Standard/Stabilized Binoculars

[Bob Miller]

I am considering a pair of 7 X 50 binoculars (Fujinon Poseidon or Tasco OS54), but before I buy, I would like to know if anyone has any experience with the Canon 10 X 30 stabilized binoculars or any words of wisdom?

 

[Don Alexander]

Canon Binocs

Hi Bob,I bought the Canon 10 x 30 binocs last year for use on board. At first they did not seem to offer much benifit over my Bushnell 7 x 50 bottles until it came to reading boat names etc, then the difference was marked in that the quality of optics, stabilisation and extra power were noticable.However there are snags:With power x 10 and only 30 mm objective lenses the inlet pupil is only 3mm. This means you must align the binocs VERY accurately with the pupil of the eye, wheras with 7 x 50s the inlet pupil is 7 mm and so the conventional binocs are much easier to use.Also I find the range of stabilisation is not sufficient when the boat is moving. Of course one tries to hold them steady but the picture holds for only about a second and then jumps to a new position. ie. the limits of stabilisation are overcome and so a new position is adopted. Whilst annoying they still give better results than 7 x 50s.I have not tried them at night.I really think they are intended for bird watching.Hope the above was comprehensible yo you.Kind Regards,Don

 

[Jay Hill]

Try Bushnell Compass Set

All rubber exterior, waterproof, and very managable. They don't slide no matter where you set them (so far) and are lighter than the Fujinons by A LOT (almost a pound.) I recently was on charter with a friend that owned Fujinons and he said he liked the Bushnells better. We had both on board for comparison.As mentioned about the stabilization of the 10X30, it's not perfect yet. Practical Sailor just evaluated. Don't remember the results, but I recommend you DO NOT jet the 10X30 for marine use unless your vessel is over 100' in length. Any vessel smaller does not allow the glasses to stay still enough for stabilization to be significantly helpful. Plus, they cost as much as an autopilot and new refridgeration put together. Need a new sail?

 

[Gordon Myers]

Tasco

I bought Tasco (top of line w/ compass) in 1994. Left them out in a rain storm with cover on, overnight in Oct. of 98. They got moisture inside. There is a life time warranty. Sent them back to be repaired, instead they sent me a new one. They up-graded them to the newer version OS-54's.I liked them before they were damaged, and I really like the new ones. I would buy Tasco again.

 

[Guest]

Canon 15X

I have the Canon 15X stabilized binocs. It's true that the stabilization does have its limits, but when the mechanism locks in and the image jumps onto your retina, the effect is truly startling. When I first started using them, I kept seeing sailboats on the horizon that never appeared to the naked eye. It turns out that they were seeing the images of boats sailing a parallel course via the refraction of light in the atmosphere. Very spooky but not very useful. Their cost is tough to justify, but the ability to spot marks from a great distance has kept us out of danger on a number of occasions. The optics are markedly superior to those on the 10Xs.Robert Pancza