Fixed Focus Binoculars

Mavis

Mavis

Well-Known Member
Joined
12 Mar 2006
Messages
207
Location
Looe Cornwall
Visit site
After reading this months ST binocular group test I decided to buy the Plastimo fixed focus binoculars as they received a Best Buy tag. They have arrived and there is no doubt, they really are excellent binoculars. But - I am an occasional spectical wearer (while driving or watching telly) and while the binoculars are perfectly in focus mid range without my glasses on, any distant object is blurred until I put my glasses back on, then everything is in perfect focus. If this means that I alway have to wear my glasses while using these binoculars then I will need to send them back and exchange them for the central wheel focus version. What do you think!!
 
I wondered about that, as I wear specs / lenses. I assume ffrom that they are set up for people with 20/20 eyesight only?

In fact I wil be more nadgered with lenses as I have a distance lense and a reading lense so probably the distance eye will be OK and the reading lense will be rubbish.

You may have saved me a spend.
 
Another issue to consider is using the fixed focus bins to assess a problem at the masthead.

4 years ago my eyes had enough focussing power to view the 50ft masthead now I have to walk a boat length away down the pontoon to get the masthead in focus. I don't have reading glasses yet but I am not far away from that stage.
 
If the lenses don't both adjust, then get rid of them. This is essential for moderately close work (e.g. masthead) or some notice on the harbour wall, etc.

PS - with adjustable eyepieces for close-up work, I think fixed-focus binos are much better for boating than central wheel focus. For 95+% of the time you just pick them up and use them...no need to focus (distance use).
 
You would have thought that the author of the Test would have mentioned the fact that you need perfect vision to use the fixed focus type unless you wear your glasses.
 
My yellow Aldi £50 fixed focus ones have compensation available for spec wearers. I confess its a lot easier for me without my specs on, but I can get them to work with specs and folding eye pieces, but its a fiddle I can do without.

Tim
 
I have a pair of Plastimo focus free, mainly because they were given away free with another purchase.
They seem well designed for intended purpose, and compared to most other binos have a decent size of object lens and a reasonable (not excessive) magnification so will be easy to use ... I would be happier if it were possible to make a small adjustment on the eyepieces to accommodate (in my case) a need for about +1 dioptre (ie I am long sighted).
Incidentally I imagine that anyone with astigmatism will have to wear specs regardless of what focussing is provided by binoculars, so in that case focus free would be as good as anything provided you do not need to look at nearby objects.

I have never discovered why binos seem to be regarded as necessary on boats. Occasionally useful and nice to have, perhaps, but scarcely essential.
 
[ QUOTE ]

I have never discovered why binos seem to be regarded as necessary on boats. Occasionally useful and nice to have, perhaps, but scarcely essential.

[/ QUOTE ]

As we're in the process of kitting out our first boat I'm wondering about them as well...I've always found it easier to take a pic with a digital camera (doesn't even have to be with my professional kit, even a point and shoot works), and zoom in as much as possible to see the detail

It works for me /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
is the average digi camera Waterproof & how long do your batteries last /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Well don't get the camera wet, and take spare batteries then /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif
 
Bino's with in-built compass are very useful for taking fixes, watching for collision avoidance and searching for buoys/harbours/rocks that you know should be on x bearing. I also find bino's very useful in low light conditions - can see much more than with naked eye alone.
 
[ QUOTE ]
As we're in the process of kitting out our first boat I'm wondering about them as well.

[/ QUOTE ]
I would not loose sleep heading off without mine but would never doubt the value of having binoculars onboard.

I suppose with gps colour plotter navigation the old aid to pilotage function of bins has been depreciated a notch but thinking back two years here is where I have used mine:

1 - Moored St Peter Port itching to leave but had to wait and watch the tide rise on the distant tidal gauge before I could motor up to the fuel barge.

2 - Sitting in Weymouth watching a gaggle of experts fail to roll up a jammed genoa furler on a 45 ft charter yacht. Got the binos out, saw the halyard wrap, then shouted across the raft "unfurl it until I say stop, right halt and crank on some halyard tension, now furl". All sorted in 2 minutes.

3 - Satisfying the swmbo's never ending quest for a £ multi million waterside property to buy when her numbers come up.

4 - Appreciating the sea bird colonies on the Ortacs near Alderney while en-route down the Swinge.

5 - Scanning the shore line from a mooring in order to plan a walk ashore.
 
I'd add these to uses for binoculars:

Sorting out the jumble of lights on a fishing boat or larger. The port/starboard lights are often more difficult to see than the deck lights etc - and it is one of these that's a real help in determining what direction the fishing
boat is pointing.

Likewise picking up the port/starboard lights when only a masthead light is visible to the naked eye.

Picking up unlit buoys, withies etc at night. Very important if they are near your intended course and you don't want to run into them.

Reading the names on buoys, harbour notices and the like.

Was that a dolphin?

Is that my crew on the beach waving to be picked up?

If none of the above rocks your boat, you could always sling them round the neck of the naval officer holding his umbrella and pushing his wheelbarrow - then you'd have all the least useful items on a boat all in one place!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top