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SnowTexan
Joined: 08 Aug 2019 Posts: 185 City/Region: Carlton
State or Province: WA
C-Dory Year: 2006
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Miss Maria
Photos: Miss Maria
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Posted: Wed Jul 21, 2021 5:11 pm Post subject: Binoculars revisited |
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Whaddaya got? Currently using hunting glass, and its just not the best tool for the job. I’ve seen past recommendations but theres bound to be new kids in town when it comes to marine optics.
I use vortex hd 10x42, and maven 18x56 for hunting. Spotting scopes make my brain hurt…. Looking for long eye relief for use with glasses and quality glass for “whats that in the water” and “whats that sign say” and “what the heck is that guy doing” moments. Will pay for quality and reliability.
Thanks! |
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thataway
Joined: 02 Nov 2003 Posts: 20810 City/Region: Pensacola
State or Province: FL
C-Dory Year: 2007
C-Dory Model: 25 Cruiser
Vessel Name: thataway
Photos: Thataway
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Posted: Wed Jul 21, 2021 6:13 pm Post subject: |
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You have to have awful steady hands to effectively use an 18 X 56! I sure cannot do it. I use a tripod and monopod and a Minolta FV63 spotting scope (20-50X), if land based for high magnification. Or more often a Sony stabailized APC Camera: a6600, with a 200 - 600 mm lens--effective 18X power. But hand held, with stabilization I am shooting at 1/2000th or more...to get a sharp image. I use this setup for birds and other wildlife from land or the boat/dinghy.
For on the boat--I still love the Fujinon techno-stabi 14x40. It is the only higher power binoculars which I can count on being steady enough on the boat to effectively use.
My everyday glass is a 8 x 30 Steiner Military/Marine. For night I use an older Fujinon 7 x 50 (has bearing compass). For guests I Have a couple West Marine center focus 8 x 32 and 7 x 50. The guests don't get to use the good glass. _________________ Bob Austin
Thataway
Thataway (Ex Seaweed) 2007 25 C Dory May 2018 to Oct. 2021
Thisaway 2006 22' CDory November 2011 to May 2018
Caracal 18 140 Suzuki 2007 to present
Thataway TomCat 255 150 Suzukis June 2006 thru August 2011
C Pelican; 1992, 22 Cruiser, 2002 thru 2006
Frequent Sea; 2003 C D 25, 2007 thru 2009
KA6PKB
Home port: Pensacola FL |
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srbaum
Joined: 30 Aug 2010 Posts: 877 City/Region: Portsmouth
State or Province: VA
C-Dory Year: 2007
C-Dory Model: 26 Venture
Vessel Name: Osprey
Photos: Osprey
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Posted: Wed Jul 21, 2021 6:20 pm Post subject: |
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SnowTexan,
My binoculars for the marine environment are 7x50 and I have had many over the years, some expensive (and great) and some not so great (West Marine cheapies come to mind).
I have really enjoyed the brand that I have used for the last 6 years. Inexpensive and good quality. I do have a more expensive binocular for birding and the are a different power than used for the marine environment.
This is what I've got on several of my boats and they have been reliable:
https://www.celestron.com/products/cometron-7x50-binoculars?_pos=2&_sid=ecf02001e&_ss=r _________________ Steve Baum
Homeport of Portsmouth, VA
OSPREY (Ex Mister Sea) 2000 22 C-Dory 2010 - Sold 3/19
OSPREY (Ex ADITI) 2007 26 Cape Cruiser 2018 |
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SnowTexan
Joined: 08 Aug 2019 Posts: 185 City/Region: Carlton
State or Province: WA
C-Dory Year: 2006
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Miss Maria
Photos: Miss Maria
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Posted: Wed Jul 21, 2021 8:33 pm Post subject: |
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Thank you I will definitely look at lower magnification (7x-8x) and possibly a stabilizing binocular. Those are new to me and I might get spoiled there. The 18x I only use on a tripod, and I find I spot far more animals at distance this way than with any other method. Also I can spot much longer comfortably using both eyes. As soon as I tried it my spotting scope started gathering dust! |
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tsturm
Joined: 01 Nov 2003 Posts: 1134 City/Region: Soldotna
State or Province: AK
C-Dory Year: 2003
C-Dory Model: 25 Cruiser
Vessel Name: JMR TOO
Photos: JMR-TOO
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Posted: Wed Jul 21, 2021 8:56 pm Post subject: Re: Binoculars revisited |
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SnowTexan wrote: | Whaddaya got? Currently using hunting glass, and its just not the best tool for the job. I’ve seen past recommendations but theres bound to be new kids in town when it comes to marine optics.
