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redeye
Master Marine Consultant

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3478 Posts
Initially Posted - 12/10/2014 :  06:39:52  Show Profile
I'm leaning toward the NIKON Action EX Extreme 7 x 50 Waterproof Binoculars at $160 ( West Marine )

Magn. x Objective Lens Dia.: 7 x 50
Focus: Center
Waterproof: Yes
Prism Type: BAK-4 Eco-Glass
Light Transmission Efficiency: 85%
Field of View @1000yds: 420'
Eye Relief: 17.1mm
Compass: No
Rangefinder Reticle: No
Weight: 46.7oz.
Warranty: 25 years limited

I've looked at the WEST MARINE Aruba 7 x 50 Compact Waterproof Binoculars many times for $179 on sale

Magn. x Objective Lens Dia.: 7 x 50
Focus: Internal center
Waterproof: Yes
Prism Type: BAK-4 Porro
Light Transmission Efficiency: >88%
Field of View @1000yds: 342'
Eye Relief: 27.4mm
Compass: No
Rangefinder Reticle: No
Weight: 29oz.
Warranty: Limited lifetime


I think I like the ~ 78 increase angle of view in Nikons... Also sounds like the glass is better ( transmission ) in the Nikon given the lower weight???



Whattadythink???? Any others you might suggest..
Edited by - redeye on 12/10/2014 06:41:38

islander
Master Marine Consultant

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4035 Posts
Response Posted - 12/10/2014 :  07:41:34  Show Profile
$139.95 and free shipping at B&H http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/319410-USA/Nikon_7239_7x50_Action_EX_Extreme.html
At 7x50 image stabilization would be nice.
Edited by - islander on 12/10/2014 07:44:19
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redeye
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3478 Posts
Response Posted - 12/10/2014 :  07:53:22  Show Profile
Yepper... B&H has been the evil empire photo shop for me for years.. Scared to buy there cause it puts my local camera shops out of business..

But.. Ya can't beat them, they have always been a really great company.
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redeye
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3478 Posts
Response Posted - 12/10/2014 :  07:55:53  Show Profile
<< At 7x50 image stabilization would be nice. >>

Good point.. the image stab is in my relatively inexpensive video camera already..it would be nice to see it at a decent price in binocs...

Might be worth waiting for ...
Edited by - redeye on 12/10/2014 07:56:46
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islander
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4035 Posts
Response Posted - 12/10/2014 :  08:09:48  Show Profile
Yep, Their pricing is very competative. I just hate WM. Only go there if I need somthing right away and am willing to pay their high prices. Found this also from B&H, Might get a free tote bag also. Worth a try.
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Davy J
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1511 Posts
Response Posted - 12/10/2014 :  08:19:54  Show Profile
Is the larger field of view (420') a good thing or a bad thing?

It seems most of the other models have less than 400', even the super expensive models.

I just picked up a second pair of WM Huahine 7x50, not waterproof, but they were on sale for 69.00. My original pair has to be well over ten years old.
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Stinkpotter
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Djibouti
9089 Posts
Response Posted - 12/10/2014 :  10:57:45  Show Profile
I really like my WM Aruba binocs--pretty much the same specs, but 29 oz. Weight matters to us old farts. And the light transmission rating is a little better than the Nikon. That only matters for night vision. Field of view seems comfortable with the Arubas, but weight easily decided it for me.

Image stability is a lot easier to add to a digital camera (just a programming change) than to an optical device like binoculars.

Also check the Nikon Action model at Defender.
Edited by - Stinkpotter on 12/10/2014 11:08:21
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dasreboot
Admiral

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804 Posts
Response Posted - 12/10/2014 :  11:12:54  Show Profile  Visit dasreboot's Homepage
as i understand it, image stab. in binocs is done by a computer controlled rotating prism.
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redeye
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3478 Posts
Response Posted - 12/10/2014 :  11:21:25  Show Profile
Woops.. You are right stinkpotter.. I was thinking the Nikon was the lighter pair... Meaning the West Marine probably has better glass ( or at least less of it )

I prefer the wider field of view, easier to obtain/maintain a target.

Especially for the plane/bird watching, which is what I do most..
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Stinkpotter
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Djibouti
9089 Posts
Response Posted - 12/10/2014 :  11:28:53  Show Profile
quote:
Originally posted by dasreboot

as i understand it, image stab. in binocs is done by a computer controlled rotating prism.
No doubt... In a digital camera, I believe it's done by just moving pixels--no mechanics needed.
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redeye
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Response Posted - 12/10/2014 :  11:31:27  Show Profile
<< I just hate WM >>

Pretty Funny... and yet for me it is pretty much the only game in town.

Another Evil Empire..
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Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts
Response Posted - 12/10/2014 :  18:35:07  Show Profile
The FOV is basically a trade off with eye relief. Go for the wider field of view if you don't wear glasses. Personally, I wouldn't trade my 40 oz. Tahiti for anything within $500 of the price. Weight is good for stability and only becomes a problem if you are carrying them or using them for long stents. To look, identify, maybe take a bearing and put them down is pretty easy. For carrying and watching for longer periods, my wife"s Aruba is definitely preferred. The eye relief is sweet for my glasses. Both of the WM's have a little pin cushion distortion at the extreme edges, maybe the outer 10% of the FOV, but so do my Nikons to a slightly lesser degree. My waterproof Orions are flat across the field, have >96% light transmission and deep eye relief, but I expect that with their narrower FOV and being from a primarily astronomical telescope company. We returned her first pair of Aruba because the focus was extremely stiff. The replacement was better, but still stiffer than any of our other binoculars. Yes, we do have 6 sets from four manufacturers for different purposes.
Edited by - Dave5041 on 12/10/2014 18:36:51
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Stinkpotter
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Djibouti
9089 Posts
Response Posted - 12/10/2014 :  18:52:18  Show Profile
All useful information. I can only say that, for me, the Arubas (on sale then and right now) were an amazing find for bright, sharp, compact, lightweight, waterproof, lifetime-warranteed binocs. I recommend handling them at a WM store.
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awetmore
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1144 Posts
Response Posted - 12/10/2014 :  20:13:37  Show Profile
I have experience with both of these options. I use the Aruba on my boat and two friends use a similar Nikon pair on their boats (they have the OceanPro 7x50).

