Binoculars- Best Buy??

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sparkie

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Hi all,

Looking at putting a new pair of binos on my prezzie list as the WW2 Zeiss are just about nakrd.

Found a pair in the Compass catalogue, 7X50, self focussing and waterproof with a bearing compass, for £89.95. Has anyone out there bought or tried these, or seen any tests in the mags on binos recently??

Sparkie
 
Have been using Compass binoculars for a couple of years and they work fine, no problems and good clear optics. The compass is very useful for picking up distant buoys if you know where they should be. Fixed focus rather than autofocus, and the eyepieces can be dioptre adjusted to suit your eyesight. I marked my settings with a blob of white paint, as other users tend to shift the setting, and it means I can reset quickly and accurately.
 
Steiner or Steiner.
As a distant third: Steiner.

For once - this is a case of you get what you pay for.
Spent our first 2 years buying discount/bargain basement binos. The "best" pair lasted no more than 6 months.
Tired of throwing good money after bad I forked out for a pair of Steiner.
After 6 years of intensive use they're still as good as new.
 
Steiners...

[ QUOTE ]
After 6 years of intensive use they're still as good as new.

[/ QUOTE ]You'll have many more happy years with them - mine are about 20 years old, wouldn't be without them.
 
Monk Optics are at the top of MY list.

I've been impressed by their expertise at several boat shows I've been to in recent years.

I was ready to start hinting re their excellent roof prism 7X32s but then I inherited a very good pair of 7X50 which brought me up to four pairs currently owned. A new pair seemed excessive but if I ever do, it will be these:-
s-freedom-7x32.jpg
[/image]
Take a look at their website; Monk Optics Marine they usually have some special offers

Steve
 
I bought a pair from Monk Optics at SBS in about 1989. Used a lot on different boats and still fantastic. Good advice on what to go for at the time but can't talk about after sales service as I've never had to use it!
 
I have a pair of Fujinon 7 x 50s I bought from Monk Optics after trying them at the London Boat Show. They are the same ones used by the US Navy, and they are fantastic - really bright and clear, and just about bullet proof. I second everything said about Monk Optics service.

It might also be worth considering having your old Zeiss glasses repaired/serviced. They were really good quality, and it would be a shame to toss them out. On the other hand, if you want to send them in my direction ... well, I might even be able to send you a little money /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
I use my father's Stieners. I reckon they must be at least 30 years old. Optics and and the compass perfect. Need some new eyepieces as they've perished.

Their light gathering ability at dusk has to be seen to be believed.
 
Thanks all, very good response so far. True to say we usually get what we pay for, but like everything else in life compromises have to be made........! (that's why I drive a 5yr old Volvo instead of a Bently Turbo)

Cheers

Sparkie
 
[ QUOTE ]
I have a pair of Fujinon 7 x 50s I bought from Monk Optics after trying them at the London Boat Show. They are the same ones used by the US Navy, and they are fantastic - really bright and clear, and just about bullet proof. I second everything said about Monk Optics service.

It might also be worth considering having your old Zeiss glasses repaired/serviced. They were really good quality, and it would be a shame to toss them out. On the other hand, if you want to send them in my direction ... well, I might even be able to send you a little money /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Yep! Me too!! Fujinon's are excellent and guaranteed for life. Spent well over two hours, a few years ago, at the LBS on the Monk Optics stand testing a whole range. Came down to the 7 x 50 Zeiss or Fujinon FMTRX's (I think that's the model). The Fujinon narrowly got my vote, primarily because they are made and tested to survive dropping 5 metres onto concrete as well as being waterproof, so ideal for being bashed about on a boat.

That was about 14 years and many, many offshore/ocean miles ago and they're still absolutely perfect, so very highly recommended. Usual 'caveat' though - they are (were) VERY expensive!

Nothing much wrong with the Steiner range, but they're too light for holding steady on board IMHO, but everyone to their own.
 
This thread set me thinking that I need a new pair of bins.

Being of good Yorkshire stock (as someone once said, like the Scots, but without the generous streak), and broke, I had a nose around and saw some Tasco bins with compass on eBay

Does anyone have any experience of them?

Or would I be better saving my pennies until I can pay close to double for the Fujinon?
 
In Aldi a week or so ago, I looked at a pair of 7 x 50's with compass, for £65. Looked very good, but I resisted the temptation. Has any-one purchased a pair?
 
Yes I have bought these and they are perfectly fine for the coastal sailing I do. I have a small yacht with exposed cockpit and they have endured spray, bumps, spilt coffee and all sorts. The compass works well and the red night light is effective. For £89 they are very good value.

PS I would hate to drop some Steiners in the drink! Now that would be an expensive replacement.
 
Go for Fujinon or Nikon 7x50s with independent eyepiece focussing. These are the two most commonly found bins on ships' bridges, where they usually come in for a fair bit of abuse, collecting a lot of wear and tear, but with seemingly indestructible optics.
 
Re: Binoculars- are monos better?

Alternative comment is that we are very fond of using a monocular (bought from Monk). The beauty of them is that they are very easy to manage, especially if helming as well, becuase they're lighter, so less shake. We do actually have two so in theory we can set one each for our (failing) sight - in practice we don't but just pick up whichever is nearest to hand.

You don't get the higher magnification but actually we have rarely found that essential (esp when not in the Solent) so not a problem.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Being of good Yorkshire stock (as someone once said, like the Scots, but without the generous streak), and broke, I had a nose around and saw some Tasco bins with compass on eBay


[/ QUOTE ]
These are the same as the ones Aldi were selling a while back. They seem to be sold under a number of other brands as well. But not as cheap as Aldi!

I bought a pair - thought them so good I bought a second pair for home use. I think they're excellent. It's common for cheapo bins to go out of alignment when dropped. Hasn't happened to these yet despite my 4 year olds best efforts.
 
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PS I would hate to drop some Steiners in the drink! Now that would be an expensive replacement.

[/ QUOTE ]

Ours came with a floatation neck-strap - they've gone over the side twice.

Added a sense of urgency to our MOB drill /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
have a look at the Steiner website
http://www.steiner-binoculars.com/index.html

I'm sure it s a great product but a picture of (what looks like) a German WWII soldier and the words "nothing escapes these eyes" seems a bit suggestive! Dodgy!

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Sorry to disappoint you but they didn't use kevlar PASGT helmets back then /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif
 
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