I use vortex hd 10x42, and maven 18x56 for hunting. Spotting scopes make my brain hurt…. Looking for long eye relief for use with glasses and quality glass for “whats that in the water” and “whats that sign say” and “what the heck is that guy doing” moments. Will pay for quality and reliability.
Thanks! |
Zeiss 10x42 |
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SnowTexan
Joined: 08 Aug 2019 Posts: 185 City/Region: Carlton
State or Province: WA
C-Dory Year: 2006
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Miss Maria
Photos: Miss Maria
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Posted: Wed Jul 21, 2021 10:52 pm Post subject: |
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Zeiss are great but the 10x42 is hard for me to stay on target in anything choppy! |
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NORO LIM
Joined: 24 Apr 2008 Posts: 875 City/Region: Olympia
State or Province: WA
C-Dory Year: 2006
C-Dory Model: 23 Venture
Vessel Name: NORO LIM (sold 12/12/14)
Photos: NORO LIM
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Posted: Thu Jul 22, 2021 9:24 am Post subject: |
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SnowTexan wrote: | . . . possibly a stabilizing binocular. Those are new to me and I might get spoiled there. . . . |
Oh, you will. No "might" about it.
I absolutely swear by the Fujinons. (Others have been happy with other brands.) I choked pretty hard on the price when I bought mine, but very soon came to consider them one of the great bargains of my boating life. They are relatively heavy, require batteries, and should be handled with some care - but if you need to see something at a distance from a rocking or bouncing or moving small boat, they are fantastic. _________________ Bill, Formerly on NORO LIM
2001 CD 16, 2001-2006
2006 CC 23, 2006-2014 |
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localboy
Joined: 30 Sep 2006 Posts: 4656 City/Region: Lake Stevens via Honolulu
State or Province: WA
C-Dory Year: 2007
C-Dory Model: 25 Cruiser
Vessel Name: 'Au Kai (Ocean Traveler)
Photos: 'AU KAI
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Posted: Thu Jul 22, 2021 2:55 pm Post subject: |
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There is a long discussion on Trawlerforum about image stabilized binoculars. Most posters recommended Fujinon over Canon due to the Fujinon technology for image stabilization. It was more conducive to boating over what Canon uses.
I looked into them, but they are not inexpensive. Base unit (12X28) are about $600. The 14X40 units run in the $1200 range.
I have a really nice pair of Steiner that I use on the boat. The Admiral bought them as a Christmas gift. They would have paid for half a Fujinon 12X28, but she did not know that when she bought them and I didn't have the heart to send it back... _________________ "We can go over there...behind the 'little one'....."
Wife to her husband pointing @ us...from the bow of their 50-footer; Prideaux Haven 2013 |
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RobLL
Joined: 05 Aug 2014 Posts: 421 City/Region: Bremerton
State or Province: WA
C-Dory Year: 2007
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
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Posted: Thu Jul 22, 2021 7:54 pm Post subject: |
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Son got us the 7 x 50 West Marine. Medium price, and ever so much better than our previous cheaper ones. I would rate them very good for most inland waters (Puget Sound and Hood Canal). |
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gulfcoast john
Joined: 14 Dec 2012 Posts: 989 City/Region: PENSACOLA
State or Province: FL
C-Dory Year: 2010
C-Dory Model: 255 Tomcat
Vessel Name: Cat O' Mine
Photos: CAT O' MINE
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Posted: Thu Jul 22, 2021 9:03 pm Post subject: |
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Steiner Marine 7x50 and Fujinon Techno-Stabi Jr 12x40.
