Does anyone have any recommendations for binocular brands and types? What is the ideal magnification for scoping vessels and other objects while at sea?
It may have more to do with the fact that they're Tasco's. I've done a fair share of shooting in my life and with a single exception that I know of Tasco glass is not the highest quality.I have both a set of Tasco 7x50 Offshore w/compass ($175+/-), as well as a pair of the Fuji 12x35 stabilized.
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Surprisingly, I find the 12x35's to be brighter at night than the 7x50's but that may have to do the higher magnification factor.
S.D. is right about stabilized binoculars eating up batteries. For a small price, you can buy two sets of NiMH rechargable batteries and a small charger to keep on the boat so you always have a fresh set of batteries. I loved my 7x50 Fujinon binoculars until I got my 10x42 stabilized binoculars. The stabilized binoculars are my primary binoculars now.The problem with getting IS binoculars is that if the batteries go out, they're pretty useless on a moving boat. Most IS binoculars suffer in low light, since they're higher magnification without an increase in the objective diameter....like 10x50 vs. 7x50... which means they have about half the light coming out the eyepiece.
7x50s are about the best compromise between low-light capability, magnification and size.