MARINE 7x50

Binocular
Owner’s Manual

The PENTAX Marine roof prism binocular is de- Eyecup Helicoid type
signed particularly for the boating enthusiast, but Waterproof Nitrogen-filled, 1.5m depth
is also ideal for any demanding environment or ap- Dimensions 7” H x 5.4”
plication where accuracy and durability is required. Weight 34.4 oz (976 g)
Featuring a liquid-filled compass built in to the
viewing optics, compass “swing” stops immediately How to Use:
due to an advanced dampening design. Bearings are 1. Adjust interpupilary distance until a single image
defined in easy-to-read precise 1-degree increments, circle is formed.
ideal for navigation and locating objects accurately. 2. Acquire a test subject and sharply focus the left
A range-finding scale allows the user to estimate eye using the center focusing knob.
range based on objects of known size. The PENTAX 3. Looking through the right eyepiece turn the di-
Marine binocular is fully waterproof, fogproof, and opter to sharply focus on the same subject.
shock-protected with sure-grip rubber armoring and
twist-out eyecups for easy use. PENTAX Optics are Each user may have to re-adjust the binocular to suit
fully multi-coated for excellent light transmission their particular vision correction.
and clarity. The PENTAX Marine binocular comes
complete with a rugged nylon case and neck strap. Using the Compass:
Built to last, the PENTAX Marine binocular features The built-in precision compass features extremely
our lifetime Worry-Free Warranty. fast dampening, so there is almost no “swing” and
it is corrected for latitude (dip). The compass scale is
SPECIFICATIONS: defined in 1 degree increments and is aligned with
Lens Construction 7 elements / 5 groups the vertical range finding scale. When using the
Lens Coating Fully multi-coated compass, always keep in mind the local variation
Magnification 7X between magnetic and true North.

Objective Lens Diameter 50mm 80

Prism Type / Coating BaK4 – silver deposited

Eye Relief 17.6mm 60

Real Field of View 6.6 degrees 40

Field of View @ 1000 yds. 348 ft.

Field of View @ 1000 m 116m 20

Exit Pupil Diameter 6.8mm

Relative Brightness 51
Diopter Adjustment Range +/-3
0 20 60 80

Interpupilary Adj. Range 56mm-73mm 1 7 0 1 8 0 19 0

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Focus Range 3.3 feet – infinity (3m –infinity)

Reticle: IMPORTANT:
The vertical scale of this reticle, (visible through the AFTER DIRECT EXPOSURE TO SALTWATER OR
right half of the binocular), allows you to calculate SALT-SPRAY, RINSE THE BINOCULAR THOR-
distance from your position to an object, provided its OUGHLY WITH FRESH WATER AND WIPE DRY.
height is known. You may also calculate the height AVOID EXTENDED EXPOSURE TO BRIGHT DI-
of an object if you know its distance from you. De- RECT SUNLIGHT AND SEVERE TEMPERATURE
tailed instructions follow in this manual. FLUCTUATIONS. IF USED IN VERY COLD TEM-
PERATURES, GRADUALLY EXPOSE THE UNIT
Compass Illumination: TO WARMER TEMPERATURES IN ORDER TO
The PENTAX Marine binocular features a compass AVOID CONDENSATION BUILD-UP.
illuminator that functions with available ambient
light. Light enters through a small white diffuser
disc on top of the compass housing to illuminate the Ranging Reticle:
compass scale. Bright ambient light levels make the This reticle features vertical and horizontal scales.
scale appear bright and low light levels make the Each minor division on the horizontal scale and ver-
scale appear dim. In order to adequately view the tical scale indicates 5 mils and each major division
compass scale in ambient light, make certain not to indicates 10 mils.
cover the diffuser disc.
80

Using the Compass Illuminator Lamp:

The PENTAX Marine binocular is equipped with a
60

built-in LED compass illuminator for use at night 40

and in low light conditions. The 20

compass housing is located on

the top right side of the binocu-
lar. When the ambient light level 0 20 60 80

does not permit you to see the 1 7 0 1 8 0 19 0

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compass scale clearly, depress

the black power button on top of the compass hous-
ing to power the lamp. The lamp is illuminated only
while the button is depressed. If the illuminator Equivalents:
lamp is dim or does not come on, replace the batter- 5 mils = .3 degrees
ies. If fresh batteries do not provide illumination, the 10 mils = .6 degrees
unit may require service. 1 degree = 17.8 mils
1 degree = 60 minutes
Changing Batteries: 360 degrees = 6400 mils
Both batteries should always be changed at the same
time. To change batteries, use a thin coin to unscrew Using the Reticle to Measure Azimuth:
the battery chamber cover, by turning it counter- Azimuth is defined as the angle (usually in degrees)
clockwise. Remove the old bat- between a reference plane and a point. In navigation,
teries. Insert both new batteries the reference plane is typically true North which is
properly seated with “+” facing defined as 0 degrees North. In rotating your view-
up. Replace the battery chamber ing position clockwise to a point due East (from true
cover by turning it in a clock- North), the azimuth is 90 degrees; due South the
wise direction; making certain it azimuth is 180 degrees, due West the azimuth is 270
is properly sealed (to prevent penetration of outside degrees, and due North is referenced as 360 degrees
moisture). If the binocular is not to be used for an on the compass scale.
extended time, remove the batteries. This keeps the
binocular safe from battery leakage during storage. The PENTAX Marine’s mil reticle can measure the
azimuth angle, altitude (elevation) angle, and can
Battery type: (2) LR43 (1.5v alkaline) help you calculate distance from the viewer to the
Equivalent types: AG12, G12, 386, CX186 - (1.5v) object, and the size of an object based on known
distance from the viewer.
How to Measure Azimuth Angle: measured, and hold the binocular steady. Looking
In the binocular, azimuth angle is defined by the at the top edge of the object, simply read off the mils
horizontal reticle scale. If the size of an object falls as indicated on the scale. (This is the altitude angle
within the horizontal scale, select a single point on from the bottom of the object to its top - in mils).
this scale as the reference, and position this mark
on an outside edge of the visible object, and hold If the size of an object falls within the range of the
the binocular steady. Looking at the opposite out- vertical scale, and is measured below the horizon,
side edge of the object, simply read off the mils as select the bottom mark of the vertical scale as the
indicated on the scale. (This is the distance from one reference, and position this mark on the bottom end
edge of the object to its other edge - in mils). of the object being measured, and hold the binocu-
lar steady. Looking at the end of the object on the
If the size of an horizon, simply read off the mils as indicated on the
80
object is larger than scale. (This is the altitude angle from the horizon to
the extent of the the end of the object below the horizon - in mils).
reticle scale, the
60

