Unless the only kind of sailing you do is around-the-buoy races in your local waters, most sailors have a need for binoculars. Binoculars come in handy to pick out markers on the water while you are cruising, help identify landmarks ashore when you are dead reckoning, are useful in identifying the names of other boats, and to see obstacles in your path. It may be that binoculars get most of their use when the boat is finally snugged up in an anchorage. Looking at other boats and the people on them -- while they are looking at you -- is also a popular activity. But buying a pair of binoculars can be a daunting task. The image stablized models can often cost thousands of dollars -- or more than a small boat. How about those binoculars that also combine a compass and range finder? How handy are they? And what about the good old ordinary 7x50's that seem to be pretty common? When it comes to binoculars, what are the most important criteria to you? Price? Optics? Other features? Tell us about how you choose, and use, your binoculars and then take the Quick Quiz on the homepage. (Discussion and quiz by Warren Milberg)
- Status
What ever they are a compass is great.
If you sail by GPS, it is nice to pickup the markers before you get there. Using the bearing on the GPS you can use the compass in the binoculars to locate the mark. As for extra curricular binocularmanship.... when I see something that looks like a boat in trouble or a boat that I don't recognize, I grab the binoculars. My wife then calls me, TOM (as in peeping). r.w.landau
If you sail by GPS, it is nice to pickup the markers before you get there. Using the bearing on the GPS you can use the compass in the binoculars to locate the mark. As for extra curricular binocularmanship.... when I see something that looks like a boat in trouble or a boat that I don't recognize, I grab the binoculars. My wife then calls me, TOM (as in peeping). r.w.landau
On my small boat
I use a monocular 10x25. It gets the basic job done, dosen't take up a lot of room, and at the small price I paid for them, I don't fret about loosing them overboard, like I might a more expensive pair. My lake is also almost all eyeball navigation, so I use them mostly for spotting others. I do however store them in a pvc pipe with end caps on each end. Works wonderfully to protect the instrument.
I use a monocular 10x25. It gets the basic job done, dosen't take up a lot of room, and at the small price I paid for them, I don't fret about loosing them overboard, like I might a more expensive pair. My lake is also almost all eyeball navigation, so I use them mostly for spotting others. I do however store them in a pvc pipe with end caps on each end. Works wonderfully to protect the instrument.
Old 7 X 50's
I have an old pair of rubber-coated 7 X 50's that are at least 25 years old. I have kept them in the case when not in use, and I rarely store them on the boat. They have served me well, and I see no reason to spend more money. I do have a better pair at home, but they never leave the house.
I have an old pair of rubber-coated 7 X 50's that are at least 25 years old. I have kept them in the case when not in use, and I rarely store them on the boat. They have served me well, and I see no reason to spend more money. I do have a better pair at home, but they never leave the house.
8 x 35 Nikon Featherweights
Had them since I was a kid going to sea (forgotten when
but for you old timers Decca Navigator was the latest invention) anyway they served me really well until three years ago. I was trying to find the NW Channel light in a squall and the glasses got rain in them and fogged up. It was then that I realized how important a good pair was as I didn't have a spare. When we got back to the land of WM's I got a pair of their top of the line, rubber covered ones. I think they're the Tahiti model. They are excellent 7x50's and have a compass in them which I thought was just an added gimmick until I found out how handy they are for finding a mark and telling the helmsperson to steer on that bearing. Excellent optics, good feel to them and waterproof!
Had them since I was a kid going to sea (forgotten when
but for you old timers Decca Navigator was the latest invention) anyway they served me really well until three years ago. I was trying to find the NW Channel light in a squall and the glasses got rain in them and fogged up. It was then that I realized how important a good pair was as I didn't have a spare. When we got back to the land of WM's I got a pair of their top of the line, rubber covered ones. I think they're the Tahiti model. They are excellent 7x50's and have a compass in them which I thought was just an added gimmick until I found out how handy they are for finding a mark and telling the helmsperson to steer on that bearing. Excellent optics, good feel to them and waterproof!10x50 and 7x50
We use 7x50s for general work, entering harbors, identifying other boats, etc. ESPECIALLY when there's some seas and the boat is yawing and pitching. Nothing makes your stomach start to turn/toss like looking through 10x50s when the waves are up! But, when we reach the anchorage or arrive at the harbor or when the seas are calm, we use the 10x50s.
