Recommendations for the Best Binoculars for Offshore Sailing?

[David Mathis]

Some have recommended spending an astronomical amount of money for astronomy binoculars. Little, of any difference is noticed between the $250.00 binoculars and the ones costing several times that amount. (Although those spending $700-$1,500 will make incredible claims as to the capability) We always keep a couple sets, an economical one for the kids and the guests who occasionally drop them, and a good 10x50 set for the helm. For rough conditions, 7X50s are probably better as the movement isn't amplified as much. The 10X50s allow the moons on Jupiter to be seen, a nice addition if you want to entertain the guests while at anchor during calm evenings.

[Jackpmyers1948]

Has anyone used binoculars with a camera built in?

[Juggerknot]

Originally Posted by Smrgrubbs

My husband has been using the same binoculars for about 30 years. I want to get him new ones for Christmas but have no idea what are the best out there. I would love any suggestions. He does a fair amount of offshore sailing (so good ones for night would be great) , as well as our usual day sails around the Bay.
Thanks in advance for any ideas!

Buy him a set of Fujinon FMT-SX 7x50's, last bino he'll ever need.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...Binocular.html

[capn ken]

Originally Posted by BobMillington

If your looking for a pair that won’t break the bank and is of high quality, the Steiner set below is great for daytime use.

We love ours.

Steiner Navigator Pro 7x50 Binoculars with Compass https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IWZK5XC..._.hL0Fb83CXVRB

Bob
SvWorkLife Balance

I love my steiners as well .

[barnakiel]

We have Nikon's and these are spectacular value.


However, for Christmas I would ask for stabilised ones (e.g. Canon or Fujinon).


barnakiel

[Boatsitters]

Originally Posted by BobMillington

If your looking for a pair that won’t break the bank and is of high quality, the Steiner set below is great for daytime use.

We love ours.

Steiner Navigator Pro 7x50 Binoculars with Compass https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IWZK5XC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glc_fabc_.hL0Fb83CXVRB

Bob
SvWorkLife Balance

We have had a set of the Steiner Navigator Pro since 2007,
Compass light failed, we sent them to the Australian agent.
Who sent them on to Germany they were returned like new.
Via airfreight at no charge within weeks..

[Woodland Hills]

A few months ago I dropped my Fujunon 14x40 stabilized binoculars and knocked the optics out of alignment. They were a pair I bought used on Craigslist for a good price a year earlier and while beat-up looking, were working great before I got careless.

I sent them to Baker Marine in San Diego who sent them on to Japan. 8 weeks and $400 later and I have a brand new pair of glasses. They replaced the optics and stabilizer mechanism and eyepieces and cleaned everything so well that the used pair is indistinguishable from the new pair I bought the Admiral for her birthday.

Bottom line is that besides making the best stabilized binoculars, Fujinon also has great service at reasonable prices. It would have been great to not be charged for the repair, but since I was not the original owner and the fault was due to my actions (they didn’t fail: I broke them), I’m happy.

[chasfgr]

Mid-range binos are best on boats - a fairly small field of vision and limited magnification.
The cheapest are little inferior to the best, so cash value doesn't give gignificant benefits, except for bragging rights.
I bought a pair of Fujinon Mariner, 35 years ago and despite ducking and significant bumps they're still good to go.
I note the price has increased x10 though.
I did have some cheap Russian ones - superb optics, but can't stand shipboard life, the prisms misalign.
Forget ones with inbuilt compasses - they're IMHO a source of constant irritation and only of use on a stable platform.

[Bruce K]

I have a number of binos, Leica, Nikon, etc. But once you try stabilised binos, you'll not bother to get the others out. I have a pair of Canon 10x42 IS WP, stabilised ond waterproof,(the instruction say to wash them in a bucket of water) also a really small pair if Fujinon TechnoStabi 12x28, very light, but not so good at night.

[Kit_L]

Like many here, I regard my Fujinon 7 x 50s as the most important bit of safety gear aboard our boat. This was amply experienced many times during our recent passage from Brisbane to Greenwell Point, with a number of all-night passages. I have the Fujinon 7X50 WP-XL Mariner Binoculars, so not the more expensive Polaris ones (and they are not stocked by the company I bought from, so hearing about them here for the first time).

I have an old pair of Zeiss 7 x 32s, and the difference the larger objectives of the Fujinons make to detail at dusk and at night is huge. I wish they made 7 x 60s!

@Bruce, I really would love a pair of those Canons, but the Admiral would object strenuously. I do note that for Australian members, George's Camera do have them in stock and at a very good price.

[Simi 60]

Had a set of Tasco infocus 7x50 self focusing binos that served me well for 20+ years across several vessels
Still have them but they have definitely seen better days after multiple swims and thrown across cabins.

Replaced with a set of these yellow, waterproof, nitrogen filled, floating bak4 prism version of the same for $120

Great bit of gear and won't break the bank if dropped, swum or lost overboard
Good enough for the CG and lifesavers, good enough for me.

https://www.ebay.com.au/p/624495127

[Kerryf]

I got a set of Canon IS II 10X30. Stabilized for $550. They are great. The stabilization is essential for any kind of boat. Built in compass....not so much any more.

[barnakiel]

Originally Posted by Kerryf

I got a set of Canon IS II 10X30. Stabilized for $550. They are great. The stabilization is essential for any kind of boat. Built in compass....not so much any more.

+1!


I share this opinion. Plain marine 7x50 are fine on a cargo ship.


Image stabilised glass is absolute cream onboard a sailing boat.


b.

[darylat8750]

Originally Posted by barnakiel

+1!


I share this opinion. Plain marine 7x50 are fine on a cargo ship.


Image stabilised glass is absolute cream onboard a sailing boat.


b.

Yes. And I squeeze my budget pretty hard so would have a hard time spending the $$ for the stabilized ones. But if someone were trying to find a gift that I would cherish....

[barnakiel]

Originally Posted by darylat8750

Yes. And I squeeze my budget pretty hard so would have a hard time spending the $$ for the stabilized ones. But if someone were trying to find a gift that I would cherish....

Last time I fished for Canon IS binnocs, I found them at USD 500. Our Nikons non-stabilized cost us about USD 250.


But hey, this is Christmas, and an iPhone12 is USD 800.


(As you can easily guess, I do not have an iPhone)



barnakiel