Best Binoculars?

[robbarnes1965]

Does anybody have any good suggestions for binoculars?

As Macs are more likely to be sailed withing sight of shore it is great thing to have along. I have ones I bought in china which are worth what I paid for them - not much.

Reading up I have already decides 7x50 is the best size and waterproof necessary.

Is a compass handy? Image stabilizer?

As an aside, I had the opportunity to use a very expensive night vision headset last week. I definitely plan to get one eventually - but other priorities make the $3000 or so low on the list right now.

Thanks,

Rob

[Phil M]

Does anybody have any good suggestions for binoculars?

Reading up I have already decides 7x50 is the best size and waterproof necessary.

Rob

I have also read that 10 X 50 magnifies too much, and with the motion of a boat, too difficult to use.

Phil M

[robbarnes1965]

Does anybody have any good suggestions for binoculars?

Reading up I have already decides 7x50 is the best size and waterproof necessary.

Rob

I have also read that 10 X 50 magnifies too much, and with the motion of a boat, too difficult to use.

Phil M

Same here. Makes sense.

[Doupirate]

The binocular should be Nitrogen vacuumed to prevent condensation.

The compass should be stabilized and lighted at night if you select the Marine grade. It is useful when tracking bearings if entering a shallow dock, or other channel as a GPS confirmation. It comes with a see through scale allowing to figure out your distance from a point whose height is reported on the map.

7X50 is the standard. More magnification can come handy to inspect the top of mast equipment, but you may not move.

I have the marine Bushnell ( 7X50) and the 15X50 Bushnell also.

[GaryMayo]

Hit a discount store in your area, and hope to get a couple seasons out of em. Walmart has a pretty good Bushnell for 25 bucks. Toss it in a zip lock bag with some white rice in there to dry the air and you have not much in them, and they will serve you just as good as a $200 designer set.

I do a camera over a binocular. That way I have a lasting memory of what it is I was looking at. Nikon D200 (not much value these days, older) , and a 70-300 mm lens with vibration reduction. If it gets wet, I am not out much. Keep it in a pelican case that is waterproof. Another reason for the xnayed hasp.

[robbarnes1965]

never thought of that. Camera. interesting idea.

[mastreb]

I bought these. Very happy with them. Excellent optics, Compass, nitrogen filled, inexpensive, heavy duty, 7x50. $199.

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/st ... tId=796096

[Doupirate]

These are mines.


http://www.blyacht.com/navigation/jumel ... ore=french

[robbarnes1965]

Thanks guys.

The admiral is looking for gift ideas for me.

[Fxwg80hd]

Overtones has what looks and sounds like the same Binoculars as West Marine for $50 less.

http://www.overtons.com/modperl/product ... rchID=4006

[GaryMayo]

never thought of that. Camera. interesting idea.

The links above in posts are very nice, but will not get you this.