I'm looking for recommendations for a new "set" of 7 x 50 binoculars to replace one stolen over the winter. We only do coastal cruising if that matters. Any recommendations appreciated. Don
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Steiner
I am a coastal sailor too. Recently I upgraded to Steiner Military/Marine 7 x 50. While a little pricy, they are a vast improvement from the Auto-focus Tascos I had for years.
I am a coastal sailor too. Recently I upgraded to Steiner Military/Marine 7 x 50. While a little pricy, they are a vast improvement from the Auto-focus Tascos I had for years.
West
I got a pair of West Marine's 7x50's with internal compass and range finder reticle for Christmas a year ago. For the price ($200 when on sale), the optics are awesome, are waterproof, they float, and have a lifetime guarantee. They are also center focus, which I find a lot easier to use. Didn't think I'd use the rangefinder much, but I find that I do, after I got used to it.
I got a pair of West Marine's 7x50's with internal compass and range finder reticle for Christmas a year ago. For the price ($200 when on sale), the optics are awesome, are waterproof, they float, and have a lifetime guarantee. They are also center focus, which I find a lot easier to use. Didn't think I'd use the rangefinder much, but I find that I do, after I got used to it.
West Marine
I'm not West Marine's biggest fan but I have to give them full marks for the Tahiti's I bought from them. I think that's the model that Peter was referring to. The optics are great. Dollar for dollar you'll have a hard time doig better.
I'm not West Marine's biggest fan but I have to give them full marks for the Tahiti's I bought from them. I think that's the model that Peter was referring to. The optics are great. Dollar for dollar you'll have a hard time doig better.
Check out...
...Binoculars.com, where you will find a number of bargain priced binoculars (they are selling a pair of Bushnell 7x50's with illuminated compass for $130, and the following good advice: "For boating or any marine use, waterproofing is critical. The housing should be solidly built enough that it can take some punishment when it gets really rough. A power of 7 with a 50mm objective lens is most common for a marine binocular. This allows for a large field-of-view and an ample objective to collect a lot of light. Another feature of many marine type binoculars is a built in compass, perfect for navigation." I also think you can can get some good values in new binoculars on eBay.
...Binoculars.com, where you will find a number of bargain priced binoculars (they are selling a pair of Bushnell 7x50's with illuminated compass for $130, and the following good advice: "For boating or any marine use, waterproofing is critical. The housing should be solidly built enough that it can take some punishment when it gets really rough. A power of 7 with a 50mm objective lens is most common for a marine binocular. This allows for a large field-of-view and an ample objective to collect a lot of light. Another feature of many marine type binoculars is a built in compass, perfect for navigation." I also think you can can get some good values in new binoculars on eBay.
Cheapies
I bought 7x50's at opticaspace.com for twenty bucks. I figure binocs are going to get dropped, sooner or later, and I'll just buy another. Can't beat 'em for the price.
I bought 7x50's at opticaspace.com for twenty bucks. I figure binocs are going to get dropped, sooner or later, and I'll just buy another. Can't beat 'em for the price.
Huani
West Marines cheapest 7X50 The Huanni's are really about as good as anything out there. The optics are excellant. You can usually get them on sale for $59 and you will not cry when they sink. I used to have a $400 pair of Fujinon that a guest dropped overboard. That hurt! These $59 Bino's are truely just as good as far as optics. They don't have the compass but who cares? I have two hand bearing compasses plus a compass on the binicle, a compass on the auto pilot and one on the GPS... maybe I need a compass for my watchband???
West Marines cheapest 7X50 The Huanni's are really about as good as anything out there. The optics are excellant. You can usually get them on sale for $59 and you will not cry when they sink. I used to have a $400 pair of Fujinon that a guest dropped overboard. That hurt! These $59 Bino's are truely just as good as far as optics. They don't have the compass but who cares? I have two hand bearing compasses plus a compass on the binicle, a compass on the auto pilot and one on the GPS... maybe I need a compass for my watchband???
