Stabilized Binoculars

[labatt]

I've got a pair of Canon stabilized binocs with the L lenses... light gathering is excellent, but I wish the stabilization could handle a bit more weebling and wobbling. I believe Practical Sailor (or someone similar) did an analysis of stabilized binocs last year? Having the stabilization absolutely blows away my non-stabilized set, especially when reading numbers off of buoys and markers.

[Wayne25]

Thanks for all your comments. Remember, I'm not in a 30+ footer but a 25. While standing can be done, it usually means 1 or 2 hands on something to steady me, not the binocs ;-) I would rather be sitting on deck or in the cockpit.
Bottleinamessage-care to expand on why the Fujinon 14x40 IS is your pick? I would think a 10 or 12 mag would be better for marine use.
Also, anyone have a set of the Cannon's. I like the $350 to $600 price range, but I don't know what if anything I would be gaining with the $1000 to $1500 models. Fujinon also make a 12x32 waterproof set in the $750 range but they were not reviewed. Looking forward to more hands on data from actual users of the products.

Wayne

[sailingdog]

Just remember, the Nikon 10x50's do have half the light gathering capacity of a pair of 7x50s. the 14x40 Fujinons have about a seventh the light gathering capacity. At night, this will be an issue.

[CharlieCobra]

I've got a pair of 5-20X85 mm standard binocs I use. Heavy? Yes, but worth every ounce at night.

[erps]

I've used a pair of 7x50 binoculars on boats for over 20 years. Last year, I got a pair of 10X42 Stabilized Cannon binoculars for our work boat. I haven't used my Fujinon 7x50's since. The stabilized cannons allow me to read the numbers off crab pot buoys from about 100 yards away while puting around at 6 or 7 knots. If the water is smooth, I can read boat registration number from a distance doing 20 knots. If there is any chop, the cannons aren't up to the task of stabilizing while the boat is on a plain. Although they don't have the light gathering ability of the 7x50's I find that they're still excellent binoculars for use at night over non stabilized binoculars. They cost about $1000 last year. I tried a similar pair of Fujinons that were 14 power for around the same price, but I thought that high of a power might not work well on a moving platform. The cannon's eat up batteries. I carry an extra set of NiMH 2500ma rechargeables that are working well for me. I'm a cheap sob. The cannon's were a little less that twice the price of the 7x50 Fujinons that I thought were excellent binoculars. When I retire and can't use the work binoculars on my boat anymore I'm going to have to think hard about spending that kind of money on a pair of binoculars, but once you've used them, they kind of ruin you for anything less.

[cockeyedbob]

Bob carries onboard Fujinon 7x50, 14x40 stabilized, and Leupold 8x20 ... each serves a specific purpose ... most used is 8x20 Leupold 'cause it's small, light and like canned ham, always ready ...

tried and returned Canon stabilized ... once mounted them on a rock solid tripod and the poor thing just about adjusted itself to death ... perhaps that's why battery life was so short ...

[TejasSailer]

When you get ready to buy, you might want to check with Eagle Optics at URL http://www.eagleoptics.com/

The birders I know use Eagle, and we have bought several binoculars from Eagle. They were very helpful answering our questions on the pnone, and the prices seemed as good as we could find.

[jrd22]

I would agree with everything ERPS has said about the Canon's- love them, they use batteries like crazy, they spoil you for anything else. I would think that on your 25' they would be an excellent choice but don't expect them to be able to stabilize in all conditions. Even though they are great I would always have a standard set on board as backup- when the batteries die they are going to be much harder to see anything with.

[Wayne25]

Thanks for all the responces. After more research, I found Bushnell makes a 10x35 Stableview binoculars with 2 stabilization settings, 3 degree and 1 degree. 3 degree for use on boats. They are also waterproof. $507 price range. Can't find reviews, does anyone have a set of these?

Wayne

[speciald]

I have the Cannon water resistant binocs - they now make a "waterproof" version but I should have bought the Fujinon. The Cannon is OK but the other is better.