The right Binoculars

Mike B1026 · Oct 7, 2010

You might also look at these. (Fujinon) The compass is nice. Although I do bay sailing and haven't used this feature much, other than to check on whether a barge and I might be on a collision course. I did some research and these seem to review well. I bought a previous "year" model and saved quite a bit.

http://www.binoculars.com/binoculars/marine-binoculars/7x50marinerwpcxlindividualfocuswcompass.cfm

Paul Mermelstein · Oct 7, 2010

I have the Bushnells w/compass. Good binoculars. Got a good deal at a boat show a couple of years ago. The optics are quite good. The compass is pretty accurate, if you need it. The advantage is that you can take a sight on a distant object just by looking thru the sights and glancing at the built in compass. I don't need to do it that often, but very convenient when you do need to do so.

Tom Spohn · Oct 7, 2010

The Fujinons get consistently the highest reviews. We have a pair and have been very pleased.

Joe · Oct 8, 2010

Good Idea said:
I finally decided to get a decent pair of binoculars. The Bushnell 7 X 50 marine appear to be a good buy but I wonder if the built in compass is really better than my hand held. My other option is the Steiner 7 X 50 marine which are about $100 more than the Bushnells, but without a compass. Would appreciate any feedback or advice based on your experiences. Thanks...

Reef early,

>>ron<<

I have binoculars with a built in compass and I have a hand held compass. I can get consistantly quicker and accurate readings with the handheld.... less so with the binocs.... it's the magnfication effect making it difficult to hold the the marker on the object long enough to get a precise reading. My handheld is the "arm's length" type and makes compensating for wave action (I sail in the ocean) easier than holding the glass against the eyes. Bottom line, if you already have a handheld that you're proficient with the binocular compass will not improve your accuracy. But, for bearings within 10 degrees accuracy you can't beat the convenience of the binocular compass.

For me, I wouldn't let it be the major decision factor. Get the best you can afford and a floating neckstrap.

Rich Stidger · Oct 8, 2010

I have a Fujiinon with compass that I bought 25 years ago. Very happy with it. It might be a bit on the heavy side but that can also make the unit easier to hold stable.

I bought the model with the compass because I wanted binoculars and a compass for bearings. I reasoned that a combined unit would do both.

I agree that a separate hockey-puck style compass is faster and easier to use, but I didn't want to buy a separate item.

I have found that the compass does present one problem in use. There is a window on the top of the compass housing that allows light to illuminate the compass scale. The brim of my hat (especially) or the bimini over my cockpit decreases or cuts off the light making the compass either hard to read or impossible. There is an auxiliary light accessory that is used for night use that I think would fix that problem. I should buy one.

dscribner · Oct 8, 2010

Cabela's website has gazillions of binocluars that you can filter and compare. We went there, the to LL Beans (45 minutes away), then back to Cabela's!

larryw · Oct 8, 2010

In over 40 years of boating, I've used the bincocular to look at bikinis more than I ever have for looking at bouys and such. An inexpensive pair of 7X50s has worked for my needs for years.

cb32863 · Oct 8, 2010

I got a pair of Weems & Plath individual focus 7x50's with illuminated compass for about $190.00. Used them last weekend going up the St. Louis river from Superior id'g buoys along the way. Work great. The Weems & Plath website has them listed for much more than that, I got a deal through my sailing school.

John Nantz · Oct 8, 2010

Like my 14 x 40 Techno-Stabi's

We carry two pair on board: a 7 x 50 Swarovski and a 14 x 40 Fuji Techno-Stabi.

The Swarovski's are really sharp and bright, and for boaters, they have been designed for rugged use. In fact, every unit of the model we have has been drop-tested at the factory. They aren't cheap but then if you want something that will last, these are the ones that you can pass on to your grandchildren and they will still be working good.
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=swarovski+binoculars&aq=0&aqi=g10&aql=&oq=swarovski+bi&gs_rfai=

The second pair we have is the Fuji Techno-Stabi. This is the older model with the hard drive powered by four AA batteries. The nice thing about these is the 14x magnification which is excellent for reading the name or vessel number of passing power boats so you can hail them if their intent is to pass close abeam, or hail them afterwards at 25 watts.

The 14x has been really handy at reading buoy numbers or signs at long distances.

The newer Techno-Stabi's are solid state and hence aren't as delicate and would be a better boating binocular.
http://www.kenrockwell.com/fuji/fujinon-14x40.htm

With regard to a built-in compass, this would be nice to have at times but it does drive up the cost and the complexity. Remember: "KISS". It's more stuff to go wrong and the breaking of a cheap compass on an expensive binocular, well.... it'd be a pain.

Compass recommendation: In one word it would be Suunto. Our survey crews have used Suunto (made in Finland) clinometers and compass's for years. These are liquid-filled and accurate, assuming there is no ferrous or magnetic items nearby. They have a magnifying eyepiece so you can read the card really easy. There may be something else out there like this but I haven't heard of it.

This link is to just one model - I'm not recommending this particular one but just providing an idea of what they have that might fit your needs.
http://www.opticsplanet.net/suunto-compasses-kb-14-anti-static-treatment.html

Hope this helps to provide some options.

