Fixed focus binoculars question.

[WhatHove]

Plastimo autofocus binos look good value at £29.95 on various websites but can anyone please explain the pros and cons of fixed focus binos versus (bottom of the range) variable focus versions for boaty use?
Thanks.


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[Talbot]

when out at sea in mist or at night, it is quite difficult to get the correct focus unless it is already set up, however, the use of the correct binos in these conditions (normally 7x50) can allow sight of things hidden from the naked eye.

Thus fixed focus is recommended.

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[SteveGorst]

I've got the Plastimo fixed focus myself and can't find any fault for my own use. I suppose if you wear glasses it could be a nuisance having the glasses on to look through the binoculars but if you don't I don't think you'll be dissapointed. I have read all about the light gathering abilities of more expensive bins but these really are perfectly adequate and you don't need to worry about dropping them overboard too much at this price.

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.nwcc.info>North Wales Cruising Club</A>

 

[ditchcrawler]

If you want binoculars look on the www.7dayshop.com site.I just bought a pair of 12x50 (not for boat) for £17.99.Nearly as good as my £150 pair.They do cheapies & Canons etc.

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[VicS]

Monk optics also do an inexpensive fixed focus binocular. Also Nauticalia do a variable focus 7X50 one at £29.95 which has received favourable comments on the forum.

The problem I have with binoculars is that I find them difficult to use with spectacles but my eyes have now deteriorated to the point where I'm right on the limits of the focussing range without spec's.

Can any one say how I would get on with a fixed focus binocular.

<hr width=100% size=1><font color=purple>Ne te confundant illegitimi.</font color=purple>

 

[alahol2]

The only disadvantage with fixed focus bins is that you can't really use them to check on things at the top of your mast, it's too close to focus (unless you've got a very tall one).
I use fixed focus with glasses and don't have any real problem with the eyecaps folded back.


<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.troppo.co.uk> Follow the Tightwad Sailor</A>

 

[DavidTocher]

I bought a pair of Compass 7x50 fixed focus (more expensive than the others mentioned) The eyepieces have rubber surrounds which when folded back allow me to use 'em wearing specs. The big plus is SWIMBO who has perfect uncorrected sight can use them with no messing about with the focus. I'd recommend looking for a pair with this feature. No focus should mean they are easier/cheaper to make waterproof.

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[andy_wilson]

Fixed focus are lighter for a given power, less complicated, fewer gaps to let damp air in.

Someone said you can't look up the mast with them.
Wrong.

My masthead is pin sharp and spreader roots etc are clear enough.

If it's too close to be in focus you won't need 'bis anyway.
I got Bynolit (or something like that). Five years on and several drops and still sharp as anything.



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[alanporter]

Fixed focus binoculars work by having an extra minus lens effect buit in. This means that they are slightly out of focus when your eyes accommodation is completely relaxed. You do the focusing by accommodating your eyes. Old people who have virtually lost their accommodation cannot use these binoculars, neither can far-sighted people without their glasses, as it makes them more far-sighted.

<hr width=100% size=1>Alan Porter

 

[Wiggo]

Not sure if they're Plastimo, but someone is producing £30 fiixed ficus binos and £90 fixed focus with compass. Everyone is badging them, at present, so I'd be surprised if there is any difference between 'brands'.

FWIW, a mate bought the £30 ones, and I bougth the £90 ones with a compass. Both work just fine, but optically, the £90 ones seem a lot sharper and brighter. As they also have the compass built in, it's not valid to ask if they're £60 better, unfortunately...

Never having used fixed focus before, I am very impressed with mine, and would not go back.

<hr width=100% size=1>Nihil curo de ista tua stulta superstitione.

 

[JIM_TEAL]

Biggest advantage is that they are always in focus no matter who used them last with no need to fiddle to focus in a hurry. Close-to, out of focus depends on individual optics but naked eye is as good, that close for all navigational purposes.

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[scarlett]

I was given some fixed focus Plastimo Binos and I cannot focus on the top of my 12 m mast so I carry my old ones on board too.

