I need a pair for lake sailing and coastal cruising.What's good and what's bad?What size field/power?Do I need or want a built in compass?What's a reasonable price?I want a good pair that will give good service for a number of years but don't want to spend more than I need to.
- Status
7x50
When my 30 year old Nikons finally gave out after being drenched while looking for a light in a bad squall I bought a pair of WM - I got the top of their line which had a compass in it. Boats US sells the same model. At first I thought the compass was just a frill but I came to rely on it very quickly. It is great for spotting buoys etc. when looking for the entrance to a harbour and giving the helmsperson a course to steer. Also if you have an approximate bearing you can find a mark much easier with the compass. Nothing like a visual confirmation even with the latest of chartplotters!! I used to protect the Nikons all the time but they finally got drenched because I had to find the light. The next day they were all fogged up and useless and I really worried as they were the only pair aboard. A good pair of rubberized ones is the only way to go. Don't rely on cheap binoculars.
When my 30 year old Nikons finally gave out after being drenched while looking for a light in a bad squall I bought a pair of WM - I got the top of their line which had a compass in it. Boats US sells the same model. At first I thought the compass was just a frill but I came to rely on it very quickly. It is great for spotting buoys etc. when looking for the entrance to a harbour and giving the helmsperson a course to steer. Also if you have an approximate bearing you can find a mark much easier with the compass. Nothing like a visual confirmation even with the latest of chartplotters!! I used to protect the Nikons all the time but they finally got drenched because I had to find the light. The next day they were all fogged up and useless and I really worried as they were the only pair aboard. A good pair of rubberized ones is the only way to go. Don't rely on cheap binoculars.
remember quaity is foremost.......
I used to have a pair of cheap $20 binocs......then I got a pair of middle of the line ($200) binoculars and the difference was night and day. The clarity and brightness was awsome. Remember that anything over 7 times magnification is difficult to use while on a boat unless you get stabilizing binocs....(the view keeps bouncing around too much)
I used to have a pair of cheap $20 binocs......then I got a pair of middle of the line ($200) binoculars and the difference was night and day. The clarity and brightness was awsome. Remember that anything over 7 times magnification is difficult to use while on a boat unless you get stabilizing binocs....(the view keeps bouncing around too much)
Two Choices
Based on your specific request 1. Buy least expensive and replace as required. 2. Buy expensive as you can afford and take exceptional care of them. We tend to do #1, but in night and wet conditions the cheaper ones don't work so well. Never had the "need" to spend more than $60 on a pair, though. Have a few backups on board. 7x50 are the appropriate mag and field for boating.
Based on your specific request 1. Buy least expensive and replace as required. 2. Buy expensive as you can afford and take exceptional care of them. We tend to do #1, but in night and wet conditions the cheaper ones don't work so well. Never had the "need" to spend more than $60 on a pair, though. Have a few backups on board. 7x50 are the appropriate mag and field for boating.
I agree with Rick on the West Marine / compass. Once you use a pair with a compass you'll never want to be without. I bought a Tasco model with compass (generic Steiner) in 1990 and still use them. I looked at West Marine version recently and was very impressed. You'd probably get 25 years out of them. I have some inexpensive ones as backups but they almost never get used.
Olymppus
We just purchased a pair of 7 X 50 Olympus magellan binoculars, with illuminated compass and a rangefinder. Very satisfied with the performance and quality of the product. They are nitrogen purged which is important in a marine environment, to keep them from fogging. They are rubberized and came with a neck strap that keeps them afloat. We also looked at an equivalent pair from Fujinon but they were more expensive. I have had several worry free products from Olympus which influenced our decision. The retail on those is around $235 but we got them for $150 from Etronics.
We just purchased a pair of 7 X 50 Olympus magellan binoculars, with illuminated compass and a rangefinder. Very satisfied with the performance and quality of the product. They are nitrogen purged which is important in a marine environment, to keep them from fogging. They are rubberized and came with a neck strap that keeps them afloat. We also looked at an equivalent pair from Fujinon but they were more expensive. I have had several worry free products from Olympus which influenced our decision. The retail on those is around $235 but we got them for $150 from Etronics.
Cheapies that work...