Bill Roosa · Oct 8, 2010

The eye test

Go to west marine
Look through all the binos
You will notice that some have brighter images (better optics)
You will notice some have better eye relief (the black space around the image less is better)(if you wear glasses you should have them on and use the "roll down" feature on some of the units)
You will notice that the balance is better on some
Buy the ones that you like or note the brand and model and use the internet to get a good deal

My $.02 is buy binos with 7-10 power and as big a front lens (80+mm) as balance allows. you want no more than 10 power as the image gets bouncy at higher powers. You want a big front lens so you get better images after sunset. I am always amazed at what my 10X80s can pick out after dark. They make good astro binos too for when you are at anchor.

shemandr · Oct 8, 2010

If you are looking at bikinis wouldn't you want the best binox optics possible? There are places to skimp but .....

rpwillia · Oct 11, 2010

Goota Agree with Shermandr

shemandr said:
If you are looking at bikinis wouldn't you want the best binox optics possible? There are places to skimp but .....

Actually, I was at the Annapolis Boat Show last weekend and besides meeting up with Witzend did spend some time looking at binoculars. I looked at the West Marine brand models and the Bushnell as well as some crap knock offs (that were the same price).

The big difference was auto focus on the Bushnells. Was not sure if I really cared or liked one better over the other. Since they were the same price, I am still thinking.

letterman · Oct 11, 2010

It's all about magnification and light gathering. I bought two pairs of Simmons 10x50 a few years ago for $50 each, and I am sorry I didn't buy the whole case. I still look for them. The other 4 on my boat are all 8x50. I wouldn't go anywhere without the 10's. They let in a lot of light, are well balanced, and have Japanese lenses (the best). As an amateur astronomer, I'd tell you to get the largest end you can. 50 is good, 80 would be awesome (but heavy) and anything in between good. Magnification should not be less than 10, and adjustables like 10-40 or 10-20 or any other combination would work too. If I found a good pair of adjustable eyepiece bino's I will buy them. But still keep the Simmons.
The Captain of a ship i was on had a pair of Steiner 8x50's. He thought they were the best. One day i brought in my Simmons, which he scoffed at. One by one as the rest of the crew came into the wheelhouse we had them try out both pairs in daylight and night. AEveryone chose the Simmons as best, a purely unscientific test. They were clueless as to lens distortion or weight or filled anything. They just knew they could see better with the Simmons, on all aspects.

Deadhead · Oct 11, 2010

I got these Vanguards from binoculars.com a couple of years ago:

http://www.binoculars.com/binocular...swithinternalreticleilluminatorandcompass.cfm

I like the compass when I am looking for a buoy or other mark at a good distance.

I also bought a set of Nikon binoculars for hunting from the same site about 10 years ago. They had the best price then & now.

esterhazyinoz · Oct 11, 2010

I have just gone through the exercise of choosing a pair of binoculars. I wanted something suitable to use on my daysailer (water & fogproof, rugged, rubber armoured) but also something I could use for sports viewing as the Olympic sailing trials will be held here shortly (not too big or heavy). Need I mention that I am the frugal type and although would have loved a pair of Leica, Zeiss or other top, top of the line Euro optics, reality bites after a cost benefit analysis.
While checking out various online reviews I turned up a site that was quitting "last years models" of Minox binoculars. They have some great bargains right now on these very well thought of binoculars. No compass models but if you want good optical quality (full multi-coating, BAK-4 prisms, etc), I recommend that you check them out:
http://www.arizonahuntingtoday.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6184

SamLust · Oct 12, 2010

I have three pairs of Bushnells. I have a pair of Steiners. The Bushnells are fine and a great value. The Steiners were bad (mis-aligned) from the beginning and after two trips back so far are still no good. Go with the Bushnell.

I also stopped by the Knock-off Chinese outfit at the Annapolis show (near where Island Packet was. The lower lone stuff wasn't great, but the mid line stuff seemed OK to me. I didn't spend a lot of time there because with 5 pairs of usable binoculars I wasn't realy in the market.

kloudie1 · Oct 12, 2010

I do not recommend these: http://www.harborfreight.com/7-x-50-binoculars-65730.html
But the kids love them and I don't have to worry about them getting dropped/drowned. They were on sale for $10 when I bought them! (and they are almost useful!). I have an old pair of West Marine 7X50 (20 years old? probably Bushnells) ones that they sent out a discount coupon for many years ago. They were moving their computers or something and many orders got delayed. They sent the coupon to folks whose orders were quite late.. I think I'd ordered some sail slides or something .. I have another pair that are Sears ones from about 28 years ago.. They are "made in Japan" , probably Bushnell again, but I am not sure.. very good optics.. but not even available anymore. Those are 8 by 17 zoom and 50 mm ..
I have used the best ones and don't find the improvement in optics or the risk of damage sufficient for me to plop down $500-$1000 or so for the good ones.. Haven't gotten lost, nor mis-identified a buoy yet as a result of using the mid/lower end ones.

Dan Johnson · Oct 12, 2010

Bushnells...

I kept a Bushnell 7x35 Sportview wide angle with their "Insta-Focus" feature at the helm for quick and easy use. Very light and smaller than 7x50's. Now have a Bushnell 8x30 with the same features. Easy one hand use with a little more magnification. These are not "marinized" binocs.

But, for best night use, nothing will beat a 7x50 for light gathering with your night vision intact. Divide a binocular's larger number by the smaller one (the "power") and you'll get the effective image exit diameter (50mm / 7 = 7.14) which equates to the max avg dilated pupil diameter of 7mm, giving you the optimum light transmission to your retina for viewing at night.

Bill R -- now you know why those 10x80's work so well at night--hard to find bikinis out after dark, though...