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Old 07-10-2011, 07:59   #61
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Re: Time for New Binoculars - Any Recommendations ?

uh... you were thinking I'd SHARE???

phhhffft. they can get there own damn'd glass, or close their eye like I do ; -)

Since we have two bi sets aboard... I think I could get away with my own.
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Old 07-10-2011, 08:02   #62
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Re: Time for New Binoculars - Any Recommendations?

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I don't forbid the use of these disposable binoculars, although I've considered it, but I tell the students in advance not to ask to borrow my Zeiss field glasses when their Bushnells fail.
Keep your cotten-picking hands off my Steiner.
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Old 07-10-2011, 08:08   #63
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Re: Time for New Binoculars - Any Recommendations?

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Keep your cotten-picking hands off my Steiner.
absolutely. I keep a pair of Steiner Commander Vs on the boat, and they never come off the boat. The Zeiss Victory Compacts are strictly for field work.
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Old 07-10-2011, 11:39   #64
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Re: Time for New Binoculars - Any Recommendations ?

I was looking at these the other day - Silva Eterna night-vision binoculars:

Silva Eterna Navigator Binoculars, Chartwork, Navigation & Binoculars | Mailspeed Marine

I was wondering whether these are good value for money and whether it's worth the extra cash to get night vision?
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Old 07-10-2011, 16:46   #65
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The Silva Eternas seem like a good deal. I didn't know Silva made binoculars. Silva make some of the best handheld compasses for orienteering, backpacking, hiking, etc. They also work well as a back up compass for small boats. So the quality of their binoculars may be good too. I like the idea that they float. The price is really good, just $300 U.S. That's cheap for all the features listed.
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Old 08-10-2011, 14:09   #66
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Re: Time for New Binoculars - Any Recommendations?

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I bought a Fujinon with compass 8 years ago. Took good care of them and didn't leave them baking in the sun.

Two years ago something broke loose inside. I sent them back and they sent me a brand new pair.

The large eye relief on the exit apertures is great for using with sun glasses or regular glasses.

I wear glasses and have never looked through a pair of binoculars and seen the whole circle. Never. Only a portion of the center. Yes, I know to fold down the cups.

Could it be that there is a pair that will work?
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Old 08-10-2011, 14:38   #67
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Re: Time for New Binoculars - Any Recommendations ?

Some of the more expensive ones have diopter adjustment on the eyepieces (+/- 3 diopters) so you can use them without glasses on, provided your eyes are not too bad.
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Old 08-10-2011, 15:02   #68
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Re: Time for New Binoculars - Any Recommendations ?

When I decided it was time to buy quality I was told to never look through glass you can't afford. I did not think much about it till I looked through a pair of Steiner Commanders. Wow I could not hand over the cash fast enough!
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Old 08-10-2011, 16:38   #69
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As has been said many times before "You get what you pay for." Cheaper products do not perform as well and have to be replaced more frequently. But if you are out at sea, miles from land, can you afford to have vital equipment fail at the most critical time. NO! NO! NO! So spend a bit more and buy something of descent quality. It's worth it.
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Old 08-10-2011, 17:20   #70
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Re: Time for New Binoculars - Any Recommendations ?

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I wear glasses and have never looked through a pair of binoculars and seen the whole circle. Never. Only a portion of the center. Yes, I know to fold down the cups.


Could it be that there is a pair that will work?
Yes, I agree, I have yet to find a real so called "you can use these with specs on" pair of binoculars

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Some of the more expensive ones have diopter adjustment on the eyepieces (+/- 3 diopters) so you can use them without glasses on, provided your eyes are not too bad.
Hmm...don't they all have this feature (even the cheapos); usually on the LHS eye piece.

Edit: opps, that should be RHS not LHS
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Old 08-10-2011, 17:28   #71
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Re: Time for New Binoculars - Any Recommendations ?

Its called eye relief and some are better than others. It should be listed in the specs of the binoculars and I believe that the longer the eye relief is the better it is for those of us who wear glasses. But again, it is all in the testing. If you can, take the binoculars outside when you are testing them and look at something very far away. Stars are best
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Old 08-10-2011, 17:51   #72
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Re: Time for New Binoculars - Any Recommendations ?

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Its called eye relief and some are better than others. It should be listed in the specs of the binoculars and I believe that the longer the eye relief is the better it is for those of us who wear glasses. But again, it is all in the testing. If you can, take the binoculars outside when you are testing them and look at something very far away. Stars are best

Yep.

Last years boat show in Miami.

Looked through lots.

Never saw more than about half. Like looking at a target and having the outer ring not there. Look at the Target store logo to get an idea. Target: Baby, Bedding, Furniture, Electronics, Clothing, ...
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Old 08-10-2011, 21:25   #73
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The adjustment you speak of is for compensating for the difference between the focus distance for each of your eyes. Everyone has a slight difference in their eyes. If you don't already know how to use this feature then you are not getting the best performance from your binoculars. Once they are properly calibrated for your eyes you will see a much clearer image. Without having to go into a long winded spiel here, I ask you to Google "How to focus binoculars" for a full explanation on how it is done. It should also be explained in the owners manual, if you still have it.

For eyeglass wearers, look for binoculars with long eye relief, low magnification (8x or less) and large objective lenses for best results. Don't buy binoculars with variable magnification, a.k.a. "zoom". Fixed magnification gives better results, even with the upscale brands.

Other factors which affect image quality are:
Having a tough, precision made body that holds all the lens elements securely in place and precisely aligned,
Using high quality, low distortion lens elements,
Being sealed,purged and nitrogen filled to prevent internal condensation and fogging,
Having a scratch resistant anti-glare coating on the outside lens elements.
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Old 09-10-2011, 03:39   #74
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Re: Time for New Binoculars - Any Recommendations ?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Knottysailorboy View Post
Some of the more expensive ones have diopter adjustment on the eyepieces (+/- 3 diopters) so you can use them without glasses on, provided your eyes are not too bad.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Wotname View Post
............
Hmm...don't they all have this feature (even the cheapos); usually on the LHS eye piece.

Edit: opps, that should be RHS not LHS
Quote:
Originally Posted by Knottysailorboy View Post
The adjustment you speak of is for compensating for the difference between the focus distance for each of your eyes. Everyone has a slight difference in their eyes. .........
OK I am sure we are saying the same here, just in different ways .
My point is that almost all binoculars and not just some expensive ones have adjustment for near / far sightedness so that unless one needs spectacles for other reasons (eg astigmatism), then almost all can be used by spectacle wearers providing they are happy to remove their glasses each time they use the binoculars.

Therapy (and I) makes the point that the so called long eye relief models rarely seem to be "long enough". While I am sure some exist, the dozens of units I have tried, have never allowed a full field of view while wearing my glasses.

I would be interested to hear from anyone who has actually owned (or used) say a pair of 7 x 50's that give sufficient eye relief so one gets a full field of view when using them in conjunction with spectacles (or sunglasses).
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Old 09-10-2011, 04:14   #75
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Re: Time for New Binoculars - Any Recommendations ?

I love powerful, fixed focus.
Avoid cheapie, in both binoculars and gun scopes. You'll regret the purchase even if the bargain is an epic low price.

Like jumper cables, ya can't pay too much for Binoculars..
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