Association Forum - Best Binoculars forthe buck?

Assn Members Area · Join

Home.

Association Forum

Ships Store

Cruising

Racing

Technical Tips

Photo Gallery - New

Boat Search - Updated

Manuals & Brochures

Swap Meet

Links

Officer Flag Line & Staff

Bylaws & Constitution

Members Area

Join the Association

Notice:
The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.

Association Forum

Username:	Password:
Save Password
Forgot your Password?

All Forums

Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

Best Binoculars forthe buck?

New Topic

Topic Locked

Printer Friendly

Author

Topic

Jeff McK
Captain

Member Avatar

USA
389 Posts

Initially Posted - 09/29/2004 : 13:02:29

With the end of the season approaching it seems many vendors are having reduced pricing on lots of stuff. I'm in the market for a good set of <i>waterproof</i> binoculars in the 7X50 size. I tried the forum search engine but couldn't find anything useful. IMHO the internet searches aren't very helpful but I may have looked in the wrong places.

Models with compass and rangefinders are in the running, but I am more concerned with the optics, water resistance and overall value.

Thanks

Jeff McK
Formerly Event Horizon (sold)
C250 WK #805

Edited by - on

ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

3072 Posts

Response Posted - 09/29/2004 : 13:56:20

I'm very pleased with my Fujinon WPC-XL's... (7X50 with compass). Sailnet had a very good price on them early in the spring... however, it looks like they've gone up quite a bit since then.

In general, I think Fujinon is pretty well regarded as a maker of marine binoculars.

Edited by - on

pierrem
1st Mate

Members Avatar

64 Posts

Response Posted - 09/29/2004 : 14:48:06

I have also heard about Fujinon. I have steiner commander with compass.

If I dont lose them...I have a floating strap...they will probably be passed on to my son. IN my mind some things are worth the money...other things...no way.

Pierre

Edited by - on

nate
Navigator

Members Avatar

240 Posts

Response Posted - 09/29/2004 : 17:14:14

I also have the Fijinon w/ compass. Got them on sale at Sailnet a couple years ago.....for a good price. Only problem with Sailnet is when things go on backorder it can be a while before you have them in your hot little hands. One other minor point....the Fujinon binocs I purchased did not come with a case. I thought that was a little "chippy" since they were otherwise very nice. I bought a little padded lunchbox at Target for five buck that fits the binocs and my GPS perfect. It's really nice when I take them on Bareboat trips.

Edited by - on

Bubba
Admiral

Members Avatar

USA
542 Posts

Response Posted - 09/29/2004 : 20:31:31

Jeff, if you figure out what you want, I'd suggest checking prices at the Annapolis boat show. There should be several vendors with binoculars and some of them are willing to deal.

Edited by - on

MattL
Admiral

Members Avatar

USA
990 Posts

Response Posted - 09/30/2004 : 02:44:24

I got an old pair of Carl Zeiss/Jena field artillery binocs my uncle got in Germany during WWII, GREAT optics 6 X 30. Also picked up an old navy 7 X 50, that weigh a ton. $25 at a flea market.

Edited by - on

thacket3
Navigator

Members Avatar

USA
101 Posts

Response Posted - 09/30/2004 : 09:28:30

Another GREAT place to look is www.overstock.com they have all sorts of fun toys a gadgets. Plus the shipping is about $3.00 on entire order.

Edited by - on

Ed Montague
Captain

Members Avatar

USA
499 Posts

Response Posted - 09/30/2004 : 12:53:13

Another source you might try is your local pawn shop. I picked up a nice older pair of binoculars a few years ago at one in my area.

I bought a pair at a photography store two years ago with a variable zoom from 7X to 11X. Be careful with these if you find them. The focal length at the higher power is very narrow and therefore very hard to focus. I seldom use it at over 9X.

Edited by - on

JimB517
Past Commodore

Members Avatar

USA
3285 Posts

Response Posted - 09/30/2004 : 13:16:30

I have the West Marine brand 7x50 waterproof, nitrogen filled, binocs. Cost $150. These are now in use on their 3rd boat. Use them practically every time out!

Edited by - on

Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
2980 Posts

Response Posted - 09/30/2004 : 17:34:01

I have the Tasco Offshore (Rubicon Series) with multi coated lens. The optics are great but I'm not impressed with the compass do to the problem of holding the compass in view. The compass itself works fine but a very slight shift of position will lose its view.

Has any one else noted this on a Tasco binoc...or any other brand?

Edited by - on

Jeff McK
Captain

Members Avatar

USA
389 Posts

Response Posted - 10/04/2004 : 09:53:45

Wrap-up time: I called a bunch of vendors in the area for pricing & boat show discounts. I settled on a pair of Bushnell 7 X 50s w/compass & range reticle for $155 at Binoculars.com. (List price $215)This model came highly recommended from several local folks. Waterproof, armored, floats (got a flotation strap anyway), free shipping if you don't mind waiting a few days. Excellent clarity & sharpness. PLUS, the Bushnell folks have a FREE giveaway on a nice rolling duffel bag (download the coupon from their website) until the end of the year.

Thanks to all for the info & advice.

Edited by - on

jmorrical
1st Mate

Members Avatar

USA
87 Posts

Response Posted - 10/09/2004 : 01:38:01

Arlyn,

I have the Tasco Offshore (Rubicon Series) too. The optics are great as you said. The compass is a bit hard to find and to hold in view sometimes , but it is stable. What is more maddening to me is that the range finder is set to the horizon/vertical only when the lenses set is fully closed. My eyes are wider set than that. When I view with the binoculars set to accommodate the distance between my eyes this causing the range finder to be angled 20-30* from horizon/vertical. So, when viewing with the set opened about 2/3-3/4 for my eyes I have to tilt my head to line up for ranging estimate. Not the best.

Edited by - on

Topic

New Topic

Topic Locked

Printer Friendly

Jump To:

Association Forum

Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.