Use binoculars onboard?

[dkis4nu]

On our past cruises, we've looked out at sea and said "wish we would have brought our binoculars!". This time I'm going to do it. However, I'd like to buy a pair of small inexpensive ones that work fairly well - anyone have any ideas?

dk

[awoltoday]

Originally Posted by dkis4nu

On our past cruises, we've looked out at sea and said "wish we would have brought our binoculars!". This time I'm going to do it. However, I'd like to buy a pair of small inexpensive ones that work fairly well - anyone have any ideas?

dk

Can you define inexpensive? I'm sort of a binocular snob. Anything that is cheaper than Swarovski binoculars is inexpensive to me! I would highly recommend them. At about two grand, you can't call them inexpensive! The Nikon Monarch line of binoculars are pretty nice. They run about 250-300 bucks.

My best advice is to buy a quality binocular that best fits you. That will require some hands on experience in a store. Fit and comfort are the most important things to look for! If you can't quickly bring the binocular to your face, locate and focus on an object and hold it there for a while, you will fatigue quickly and/or not find what you're looking for. Here are a couple of other quality checkpoints to look for:

Roof Prism construction - generally more rugged than porro counterparts.
Waterproof - especially if you will be taking them in a marine environment.
fully multi-coated optics. Not fully coated or multi-coated. Fully multi-coated. Increases light transmission and improves image quality.
Nitrogen purged. This will help keep the binoculars from fogging.

Sorry you asked? or Just sorry that I answered?

[dkis4nu]

Wow - that's more information than I thought anyone would give... but, very informative. I was looking at some Nikons, but they were a little expensive. Tasco seemed cheap, are they cheesy?
Thanks for the info.

dk

[chuff]

Originally Posted by dkis4nu

Tasco seemed cheap, are they cheesy?
Thanks for the info.

dk

Yes.

Where optics (of any kind) are concerned there's no getting around spending a big chunk of change for quality. Swarovski, Leica, Zeiss, etc will hit you with a strong dose of sticker shock in the store but believe me when I say you absolutely ARE getting what you pay for. If you were to look through a pair of 8x Tascos then immediately scan the same area with a pair of 8x Leicas you would swear that the Leicas had much more magnification than the Tascos. The clarity difference is almost unbelievable. You will also get far less eye fatigue if you're looking through them for extended periods.

[awoltoday]

Originally Posted by dkis4nu

Wow - that's more information than I thought anyone would give... but, very informative. I was looking at some Nikons, but they were a little expensive. Tasco seemed cheap, are they cheesy?
Thanks for the info.

dk

Generally, you will get what you pay for with binoculars. I don't spend much time looking at really cheap binoculars. I've owned a bunch of them over the years and they have never lasted. But, this is a very personal purchase. How you use them, how often you will use them, and the conditions that you use them are all things to consider.

If you are not sure you will use them a lot, go ahead and buy a cheaper binocular. Just make sure they are comfortable to hold, fit your face, and that the eye cups and diopter adjustments stay in place (The diopter adjustment is how you adjust each barrel to each of your eyes so that both eyes see objects in focus). That way, you won't be out too much money if you decide you would like a binocular with better clarity.

oh, chuff made some excellent points there while I was typing up my reply! Although, I would have to say that most folks won't notice the difference between a $500 dollar bino and the WAY more expensive swaro/leica/zeiss UNLESS you use them in low light situations. That is when the high dollar stuff really shines!

[bonoah]

We just bought these for $23 on Amazon and they came yesterday. They had great reviews and we love them. They are not as small as we had hoped, but the work very well.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00..._ya_oh_product

[awoltoday]

Originally Posted by bonoah

We just bought these for $23 on Amazon and they came yesterday. They had great reviews and we love them. They are not as small as we had hoped, but the work very well.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00..._ya_oh_product

LOL... I love this part of the description

Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 8.2 x 4.2 inches ; 19.8 pounds

I knew porro prism binoculars were usually heavier than roof prism. But, I had no idea it was that much! Man, if that were true, you would need to hire somebody to carry them for you! Not sure what they were really trying to say... the binos are about 27oz/765grams.

[dietcokefan]

Okay, this is exactly something that has been on my mind as well with regard to purchasing a pair for our cruise, so I'm glad it was brought up...

Here is my concern and hopefully you binocular buffs can help me out. I wear eyeglasses for distance, so how do i get around a pair of binoculars while wearing my glasses w/o the risk of scratching my eyeglass lenses?

TIA

[dkis4nu]

Thanks for all the info. Bonoah, I looked at Amazon.com for the Bushnells that you purchased. You're right - the reviews were very good. What sold me was the review that said they were great for all his cruises. That's exactly what I wanted, so I bought them, and I'll see how they work. Now, maybe I can spot the pirate ships- argh!

dk

[TiggerTails57]

We have Mickey red ones from LLbean cost $50.00.

[awoltoday]

Originally Posted by dietcokefan

Okay, this is exactly something that has been on my mind as well with regard to purchasing a pair for our cruise, so I'm glad it was brought up...

Here is my concern and hopefully you binocular buffs can help me out. I wear eyeglasses for distance, so how do i get around a pair of binoculars while wearing my glasses w/o the risk of scratching my eyeglass lenses?

TIA

Most binoculars have either rubber eye cups that can be rolled up or an eye piece that twists to adjust the amount of eye relief (the distance required between the eyepiece lenses and your eyes) for eyeglass wearers. Go to a store where you can get your hands on some and try them out. Start with models that advertise eye relief of 16mm or greater. I think you will be surprised at how many models will work for you.

[ldalvarado]

Check out binoculars.com. Reviews of the products, and good categories to start with. I bought three pair there. 2 less expnesive ones for the kids, and one better one for me (although I cannot recall the brand at the moment).

[jship210]

http://www.binoculars.com/binoculars...tbinocular.cfm

[dietcokefan]

Originally Posted by awoltoday

Most binoculars have either rubber eye cups that can be rolled up or an eye piece that twists to adjust the amount of eye relief (the distance required between the eyepiece lenses and your eyes) for eyeglass wearers. Go to a store where you can get your hands on some and try them out. Start with models that advertise eye relief of 16mm or greater. I think you will be surprised at how many models will work for you.

Thanks! great suggestions, I'll go check some out. I've tried using some w/o my eyeglasses; but unfortunately I am near sighted in one eye, and far sighted in the other, so...I'm up a creek w/o them. I'm going to write down your suggestions and look for some that have the eye cups.