Binocs
I use Nikon mariners with a built in compass. They cost about $250 and in low light they are great. Everyone who has used they are surprised at how well they work in low light. The only better binocs are Steiners or Fujinons. Its worth the money.
I use Nikon mariners with a built in compass. They cost about $250 and in low light they are great. Everyone who has used they are surprised at how well they work in low light. The only better binocs are Steiners or Fujinons. Its worth the money.
Don and ...Liam
The W.M. Raiatea are on sale for $70.00 right now,they are waterproof,float,and do not fogg. Liam,you should get the Tissot T.touch
The W.M. Raiatea are on sale for $70.00 right now,they are waterproof,float,and do not fogg. Liam,you should get the Tissot T.touch
steiner V commanders
Looking for a harbor entrance at dusk with a swell running, the last thing you want is a cheap pair of binos! I don't need to own the most expensive brand of boat, nor the most pricy electronics, but the one thing I won't skimp on are the binoculars. We carry Steiner Commander V as the primaries, and a set of Nikons for a backup. When fellows crew for me who are used to the WM cheapies, when they look through the Steiners all they can say is, "Oh my God!"
Looking for a harbor entrance at dusk with a swell running, the last thing you want is a cheap pair of binos! I don't need to own the most expensive brand of boat, nor the most pricy electronics, but the one thing I won't skimp on are the binoculars. We carry Steiner Commander V as the primaries, and a set of Nikons for a backup. When fellows crew for me who are used to the WM cheapies, when they look through the Steiners all they can say is, "Oh my God!"
German Optics
I use a pair of 7X50 CarlZeiss Jena's that I picked in East Berlin 20 plus years ago. They are great. We leave our boat in Hi and only spend the winters on her, when we come back to the mainland they come with me. I leave a pair of 7X35 on the boat for our son to use when we are not there. I would not want to hear that somehow they ended up on the bottom of Pearl Harbor, his mother would be upset when I killed him.
I use a pair of 7X50 CarlZeiss Jena's that I picked in East Berlin 20 plus years ago. They are great. We leave our boat in Hi and only spend the winters on her, when we come back to the mainland they come with me. I leave a pair of 7X35 on the boat for our son to use when we are not there. I would not want to hear that somehow they ended up on the bottom of Pearl Harbor, his mother would be upset when I killed him.
center focus
It's debatable but we bought some binoculars from west marine about $200 center focus with a compass and since then our old Tascos with individual focusing have seen little use. They cost more but the center focus is probably woth the cost. A compass is essential in Binoculars for boating IMHO. The reticle is hard to use but will give and estimate of distance. Boatersworld also had some cheap binoculars that looked very comparable to westmarine's. Our 12 year old Tasco's still work well except for a bubble in the compass.
It's debatable but we bought some binoculars from west marine about $200 center focus with a compass and since then our old Tascos with individual focusing have seen little use. They cost more but the center focus is probably woth the cost. A compass is essential in Binoculars for boating IMHO. The reticle is hard to use but will give and estimate of distance. Boatersworld also had some cheap binoculars that looked very comparable to westmarine's. Our 12 year old Tasco's still work well except for a bubble in the compass.
Fujinons are terrific.
