Stabilised waterproof binoculars with built-in compass ?

[Boo2]

Hi,

Question as title : Does anyone know of a pair of stabilised waterproof binoculars with built-in compass ? I bought a pair of Steiner Navigator 7x30 bins but find they are useless on the boat as the motion makes it impossible to keep them trained on target. A stabilised pair of bins with the exact same spec would be perfect - I don't need higher magnification and my aging eyes don't need a larger objective either.

Any suggestions ?

Boo2

 

[Coaster]

I'm not aware of any stabilised binoculars with an integral compass.

We decided that stabilisation was the most important element and have been very happy with our Canon IS30. In a centre cockpit boat the showerproofing has proved to be satisfactory.

The difference in visible detail when using stabilised binoculars is extraordinary. Distant boat names, bird plumage and objects on shore are much easier to see clearly.

I will be very interested to see if anyone does know of binoculars that meet your requirement.

 

[whipper_snapper]

I'm not aware of any stabilised binoculars with an integral compass.

We decided that stabilisation was the most important element and have been very happy with our Canon IS30. In a centre cockpit boat the showerproofing has proved to be satisfactory.

The difference in visible detail when using stabilised binoculars is extraordinary. Distant boat names, bird plumage and objects on shore are much easier to see clearly.

I will be very interested to see if anyone does know of binoculars that meet your requirement.

I am not bothered about built-in compass either, but I am thinking about springing for some IS bins. So to hijack the thread very slightly, I would be interested to hear of your experience with these - I assume you are talking about the Cannon 10x30 IS?

How do they perform at night and in low light? The classic 7x40s have incredible light gathering power and are amazing in low light, but it would also be nice to be able to go up in magnification while retaining usability on a bouncing boat.


Just done some more googling, I would kill for the fully waterproof Cannon 10x42IS, but cant justify 3x the cost......

 

[Talbot]

?x50 is the best for use onboard as that provides a better view and is easier to keep stable. 7x50 is considered the best all round compromise for day and night use, but 10x50 is better during the day.

I have Nikon 7x50 with compass, and am very happy with them. I also have a cheap pair of LIDL binos that are very good as well.

 

[V1701]

Actionoptics, who posts on here, might be able to advise, here's his website http://www.actionoptics.co.uk/index.html#navbar

 

[Coaster]

I am not bothered about built-in compass either, but I am thinking about springing for some IS bins. So to hijack the thread very slightly, I would be interested to hear of your experience with these...

Apologies for the delay in replying; I've been away from my laptop since yesterday morning.

...I assume you are talking about the Canon 10x30 IS?

Yes

How do they perform at night and in low light?

I've been rather suprised by the low light performance. It's much better than the theory suggests. We even use the binoculars at night, for example to pick out details when motoring through a dark anchorage.

I'm now in my mid-50s and perhaps much younger eyes might see a difference in the low light performance. Apparently pupil diameter is relevant to this.

Just done some more googling, I would kill for the fully waterproof Cannon 10x42IS, but cant justify 3x the cost......

I share your aspiration but there are far too many other priorities for us. In fact, if I had more than £1000 to spend on binoculars I'd probably buy 4 sets of the 10x30s - one for current use, one as a spare, one in the going-ashore rucsack and one to keep in the car!

We bought ours from Bristol Cameras about 5 years ago and paid about £225. I gather they're a bit more expensive now. Nevertheless, if I had to buy new binoculars with a budget of less than £1000, I'd prob

 

[Coaster]

I am not bothered about built-in compass either, but I am thinking about springing for some IS bins. So to hijack the thread very slightly, I would be interested to hear of your experience with these...

Apologies for the delay in replying; I've been away from my laptop since yesterday morning.

...I assume you are talking about the Canon 10x30 IS?

Yes

How do they perform at night and in low light?

I've been rather suprised by the low light performance. It's much better than the theory suggests. We even use the binoculars at night, for example to pick out details when motoring through a dark anchorage.

I'm now in my mid-50s and perhaps much younger eyes might see a difference in the low light performance. Apparently pupil diameter is relevant to this.

Just done some more googling, I would kill for the fully waterproof Cannon 10x42IS, but cant justify 3x the cost......

I share your aspiration but there are far too many other priorities for us. In fact, if I had more than £1000 to spend on binoculars I'd probably buy 4 sets of the 10x30s - one for current use, one as a spare, one in the going-ashore rucsack and one to keep in the car!

We bought ours from Bristol Cameras about 5 years ago and paid about £225. I gather they're a bit more expensive now. Nevertheless if I had to buy new binoculars, with a budget of less than £1000, I don't know of others I'd prefer.

 

[whipper_snapper]

Thanks, I think I will go for the 10x30`s

 

[johnalison]

The 10x30s should be fine for most work. We've had ours for over 10 yrs and they've been fantastic. The number of occasions when you need the extra light from 7x50s is very small. We keep a pair of old 7x50s for use at near night and when there is a risk of wetting the Canon. For dusk work in most sailing conditions you are unlikely to need anything other than basic quality 7x50s which can be had very cheaply.

 

[pvb]

I'd love some stabilised binoculars, but until my trusty Steiner Commanders die (unlikely) I can't justify spending the money! However, I seem to remember looking into the various makes a while ago, and reading somewhere that the Canon IS binoculars only have +/-1 degree of stabilisation, whereas the Nikon and Fujinon models have a much greater degree of stabilisation (something like +/-3 or 5 degrees?) and are said to be better for use on moving boats. Is this right?

 

[johnalison]

I'd love some stabilised binoculars, but until my trusty Steiner Commanders die (unlikely) I can't justify spending the money! However, I seem to remember looking into the various makes a while ago, and reading somewhere that the Canon IS binoculars only have +/-1 degree of stabilisation, whereas the Nikon and Fujinon models have a much greater degree of stabilisation (something like +/-3 or 5 degrees?) and are said to be better for use on moving boats. Is this right?

Although it is true that the range of stabilisation is smaller as is the number of axes, in practice the main benefit is to reduce hand-shake and wind-induced judder, for which the Canon is fine. The effect of pressing the switch is dramatic to most users and as someone has said, gives you the chance to pick up fine detail on distant objects such as ships' names.

 

[pvb]

Although it is true that the range of stabilisation is smaller as is the number of axes, in practice the main benefit is to reduce hand-shake and wind-induced judder, for which the Canon is fine. The effect of pressing the switch is dramatic to most users and as someone has said, gives you the chance to pick up fine detail on distant objects such as ships' names.

But on a small boat, you have a lot of boat-induced judder as well as hand-shake, etc, so would the larger compensation ability of the Nikon/Fujinon be an advantage?

 

[Coaster]

But on a small boat, you have a lot of boat-induced judder as well as hand-shake, etc, so would the larger compensation ability of the Nikon/Fujinon be an advantage?

I can only speak for the Canon binoculars. We have no problem on our 34' boat.

If your small boat is crashing and juddering violently the difference between different makes is presumably irrelevant.