Binoculars

Hayden Watson

Hayden Watson

.
Apr 5, 2009
2,993
Catalina '88 C30 tr/bs Oak Harbor, WA
I inherited the binoculars I keep on my boat from my great uncle Hayden.

I was seven years old at the time and this year I signed up for Social Security so let's just say that they might not have the latest and greatest technology.
Looking for suggestions as to brands, specs and features.
 
Mark Maulden

Mark Maulden

.
Jan 25, 2011
2,432
S2 11.0A Anacortes, WA
If you’re in Anacortes, stop by West Marine. They are having a decent sale on binocs.
 
jon hansen

jon hansen

.
May 25, 2012
4,338
john alden caravelle 42 sturgeon bay, wis
cannon electroniclly stabilized is my go to pair. that said, i bought the cheapest pair at west marine for the kids to use. i have them practice a lot.

once you've used a stabilized pair, there is nothing else.

yes they are pricey.
 
DayDreamer41

DayDreamer41

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Oct 29, 2016
1,929
Hunter 41 DS Port Huron
I favored Nikon's waterproof 10 x 42 with compass bearing in the vision field, wish I would have upped the output to go with stabilized, but they are reportedly the best glass money can buy, Canon beholders will make the same claim, so its either C or N, they are both fantastic.
 
BarryL

BarryL

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May 21, 2004
1,043
Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 409 Mt. Sinai, NY
Hi,

Like DayDream41, I find the compass bearing very useful. Mine are a cheap chinese version, 7 X 50, costs under $150. They work well enough for me. Each eye gets focused independently, which is OK for me.

Barry
 
Parsons

Parsons

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Jul 12, 2011
1,165
Leopard 40 Jupiter, Florida
I've got a pair of Steiner 7x50 Marine (rubber coated) that I like, primarily because they are bullet-proof, clear, and no focus. Cost about $300. For fast glancing, they cannot be beat and are great at night or dim lighting. That said, my wish list if for the new Fujinon 14x stabilized. Can anyone lend me a spare $1,200 until payday? :wow3:
 
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Hayden Watson

Hayden Watson

.
Apr 5, 2009
2,993
Catalina '88 C30 tr/bs Oak Harbor, WA
Parsons said:
I've got a pair of Steiner 7x50 Marine (rubber coated) that I like, primarily because they are bullet-proof, clear, and no focus. Cost about $300. For fast glancing, they cannot be beat and are great at night or dim lighting. That said, my wish list if for the new Fujinon 14x stabilized. Can anyone lend me a spare $1,200 until payday? :wow3:
Click to expand
When you say "no focus", do you wear glasses and if so, do you keep them on when you look through the bino's?
 
Captain Larry-DH

Captain Larry-DH

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Jun 14, 2010
2,228
Robertson & Caine 2017 Leopard 40 CT
Parsons said:
I've got a pair of Steiner 7x50 Marine (rubber coated) that I like, primarily because they are bullet-proof, clear, and no focus. Cost about $300. For fast glancing, they cannot be beat and are great at night or dim lighting. That said, my wish list if for the new Fujinon 14x stabilized. Can anyone lend me a spare $1,200 until payday? :wow3:
Click to expand
:plus: For the Fuji Techno-Stabi 14x40 image stabilized. I’ve had a pair since 2001 and they still work like new after 22 years. They were $1k back then so less than $50/year for the absolute best. Worth it - when you need to read a ships name, buoy markings, or bridge clearance sign THESE are what you want. I haven’t compared to Canon but a friend used both and said these are much better.
Had another friend and his wife cruise with us for a week. He told his wife he’s got to add this to his list. She does the finances and said “maybe in the future “. Then she tried them and said “yeah we need these“.
Defender has them on sale today at $1400. Fujinon Techno-Stabi Binocular. That’s probably less than I paid when adjusted for inflation.
Do I sound like I’m selling them? Haha. I’d buy them again if I lost them.
 
