Binoculars with integrated compass

bedouin said:
I have a cheap pair from Compass (appropriately enough) that I find adequate, at least for collision avoidance (I haven't hit a ship so far :) )

They do swing a little but you can usually get a repeatable bearing after a couple of seconds by averaging the extremes of the swing.

What would be nice would be a pair with a digital compass and an instantanous "hold" button
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I too have a cheap pair from compass had them for about 10 years and agree with all above and they have been dropped in the drink on one occasion.
 
I saved up for Steiniers, with compass, dont find them that easy to use with accuracy. And if you are wearing a peaked hat it covers the light to compass.
I had an Autohelm Digital Compass and didnt get on with that either,sent it back. I use the Plastimo Iris 50 most of time.
 
Chris_Robb said:
I boat a set of Bushnell Binos last year (£200), and find the the compass is really great for taking bearings - but only on land..... Underway with a chop I just cannot take bearings on ships, as the compass swings madly around.

What are others experiences of these devices?

Don't tell me to get an AIS!
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i have a Pr of Steiner Comandos & the battery has gone duff. great Binos & the compass is less than good.
i use the Autohelm Personal Compass for Ship spotting. its a great Bit-o-Kit
 
Chris_Robb said:
I boat a set of Bushnell Binos last year (£200), and find the the compass is really great for taking bearings - but only on land..... Underway with a chop I just cannot take bearings on ships, as the compass swings madly around.

What are others experiences of these devices?
Click to expand...

When buying one of these, you've got 3 options:

1. Steiner
2. Steiner
or possibly
3. Steiner

It's the best - get the best - you'll never want anything else.
 
Guapa said:
When buying one of these, you've got 3 options:

1. Steiner
2. Steiner
or possibly
3. Steiner

It's the best - get the best - you'll never want anything else.
Click to expand...

It seems that most people here were happy with the damping of their compasses, which is what the question was about really.

Having asked Bushnells to do some proper testing - not on dry land, I await the outcome. I have used Steiners - yes they are good, but I did not buy them as I found it difficult to see the compass readout - perhaps I have difficult eyes.
 
I have a pair of Steiner Commander V (not paid for by me). They are very good though I wouldn't say they are worth the retail price of over £600 10 years ago. The compass is pretty good but still gives a few degrees of wander in a seaway. It can take a bit of jiggling around to bring the compass into the field of view.

They are pretty heavy and bulky and the detachable eyepiece covers won't stay on. The optics however are top notch.
 
Guapa said:
When buying one of these, you've got 3 options:

1. Steiner
2. Steiner
or possibly
3. Steiner

It's the best - get the best - you'll never want anything else.
Click to expand...

You're right! My Commanders are about 25 years old, bought from the chandlers who were in the Brunswick Centre in London. I remember testing them before I bought by looking around the balconies of the surrounding flats! Brilliant optics; especially excellent at night.
 
pvb said:
You're right! My Commanders are about 25 years old, bought from the chandlers who were in the Brunswick Centre in London. I remember testing them before I bought by looking around the balconies of the surrounding flats! Brilliant optics; especially excellent at night.
Click to expand...

But what was her baring......:eek:
 
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