stabilising binoculars that work

[Gludy]

As a follow up to the threads on stabilising binoculars – I did a fair amount of research and comparing and purchased a pair at the boat show.

Having used them at sea today, I can say that the work very well indeed and have solved the problems – you can lock onto and hold an image even at 14 x magnification and with the boat bumping around.

The pair I ended up with was the Nikon 14 by 40 that are not only waterproof but have a choice of land or boat degrees of stabilisation. The land has in effect a factor of 2 stabilisation with the marine a factor 5 – this compares to the other binocs that compromise with a factor 3. I am very pleased with the results and can now actually focus on other boats, read names etc all whilst belting along at 30 knots.


<hr width=100% size=1>Paul

 

[milltech]

If it's not too distasteful, what was the damage?


<hr width=100% size=1>John
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.allgadgets.co.uk>http://www.allgadgets.co.uk</A>

 

[Gludy]

The damage was a fair bit - £999 discounted down to £840.

However, it helps me digest it to think it is a lifetime purchase going from boat to boat and it is the only thing that works.

With normal binocs I am lucky if I can hold a ship in view let alone read its signals, name etc - with these I can see what is going on.

A good option for them would be to introduce a 7 by 40 - with that maginfication they would be super stable. Having said that though, now that I have used them in anger, I would still go for the 14 magnification because it is at least 100 times more stable than normal binocs and I can see what is happening from a fair distance.

Its a good idea for a Xmas or birthday list or maybe a combined Xmas, Birthday

The main purpose of the post is just to advise others that my findings are to ignore Cannon and the other makes as they do not perform in the same way at all. If you are going for such binocs, its seems that Nikon have it sown up.





<hr width=100% size=1>Paul

 

[milltech]

The "other" ones were Fujinon?


<hr width=100% size=1>John
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.allgadgets.co.uk>http://www.allgadgets.co.uk</A>

 

[Gludy]

I was told at one stand that the Fujinon manufactured the Nikon ones including the optics - Nikon denied this - so someone was telling porkies.

The Fujinon offered no marine mode, there was just the one setting, the lacked the Nikon optics and they were almost the same price. They did claim they were waterproof though, which the Canon were not.

Upon leaving harbour on Saturday I could see a dredger off in the distance but could not read any signs on it - normal binocs 7 by 50 Offshore were no good as I could not even keep the boat in view - the Nikons without stablising were no good - with land satblising mode they were good with Marine setting superb and I could read the signs on the dredger and so decide early which way to go. For the first time I can look at other boats whilst underway and read their names.

Given any situation using binocs I am better off with these than anything else. Nikon also do a cheaper 12 by 30 version.



<hr width=100% size=1>Paul

 

[Piers]

Thanks for this post - really good to have some on-board feedback.

Have you a name /number for the place you bought yours? PM me if you want to keep it off the forum.

Again - thanks.

<hr width=100% size=1>Piers du Pré
http://www.dupre.co.uk