We use 7x50s for general work, entering harbors, identifying other boats, etc. ESPECIALLY when there's some seas and the boat is yawing and pitching. Nothing makes your stomach start to turn/toss like looking through 10x50s when the waves are up! But, when we reach the anchorage or arrive at the harbor or when the seas are calm, we use the 10x50s.
Optics
Optical quality is the most important qualification as far as I’m concerned. I have the top Fujinon 7X50. They're heavy, but worth it. The weight makes them a little steadier as well. Alignment comes in a close second as a consideration. I retired a mediocre pare of Swift binoculars because each of my eyes were looking at a slightly different scene. Tends to give a person a headache!
Optical quality is the most important qualification as far as I’m concerned. I have the top Fujinon 7X50. They're heavy, but worth it. The weight makes them a little steadier as well. Alignment comes in a close second as a consideration. I retired a mediocre pare of Swift binoculars because each of my eyes were looking at a slightly different scene. Tends to give a person a headache!
Get a good solid binoc, with compass
We have a pair of 20 years old binoc by Fujinon, it is a Polaris 7x50, rubber coated with a compass. It is a bit heavy because of the large lens but it is very bright and clear. We liked it so much that about 5 years ago, we bought a 2nd one, also a Fujinon, and it was a Mariner 7x50, also with a compass. It is much lighter, and my wife likes it better. Sometimes, so do I. Other than the normal navigation uses, the compass is great especially when we are trying to point out a target to each other. Before having a binoc with a compass, we had to tell each other something like "look at the eagle on the 2nd tree to the right of that white house.... no, no, no, not the big white house, but the small one next to the yellow house..." Now, we just say something like "look at the eagle at 235 degrees" Best of all, when they get dirty, or get salt water on them, I just dunk them in water or hose them down. Nice & easy.
We have a pair of 20 years old binoc by Fujinon, it is a Polaris 7x50, rubber coated with a compass. It is a bit heavy because of the large lens but it is very bright and clear. We liked it so much that about 5 years ago, we bought a 2nd one, also a Fujinon, and it was a Mariner 7x50, also with a compass. It is much lighter, and my wife likes it better. Sometimes, so do I. Other than the normal navigation uses, the compass is great especially when we are trying to point out a target to each other. Before having a binoc with a compass, we had to tell each other something like "look at the eagle on the 2nd tree to the right of that white house.... no, no, no, not the big white house, but the small one next to the yellow house..." Now, we just say something like "look at the eagle at 235 degrees" Best of all, when they get dirty, or get salt water on them, I just dunk them in water or hose them down. Nice & easy.
Plain Jane
I bought a pair of "Plain Jane" 7x50's when I bought my first cruising boat in 1970. I don't have that boat anymore, but I still have the binoculars and love them, and use them, on my current boat.
I bought a pair of "Plain Jane" 7x50's when I bought my first cruising boat in 1970. I don't have that boat anymore, but I still have the binoculars and love them, and use them, on my current boat.
Binoculars come in handy on Trinkka
I bought a pair of 7 by 50 Steiner's years ago, that were on sale at Bliss Marine, for about $125.00. This should give you some idea about how old they are. Today, that same pair probably goes for about 4 times what I paid for mine. Outside of being a little on the heavy side, they have individual focus and the lenses allow enough light at dusk so that I can still view objects at great distances. If I ever decide to get another pair, I'd go for the same strength, with individual focus along with some kind of damping system to steady the lenses on a moving boat. Binoculars really come in hand for checking out buoy numbers, Boats, or Blue Fish breaking the water in the distance. I recommend them highly.
