What binoculars?

[samwise]

As I am to retire shortly, my company is facing the usual dilemma of what to offer as a suitable gift. I have been approached (obliquely) about the possibility of a pair of binoculars as a fitting farewell present.

The budget (bless 'em) is about £250 and I was considering something like the Steiner Skipper 7x50s with compass. Are there any forumites who have experience of these? Also what is the advantage or otherwise of the new 7x30 Skippers now on offer. I have to say we already have a pair of trusty Jessops bins that have served us well so far, although the low light performance is rather wanting. I have tried the Commander models at a boat show and was most impressed but they are well over budget and anyway I feel a spend in excess of £500 for a pair of bins is a bit excessive. Views and guidance welcomed.

 

[Koeketiene]

[ QUOTE ]

The budget (bless 'em) is about £250 and I was considering something like the Steiner Skipper 7x50s with compass.


[/ QUOTE ]

Got 'em - best thing since sliced bread - would not want to be without 'em.
Five years - still look feel new, and they've gone "swimming" more than once

 

[Talbot]

I have the equivalent Nikons and love them

 

[GeorgeTina]

Hi
I also received my Steiner Skipper 7x50s as a retirement gift. Great, super clear good a low light levels. My compass seemed to stick when hot so sent back - no problem, came back fixed in 3-4 weeks. Don't forget a float strap as a bit expensive to loose overboard !!

 

[Anonymous]

Do compare with the Canon Image Stabilised, for about the same price, before deciding.

 

[pvb]

Waterproof?

Are the £250 Canon binoculars waterproof?

 

[kcrane]

Have the Steiner Skipper (Xmas present 2005), excellent in low light, compass is visible and well damped, would get another pair if they went missing.

 

[Norman_E]

I have an old pair of non compass Steiners. Superb optics and they have stood up very well to hard use. I really do not think you will find a better make.

 

[Anonymous]

Re What binoculars?

They are suitable for use in all weather, I seem to remember. I always keep them out of direct sunlight because of the batteries (here in the Med it can get too hot to touch). One thing that might not be obvious is that they work perfectly well when the IS button is not pressed so the trick is to get them pointed to the target and the coarse focus sorted then push the button for the final focus and while actually viewing (only when needed). That way, the batteries (2 AA) last from May to September. Everyone remarks on how nice and bright the image is.

But then bins are very personal things...my advice is to try the ones on your short-list for several hours before making the final decision. Five minutes playing around in the chandler's or at a BS isn't really a good way to choose. I just love the feel of the Canon, and the lightweight, quite aside from the excellent Image Stabilisation. I sound like a Canon rep, don't I? I've just bought a Canon EOS 400D digital SLR - Canon are at the cutting edge of high tech optics and that's a fact.

 

[FlyingDutchman]

Re: Re What binoculars?

I have a pair of Swarovski 7x30.
Excellent, but for boating purposes the view is a bit small.
I think this is because of the 30 instead of 50, but I am not sure.
If this is true, I would go for 7x50.

 

[Gin]

I have the Steiner Skippers with compass 7 x 50- brilliant is the word on all counts.

Don't go for less than '50' optics as the light gathering is reduced- you won't be satisfied with'30's' that's for sure

 

[richardabeattie]

Unless you are retiring remarkably early in life your eyes may have got to the point where you are not going to get the full low light benefits of 7 x 50s. 8 x 40 would give you something easier to hold and more compact but does anybody make 8 x 40s with a compass?

I will now duck because there are opticians out there who are now going to pile in on this thread.

 

[samwise]

As always, the forum comes up with the goods. Many thanks to all for your advice. For the record, re the post on deterioration of eyesight in advancing years, I have had artificial lens replacements in both eyes, which has been a big success. No need for glasses but, because the focal length is fixed, it means that anyone using our current bins after me has to refocus.

 

[Brian_B]

When you make up your mind check out some of the USA sites. They are about half the UK price.
Ordered mine on Wednesday, tracked them with FedEx onto my desk by Friday. Try Binoculars.com

 

[Lakesailor]

Re: Re What binoculars?

[ QUOTE ]
Canon are at the cutting edge of high tech optics and that's a fact.

[/ QUOTE ] Ooops.

 

[Anonymous]

Re: Re What binoculars?

That was a pretty dumb review as the Nikon is £730 vs the Canon £515. Actually, the EOS 400D is widely reviewed as one of the best in its class though camera users tend to have loyalty to a particular manufacturer (just as boat buyers do!). Interesting to see the criticism about consitent under-exposure. That is true in a sense but the camera is brilliant at avoiding blown highlights so actually it is a much better instrument. You expect to correct the exposure in the software on cameras like this and if you want to simply push out snaps then it is very easy to compensate for the under exposure. Then again, if with a huge price difference, the Nikon only "just pips the Canon to the honours" then that is saying a lot for Canon.

 

[SimonD]

I got a pair of Steiner 8x40s at the London Camera Exchange. Ex display, £100 (without compass though). Absolutely superb quality kit that is a pleasure to use and own. Highly recommended.

 

[actionoptics]

No question, the Steiners have a well deserved reputation. The difference between 7x50 and 7x30 is the brightness. Divide the first number ( magnification) into the second number ( front lens diameter in mm) and the result is the size of the disc of light exiting the eyepieces and entering your eyes. At night your pupils will open to about 7mm so that is why 7x50 gives such a bright image even in low light. The 7x30 have an exit pupil of just over 4mm and as the square law appilies to light , the difference is huge. Note that the Canon 10x30 IS is NOT water proof and if you drop it and it goes out of alignment , it will cost about £90 to fix and only Canon can do it. Do look through a Steiner or anything else you may be considering before your decide as you may find it difficult to see the compass card and the view at the same time. I use a Steiner copy ( costs £80 ) and Janet uses a Helios Oceanmaster, both with compass built it but we find we can't see the compass in each others.

 

[geoffatstanpit]

Re: Re What binoculars?

At risk of taking this thread off on a branch - I looked at those Nik and Canon offerings but neither held a candle to the Olympus E300 which I got and I'm delighted with it.

 

[angelsson]

For me its got to be Steiner everytime.
Superb optics, I have the Navigator 7x50, were expensive and part of a Xmas present 3 years ago, but wouldnt be without them, have tried the Skipper belonging to others which are same quality optics, but my personal choice is the Navigator.
It certainly a great present, Compass have the Navigator 2 within your present budget from your mates.

Best wishes for a happy retirement

Mike