Well, I am about to invest in marine binoculars, and am searching the catalogs and discount houses for a decent pair of 7 X 50 nitrogen filled, armored, floating binoculars under $300.00! Bushnell and West Marine Brand are what seems to dominate the landscape in my price range. Of course I would love Steiner, Nikon or Zeiss, but I make enough financial sacrifices to stay sailing, and I am not planning any circumnavigation, just coastal cruising. Bushnell, makes a pair that has the built in compass and rangefinder, but I wonder if this feature is really necessary. I did buy a pair of "waterproof" binoculars awhile back that fogged up on the first rainy day and were not truely "waterproof". I understand that being "nitrogen filled" are the key words I am seeking in ensuring true waterproofing. Appreciate any recommendations Thanks Bob
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West Marine
We looked around when buying and after reading the practical sailor comparison we choose the West Marine 7x50 w/compass, nitrogen filled, etc. They were also one of the least expensive, under 150 US. We have been using them on Makai for over a year and I should have bought two sets. The stabilty is excellent, the clarity is greater, the maginfcation is 465/1000. in this case highest price doesn't always mean the best.
We looked around when buying and after reading the practical sailor comparison we choose the West Marine 7x50 w/compass, nitrogen filled, etc. They were also one of the least expensive, under 150 US. We have been using them on Makai for over a year and I should have bought two sets. The stabilty is excellent, the clarity is greater, the maginfcation is 465/1000. in this case highest price doesn't always mean the best.
West Marine
I have the West Marine 7x50 waterproof. They are very nice, but I wish they had a built in compass.
I have the West Marine 7x50 waterproof. They are very nice, but I wish they had a built in compass.
and airproof
What often causes moisture and particles to get inside glasses is when they are taken rapidly from a warm room out into the cold. The contracting air inside sucks the surrounding air (and contents) past the seals and into the interior. Thats why its not a simple matter of being 'waterproof'. Thats probably what the nitrogen is about, but being somewhat careful with their use will help. The other choice is center-focus or individual eye focus. The compass can be pretty useful, more so before GPS when taking bearings was the norm. But even with a GPS giving you the expected location and distance, the compass will help you see in the right direction. Also useful with judging converging bearings and communicating with the nav. Nothing essential but sometimes useful. WM glasses are a good deal, they put their label on good quality and make it a little cheaper. Ask your store who the manufacturer is if you want.
What often causes moisture and particles to get inside glasses is when they are taken rapidly from a warm room out into the cold. The contracting air inside sucks the surrounding air (and contents) past the seals and into the interior. Thats why its not a simple matter of being 'waterproof'. Thats probably what the nitrogen is about, but being somewhat careful with their use will help. The other choice is center-focus or individual eye focus. The compass can be pretty useful, more so before GPS when taking bearings was the norm. But even with a GPS giving you the expected location and distance, the compass will help you see in the right direction. Also useful with judging converging bearings and communicating with the nav. Nothing essential but sometimes useful. WM glasses are a good deal, they put their label on good quality and make it a little cheaper. Ask your store who the manufacturer is if you want.
cheap simmons
I have two cheap pairs. One is a Simmons 10x50, the other a 8x50. Neither were waterproof when I bought them. I took them apart, used teflon tape to reseal them and before screwing on the last piece,I put them in a 6 mil. plastic bag, pumped in nitrogen at a facility the has it, and then screwed in the last piece. No problem after 5 years. The Simmons are SWEET! Good clarity, well built, bak7 prisms. However, I recently returned from a trip where we had simmilar Simmons 10x50 only the self adjusting model and they were junk.
I have two cheap pairs. One is a Simmons 10x50, the other a 8x50. Neither were waterproof when I bought them. I took them apart, used teflon tape to reseal them and before screwing on the last piece,I put them in a 6 mil. plastic bag, pumped in nitrogen at a facility the has it, and then screwed in the last piece. No problem after 5 years. The Simmons are SWEET! Good clarity, well built, bak7 prisms. However, I recently returned from a trip where we had simmilar Simmons 10x50 only the self adjusting model and they were junk.
Nikon
I have two pairs of waterproof binoculars, both 10X, but one compact (the Nikons). The other pair are Eddie Bauer (Bushnell). I get equally good service out of both, but the Nikons are a little crisper, and the Bushnells are better for low light.
I have two pairs of waterproof binoculars, both 10X, but one compact (the Nikons). The other pair are Eddie Bauer (Bushnell). I get equally good service out of both, but the Nikons are a little crisper, and the Bushnells are better for low light.
