What type, magnification & brand of binocs work best for you?

[knotted]

I'm (maybe) in the market for a pair of binocs, and thinking about either built-in compass, or image stabilisation. I use 10x50 Nikons on land (not marinised; i.e. NOT waterproof and no nitrogen fill), and confess that they're at my limit of hand-held stability; but they give a sharp, bright and large image. On-board I recognise that I'll need something different, if only to last a few year's use on water, and to not fog up, etc. I really should consider a telescope, since my vision in one eye isn't that good... (shades of Nelson) but a good telescope is hard to find Suggestions anyone? A 10x50 electronically stabilised compass reading telescope at half the cost of the same in binocs? Half a pair of binocs? Seriously though...

Is the built-in compass really useful?

What's the accuracy of the built-in compass? No specs seem to indicate whether its 2 deg as for a card compass, or, as for many of the electronic compasses in watches, 10 deg maybe, if it's digital. But it should still very handy to take a bearing on a distant marker or object, especially when a hand-bearing compass might not have good visibility of the object at dusk or night. (So when I plot the line of the bearing I read, I also plot the plus and minus lines on either side of it that correspond to the accuracy of the compass, and take the worst case location scenario when deciding on action...)

Obviously: 10x gives a larger image, but if you can usefully hand-hold it steady in the cockpit away from the dock, you could also do neuro-surgery! So 7x un-stabilised, to the max if stabilised...
a 50mm objective gives a brighter image than 35mm,
and, image stabilisation is the very sharpest, but costs an arm and other body arts... as well as dimmer night images.

So what binocs do you use, and what's your opinion? What's the reality aside from the marketing hype? Which is the most useful: built-in compass or image stabilisation, as at the moment, there doesn't seem to be a binoc with these combined?

At what price point does the Law of Diminishing Returns kicik off? Are there outstanding buys in low, moderate, and higher cost binocs? I realise that inexpensive binocs have a wide range of quality, and if the cheap pair you test in the store are good, buy that specific pair! Don't even put them down...

It's been two or three years since this subject was last discussed; surely technology has advanced, models improved and prices fallen? Or maybe not.

Share your experience and opinions. Please! Tell us your brand, model, magnification and objective dia and other features, their cost, and a link to that specific model on the manufacturer's website if you have it. Then describe what you like, don't like, and say whether you'd buy it again or recommend it to others. If you can compare with other binocs, that's even more valuable!

Thanks in advance for your input and opinions. Let the discourse begin!

ps What are your comments re range finder binocs? Do they work with any accuracy? Are they useful? Or just another 'gadget'?

[Allanbc]

On the boat, I have a pair of Fujinon 7x50 that I got from Defender Marine on sale for $75. They were a special purchase by them and normally much, much more. They are really nice and clear. I also have a pair of Steiner Navigators 8x30 that are reserved only for my use. I got these on sale for $180 after rebate.

[RXBOT]

I would suggest looking at best binocular reviews on the net and shopping on the net. Look for fully multicoated lens. bak4 prisms and perhaps phase corrected. Also O ring seals and gas filled. You will be surprised at big differences in price for similarly equipped binocs. 7x50 unstabilized is considered the standard for marine use. Porro prism are usually cheaper than roof prism. Maybe you find some great values so you can have a couple of sizes and ranges. It is nice to have one compact or subcompact as well as a full size pair. 9x28 or 8x32 are sizes I like but a pair of 10x25 that have the dual hinge (pentax) will fit in your shirt pocket.Lots of good deals on the net. Most of us will be happy with the good value pairs. Same makers sell different lines. you can buy American, German, Japanese or from whereever lots of good choices out there.

[PaulinVictoria]

I splashed out on some Steiner Marine 7x50. I looked at the ones with built-in compass, but I found the compass actually quite difficult to see properly. Can't fault the binos though, crystal clear, seem really well put together too.

[bljones]

I have a pair of 8x50s and a pair of 8x32s. neither pair have a compass or image stabilization. If I want image stabilization I grab my camera.

[thekeip]

Leica, only Leika...if you have the $...Birders use them almost exclusively for definitive (hi def) work
Howard Keiper
Berkeley

[Minnewaska]

I picked up a pair on sale at West Marine last spring. 7x50 with a compass. Nothing great, but definitely do the job, I'm happy with them. Last pair belong in a museum.

I find that if you hold binoculars with your hands all the way out by the lens with the optics resting on your eye/cheek, they are much easier to stabilize. Many seem to hold them with their hands near their face, because that is where the focal adjustments are. Tune em in and reposition your hands. I don't know, works for me.

[rockDAWG]

I think 7x50 with compass is most ideal for the marine use. I bought a Steiner last year, great optic and very bright. Using it at nite is great. It is much better than the west marine brand.

[PalmettoSailor]

I rank binos on roughly 4 tiers. For the boat I use what I consider a "tier 2" product. I chose Nikon 7X50 Mariners with the compass and I'm very happy with them. The next tier up would be stuff like Steiners, which you can occasionally find a deal on but will still likely be close to twice the Nikons or West Marine's top pair of 7X50's (Thaiti's?) which are very similar.

[turbulicity]

I am also on the market for binocs. Considering the recommendations given here, the following fits the bill:

Amazon.com: Bushnell Marine 7x50 Binocular: Sports & Outdoors

The price is right. I have no idea about the brand and quality. Can anyone tell?

P.S. No affiliation blah blah