Binoculars on Board

[meridian@]

We have always used 7 * 50 binos as that's what the chandlers sell. We recently broke ours so looking for a replacement. In a shop the other day we saw some 10 * 50s. Naturally the higher power means reduced field of view. What is the general opinion of the readership?

paulr
Meridian of Sydney
Borneo

[mintyspilot]

What's more important? Clarity of detail (7x50) or magnification (10x50)? The 7x50s will be easier to hold steady and should give a brighter image at night - assuming that the binos are identical in all other details.

[noelex 77]

Originally Posted by meridian@

We have always used 7 * 50 binos as that's what the chandlers sell. We recently broke ours so looking for a replacement. In a shop the other day we saw some 10 * 50s. Naturally the higher power means reduced field of view. What is the general opinion of the readership?

paulr
Meridian of Sydney
Borneo

10X magnification is a bit high for a small boat. Somwhere around 7X is considered optimium.
I use some 8x50 without problem, but with 10x you will stuggle unless the boat is very still.

[captain465]

When I was in the same position a few years ago, I decided that since I had to spring for new binocs anyway, that I might as well go for Imaged Stabalized binocs. I looked around and found that the Canon image Stabilized units were available for about $350. After using them for a few years, I would never be without them again. They are 10x50, but the stabilization makes them excellent for use aboard.

[Healer52]

The 10x50's will also be less efficient at light gathering, making them a poor choice in twighlight.

Although I do like my Fujinon 14x40 stabilized

[Mule]

Steiner 7x30 Navigator Pro C Binoculars (Steiner #353) - Binocular Specialists

I love these, look at the weight, light as a feather and a compass built in, lighted even. I would like to augment them someday with some high power stabilized but the go to will always be the Stiner's

[Black Diamond]

I have the Fujinon 14x binoculars. If you get to 10x and above, you need a stabilized lens otherwise its a bit too jittery.

Rick

[Bash]

I have a pair of high-quality (Zeiss) 8x magnification field glasses that I use for work that are far less useful on the boat than the 7x50s (Steiner). It's always seemed a bit goofy to have two expensive pairs of binoculars on the boat, but the 7x50s don't really cut it in the field, and the field glasses won't do anywhere near as good a job underway.

[markpierce]

I prefer light-gathering and clarity over high magnification.

[Jim Cate]

G'Day Paul (and Judy),

We too have a pair of Canon image stabilized 10x30 binocs to supplement our old Fujinon 7x50's. While I really like the stable image of the Canons as well as the higher magnification, their clarity is nowhere as good as the Fuji's, and they don't do so well in low light condx. As for using 10x without the IS, unless your hands are a lot steadier than mine... forget it!

Further, the $350 +/- Canons are not (repeat NOT) water resistant. Ours have survived for three years on board, but can't be used in wet conditions, so you need something else for those times. Of course, you can buy waterproof IS binocs, but the price is way higher.

Cheers,

Jim and Ann s/v Insatiable II lying Cairns, Qld, Oz

[Pete7]

Originally Posted by Healer52

The 10x50's will also be less efficient at light gathering, making them a poor choice in twighlight.

Although I do like my Fujinon 14x40 stabilized

Correct, now bear with me on this because its 30 years since I worked with optics, but the magic number for eyes is Seven. So 7 x 50 binos would be 50 divided by 7 equalling a near ideal level of light the eye can use. 10 x 50 as already stated are difficult to hold still but also don't give the same level light to the eyes.

Pete

[barnakiel]

To me the 7 x 50 are already to big - too heavy, too narrow field, to shaky the picture. But since they are such a great tool at night, I keep them (ours are marine Nikon - very good).

Actually, I am looking for something with less magnification yet still with decent light - for use on those choppy days.

b.

[Healer52]

Originally Posted by barnakiel

To me the 7 x 50 are already to big - too heavy, too narrow field, to shaky the picture. But since they are such a great tool at night, I keep them (ours are marine Nikon - very good).

Actually, I am looking for something with less magnification yet still with decent light - for use on those choppy days.

b.

Image stabilized, or perhaps you can find some 6x40's. Hard to find. Steiner makes some 6x30's but the light collection will be on par with 7x35's

[Healer52]

Originally Posted by Pete7

Correct, now bear with me on this because its 30 years since I worked with optics, but the magic number for eyes is Seven. So 7 x 50 binos would be 50 divided by 7 equalling a near ideal level of light the eye can use. 10 x 50 as already stated are difficult to hold still but also don't give the same level light to the eyes.

Pete

The average human pupil will dilate to about 7 mm or so, which is where the magic number comes from. You can get more light collection but your eyes will constrict, and you'll be even MORE night blind when you aren't using the binocs....