40
same general method If the size of an object is larger than the extent of the
20 is employed, but reticle scale, the same method is employed, but by
by making several making several “step-by-step” measurements. Start-
“step-by-step” mea- ing at an outside edge of the object, place either end
0 20
surements. Starting 60 80
mark of the scale on
at an outside edge
1 7 0 18 0 1 9 0
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that edge so the scale 80

of the object, place overlaps the object, 60

either end mark of and read the distance

the scale on that edge so the scale overlaps the ob- to the opposite end 40

ject, and read the distance to the opposite end of the of the scale, which 20

scale, which will fall somewhere on the object. Visu- will fall somewhere
ally note this location on the object. Move the same on the object. Visu-
end mark of the reticle scale to meet this new refer- ally note this new 0 20 60 80

ence point and note the remaining distance on the reference location 170 180 190
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scale to the opposite outside edge of the object. Then on the object. Move
simply add the sum of each step-by-step measure- the same end mark
ment to determine total azimuth in mils. of the reticle scale to meet this new visual reference
point and note the remaining distance on the scale to
Azimuth can also be used to determine the distance the other outside edge of the object. Then simply add
(in mils) between two objects on the horizon. How- the sum of the step-by-step measurements to deter-
ever, if the distance between two objects is greater mine total altitude in mils.
than the range on the reticle scale, a point (or points)
of reference on the horizon between the objects must Using the Reticle to Determine Distance:
be present for accurate step-by-step measurement. The reticle can be used to determine the distance
from the viewer to the object.
Using the Reticle to Measure the Altitude
(Elevation) Angle: Formula:
Altitude is defined as the angle (usually in degrees) L(km)=H(m)/W
from a point on the horizon, to a point above or L = distance from observer to object (in kilometers)
below. H = height of object in meters
W = altitude angle measured with the reticle (in
How to Measure the Altitude Angle: mils)
In the binocular, altitude angle is defined by the ver-
tical reticle scale. If the size of an object falls within EXAMPLE:
the range of the vertical scale, and is measured To determine distance, the object height must first
above the horizon, select the bottom point of the be known or estimated. Then, measure the altitude
vertical scale as the reference, and position this mark angle with the vertical reticle scale.
on the horizon (or bottom) of the visible object being
In this example the object is estimated to be 30m in graduation mark on the compass scale indicates 1
height (H=30). degree. The compass scale is below the reticle and
is separate from it. However, the compass indicator
The altitude angle is measured in the reticle at 60 mark is in direct line with the center of the vertical
mils (W=60). (altitude) reticle scale.

Simply divide the height by the altitude angle to Identifying Compass Headings in Degrees:
determine distance. North - 0 degrees (referenced as 360 degrees on
PENTAX Marine’s compass scale)
30/60 = .5 East - 90 degrees
South - 180 degrees
The distance of the object is .5 kilometers from the West - 270 degrees
viewer.
In order to maintain accurate compass readings, the
Using the Vertical Reticle to Determine the Height binocular should be held horizontally and as level as
of an Object Using Altitude Readings: possible. This insures smooth fluid movement of the
You can calculate subject height using the following compass indicator, and reduces “jumping”, “drag-
formula: ging” or binding of the scale (which can cause errors
in readings). To increase accuracy, it is important to
H=D x W allow the compass scale to settle to a complete stop
H= Object height before attempting to determine headings.
D= Distance from the viewer
W = Altitude angle Setting Your Position:
To verify your directional positioning (or bearings),
First, estimate the distance from the object being simply rotate your viewing position until “360” is
measured. Then, measure the altitude angle. Multi- indicated in the center of the compass scale. This in-
ply the distance in kilometers by the altitude angle dicates the viewer is facing due North. For the great-
indicated by the reticle. This equals object height. est accuracy, always keep in mind the local variation
between magnetic and true North.
EXAMPLE:
The estimated distance from the viewer to the object Locating the Heading of an Object:
being measured is .6km. To locate the heading of an object relative to your
The altitude angle is 60 mils (0-60) position, simply align the vertical (altitude) reticle
H = .6 X 60 = 36m on the object and read the heading on the compass
The object height is 36m scale.

Using the Horizontal Reticle to Determine the Compass Illuminator:

Width of an Object Using Azimuth Readings: When ambient light levels are too low to see the
You can calculate subject width using the following scale, the scale illuminator lamp must be employed.
formula: However, in order to save battery power, do not use
W=DXL the illuminator lamp when ambient light levels are
sufficient to see the scale.
EXAMPLE:
D = estimated distance from the viewer to the object
is .4km.
L = azimuth angle - which is 40 mils (0-40)
W = .4 X 40 = 16m
The object is 16m wide.

Using the Compass:

Azimuth angle can also be determined using the
compass which is built-in to the right half of the
binocular. It indicates azimuth (in degrees). Each