Binoculars

[DoubleEnder]

Since it is clearly only a matter of when, not if, they go over the side,I dont want to spend much. Anyone got any experience of these? SILVA

Too good to be true? Too cheap to be good? Any other sub £50 suggestions?

Thank you as ever

Graham

 

[Tranona]

Don't know about this specific model, but look like the pair I got "free" when I bought my Silva S150 VHF/Navtex. Best bit of the deal as the radio turned out to be rubbish. Lasted four years, failed and no parts available! Bins are OK though - in a fetching bright yellow.

 

[djh1962]

Hi, just bought the Plastimo 7 x 50 fixed focus for sub £25 from Geal Force and I have three pairs of other bino's.
Seem decent enough for the price, I'm happy.

 

[lesweeks]

Bresser 10x50's
First got alerted to them on the Classic Boat Forum section as Aldi have them as one of their periodic special offers. I missed that but got a pair on eBay. They're bright, very clear and great value. There's a brand new pair on at the moment for a buy-it-now price of £22. At that price you can afford to drop 'em overboard and not worry too much.
Or try this link which may be even better http://www.shop-com.co.uk/Bresser_10x50_...ml?sourceid=309

 

[gcostell]

Agree, Bressers are good. Got mine in Aldi, filled out the warranty card, sent it off and they sent me a second pair!!

 

[reginaldon]

Likewise - bought mine last year - almost fixed focus and good light transmission

 

[BlueChip]

Agree, look out for when they are on sale at Aldi - usually about £10 a pair
I bought three pairs at £10 - they are good value and it's much less painful on the pocket when you drop them than a pair costing £100

 

[billmacfarlane]

Have a look at today's Independent. Waterproof 7*50,with built in compass at £49.99.

 

[najsmith]

Got a pair from Comapss 7x50s that continue to serve me well (currently in theri 4th season) for about £30

 

[mbinocularshub]

marine binoculars

Hi there I’m a newbie here and now I’m exploring some marine binoculars I hope I’ll be able to gain more info here about this and hoping to offer and share also some precious tips with you guys.

 

[Goldie]

SWMBO finds using conventional binoculars difficult (don't ask me why....) and was exploring the possibility of using a monocular instead. Monk Optics suggested trying a fixed focus bino before making the decision and that's what she ended up buying -7 x 50 nitrogen filled and very bright image, all for £49 (18 months ago). I've used them ocasionally and I'm impressed.

 

[Blue5]

Since it is clearly only a matter of when, not if, they go over the side,I dont want to spend much. Anyone got any experience of these? SILVA

Too good to be true? Too cheap to be good? Any other sub £50 suggestions?

Thank you as ever

Graham

I had a pair of the Silva ones with the inbuilt compass, after 2 1/2 years they fogged up as the nitrogen degraded,

Spoke to Silva Customer Services at length many times, bottom line,

"Sorry sir guarentee is for 2 years"

"Well can I pay to have them repaired"

"Sorry sir we dont repair, might as well throw them"

So I did and would never deal with or reccomend Silva to anyone.

Tried the Aldi and Lidl ones for £10, absolute rubbish, OK if you dont actually use them on the boat but very fragile

Your best bet for £15+ is the charity shops, I have now picked up a pair of 7 x 50 and a nearly new pair of 20 x 50 for £20

 

[VO5]

As a general rule, 7 x 50 binocs is the traditional magnification for marine binoculars first because of their luminosity and second because other magnifications make the image, if it is moving, more difficult to steady up.
I have 2 Carl Ziess 7 x 50 binocs on board. Flawless. Well worth the money.

 

[actionoptics]

sub £50 binocular

The Helios Weathermaster III 7x50 is water proof etc for £49
but also has the better BAK-4 optics and centre focus.
They give a brillaint image but maybe I am biased 'cos I sell them.

 

[MoodySabre]

There were some Bressers in my local Lidl today

NB: Lidl's is not a chandlers

 

[Refueler]

Sub 50 quid ?

I have for years used my ex Merchant Navy 8 x 50's that went everywhere with me .... but yacht life put paid to them !
While in Hamburg I was in a big discount store that sold electrical and optical gear .... and saw Steiner 10 x 26 Champ pocket bino's .... for 40 quid ... Bought them and I have to say that they are just the job. Small and light .. slip into pocket, excellent quality with 10yr g'tee from lets face it - a very respected optical company.

Edgar who crews on my boat bought a pair of Olympus normal 7 x 50 binos and they are v.good if you don't mind the normal size ... they were under the 50 quid.

For not much more - I think it was Compass that was offering Binos with integral compass ... think it was about 80 quid ?

 

[Salty John]

I bought a pair of Fujinon 7x50 with compass in 1988. They have been through hell and high water with me and still work perfectly. They are big and heavy and rubber coated but that's OK, they are always on the boat or in my car; if I wanted to carry them around they'd kill me, I'd have to get a lightweight pair.
I think you have to buy the best and keep them a lifetime, or buy cheap and replace frequently - a bit like luggage really.

 

[alahol2]

I'll second the Fujinon Mariner 7 x 50 bins. Had them for lots of years and they are the bee's knees. Waterproof (Nitrogen filled). Normally focus free for distant viewing but with individual eye focussing that lets you see the top of the mast clearly when needed. Just looked at the price and they are way more expensive than I remember paying for them, even allowing for inflation.

 

[Bosun Higgs]

Anyone tried the stabilised binocs? I am thinking of getting a pair of the Canon ones - I find it difficult to hold the normal bins steady enough on a small boat to clearly see a lot of things I want until closer than I want to be. Anchor balls, cardinal top marks, boat names etc.

 

[gjgm]

I also have some 10*50, but I find they are useless on the boat as i find it impossible to hold them still enough.