For nighttime navaid spotting (which we avoid like COVID19) the Marinebeam Illuminator is INCREDIBLE!!!
https://store.marinebeam.com/marinebeam-ultra-long-range-led-illuminator-flashlight/
It's more like a white laser beam than a flashlight.
Happy shopping!
John _________________ John and Eileen Highsmith
2010 Tom Cat 255, Cat O' Mine
Yamaha F150, LXF150 |
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Desert Dory
Joined: 09 Sep 2006 Posts: 180 City/Region: Tucson
State or Province: AZ
C-Dory Year: 1989
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Desert Dory
Photos: Desert Dory
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Posted: Sun Jul 25, 2021 12:10 pm Post subject: |
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We picked up some Nikon 7440 OceanPro 7x50 Binocs a couple weeks before our 3 week PNW trip earlier this month, and I'm glad we did. They were fantastic for the whales, seals, eagles and other wildlife we saw.
Very nice for little money.
I wished I had rented a longer lens for my camera though. 70-200 f4 just wasn't long enough at times. Especially when we ran into a pod of Orcas. |
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NewMoon
Joined: 21 Dec 2008 Posts: 430 City/Region: Holladay
State or Province: UT
C-Dory Year: 1991
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Cindy Sea
Photos: Cindy Sea
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Posted: Sun Jul 25, 2021 12:27 pm Post subject: |
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Fujinon Polaris 7x50. 30 years old and still as good as new. Very high quality glass, sharp image, great light gathering ability. About as good as it gets for boating in a non-stabilized binoc. _________________ Richard Cook
Dream Catcher (Nordic Tug 37, 2016 to present)
New Moon (Bounty 257, 1998 to 2016)
Cindy Sea (CD 22 Cruiser, from 1991 to 1998)
"Cruising in a Big Way" |
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SnowTexan
Joined: 08 Aug 2019 Posts: 185 City/Region: Carlton
State or Province: WA
C-Dory Year: 2006
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Miss Maria
Photos: Miss Maria
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Posted: Sun Jul 25, 2021 2:51 pm Post subject: |
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Thank you all for the suggestions! Will start with some 7x50’s and go from there. Steiners and fujis seem to be well respected among the cbrats. |
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Dreamer
Joined: 01 Jan 2006 Posts: 1764 City/Region: Really Sunny SaddleBrooke
State or Province: AZ
Photos: Dreamer
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Posted: Mon Jul 26, 2021 4:58 pm Post subject: |
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I managed to score a set of the Fujinon Techno-Stabis from a couple getting out of boating for $700. Used them for many years and sold them for $800 when we got out! Think of them as an Investment! _________________ Roger
Once a C-Brat, always a C-Brat
Dreamer- Sold 25 Feb. 2013 |
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Pat Anderson
Joined: 02 Nov 2003 Posts: 8553 City/Region: Birch Bay, WA
State or Province: WA
C-Dory Year: 2005
C-Dory Model: 25 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Daydream
Photos: Daydream and Crabby Lou
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Posted: Tue Aug 17, 2021 12:01 am Post subject: |
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Patty got me Fujinon Techno Stabi binocs for my birthday today. When we get each other something really expensive, we tend to buy some thing we both can use!
But we both tried, and we cannot get them to focus correctly.
What are we doing wrong? _________________
DAYDREAM - CD25 Cruiser
CRABBY LOU - CD16 Angler (sold 2020)
Pat & Patty Anderson, C-Brat #62!
http://daydreamsloop.blogspot.com
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