Binoculars *pop

[Franklin]

A few weeks ago I was crewing on a cruiser's boat one day (thanks Frank if you're reading) and I happen to pick up his glasses to look at something. Man, were they awesome. I told him and he said "If you're going to cruise, you gotta have a good pair of glasses".I had been using a pair of $10 compact binoculars I got from Walmart for hunting. It was almost impossible to make anything out using them. I could have sworn they said they were 10x50 but they didn't show nearly as much as Frank's glasses.The other day I was in West Marine and I just couldn't resist. I bought one of those with auto-focus and range finder with internal compass. Because I'm a man and because of the manly manual says I'm not allow to read the manual, I'm not totally sure how it all works yet, but they sure were nice to use this weekend...and even better at night (something about it brings in more light).All the old sailing movies though showed the captain using a telescope of some sort. I'm sure a telescope would have more power to it and that would be very cool.So what do you use? Anything? $10 pair like me? Expensive Binoculars? Telescope?

 

[Rick D]

Same As Yours

I had an old pair of 10 X 50's from some sporting goods store. My wife always hated them. One day, she tried a pair of a neighbors and declared I was going to get a good pair and get rid of the trashy ones I had. I did, and it really makes a big difference, I do find the alignment is important when using the WM. I know they are Chinese knock-offs, but the optical quality is excellent. Importantly, they are good at night. Even Practical Sailor liked them. RD

 

[Moody Buccaneer]

Steiner

Navigator II w/compass 7x5010x50's are hard to use on a boat.The Wench bought the Steiner's for me last Christmas.

 

[Joe]

essential equipment

I use mine all the time, mainly to identify navigational aids or distant vessels.... I have a the $300 Tasco binoculars, forgot the model, but their good enough for me. Steiner is considered the best for non stabilization assisted glasses. However, if you want higher magnification than 7 or 8 at sea you'll need some kind of electronic stabilizing type glass. Most sailors are fine with 7X50. Cheap binoculars are worthless.

 

[Brian D]

What model WM glasses?

I have a pair of Nikon glasses. Not sure of the size but I think they are 10x50. I would like a nice pair of real glasses.

 

[Sherry]

Steiner, Fujinon, and Nikon

We have full sized Fujinons and Steiners - both excellent. We also have a pair of Nikon compacts - bad for the boat but great for the day pack.A friend referred me to this site for image stabilized binocs. She bought from there and is very pleased.Good binocs are worth it!

 

[Hugh4753]

Steiner

Navigator II with internal compass. Amazing what a difference there is between the old TASCO's that came on the boat and the Steiners. I guess you really do get what you pay for!

 

[Warren Milberg]

Binocs....

I have used imaged stablized binoculars on a friend's boat and think they are really terrific -- if there ever was better mousetrap, they are it. Except for the prices (which admittedly are falling). Everything about boating involves tradeoffs and I just can't justify the price of Imaged Stabilized binocs for where and how I sail. I have a pair of 7x50's made by Tasco that I bought about 30 yrs ago for about $30. I take care of them and they take care of me. I have never missed a mark that I was looking for with these old glasses. They have decent optics and light gathering characteristics so if there is any light at all at night, these glasses work pretty well. My guess is that they'll outlast me. I think the key is knowing what toys you need -- and can afford. Finally, I have a 30 power brass marine telescope. It looks nice and feels nice. But I cannot imagine how anyone could use such a device on a moving boat. It is imppossible to keep anything in view for more than a second or two. I think that the best places for them are mounted in your bookcase or used when at anchor looking at all the other boats -- who are also looking at you!

 

[RAD]

Franklin,

Great forum,so which binoc's did you by @ west, I have a 20+ year old 7X50 Tasco's (one of the few things still left around other than 4 kids that my X wife gave me)and like Warren they work pretty good but there getting a little ratty looking and soon the present wife will be asking want do I want for Xmas and I can put a new pair on the list

 

[Jerry Clark H356 SV Persistence]

10 x 30 Canon Stabilized

The canons work better than any binoculars I have ever had. The image stabilization is not as good as the Fujinon, but works very well for the difference in price.

 

[Mick]

Binocs

I use a pair of Fuji's 7X50 w/compass that I bought in the late 80's. My wife refers to them as "the Bu Cu Bucks Binoculars" (I think they were $350 or so then). 10X50 are quite large sized, just like 7X50's, and the extra power (10) is too much on a moving platform. That is why 7X50 is recommended for boating. The 50 refers to the diameter of the objective lens, (not the lens that you put your eye to). Most 7 power binocs are '7X35', and do not perform as well in low light as 7X50. Compact binocs won't have objectives of more than 30mm. I have a pair of Nikon 9X25 that are nice, but do not work well in low light like the 7X50 Fuji's.

 

[Guy D]

Binocs

20 years at sea in the merchant marine.7x50 is it-everything else is a tradeoff of one sort or anotherUsed Tasco for years-good midrange binoc.If you want the best go ahead and get Zeiss-that way, when you drop them overboard you'll have something worth crying about.Any of the names mentioned by prev. posters are good-get the best you can afford, drop, lose, and replace. If you figure you may have to replace you won't get crazy.The long glass has it's purposes. Let me think. Oh yeah, if you're on an absolutely stable platform like the dock, and you have something to brace against, you can tell if it's razor stubble or just a bicycling seat rash.On board any vessel underway, even a thousand foot ship there is too much motion/vibration for any use. You can't make out that ship's name 'cause you're bobbin' & weavin' all over-wait ten min. and you can read her with the 7x50's.The navy have "Big Eyes" on the flying bridges of some of their vessels for the signalmen and the objectives are about the diameter of a 1 pound coffee can! But they're mounted on a stand, are about two feet long, and have inverted bicycle handles to point 'em. Guy

 

[Franklin]

Guy and RAD

Guy...you're awesome. That was funny and educational.RAD...you made me get up and look...shame on you They are under the West Marine brand name...who knows who actually made them. I'm sure if I dug hard enough I could figure that out but I'm drunk and just got back from watching my team the Broncos kick some ass so I don't think I will.

 

[Fred Ficarra]

You're a BRONCOS fan Franklin?

You must also be a Texas transplant then.Back to glasses. Yep, Good Thread.I can't remember a time that I wasn't a fan of good optics. I bought my wife a XMAS present back in the '80s. Compass equipped 7x50 Fuginons. I love em. And even she uses them. They were pretty pricey then. Like the guys have said, they're coming down. A image stabilized model looks awfully tempting,,,But that's why I'm such a fan of the Hubble Space Telescope. And did you see those new close-up/telescopic images from Mars from the new satellite? You can see the robot at the edge of the crater!

 

[Ron]

Bushnell for the price

I have used these for about 7 years. Very happy with them for their price range.

 

[larry w]

glasses

the $50 West Marine brand 7X50 have worked well for years.