In 1993, we bought a pair of Fujinon Polaris 7x50 with lighted compass. It has rubberized coating, and floats. It is a bit on the heavy side for my wife, but for me it is fine. To clean it, you just dunk it in fresh water, use some mild soap, and rinse. We liked it so much, that in 2000 we bought a 2nd one. It is a Fujinon Mariner 7x50 with lighted compass. It also has rubberized coating, and floats. It is much lighter. And also cleans up using soap and water. They have great warranty, lifetime for the Polaris, and 5 year for the Mariner. We got a compass bubble on the Polaris after 10 years of use. We sent it back, and they repaired it and gave it an overall cleaning and adjustment. Great service. We love the compasses. It is so much easier to tell the other person to “look at a eagle at 123 degrees”, then to say “look at the eagle that is sitting on the 2nd tree to the right of that white rock, no no no, not that white rock, it is the other white rock” :{ Both of these binocs does not need to be focused once it is adjusted to your eyes. In fact, it does not even have a focusing knob or toggle. It is always in focus. I have heard some people complain that “what if two people want to share the binoc, then you will have to readjust the eyepiece all the time”. Well, I don’t agree with that thinking. Both my wife and I use the same binoc, and we don’t ever have to readjust the eyepiece. We both wear contacts, and sometimes glasses. That means we are both 20-20, or very close to it. So when the bonoc’s eyepiece is adjusted, it fits us both. I want to focus it only once right after purchase, and then forget it for life. Everything is sharply focused, all the time. It is the only way to go. We also have used and owned other binocs, all with center focus, and we just don't use them anymore. Center focus, or any focus, is a pain. Especially on a rocking boat. I would highly recommend either of these Fujinon binocs.
In 1993, we bought a pair of Fujinon Polaris 7x50 with lighted compass. It has rubberized coating, and floats. It is a bit on the heavy side for my wife, but for me it is fine. To clean it, you just dunk it in fresh water, use some mild soap, and rinse. We liked it so much, that in 2000 we bought a 2nd one. It is a Fujinon Mariner 7x50 with lighted compass. It also has rubberized coating, and floats. It is much lighter. And also cleans up using soap and water. They have great warranty, lifetime for the Polaris, and 5 year for the Mariner. We got a compass bubble on the Polaris after 10 years of use. We sent it back, and they repaired it and gave it an overall cleaning and adjustment. Great service. We love the compasses. It is so much easier to tell the other person to “look at a eagle at 123 degrees”, then to say “look at the eagle that is sitting on the 2nd tree to the right of that white rock, no no no, not that white rock, it is the other white rock” :{ Both of these binocs does not need to be focused once it is adjusted to your eyes. In fact, it does not even have a focusing knob or toggle. It is always in focus. I have heard some people complain that “what if two people want to share the binoc, then you will have to readjust the eyepiece all the time”. Well, I don’t agree with that thinking. Both my wife and I use the same binoc, and we don’t ever have to readjust the eyepiece. We both wear contacts, and sometimes glasses. That means we are both 20-20, or very close to it. So when the bonoc’s eyepiece is adjusted, it fits us both. I want to focus it only once right after purchase, and then forget it for life. Everything is sharply focused, all the time. It is the only way to go. We also have used and owned other binocs, all with center focus, and we just don't use them anymore. Center focus, or any focus, is a pain. Especially on a rocking boat. I would highly recommend either of these Fujinon binocs.
MerSea
Hi there MerSea, What the heck is a Tissot T Touch? Why do I need one and if I do where do I get one? Never heard of it. Thanks, Liam.
Hi there MerSea, What the heck is a Tissot T Touch? Why do I need one and if I do where do I get one? Never heard of it. Thanks, Liam.
Alignment is critical
I gave up on cheaper binoculars (less than about $200) because of the mechanical construction. If the left and right sides are not exactly aligned your eye will be looking at two slightly different images. This can cause eyestrain and even headaches. Higher priced binoculars also have better optics for better contrast etc… but I don’t think this is critical. I have also heard and seen good things about the West Marine line, especially their higher end model. Very cost effective. Given that, we use a pair of top end Fujinon’s, but I refused to tell my wife what they cost.
I gave up on cheaper binoculars (less than about $200) because of the mechanical construction. If the left and right sides are not exactly aligned your eye will be looking at two slightly different images. This can cause eyestrain and even headaches. Higher priced binoculars also have better optics for better contrast etc… but I don’t think this is critical. I have also heard and seen good things about the West Marine line, especially their higher end model. Very cost effective. Given that, we use a pair of top end Fujinon’s, but I refused to tell my wife what they cost.
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