Suggestion
Once before this topic came up. It was recommended to look at www.etronics.com for good deals. For example I did a search for nikon 7x50 and came up with several marine models at around $230 (no compass). All that being said I bought my Nikon's after Christmas this year at West Marine for about 25% off which matched the etronics deal and got me to around $300, plus I had a walk in place to return them. Andy
Once before this topic came up. It was recommended to look at www.etronics.com for good deals. For example I did a search for nikon 7x50 and came up with several marine models at around $230 (no compass). All that being said I bought my Nikon's after Christmas this year at West Marine for about 25% off which matched the etronics deal and got me to around $300, plus I had a walk in place to return them. Andy
Glasses
Bob Seems you have two choices. High price or low price. We chose to go low price, with replacement every four years or so. Many have mentioned West Marine, but they make four different 7 x 50 s! We figure that if we spend $60 every three or four years, we're doing OK, and getting good value. We bought a pair of WM Huahine low end price at a boat show last year for $44! They're still doing fine. For our daily sunshine daylight use, and few night time applications, they work fine. OTOH, I'd love to have a top of the line with a compass and range-finder, but I can't justify the cost for the use. I can figure distances by proper plotting and use our ship compass for headings, so what's the advantage of the much higher cost? If I was going offshore or on an extended cruise I'd reconsider. We handle them as if they were expensive and haven't banged any up yet, or dropped any overboard. They end up deteriorating because of the fogging, so we get new ones to replace them. The price is coming down regularly for better quality over the years. We also keep a backup pair of old but good 7 x 50s (a family heirloom pair) in a case, just in case. Think of the application for your use, and that should help you to decide. Good luck, Stu
Bob Seems you have two choices. High price or low price. We chose to go low price, with replacement every four years or so. Many have mentioned West Marine, but they make four different 7 x 50 s! We figure that if we spend $60 every three or four years, we're doing OK, and getting good value. We bought a pair of WM Huahine low end price at a boat show last year for $44! They're still doing fine. For our daily sunshine daylight use, and few night time applications, they work fine. OTOH, I'd love to have a top of the line with a compass and range-finder, but I can't justify the cost for the use. I can figure distances by proper plotting and use our ship compass for headings, so what's the advantage of the much higher cost? If I was going offshore or on an extended cruise I'd reconsider. We handle them as if they were expensive and haven't banged any up yet, or dropped any overboard. They end up deteriorating because of the fogging, so we get new ones to replace them. The price is coming down regularly for better quality over the years. We also keep a backup pair of old but good 7 x 50s (a family heirloom pair) in a case, just in case. Think of the application for your use, and that should help you to decide. Good luck, Stu
Thanks Everyone
I noted a Waterproof, West Marine - Center Focus unit with internal compass for $299.99, but now advertised for $225.00. West Marine handed out a ton of $20.00 off coupons at the Atlanta Boat Show last month, so that knocks them down to $205.00. Hey, thats a great deal! I concur on being fiscally conservative for marine binoculars. A pair of Steiner's or the stabilizing unit brands are really expensive. I am convinced from responses on this board that the West Marine product is an excellent choice. Appreciate all the feedback. Bob
I noted a Waterproof, West Marine - Center Focus unit with internal compass for $299.99, but now advertised for $225.00. West Marine handed out a ton of $20.00 off coupons at the Atlanta Boat Show last month, so that knocks them down to $205.00. Hey, thats a great deal! I concur on being fiscally conservative for marine binoculars. A pair of Steiner's or the stabilizing unit brands are really expensive. I am convinced from responses on this board that the West Marine product is an excellent choice. Appreciate all the feedback. Bob
West Marine "Tahiti"
Center focus,floating,built in compass,and pretty good optics in your price range.
Center focus,floating,built in compass,and pretty good optics in your price range.
e bay
check out e bat i got a brand new pair ( from west marine ) that cost 300.00 for 175.00 they were brand new i think the same guy is still selling them !
check out e bat i got a brand new pair ( from west marine ) that cost 300.00 for 175.00 they were brand new i think the same guy is still selling them !
- Jan 22, 2008
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if you still use paper charts
I would opt for a built in compass. This will give you a position line which is very handy for coastal cruising navigation and excellent back up, even if you use GPS as your main navigation tool.
I would opt for a built in compass. This will give you a position line which is very handy for coastal cruising navigation and excellent back up, even if you use GPS as your main navigation tool.
not center focus!
If you're going to look at birds or butterflies, center focus is a great option. But out on the water, your binocs will always be focussed at infinity. Think about it. That's why the top-line binocs don't have a center-focus option, because it's much easy to build a binocular that will hold up to marine abuse if each optic focuses individually.
If you're going to look at birds or butterflies, center focus is a great option. But out on the water, your binocs will always be focussed at infinity. Think about it. That's why the top-line binocs don't have a center-focus option, because it's much easy to build a binocular that will hold up to marine abuse if each optic focuses individually.
Old Tascos with Compass
I have a pair of Tascos that have been beat up a lot and have never fogged in over 10 years. Has a light for night use. The rangefinder is really a sextant for small angles. The numbers on the calculator wore off, A compass is a must. Tom
I have a pair of Tascos that have been beat up a lot and have never fogged in over 10 years. Has a light for night use. The rangefinder is really a sextant for small angles. The numbers on the calculator wore off, A compass is a must. Tom
try this link
i have the fujinon mariners. expensive and heavy but very nice...chrystal clear, dampened lighted compass, and good in low light. a friend bought a set of, (and i want to say criterium or something like that), that i think were every bit as good for about half the price from campmore <sp> the link has about every brand and good prices and customer service.
i have the fujinon mariners. expensive and heavy but very nice...chrystal clear, dampened lighted compass, and good in low light. a friend bought a set of, (and i want to say criterium or something like that), that i think were every bit as good for about half the price from campmore <sp> the link has about every brand and good prices and customer service.
West Marine deserves a look
I bought the WM center focus binocs last yr after my Tasco's fell apart (I bought Tasco at WM too, and since Tasco is no longer, WM store manager gave a smoking deal on the $299 WM brand). Anyway, I am very impressed with these new ones. Sharp, clear and very bright. Since I bought them, I have read a couple reviews that give the WM brand high marks. This months Blue Water Sailing has a good article and reviews several binocs.
I bought the WM center focus binocs last yr after my Tasco's fell apart (I bought Tasco at WM too, and since Tasco is no longer, WM store manager gave a smoking deal on the $299 WM brand). Anyway, I am very impressed with these new ones. Sharp, clear and very bright. Since I bought them, I have read a couple reviews that give the WM brand high marks. This months Blue Water Sailing has a good article and reviews several binocs.
Try these
I shopped around quite a bit a few years ago, and have been extremely happy with my pair of Zhumell 7X50, nitrogen filled, w lighted compass. Look and perform like binos much more expensive.
I shopped around quite a bit a few years ago, and have been extremely happy with my pair of Zhumell 7X50, nitrogen filled, w lighted compass. Look and perform like binos much more expensive.
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