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[actionoptics]

A fixed focus binocular has it's focus set to the hyper-focal distance point which is about 5/8th of the distance from you to the horizon. Objects in front of this point and objects behind this point, appear acceptably sharp but less so as the objects move further away from this point. If you have 20/20 vision in both eyes they are quick and easy to use. If you are long sighted then the focus point moves away from you and nearer objects are even more blurred. If you are short sighted then the opposite occurs. If your eyes are different, a normal binocular will have an adjustable right dioptre eyepiece so you can set the focus to accomodate the differences. It is unusual to find a fixed focus bino with a dioptre adjustment. All cheap binoculars will give a "cheap" image. The optical difference between £30 and £80 should be very noticeable. Whether you can happily wear spectacles with a fixed or focusing bino depends on the thickness of your spectacles glass and the eye relief of the bino. Bushnell made a fixed model expressly to suit specs and they did not reduce the field of view at all - called GlassesOn.

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[Wiggo]

aha - that may be it, then. My £90 pair with compass have dioptre adjustment on each eye, and they are razor sharp, once I've adjusted them for my eyes. Could be Plastimo, not sure. Bought from Marine Superstore, Port Solent.

<hr width=100% size=1>Nihil curo de ista tua stulta superstitione.

 

[milltech]

Exactly, Sports Auto Focus (Steiner) or, Single Eyepiece Focusing (everyone else), good quality not to be confused with "Fixed Focus".



<hr width=100% size=1>John
http://www.on-line-marine.com

 

[milltech]

Sent you a pm.


<hr width=100% size=1>John
http://www.on-line-marine.com

 

[Wiggo]

Axshully, having looked, mine bear a rather striking resemblance to the Century Seapro 2 range...

If it is the same unit, then I have to say they're the dogs', John. Wish I'd known you did 'em.

<hr width=100% size=1>Nihil curo de ista tua stulta superstitione.

 

[milltech]

I spent a very interesting morning with my Chinese bino manufacturer a few weeks ago. The new bino they want to supply me looks exactly the same as several other Chinese binos, similar to the old Tasco ones, just different colour printing and some small rubber moulding changes.

I took with me a sample bino and said, "Look this is the same as yours but I like the way it's finished and presented, can you deliver mine like this one?"

Four or five of their technical chaps came out, 20 minutes of Chinese chit-chat followed while I smiled at my sales lady, and she passed occasional tid bits to me from this conversation. In the end it transpired they didn't have a clue who had made it, thought some of the lenses weren't as good as theirs, agreed with me about the presentation, and took it home to China with the promise of getting in touch.

The point is, to you and I it looked to be exactly the same binocular. So it's clear to me that what I had always been told is actually true, that these designs get copied, even within China, and just because they look the same is no guarantee the standard will be the same. So comparing apparently similar binoculars with different names off the chandlers page may not be an accurate way to compare value, and the better finished binocular may not be the optical top gun.

I once heard it said that the SeaRanger was more expensive than the Binacom because it had a different standard of components in it, I thought it was a good way of marketing-speak to explain the price difference, but now I think at least the possibility exists that it could be true!

Life is troublingly difficult at times innit.

<hr width=100% size=1>John
http://www.on-line-marine.com

 

[Wiggo]

Rather co-incidentally, I found the Marine Superstore catalogue while sitting in the 'reading room', this morning...

The piccy there shows what would appear to be my binos, described as 'XM 54' but printed with 'Offshore 54' on the body. I'd have to to go to the boat to check, but I'm almost certain that mine are not marked that way.

They are visually indistinguishable from the Plastimo equivalent, and identical in price. So much for 'you get what you pay for'...

<hr width=100% size=1>Nihil curo de ista tua stulta superstitione.

 

[oldharry]

The big problem I have with my fixed focus pair is that they are never actually quite right for my eyes! Variable focus makes allowance for old age creeping up apace!

Having said that, it is very handy to have a pair of binos I can just grab and know they are near enough in focus when I am in a hurry or singlehanding.

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