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Wife wants to know what I want for Christmas this year. I have never owned a great pair of quality binoculars. Any suggestions for under $500.00?
Thanks
hmmmm, I was going to suggest the Nikon stabilized binocs, they are un-believable. But they are between 900 and 1000. Non stabilized I would prolly go with the Steiners, they have really nice optics on them.
Believe it or not I have the Fujinon Polaris 7 X 50 (about $600), and I have a pair of West Marine Tahiti binos, also 7x50. The west are unbelieveable for the price (list of $299, can be bought on sale at $199). Powerboat reports gave the West a great rating and a best buy. They are light, waterproof, float, etc. Try a pair, and if you are not satisfied West will give you a refund.
If you want to spend extra money the Steiners are great, but not a whole lot better than West.
LOVE my Steiners- clarity and brightness is outstanding. I like the built in compass. Search on Ebay or on-line to get a break. If you're not going to spring for stabilized, these would be hard to beat.
I had a pair of pretty good West Marine waterproof binoculars. I left them sitting on a table on the dock while visiting another boat. A storm came up and the table overturned and the binoculars went into the water (I assume).
Anyway, I got out an old pair of Bushnell binoculars from the closet at home to use untill I could get a replacement pair. Turns out they work just fine.
So - before you spend a whole lot, consider the risk of loosing them.
If the binocs will be occasional use items, then stabilized (IS models)make the viewing a LOT easier ..price being the problem with getting good lens quality, parallax perfection (very important) and still being able to use them without putting them down because they "jump" all over the place.
however, regular binocs will become just like using your eyes after a short while if you use them a lot (and you will if the quality makes you think of eagle eyes instead of blurry)...
I agree that the entry level Steiners are a great deal...and Nikons can maybe be bought with IS...and Olympus makes very good optics as well.
__________________ Rick
Alabama's Gulf Coast
Chaparral 240 Signature (Sold)
While its not under $500, I got my Nikon StabilEyes 14x40 VR stabilized binocs from opticsPlanet via ebay. They were like new but factory refurbs. They were listed for $899 buy it now with a make offer option. My offer was $750 and it was automatically accepted. It made me think that I could have got them for less. Needless to say, if your willing to have the wife spend $500, you might consider chipping in the difference and getting a much better set for a bit more.
I have to say, I have never looked through a set of binocs like these. They are truly amazing regardless of how much the boat is rocking! Its mind boggeling and it defies logic how well they work. Especially if you have never used a set of quality image stabilized ones which up until these, I never did. Nothing like stabilized binocs from my limited experience.. Oh and the Nikons stabilization is allegedly made by Fujinon whom are known for very high quality binocs as well...
I'm a Fujinon man myself, bought the FMTRC-SX on sale at Defender for right at 500. They have them for 552 now, you can get the model without the compass for 460. I got the chance to compare them directly with the Steiners, and went with the Fujis. Only down side is that while they are built like the proverbial tank, they weigh as much as it too. We've used them extensively now for four years, almost every day; love 'em. Great low-light visibility.
As I recall, they were top rated by Practical Sailor/ Powerboat Reports, but I heard that after I bought them.
Love the Fujinons as well. I have the 14x40 stab and they are unbelievable. You can pick up birds 2-3 miles away in 3-4 seas. Wouldn't be without them.
__________________ 43' Cabo FB
36' Grady White
27' Contender
Love the Fujinons as well. I have the 14x40 stab and they are unbelievable. You can pick up birds 2-3 miles away in 3-4 seas. Wouldn't be without them.
Yep, I've been saying exactly that for a couple years now. If you want to find birds, forget the $12k radar array, get a $1k pair of Nikon or Fuji 14x40 stabileyes. DONE.
By the way the Fuji and Nikon 14x40's are the same exact binoc. I've got the Nikons, and LOVE them.
Sampled steiners and the cheaper models and the clearest to come to steiners is a $150 pair of pro mariners there yellow and black colored they also have a $300 pair with a compass but I don,t use it anyway.Use them for spotting tuna for two years still good and clear yet.....Oh forgot to tell you there 7x50 magnification
Stabilized Cannon 10x30's
I know folks will say they're not Marine rated, but I've had mine for 2 seasons now and they are super. I did a quick google and found them at binoculars.com
Sale Price: $379.98
At this price buy a pair every 3 or four years and you're still money ahead.
first number is the magnification, the second is the lens size.
so 12x32 is 12x magnification with 32mm lens.
Max magnification is not always the best. find the magnification that suits the most of your needs. A larger lens generally gives a better and brighter picture as is allow more light in. Better quality optics also mean better picture and crisper and brighter especially in low light. For boating, 8x mag is the lowest you'll want to go and again bigger lens the better. So on a boat, compact binos are not ideal unless for back-up. Image stabilize are the bomb if you use binos frequently or have the $$$ to spend. Hope my Santa can see my wish list > hint > Fujinon Techno-stabil, santa?
Binoculars 