Both are nice glasses.

I think that the Nikon has a little better clarity and build quality. My Aruba has one eyecup that has gotten sloppy, the eyecup is made of soft plastic that keys around three small bolts and the soft plastic gets beat up. We use the retracting eye cups often because my wife uses the binoculars with her glasses on, and I remove my glasses to use them.

The West Marine comes with a nice soft case.

The compass in their Nikon glasses is nice for triangulating locations. You can also get this as a feature in the West Marine glasses.

I don't think you can go too wrong with either, but the Nikon are a little nicer.
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Stinkpotter
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Djibouti
9089 Posts
Response Posted - 12/10/2014 :  20:32:55  Show Profile
quote:
Originally posted by awetmore

I have experience with both of these options... I don't think you can go too wrong with either, but the Nikon are a little nicer.
...and heavier and larger. But I admit--my Arubas get what is probably relatively light use. I just like them better than the big guys. YMMV.
Edited by - Stinkpotter on 12/10/2014 20:34:28
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redeye
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3478 Posts
Response Posted - 12/11/2014 :  09:19:14  Show Profile
Thank you very much for the input.. Now I'm thinkin whatever I buy the real addition will be a slot to keep them in so whatever weight they are they don't crash down when I lay the boat over.
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dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts
Response Posted - 12/11/2014 :  10:15:32  Show Profile
I've got the West Marine Huahine 7x50 binoculars and like them very much. Plenty for lake sailing, and currently $89.99:
http://www.westmarine.com/buy/west-marine--huahine-7-x-50-binoculars--14361281?cm_mmc=PS-_-MSN-_-Shopping%20PLAs-_-14361281&device={Device}
Okay, as mentioned above, and in the the ad, they are not waterproof, but how often do you loose binoculars overboard while lake sailing?

I also have Nikon Action 10x50 binoculars that the admiral gave me for Christmas one year. Sweet binoculars, nice rubber casing and good FOV, but a little harder to use on a bobbing boat. Both come with a nice soft case and neck strap.

West Marine does have a waterproof pair of binoculars similar to the Huahine, called the Raiatea, currently on sale for $99.99:
http://www.westmarine.com/buy/west-marine--raiatea-7-x-50-binoculars--14361240
Might be worth a look, and definitely worth the extra $10 over the Huahine to get waterproof.
Edited by - dmpilc on 12/11/2014 10:38:28
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redeye
Master Marine Consultant

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3478 Posts
Response Posted - 12/11/2014 :  11:49:11  Show Profile
99.99 looks very good
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Davy J
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1511 Posts
Response Posted - 12/11/2014 :  13:08:51  Show Profile
Well dang it, since clicking on this thread, I now find myself wanting the WM Antigua, waterproof, 30oz, built in compass, with range finder reticle. On sale for $ 189.99. Thanks fellas.....
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Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9089 Posts
Response Posted - 12/11/2014 :  13:37:46  Show Profile
quote:
Originally posted by Davy J

Well dang it, since clicking on this thread, I now find myself wanting the WM Antigua, waterproof, 30oz, built in compass, with range finder reticle. On sale for $ 189.99. Thanks fellas.....
That's the Aruba with additional toys. Good opportunity on the price. I think you'll like 'em--especially if you have a deck gun--you can figure the range!
Edited by - Stinkpotter on 12/11/2014 13:39:10
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dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts
Response Posted - 12/11/2014 :  19:23:03  Show Profile
Have fun, Davy J, you guys are way outside my budget. LOL
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britinusa
Web Editor

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USA
5404 Posts
Response Posted - 12/11/2014 :  19:33:30  Show Profile  Visit britinusa's Homepage
One thing that I wish they would include in the binocs with compass & range markers is to have them vertical no matter what width (eye separation) the binocs are set to.

Paul
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redeye
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3478 Posts
Response Posted - 12/12/2014 :  05:13:05  Show Profile
Darn it.. Now I want a deck gun
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Ape-X
Admiral

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USA
662 Posts
Response Posted - 12/12/2014 :  07:22:34  Show Profile
http://www.pocketartillery.com/
Better yet, Naval Cannon
http://www.minicannontech.com/naval-cannon.html
Edited by - Ape-X on 12/12/2014 07:27:30
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dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts
Response Posted - 12/12/2014 :  10:43:59  Show Profile
...pocketartillery demo... that's a waste of a perfectly good Corona!!
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OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts
Response Posted - 12/12/2014 :  11:07:22  Show Profile
There otta be rules against discussing these kinds of toys during the holidays . . .


http://www.universalmania.net/nikon-oceanpro-7x50-with-compass-binoculars/
Edited by - OJ on 12/12/2014 11:23:50
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