binoculars which ones to buy?

justsomeguy · Dec 23, 2015

In the matter of optics, you get what you pay for. Want an integral compass? Ranging reticle?

I did see a set of Bushnells for about two hundred in my brief search of the subject...meh.

Caboteur · Dec 23, 2015

Yes,
As justsomeguy wrote, you get what you pay for! However you should also have a look at your needs and desires... Night vision, image stabilizing, quality optics, weather resistance etc... For my usage, a relatively inexpensive pair with a floating neck strap will do the job. I let the grandchildren use them and once in awhile they are forgotten in the cockpit overnight (or for a week) and if they are dropped overboard by the 6 year-old (or 8 or 10 or 65) it's no big deal. With such usage I have to replace them every 4 or 5 years: I once had a very expensive pair but dampness found a way inside and they eventually got foggy.
Pierre

weinie · Dec 23, 2015

Steiner 7x50.
I bought them online after having a few too many and thought I'd probably return them and get some old cheapos.
But when I looked through them for the first time, it blew my mind.
Probably keep them forever and pass them down to my kid!

The Garbone · Dec 23, 2015

Got these in 2012 and have had zero problems. Of course they spend most of their time hanging in the bag but it is noce to have them when I need them. They were American made when I got them, may still be.

Celestron Oceana 7x50 Porro WP CF & RC Binocular, Black
by Celestron
http://amzn.com/B00008Y0VJ

Kings Gambit · Dec 23, 2015

redhead78 said:
Hi all Merry Christmas, hope you are enjoying the spring weather. Admiral is going to get me Binocs for xmas and I need some help, to get the ones best for me. I am mostly bay , and coastal sailing, taking trips, and with retirement this spring even more trips . I know they can be very expensive, so I think I am wanting something around 150-200$, is this possible? Red

Last year near this time I bought a pair of the Steiner 7 x 30 Navigator Pro [no compass] binoculars for under $300 at WM as a gift to "us." They're still available out there and if you shop on line you might find them for under $280. The field in the Steiner binoculars is as bright as my Fujinon Polaris 7 x 50, even after recent cleaning of the eyepieces and objectives. Also, they're light-weight, fairly compact, so you can hold them up longer than any 7 x 50. [Which is helpful if you really wish to read something or to spot something.] It'd make a really nice gift from Admiral to Captain!

If you're going to be sailing at night, then regular binoculars with high light-catching capacity are, IMHO, an essential piece of equipment. That's one reason people buy 7 x 50s; but they can be too heavy to hold up for long [i.e., my Fujinons] unless your elbows are propped on something. Cheaply-made binoculars that are barely adequate in daylight will probably be next to useless at night.

http://www.thegpsstore.com/Steiner-...s-P4499.aspx?gclid=CLWTlLO08skCFdgLgQod9pYGOw

Stu Jackson · Dec 23, 2015

WM has a lifetime warranty on all its binoculars. Over the years I've replaced them as needed, no questions asked. That said, I doubt folks with Steiners ever felt the need to do so. Your boat, your choice.

capta · Dec 23, 2015

Some years back I decided that I wanted a pair of Canon stabilized binoculars. Believing they were just a con, I made absolutely sure, positively and for real sure, that I could return them.
They are NOT a con and they are second only to my chartplotter in usefulness and value as a nav aid. They are lighter than conventional binos, so you can move up from 7X35 to 10X50 without any problem at all.
You may think them a bit pricey, but remember these are tools which may well last you a lifetime.
My fancy, super expensive "marine" binos with the compass haven't been out of the case in years.

centerline · Dec 23, 2015

in my opinion, trying to figure out which binoculars to buy is about as personal of choice as one can ever make.... kinda like buying camera equipment.
I was taught to never to touch or use another persons binoculars without express permission, as they are an expensive and sacred item, and mostly because they're "Not Yours"...
so I could never give a gift of binocs to someone due to the personal choices that go into deciding what to buy. I believe a gift certificate for binocs is a better way to do it.
I have always carried two sets on my boats, mine and those that others can use when they want to... It kinda tweaks me outta joint when I need my binocs and they are out of focus 'cuz someone else has been playing with them

..

but for boat use, I highly recommend that you get a set that has image stabilizing and has a waterproof rating, and then you can go up to a 10x50.. anymore power than that gets really expensive in the IS type. otherwise, without IS, the 7x50's are as powerful as you can use if you actually need them, unless the water is calm flat...
the prices have came down on the IS models in the past few years and they are easy to view with even when the conditions are rough.

Sumner · Dec 23, 2015

When I went to the Bahamas a friend, Scott, loaned me his Fujinon 7X50 WPC-XL binoculars with compass and I really liked them, especially the compass feature as it made getting headings to objects really easy. Upon return I ordered another pair and gave the new ones to him as I now had 'history' with the other ones and he will be sailing a lot longer than I will be. These were way superior to what I'd had in the past but to be fair all of those binoculars cost less than $100,

Sumner
=====================================
1300 miles to The Bahamas and Back in the Mac...
Endeavour 37 Mods...
MacGregor 26-S Mods...http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner/endeavour-main/endeavour-index.html
Mac Trips to Utah, Idaho, Canada, Florida, Bahamas

KZW · Dec 24, 2015

In 2009 Practical Sailor tested 7x50 binoculars: Steiner Commander V, Fujinon FMTRC-SX, Steiner Commander XP. They liked all of them. There have been updates since. They suggest stabilization and an incorporated compass.

centerline · Dec 25, 2015

let us know what you get and how you like 'em.....

Kings Gambit · Dec 25, 2015

centerline said:
let us know what you get and how you like 'em.....

Might have wait until Christmas 2016 to find out!

dscribner · Dec 29, 2015

For my money, I'd buy a monocular. I've never had great luck with binoculars. You can pick up a 12x50 water/fog proof one for about $70. With night vision about $200 (less magnification).

beanctr · Dec 29, 2015

I have them all , these are the ones to get, great for the price.

Sumner said:
When I went to the Bahamas a friend, Scott, loaned me his Fujinon 7X50 WPC-XL binoculars with compass and I really liked them, especially the compass feature as it made getting headings to objects really easy. Upon return I ordered another pair and gave the new ones to him as I now had 'history' with the other ones and he will be sailing a lot longer than I will be. These were way superior to what I'd had in the past but to be fair all of those binoculars cost less than $100,

Sumner
=====================================
1300 miles to The Bahamas and Back in the Mac...
Endeavour 37 Mods...
MacGregor 26-S Mods...
Mac Trips to Utah, Idaho, Canada, Florida, Bahamas