you in your outdoor shenanigans. They are multi-coated and have a wide field of view which makes a good police binocular.
Features
- 10x magnification and 50 mm lens diameter
- Shockproof rubber body
- Wide field of view is ideal for keeping an eye on suspicious people.
- Insta focus system
- Eye relief for eyeglass wearers is 10mm
4. G4Free Surveillance Binoculars
Although G4Free is not a well-known brand still the users are very happy with the quality they provide.
Their 12×25 Surveillance Binoculars are designed to fulfill the outdoor requirements that come with a police job.
G4FREE 12×25 binocular is amazon choice in best binoculars.
12x magnification and 25 mm objective lenses enable you to get HD view of far-off objects. BAK4prism is used for maximum clarity and precision in pictures.
These binoculars have a green optic lens which enables it to perform well under low and poor light conditions so if you are to spot someone at dawn or dusk or even in poor weather then this binocular is what you are missing.
Moreover, like any good high-quality binocular, it is water-resistant which means it can put up with a bit of drizzle and splashing.
It comes with zoom-in feature that allows you to zoom in from distance and observe details that can otherwise be missed by the naked eye. It is an advantage when you are observing some vehicles and want to note down the number plate and other details.
G4FREE binocular is a stylish binocular that looks and feel good in your hand.it fits perfectly in your palm and has an ergonomic feel to it which helps when holding the binocular for a longer period of time.
To top it all off, this exceptional binocular comes with an extremely reasonable price tag that leaves you stunned for a moment. With this much style and quality, it is a real bargain at such a low price.
You will also get some accessories that can come in handy like hand case, cleaning cloth for taking care of your binoculars and a neck strap to carry them around easily and use at your own ease.
If you are someone who doesn’t bother much about brands and don’t mind owning a lesser-known brand that performs well and doesn’t cost you a fortune then this is what you are looking for.
G4Free is indeed multi-purpose binocular that can be both used in professional as well as personal capacity. Good quality images, ergonomic design and that too at dirt cheap rates, what else can one ask for, right?
Features
- Xmc technology is used that reflects light 100% and generates clear and crisp images
- Weather and water resistant
- Built-in night vision with green film coated optics
- Wide field of view, 273 ft at 100 yards
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Police Use Binoculars?
Now you may wonder, how binoculars can help police and law enforcement agencies in their work? As a policeman, you may want to get your hands on a good pair of binoculars if:
- You want to inspect the big gatherings such as protests, rallies etc. With binoculars, you can easily keep an eye out for anything suspicious even from a nearby rooftop.
- If you are tracking a specific suspect or spying on a drug deal, using a binocular will enhance your view thus making your work a whole lot easier.
- Spying on some suspicious vehicles involved in human trafficking or drugs requires you to observe numbers or signs of a license plate or even a house number. You can establish all this only with the aid of good quality binoculars.
- Often policemen are deployed to observe some specific person involved in suspicious activities. For this, you need to gather information about their whereabouts and moving schedule. Having a good binocular can help in this regard.
- Binoculars can also be used for establishing the range on target on a SWAT call out.
Conclusion
And finally, we are done with our detailed review of the best binoculars for law enforcement and police surveillance.
I have curated and written this article after extensive research because I realize how important role binoculars can play while on the police duty.
All of the products reviewed are best in their own right but my personal recommendation is to go either for Celestron Sky Master or Nikon Monarch 5. Nikon Monarch 5 is the best because of its versatility and cutting edge technology. Apart from that Nikon is a name that rarely disappoints.
That’s all for now folks. Now go get some binoculars and catch some bad guys!
An optics enthusiast – I love bird watching as well as wildlife. Originally from South Africa, I moved to the UK at a young age. I love reviewing the latest binoculars as well as traveling. I work as a comms consultant during the day. My plan is to travel across the world so building up to that goal.