I bought a pair of 7 by 50 Steiner's years ago, that were on sale at Bliss Marine, for about $125.00. This should give you some idea about how old they are. Today, that same pair probably goes for about 4 times what I paid for mine. Outside of being a little on the heavy side, they have individual focus and the lenses allow enough light at dusk so that I can still view objects at great distances. If I ever decide to get another pair, I'd go for the same strength, with individual focus along with some kind of damping system to steady the lenses on a moving boat. Binoculars really come in hand for checking out buoy numbers, Boats, or Blue Fish breaking the water in the distance. I recommend them highly.
Camera Binocs
We have the Fujinon 7x50 Mariners with the compass built in and love them. Just this week we decided to order a pair of Meade's with a built in digital camera. We will see how that works out.
We have the Fujinon 7x50 Mariners with the compass built in and love them. Just this week we decided to order a pair of Meade's with a built in digital camera. We will see how that works out.
Stabilized Binoculars
While approaching a buoy undersail, how many of you have trouble keeping it in your binocular sights? I do, and have often wondered will stabilized binoculars REALLY solve that problem? DO THEY WORK? Other than price what are the pros and cons?
While approaching a buoy undersail, how many of you have trouble keeping it in your binocular sights? I do, and have often wondered will stabilized binoculars REALLY solve that problem? DO THEY WORK? Other than price what are the pros and cons?
Binocs...
Interesting discussion... Glad to see that most folks still rely on the 7X50 glasses for night work. I didn't notice anyone talking about low-light operations. Someone pointed that out to me many years ago and I was stunned by how I could read buoy numbers that were nearly invisible to the naked eye. Individual focus on glasses are a pain. Far easier to use center-focus. Setting up the glasses for the difference in your eyes is a one-time thing...until you discover that someone else has adjusted them for themselves. We carry several pairs on the boat, up to 10X50. That's the limit of what I can use on flat water, and they are not quite as bright at night. I'd like to see if someone has a good report on stabilized glasses. Not sure that I'd spend the bucks on a pair. Now, with GPS, I always know where I am (suuure I do) and I seldom use glasses to solve position questions. My favorite glasses are rubberized and nitrogen filled with a compass. Using the compass takes some care; you have to dampen out any motion and give it time to settle down. Anything that you can identify in glasses becomes an available LOP.
Interesting discussion... Glad to see that most folks still rely on the 7X50 glasses for night work. I didn't notice anyone talking about low-light operations. Someone pointed that out to me many years ago and I was stunned by how I could read buoy numbers that were nearly invisible to the naked eye. Individual focus on glasses are a pain. Far easier to use center-focus. Setting up the glasses for the difference in your eyes is a one-time thing...until you discover that someone else has adjusted them for themselves. We carry several pairs on the boat, up to 10X50. That's the limit of what I can use on flat water, and they are not quite as bright at night. I'd like to see if someone has a good report on stabilized glasses. Not sure that I'd spend the bucks on a pair. Now, with GPS, I always know where I am (suuure I do) and I seldom use glasses to solve position questions. My favorite glasses are rubberized and nitrogen filled with a compass. Using the compass takes some care; you have to dampen out any motion and give it time to settle down. Anything that you can identify in glasses becomes an available LOP.
ITS all about convenience.....
A small "CAMPERS" type BINOCs, cost $8.00 at WALMART are "GREAT"...easily carried, light, and inexpensive...2-3 sets on hand for the GUESTs too...with FREQUENT comments: "HEY LOOKIE HERE !!! or LOOKIE AT THAT !!! " One pair is a 10 X 21...focus is GREAT in day time viewing...OH WELL...just call me "PRACTICAL"
A small "CAMPERS" type BINOCs, cost $8.00 at WALMART are "GREAT"...easily carried, light, and inexpensive...2-3 sets on hand for the GUESTs too...with FREQUENT comments: "HEY LOOKIE HERE !!! or LOOKIE AT THAT !!! " One pair is a 10 X 21...focus is GREAT in day time viewing...OH WELL...just call me "PRACTICAL"
Binocular Service??
I too am glad to see that the 7x50 is still the basic stand by. My problem now I have nearly reached an age of near sanity....you never really get there!.... is that I have a number of pairs of differing specs but all need some service attention. Over more than 30 years they have had a rough life and now either are out of sync and give a double image (Not the result of imbibing a sailors favorite beverage but gives a similar headache!) or they are cloudy. I am reluctant to throw them away as each has given good service in the past...... Where does one get these things properly serviced??
