Image stabilized binoculars

Maybe I need to rephrase the question: Has anyone compared the Fujicon 14x40 with the Fujicon 12x32 (both are technostabalized? I understand that many feel that the Fujicon are better (I own several canon stabalized camera lenses, so am very familar with the Canon system).

Thanks.
 
I haven't been following this thread ... but,

The current edition of Powerboat Reports has an evaluation of Stabilized binoculars. Their conclusion states:

"Testers found the Fujinon IS system to be so much better than the others that it had to be singled out as our top pick. However, with all the precise optics, mechanisms, and microelectronics in a product like this, we’d like to see the warranty extended from one to at least two years.

Bushnell pleasantly surprised us with its Stableview binocular. It performed well overall, carries a two-year warranty, and is priced right."

If you want more information send me an email (lorencasebeer@aol.com ) and I'll send you a copy of my 'er notes....

Casey
C-Dory Naknek
 
Here's what we decided after looking at the Nikon 14x40 and the Canon 10x30: I liked the IS on the Nikon better (1 and 5º), but they were considerably heavier. The Canon had a more comfortable feel while using, especially from the Blonde's point of view. The best price I could find was $299 (plus a $50 rebate, bringing the price to $249) from B&H for the Canon, and $799 for a "demo" unit (remanufactured, actually) Nikon from OpticsPlanet.net. Our main usage will be identifying nav-aids, so we decided to go with the Canon. It should be here shortly after New Years, so I can let y'all know how they work out.

Thank you all for your input on this - this forum is a wonderful resource!

Best wishes,
Jim B. (back home, with Wild Blue back in the water :D )
 
Santa brought me the Fuji 14 x 40's in a waterproof Pelican case to boot and they are great. Haven't tried them on the boat yet, but the resolution and clarity of targets 1,000 feet away from my second story window at the house is amazing. Boater's World had them on sale for 999 befor Christmas, but I think without the case. The Fuji manual also shows an accessory that plugs the binocs into the boat's 12 volt system instead of the battery block. The binocs are then connected to the boat via a coiled extension cord like older corded telephones.
 
JamesTXSD":1fsq8shm said:
. . . The best price I could find was $299 (plus a $50 rebate, bringing the price to $249) from B&H for the Canon, . . .
Best wishes,
Jim B. (back home, with Wild Blue back in the water :D )
Click to expand...

WOW, they've really come down in price since 2000! I don't think you'll be disappointed :thup
 
Uh, Jim, the price difference of $900 between the Nikon and Canon binoc's didn't help make the decision? Talking new ones, remanfactured have always died immediatly after the warranty expired.

Boris
 
journey on":39esjudt said:
Uh, Jim, the price difference of $900 between the Nikon and Canon binoc's didn't help make the decision? Talking new ones, remanfactured have always died immediatly after the warranty expired.

Boris
Click to expand...

Well, sure. But you're a married guy, right, Boris? If Momma ain't happy, ain't nobody happy. Joan was the one who first brought up IS - usually, she's the one looking ahead for the next nav-aid with the binoculars. $249 vs $1199? Easy call for me, but I usually just get to make the big decisions... like: sausage or pepperoni? Paper or plastic? Mastercard or Visa? :wink

Best wishes,
Jim B.
 
None of these IS binoculars have long eye relief (17mm+), as far as I can tell. The Fujinon and Nikon are 13mm, the Bushnell 12mm and the Canon 14mm. I would be very interested in how well these binoculars work for those of you who wear eyeglasses.

Thanks,
Warren
 
Hmm, I've worn glasses since I've been a kid, and I always take my glasses off when I look through binoculars, telescopes, etc. Given that, they all seem to work well (and are good.) In all sincerity, is there another way? The Canons seem the same as any other. By the way, the stabilization is by vibrating gyros.

And for you Jim, if Judy ain't happy Boris is probably staying home. And that isn't going to happen. Sometimes we do some unusual pushups, though.

Boris
 
I have enough correction that usually the adjustment in the binoculars is not enough to compensate, so I usually buy binoculars that I can use with my glasses. Hopefully I will get a chance to try various types of IS binocs on the water when cruising with the Brats and others.

Warren
 
Well, I finally found a store which could get the 14 x 40 Fuji's for me next week and they have the 12 x 32's in stock--I compared these with various cannons and Nikons, and the Fuji seemed slightly better---but not that much different. We will see when I compare the 14 x 40's in the next couple of days.

I used my glasses when looking thru all of the IS in stock and the relief seemed fine. I have bilateral lense implants after catarrac surgery, and will try without the glasses and see if there is a real difference. We will know in the next couple of days.

One of my friends gave me the issue of the Practical Sailor's reviews--and agree that they favored them. I had heard that the Nikon 14 x 40s were the same as Fuji's--but the Nikons I looked at were definately different.

Thanks for all of the responses.
 
A follow up on the Fujinon Techo Stabalized binoculars. I have used mine for about a month now and love them. On the in store (Parking lot) trial the 14 x 40 appeared clearly better than the other's, including the 12x Fujinon's. The 12 x 32 only allow for 3 degrees shake--the 14 x 40's allow for 5 degrees. Two degrees don't seem like much, but consider than most other binoculars only allow for 1 degree of shake....I can use the 14x in the car or boat when going 25 knots and still read markers a mile away in normal conditions

I tried to find the 12 volt DC power cord. Nothing really special--plastic housing, O ring, with silicone grease and two contacts- about 6.2 volts power supply. Listed in the manual as "available". I thought that I had heard of people buying this. None of the suppliers could obtain this accessory. I finally called Fujinon USA and was told that they had never sold an adaptor--it as $650! Very hard to believe. Maybe I can order a new battery back and make my own.

Bob Austin
 
Bob,
I love mine too. It's hard to explain to someone that trying them out in the store doesn't really show the difference between them and other image stabilized binocs. You really need to be on a boat or other moving vehicle to see the incredible difference that 5 degrees of stabilization will make. Mine our Fujinon, and I sure thought that they were the same as the Nikons. It sounds like there are some differences between the two brands.
Lyle
 
Bringing this topic back. I am shopping for IS binos, and wonder what thoughts the group have now?
 
I am still sold on the Fuji--Haven't seen anything better. Too bad you didn't ask at Powell, Brent--I had them aboard.
 
Agree, timely and pertinent. Would like to hear how the in use ones are holding up and if the owners would do the same or different now that they have been using for a while.

I know there were IS binocs on Wild Blue and Dreamer, and I think on Anna Leigh. I'm considering an upgrade to IS and am thinking these would be a good investment -- safety item.

Harvey
SleepyC:moon

IMGP1872.thumb.jpg
 
I'll bring mine to Apalachicola for anyone to look at there. I had heard that they were "battery hogs" This has NOT been our experience. We don't use them all the time, and we are select with when we use these and a lower power non IS binoculars, but we get at least a year of use out of a set of batteries. We leave them out, when off the boat.
 
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