Barnacle Bill
Active member
Can anyone recommend a really good pair of x7 binoculars? Looking for a compact pair, but with a bright clear image - happy to pay a bit for quality because it's a present for me!
Binoculars
- Thread starter Barnacle Bill
- Start date
John 32i
Active member
I have just bought a pair of Konus Tornado 7 x 50, waterproof, they float and have a compass, based on good reviews. Not used much as yet but initially they seem pretty good, although probably slightly heavier than I expected (problem with buying online!)
johnalison
Well-known member
There's no substitute for trying them out yourself. How they feel, and the shape of the eyepieces plus the amount of eye relief can make a great difference to one's enjoyment of them.
seumask
Well-known member
Despite much fanfare about yachting binoculars being 7x50's I found i still use my very good birding Zeiss 10x42's a lot when sailing. They are waterproof and while a little harder to steady I've always enjoyed the higher power magnification, often at anchor or walking ashore to see whats going on, and what the birds are up to. I would agree that on a wet and windy night a pair of waterproof 7x50's would be better so I carry a cheap pair of those as well.
mjcoon
Well-known member
For many years I have been carrying my birding binoculars on a short home-made pole (not a mono-pod) to assist holding them steady with hands well-separated. And I took the pole sailing too. Visible in this photo: Bins-on-pole.
Mike.
langstonelayabout
Well-known member
I have a pair of these: Nautik-Fernglas BN 7x50 DCM | MINOX
They are great to use, light and everything I've wanted. I'll happily acknowledge that the Steiner bins are great but not great enough to make the difference in price, although I might one day be tempted to get a pair of Leica Noctivid 8x42s as they are fab.
They are great to use, light and everything I've wanted. I'll happily acknowledge that the Steiner bins are great but not great enough to make the difference in price, although I might one day be tempted to get a pair of Leica Noctivid 8x42s as they are fab.
Skylark
Well-known member
I was given a pair of 10x42 Swarovski in pretty tatty condition. I sent them to the factory for refurb, costing a bit less than £250. I thought that they had sent me a brand new pair in return, such was the quality of the refurb. They have absolutely amazing daylight to twilight vision and clarity.
Eyewateringly expensive to buy new but they are better than any others I've used, including Steiner.
They have the added benefit that you can pretend to be a Countryfile presenter or a rather well to do bird watcher
Eyewateringly expensive to buy new but they are better than any others I've used, including Steiner.
They have the added benefit that you can pretend to be a Countryfile presenter or a rather well to do bird watcher
Humblebee
Well-known member
I agree with John. Our eyes are unique to us and what suits one person may not suit another. Try a few pairs before making up your mind.
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I'm in a similar situation to the OP andso far have narrowed my choice down to Bushnellsand Binolyt Searanger II. Any opinions on these? I have a pair of cheapo Plastimo which are functional but have a pretty dim image.
Luminosity is more important than weight, feel etc. I'm not going to fork out for Steiners so wonder if if I'll notice significant advantages in the £200 models. Is there a means of comparing image luminosity from manufacturers' data?
Luminosity is more important than weight, feel etc. I'm not going to fork out for Steiners so wonder if if I'll notice significant advantages in the £200 models. Is there a means of comparing image luminosity from manufacturers' data?
anoccasionalyachtsman
Well-known member
I've got the Minox too, and would second the recommendation. I didn't think the Steiner were that much better either...
Old Harry
Well-known member
I have Stiener & given over 12 yrs service now & have a 30 yr warranty
Praxinoscope
Well-known member
I fully agree, try as many options as possible, but I would still stick with 7x50 for marine use, best performance in low light conditions being just one of the advantages.
Modern high index glass prisms and optics mean that modern 7x50's are smaller and more compact than the older traditional models.
crewman
Active member
I have the Searanger III. I find them sharp and easy to hold steady. The compass is a good size and is easy to read. I would buy another pair if I lost them. They are fairly heavy.
DaiB
Member
My experience with Steiner and their warranty was not good. Personally I would not but anything from them again.
Frank Holden
Well-known member
My boat bins are the Fujinon 7 x 50 FMTR-SX ..... not cheap... but as good as Zeiss for a lot less than Zeiss. They are rather big.....
For compact look at the Nikon 8x42 or 10 x 42 Monarch 5... I use the 10 x 42s afloat and ashore ... brilliant unless its dark and a heavy sea is running...
For compact look at the Nikon 8x42 or 10 x 42 Monarch 5... I use the 10 x 42s afloat and ashore ... brilliant unless its dark and a heavy sea is running...
anoccasionalyachtsman
Well-known member
I missed a pair of those Fujinons on Gumtree last year. £25, being sold by a charity shop. I begged them to take £100 from me but, commendably, they stood by the first buyer.
ashtead
Well-known member
Do try a pair of canon stabilised ones in budget stretches to these.
Murv
Well-known member
Kola
Member
Using a pair ofTalamex 7x50 Nitrogen filled, with lighted compass - Bak-4, find them quite good.
Lucy52
Active member
As a cheaper alternative to Franks option I recently bought a pair a pair of Fujinon 7x50 WPC-XL
from: Fujinon 7x50 WP-XL - Marine Binoculars - Navigation - Cruising | Mareshop.eu
₤206.77 with free delivery. they also have other options available.
Bynolyt Swearanger II's can be had for around ₤180 and are another good choice.
from: Fujinon 7x50 WP-XL - Marine Binoculars - Navigation - Cruising | Mareshop.eu
₤206.77 with free delivery. they also have other options available.
Bynolyt Swearanger II's can be had for around ₤180 and are another good choice.