I too am glad to see that the 7x50 is still the basic stand by. My problem now I have nearly reached an age of near sanity....you never really get there!.... is that I have a number of pairs of differing specs but all need some service attention. Over more than 30 years they have had a rough life and now either are out of sync and give a double image (Not the result of imbibing a sailors favorite beverage but gives a similar headache!) or they are cloudy. I am reluctant to throw them away as each has given good service in the past...... Where does one get these things properly serviced??
BristolianBoater
I purchased a pair of SUPER ZENITH ZOOM 7X-14X40 w/- a field of 5.2 degrees at 7X while in Saudi Arabia in the seventy's. They have proved to be a good all rounder whether studying navigational objects or more light hearted subjects ashore or afloat.
I purchased a pair of SUPER ZENITH ZOOM 7X-14X40 w/- a field of 5.2 degrees at 7X while in Saudi Arabia in the seventy's. They have proved to be a good all rounder whether studying navigational objects or more light hearted subjects ashore or afloat.
Canon 10x30 Stabilized
I have the Canon 10x30 stabilized and they are good, but the stabilization is not great. I use them to see buoy markers and they do work better when stabilization is used, but not much better than without. A friend of mine has the Fujinon 12x and they actually seem to capture the image and are much better stabilized. They are about twice the price of the Canon. If you are looking at stabilized binoculars, compare the two before buying - preferably while sailing. Quite a difference when you are moving in three directions instead of at a store on concrete.
I have the Canon 10x30 stabilized and they are good, but the stabilization is not great. I use them to see buoy markers and they do work better when stabilization is used, but not much better than without. A friend of mine has the Fujinon 12x and they actually seem to capture the image and are much better stabilized. They are about twice the price of the Canon. If you are looking at stabilized binoculars, compare the two before buying - preferably while sailing. Quite a difference when you are moving in three directions instead of at a store on concrete.
Binoculars aren't enough
Binoculars are necessary, but not sufficient, in my opinion. We recently got a laser rangefinder -- they're down under $200 including shipping -- and it fills a huge gap. The binoculars find a thing and identify it, but they don't answer, how far away is it? When anchoring, at least out here in the Pacific Northwest, this is a crucial question, where you need to know the answer with a precision of 10-20 feet. How far away is that other boat? When we swing, will we hit it? How far is that cliff? Can we swing into it? In crowded anchorages up here, especially in deep water where anchoring is limited, these are constant questions whose answers we prefer to determine proactively rather than with a mysterious thump in the night. My rangefinder: Nikon 400 (now replaced by the 440); they're usually sold by shops that cater to hunters. Binocs: Same Fujinon 7x50 with compass that a lot of folks on this thread are happily using.
Binoculars are necessary, but not sufficient, in my opinion. We recently got a laser rangefinder -- they're down under $200 including shipping -- and it fills a huge gap. The binoculars find a thing and identify it, but they don't answer, how far away is it? When anchoring, at least out here in the Pacific Northwest, this is a crucial question, where you need to know the answer with a precision of 10-20 feet. How far away is that other boat? When we swing, will we hit it? How far is that cliff? Can we swing into it? In crowded anchorages up here, especially in deep water where anchoring is limited, these are constant questions whose answers we prefer to determine proactively rather than with a mysterious thump in the night. My rangefinder: Nikon 400 (now replaced by the 440); they're usually sold by shops that cater to hunters. Binocs: Same Fujinon 7x50 with compass that a lot of folks on this thread are happily using.
Binoculars
I purchased the Nikon StabilEyes 12X which is identical to the Fujinon and am very happy with them. Not only does the stabilization work well, but the ability to hand hold 12X is great. There are some good buys on E-Bay.
I purchased the Nikon StabilEyes 12X which is identical to the Fujinon and am very happy with them. Not only does the stabilization work well, but the ability to hand hold 12X is great. There are some good buys on E-Bay.
- Status