I opted for the "cheapest possible and replace as necessary" approach. Hey, expensive binocs are (very) nice but more prone to loss and damage than almost anything else on the boat. I bought 7x50's for 22 bucks at this website: http://www.opticaspace.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=4 I suspect they're knockoff's - made in China, but I've had them since June and they are great. If (when) I loose 'em over the side I'll buy another pair. Good luck with your decision. Drew
I opted for the "cheapest possible and replace as necessary" approach. Hey, expensive binocs are (very) nice but more prone to loss and damage than almost anything else on the boat. I bought 7x50's for 22 bucks at this website: http://www.opticaspace.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=4 I suspect they're knockoff's - made in China, but I've had them since June and they are great. If (when) I loose 'em over the side I'll buy another pair. Good luck with your decision. Drew
W/M 7x50 Tahiti
Practical Sailor recommended the West Marine Tahiti 7x50 as a best buy. They have the built in compass and perform comporably to binoculars costing hundreds of dollars more. I would go the your loca store and check them out.
Practical Sailor recommended the West Marine Tahiti 7x50 as a best buy. They have the built in compass and perform comporably to binoculars costing hundreds of dollars more. I would go the your loca store and check them out.
German Optics
I was fortuante enough to have gone into East Berlin back in the mid 80's and bought a set of fine German 7X50's for around $50.00. I would say buy the best pair you can afford and guard them with your life. We travel between our 42' Cascade sailboat that we keep in Pearl where we spend the winters and our RV that we fulltime travel on the mainland the rest of the time and the 7X50's travel with me. I have chosen not to leave them on the boat that our sons uses while we are not in HI. We have a cheap pair that we leave on the boat which if somehow droped overboard (like winche handles) would not result in his demise.
I was fortuante enough to have gone into East Berlin back in the mid 80's and bought a set of fine German 7X50's for around $50.00. I would say buy the best pair you can afford and guard them with your life. We travel between our 42' Cascade sailboat that we keep in Pearl where we spend the winters and our RV that we fulltime travel on the mainland the rest of the time and the 7X50's travel with me. I have chosen not to leave them on the boat that our sons uses while we are not in HI. We have a cheap pair that we leave on the boat which if somehow droped overboard (like winche handles) would not result in his demise.
Tasco with compass 7X50
My wife bought me a pair over 10 years ago and they work great. But center focus is a good option. Once you have a built in compass you won't ever want to do without one. But there are others makes brands available get these features. 1. Built in compass 2. 7X50 the larger the second number the better they will do in low light. 3. Water proof not so much for dropping into the water as for anti-fogging. The water proof models are usually filled with dry nitrogen and don't fog up. I worry about cost but if you have the money get the best you can afford. Image stabilization is great on a choppy day. Tom
My wife bought me a pair over 10 years ago and they work great. But center focus is a good option. Once you have a built in compass you won't ever want to do without one. But there are others makes brands available get these features. 1. Built in compass 2. 7X50 the larger the second number the better they will do in low light. 3. Water proof not so much for dropping into the water as for anti-fogging. The water proof models are usually filled with dry nitrogen and don't fog up. I worry about cost but if you have the money get the best you can afford. Image stabilization is great on a choppy day. Tom
Steiner Commanders
I decided when it comes to something that could save my bacon, I went all out. The Steiners are supurb. Buy 7 X 50. These will offer a good field of view and won't be so powerful that it is hard to hold steady. This brand comes with a built in compas which is very useful when taking a sighting on a distant object in relation to where you are headed. They have great light gathering ability. The best thing about them, if properly cared for, they will last many generations, so the cost averages out in the long run. John Richard s/v Jack's Place
I decided when it comes to something that could save my bacon, I went all out. The Steiners are supurb. Buy 7 X 50. These will offer a good field of view and won't be so powerful that it is hard to hold steady. This brand comes with a built in compas which is very useful when taking a sighting on a distant object in relation to where you are headed. They have great light gathering ability. The best thing about them, if properly cared for, they will last many generations, so the cost averages out in the long run. John Richard s/v Jack's Place
fuji
I have a set of Tasco with compass and Fuji with compass,both 7x50, the Fuji are larger but lighter and get the most use, the Tasco have a convienient slide rule to work with the range finder. both are now under $200.00. either readily available and suitable
I have a set of Tasco with compass and Fuji with compass,both 7x50, the Fuji are larger but lighter and get the most use, the Tasco have a convienient slide rule to work with the range finder. both are now under $200.00. either readily available and suitable
- Status