Last edited:
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Parsons

Parsons

.
Jul 12, 2011
1,165
Leopard 40 Jupiter, Florida
Hayden Watson said:
When you say "no focus", do you wear glasses and if so, do you keep them on when you look through the bino's?
Click to expand
I do not wear distance glasses. There is a diopter focus, to adjust for minor difference in your left-right eyes. They compromise in the middle for focus, so in general, things are pretty clear for me, but at extreme distances or close it is fuzzier.
 
jssailem

jssailem

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Oct 22, 2014
22,289
CAL 35 Cruiser #21 moored EVERETT WA
I bought this one after some research. Very serviceable price $139 on Amazon.

Brand. HOOWAY
Objective Lens Diameter. 50 Millimeters
Material Rubber
Eye Relief 23 Millimeters

7x50 HD Waterproof Military Marine Binoculars w/Internal Rangefinder & Compass for Water Sports,Hunting,Bird Watching,Boating.
Description
The 7x50 waterproof HD Binoculars designed to meet military standards. It can be performed in all weather conditions,even under extreme rainstorms or high humidity condition.so it can provide you with all the tools needed for your next outdoor activities.such as marine,birding watching,hunting, sports matches watching,wild travel and more.

Specifications:
Magnification: 7x
Objective lens: 50mm
Exit pupil: 6.8mm
Eye Relief: 23mm
Field of View: 396 feet at 1000 yards / 132 meters at 1000
Prism System: Porro
Coating:FMC
Reticle: Internal rangefinder
Compass built in:Yes
Prism Glass: BaK-4
Water/Fog Proof: Yes
Tripod Adaptable: Yes
Dry nitrogen-purged and complete sealed:Yes

Size and Mass
Size: 200*80*170mm
Weight : 2.4 lbs

Package Includes:
1xBinoculars
1x Carrying bag
1x Strap
1x Lens cloth
1669988487375.jpeg
 
thinwater

thinwater

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Mar 26, 2011
3,617
Corsair F-24 MK I Deale, MD
jssailem said:
I bought this one after some research. Very serviceable price $139 on Amazon.

Brand. HOOWAY
Objective Lens Diameter. 50 Millimeters
Material Rubber
Eye Relief 23 Millimeters

7x50 HD Waterproof Military Marine Binoculars w/Internal Rangefinder & Compass for Water Sports,Hunting,Bird Watching,Boating.
Description
The 7x50 waterproof HD Binoculars designed to meet military standards. It can be performed in all weather conditions,even under extreme rainstorms or high humidity condition.so it can provide you with all the tools needed for your next outdoor activities.such as marine,birding watching,hunting, sports matches watching,wild travel and more.

Specifications:
Magnification: 7x
Objective lens: 50mm
Exit pupil: 6.8mm
Eye Relief: 23mm
Field of View: 396 feet at 1000 yards / 132 meters at 1000
Prism System: Porro
Coating:FMC
Reticle: Internal rangefinder
Compass built in:Yes
Prism Glass: BaK-4
Water/Fog Proof: Yes
Tripod Adaptable: Yes
Dry nitrogen-purged and complete sealed:Yes

Size and Mass
Size: 200*80*170mm
Weight : 2.4 lbs

Package Includes:
1xBinoculars
1x Carrying bag
1x Strap
1x Lens cloth
Click to expand
Looks like a good find. How do you like the compass. Readable, and is it annoying? I don't see a center focus (I really dislike the "auto focus" type, which really isn't. They are just locked at infinity.
 
jssailem

jssailem

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Oct 22, 2014
22,289
CAL 35 Cruiser #21 moored EVERETT WA
They are on the boat, so going by the info on Amazon site, they are identified as "auto focus".

In use, I set the diopter for each eye. Using contacts on my eyes the focus just works.

I had no issue with the compass. It is at the bottom of the framed image.

Range calculations take some practice with the scale system etched in the glass.
 
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