Binoculars?

[IStream]

The Minox BN 7x50 DC is really functional for marine use.

- waterproof

- Digital compass

- timer display (great at night for viewing nav marks and timing light sequences)

- barometer display (with trend graph)

- temp display

Amazon $749

image.jpeg

These look really nice but, call me a Luddite, I don't like batteries in my optics.

 

[JonnyMo]

Sledracr,

If you are looking for something different, try the Fujinon Techno-Stabi 14x40 binoculars. They use image stabilizing gyro's, and they are waterproof. The image stabilizing really works, and needed with 14x power. They are great for racing as you can pick out a small buoy or mark from so much further out. Needs 4 AAA batteries for the gyro's.

They are way out of your price range, $1,299 at various online shops. But, they really work on a bouncing boat.

I think the optics are top notch, no obvious distortions, but I don't have Zeiss to compare. Even then, I think atmospheric effects hurt the image more. For instance, I just looked at the Space Needle from my houseboat, I can easily count the 3 workers on the top and see what color their rain gear is (yellow, orange and black). But the atmospheric distortion is significant. Heat haze or shimmer is pronounced, even on a cool and cloudy 64 degree day.

The Nikon stabilized are virtually identical. Great for looking long when you need to, but I wouldn't use them as primary glasses. Not bright enough and too kludgy.

I would have to hide them or my friends would drain the batteries instantly and they would inevitably be dead when you wanted to use them. .

Ishmael,

I agree that the Nikon stabilized are virtually identical; they are made by Fujinon and branded by Nikon. But I was lucky and purchased the Fujinon's with a discount.

When I brought these onboard for racing, they instantly became to go to binoculars. Even on a big boat, the wave action in significant, but the gyro's keep the image shockingly stable. They are big and heavy, but you aren't climbing a mountain with them. You are fucking sailing. And you want to see that fucking mark and you want to see what tack your fucking competition is on, all the way across the Strait.

 

[silent bob]

Stiener Commanders 7 x 50 without question.

You guys suck ;-)Called around to a few friends, they all said some flavor of "might as well buy the commanders now, you're going to want them eventually and everything else you buy along the way is a waste of money".So.... placed the order. Found them online (B&H) for "only" $1150, so I can comfort myself that I only spent twice my budget.

Thinking of getting a pair myself, but haven't decided about the compass. Is it the consensus that the compass is worth getting?

It's better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it!

 

[Mr. Fixit's brother Mr. Fixit]

I picked up the fujinon 7x50 rubberized with compass on ebay for under 200. Very pleased.

 

[Grande Mastere Dreade]

Stiener Commanders 7 x 50 without question.

You guys suck ;-)Called around to a few friends, they all said some flavor of "might as well buy the commanders now, you're going to want them eventually and everything else you buy along the way is a waste of money".So.... placed the order. Found them online (B&H) for "only" $1150, so I can comfort myself that I only spent twice my budget.

Thinking of getting a pair myself, but haven't decided about the compass. Is it the consensus that the compass is worth getting?

please note that not all binocular compasses will work in the southern hemi..

if you want a light / inexpensive leave in the cockpit glasses , I highly recommend the Leupold 6x30 Yosemite, they're less than $100, easy to handle and they're highly rated

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...0_bx_1_yosemite_binocular.html#customerReview

 

[Ron Swanson]

When I was in the market, I asked myself how many times in my life do I want to buy binoculars?

This seemed to be the answer: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/206782-USA/Fujinon_7107507_7x50_FMTR_SX_Polaris_Binocular.html

Heavy, but a joy to use. Oddly bright. I got the pair with the compass thinking at least it would be a backup. But to do it over, I'd pass on the compass as my Vion hockey puck is better for bearings.

No experience with the high end Steiners, so I can't compare.

 

[WHK]

I'm in the market for a decent set of binoculars. I have the cheap West Marine 7x50s on the boat... for basic stuff they are barely ok but I think that image stabilization is needed when we're looking for a distant mark or trying to read sail numbers. I did a search but could not find any image stabilized binocs with a compass. I have a Weems & Plath hockey puck compass we use to call bearings while racing. Most of the use is day time but I do a few distance races where these would be handy at night.

1. Do image stabilized binocs with a compass exist?

2. If not, do some folks keep two pairs - image stabilized w/o compass, traditional binocs with compass.

3. Is there a technique to get an accurate bearing with image stabilized binocs?

Looking for recommendations on what I should consider.

 

[Ross]

Gimme the run down the Steiner Navigator Pro's. I'm looking at the 7 x 50's. I've read conflicting answers as to whether or not they have image stabilization, or fluid dampened?

 

[sledracr]

No, the Steiners are not stabilized.

 

[UNCIVILIZED]

Gimme the run down the Steiner Navigator Pro's. I'm looking at the 7 x 50's. I've read conflicting answers as to whether or not they have image stabilization, or fluid dampened?

How are you defining fluid dampened in terms of rate of swing? Since one man/manufacturer's too fast is another's just right. Or is there a set standard?

 

[Ross]

Finally got my Steiner nav pro's. Hot damn are they fantastic! Glad I went the extra mile vs WM brand. Crystal clear. I'm excited for their warranty and their lifetime of use they'll receive.

 

[Robin]

I have a very old pair (late 1980s or early 90s) of Steiner Commander RS 2000 (7x50) (military--ugly green) with compass that were so beaten up (used and abused for more than 20 years on various race boats) that my crew actually bought me a new pair of sailing binoculars and I put the Steiner's aside. I recently sent them back to the factory to see if they could be refurbished and requested a quote. About 8 weeks later a completely refurbished pair appeared on my doorstep, free of charge. They are like new and I do mean like new. All of the optics are great and the compass is working, etc. There is real value in a company like that. Consider finding a pair on ebay if you do not want to purchase new.

Robin

 

[Varan]

I have a very old pair (late 1980s or early 90s) of Steiner Commander RS 2000 (7x50) (military--ugly green) with compass that were so beaten up (used and abused for more than 20 years on various race boats) that my crew actually bought me a new pair of sailing binoculars and I put the Steiner's aside. I recently sent them back to the factory to see if they could be refurbished and requested a quote. About 8 weeks later a completely refurbished pair appeared on my doorstep, free of charge. They are like new and I do mean like new. All of the optics are great and the compass is working, etc. There is real value in a company like that. Consider finding a pair on ebay if you do not want to purchase new.Robin

yep, they are the best.