[donhaller]

I was at West Marine tonight checking out Handheld GPS again, and the Raymarine ST40 bidata. However while standing there talking to a salesman I noticed a WM Tahiti Binocular locked up in a cabinet with other psuedo expensive clearance items. Knowing they usually retail for $299 I was wondering why they were on clearance at $199.

Anyhow I asked the salesman what the deal was with the binoculars and he said that they were actually the discontinued model of the Tahiti and had been a floor model for a long time, although they were in great condition. These are the version that have a compass, and float. However this model does not have the center focus, as he said was changed with the newer Tahiti models.

I asked him if he would take $150 and he did some checking on the computer and then came back and said ok. However there were other issues too. They did not have a box, did not have lens caps or a strap and case. I bought a nice floating strap for them and cleaned the exterior real good and the lenses. They look like a brand new binocular.

Also - if any of you know - what type battery gets installed to power the night compass illumination?

 

[tager]

My binoculars were free.

 

[Vasco]

$150 isn't too bad. I paid $199 for mine when WM had a $100 off coupon on their catalog cover. They came with case, strap, batteries (dead) and an instruction sheet. WM got the distributor to send me new batteries but I wouldn't bother with batteries as they corrode and die very quickly. Very good binoculars at a reasonable price.

 

[camaraderie]

The new center focus Tahiti's with all accessories etc. are on sale for $179.
http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/producte/10001/-1/10001/66644?cid=sc_google&s_kwcid=TC|13788|tahiti%20binoculars||S|e|2784449344&gclid=CNK-0Pbn3JsCFRBM5QodHx2XAg

 

[night0wl]

The new center focus Tahiti's with all accessories etc. are on sale for $179.
http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/producte/10001/-1/10001/66644?cid=sc_google&s_kwcid=TC|13788|tahiti%20binoculars||S|e|2784449344&gclid=CNK-0Pbn3JsCFRBM5QodHx2XAg

Was just going to post this! These are deal of the day, so tomorrow, they'll be back to normal price. There is also a coupon to get 10% off over $100 (AFFWEST)...but sometimes this coupon is blocked from working on some itesm. If you use Fatwallet or some other referral cash-back place, you can get 4%. Plus we have a gold membership (it was free), so we get "points" as well when we buy. All in all, it usually ends up being about 20% off of West Marines *SALE* prices...which is enough to entice me to buy.

I routinely pick-off what I need and wait for things to come on special. The holy grail is when they offer free shipping too which is usually once a month.

 

[donhaller]

Well that kind of makes my deal look like less of deal doesn't it.
It figures that they would drop the price the morning after selling me a set. I could have had a brand new set with caps, straps and case for $30 more.
Oh well - I think they are still a great set of lenses which I needed. I had nothing but an old pair of field glasses before.

 

[badsanta]

Some one will always get it cheeper, faster, better. You were happy with your deal, fit your needs. No regrets. How many times have I bought something only to find it on sale the next week, a lot.

 

[PalmettoSailor]

It seems like a decent deal, if not like you stole 'em. If it makes you feel better, they are pretty well reviewed by PS for bino's in that price range. Also for that money, you weren't gonna get any better optics so the extra $ would only have gotten you a couple of features not any real extra capability.

High end binos do give better resolution but at a price that's 3 or more times the price of the WM Tahiti's or Nikon Mariners.