What Binoculars To Buy For My Boat?

[Chris-R]

It's time to buy a new pair of binoculars for my boat. I'm thinking something like 7X50 would be good for marine use. I don't want to spend too much, maybe around $150 or less. Can anyone give me some recommendations?

 

[jbjennings]

Re: What Binoculars To Buy For My Boat?

I got a nice pair of "last year's" NIKON binoculars for less than $150 at walmart. They were 10 x 50 or so. I was told by a friend to get the Nikons with the "roof prism" that have straight tubes---which I did. I really like 'em. They have been the most expensive pair I've ever bought and the only ones that I've owned that don't fog up. I highly recommend them.
Swarovski's they aint....... but they're great for a country boy.
Later,
JBJ

 

[Ned L]

Re: What Binoculars To Buy For My Boat?

If you are going to be using them out in much open water (where the boat will be moving around a good bit) you may not want to go with more than 8 power magnification as it gets real tough to hold them still enough to to keep your object in view.

 

[dingbat]

Re: What Binoculars To Buy For My Boat?

Do yourself a favor and spend a little more for binoculars with Image Stabilization. They make one heck of a difference on the water,

 

[themaniam1]

Re: What Binoculars To Buy For My Boat?

For marine use 7X50 is the best. 7x is the max magnification for an unstable platform like a boat and 50mm give you great field of view. Image stabilization is best but if your budget is tight and cannot be increased, which was my case, I went with the Bushnell Marine 13-7500 - Binoculars 7 x 50. They are water proof, won't fog up, float (no more worries about them sliding off the boat and sinking) and it has a compass that is usable both in day and night but is not in the way. Downfall is that each eye piece focus is separate, that is what makes it so they are water proof, center focus are only water resistant and the front lens caps can fall off. The optics are good, they feel good in my hands and are rubber armored. I like them and are only about $135. For the money they are great.

I sort of sound like a commercial. It just is that I have have binocs before and never really happy with them on the boat so when I got these it was the first pair that I really liked for marine use. I do wish I could afford image stabilization, someday.

 

[dsiekman]

Re: What Binoculars To Buy For My Boat?

Don't know what the boat show schedule is around you, but there is always a binoc guy at the boat show. Then you can play with them all and see what you like.

 

[mickjetblue]

Re: What Binoculars To Buy For My Boat?

I'd recommend 2 pairs, with the lower power being a 7x of your choice,
and the second pair being bushnell 16 x 32. There will be times when
you want more than 7x, and the 16 x 32s are so inexpensive, and work
surprising well, they are ideal to have. They are compact and light.

 

[FunInDuhSun]

Re: What Binoculars To Buy For My Boat?

If you're a gadget freak (like me), take a look at the Tasco "offshore" 7x50. They're no longer made but are available used or refurbished for under $150. I've had mine for about 20 years and they're great. I particularly like the built-in compass and ring rangefinder.
Here's someone selling refurb's for $121 shipped: http://cgi.ebay.com/TASCO-OFFSHORE-...370323558030?pt=Binocular&hash=item5639010e8e

 

[shrew]

Re: What Binoculars To Buy For My Boat?

Stabilized binoculars are great on a boat, but you're going to have a hard time finding a pair for $150.00. Here's my checklist:

-> Marinized

-> Minimum 7 x 50

-> Waterproof

-> Anti-fogging

-> Floating

-> internal compass

-> internal range finder

 

[reel clownz]

Re: What Binoculars To Buy For My Boat?

well alot of people dont know that nikon actually makes the optics for a range of bino manufacturers. Even leupolds optics are made by nikon. If your going to spend 150 bucks you can get a pair of nikon buckmasters or something like that at your local bass pro, dicks sporting goods, whatever. Clear as day. no sense spending money on something not needed. All my hunting scopes are nikon, unless you get up into stiener, swarovski, zeiss, your wasting your money!!! Good luck

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: What Binoculars To Buy For My Boat?

fujinon binoculars is what I had on my boat..I loved them and they were not cheap..

YD.

 

[ONERCBOATER]

Re: What Binoculars To Buy For My Boat?

nikon +1

 

[sstaz]

Re: What Binoculars To Buy For My Boat?

These are what I have and I love them. They float, have a lighted compass, range finder and auto focus.
http://www.binoculars.com/binocular...inewilluminatedcompassrangefindingreticle.cfm

if you have a dealer around you check out different ones till you find the ones you like.