Alaskan Cruise & Binoculars

[ThePhantomsGirl]

For those who have done Alaska - or are about to - can you make some recommendations for binoculars?

I'm not looking for super expensive as I'll not likely use them much again, but a decent enough pair that I can view wildlife.

I've got until 2013 but wanted an idea of what a decent pair might cost, and where to get them.

 

[RedSox68]

We have a Nikon pair that served us very well in PC and the Med. Don't have the style number right now, but they are a good brand.

Also just bought this pair on the recommendation of my boss who is an avid binocular user: Pentax 62215 Papilio 6.5x21 Porro Prism Binocular (they are on Amazon).

We just received them the other day and my husband is nuts about them -- said not only is the zoom awesome (they have the unique ability to zoom IN on details like butterfly wings and bird feathers, as well as zoom out a great distance), but they are light-weight and he said incredibly comfortable to use.

 

[Gilland18]

Binoculars usually are identified by numbers like 7x40. The 7 has to do with the amount of magnification and the 40 has to do with the size of the large end (I'm keeping it simple cuz this is all I needed to know). I've been told not to get anything larger than 10x50 unless you plan to use a tripod because they are too heavy and too hard to keep centered on what you are trying to see. There is a lot of variety in size, weight and price.

 

[Gilland18]

I checked and we took a 7x35 and a 10x50 last year. They both did a fine job. Unless you plan to use them a lot after the cruise, a 7x35 or something similar should suit. I looked at Amazon and some binocular websites, reading reveiws to decide what brand and how much I wanted to spend. Size and weight, too, since luggage space is at a premium.

 

[trimix]

I will be bringing two pairs of binoculars. One is a pair of 10x50 from Orion Telescopes, that I paid $40 or $50 for. The other pair is Celestron 15x70 binoculars that sell for $60. These will be mounted on a tripod because they are heavy enough to be difficult to hold steadily unless you have a table or railing to rest your elbows on.

The higher magnification power of the 15x70 binoculars will be useful for getting a closer look at animals on either side of the Tracy Arm. They will not accompany us on shore excursions!

 

[mmouse37]

They sold a nice pair right onboard the Wonder. that is where a few of us bought ours on the Alaskan cruise. We bought them on the Tracy Arm day.

I think they were Nikon. they sold pretty fast.

MJ

 

[ilovetexas]

I'm not doing Alaska again soon but am interested in some new binoculars, as mine got left in a friend's car and never returned. I, too, need a new pair and don't want to spend a fortune, but do want something that is decent quality.

A couple of good suggestions here, I'll look into them and any more suggestions we get!

 

[ThePhantomsGirl]

It's been very helpful to me! Thank you to all those that have responded, as it's given me information on what to look for, and where.

 

[Deaconfan]

We did the Alaska cruise last year and I researched binoculars quite a bit before the trip. I would second Nikon as a good choice. I also went with waterproof as an option that a lot of veteran Alaskan cruisers suggested. Shopping around online proved to be worth it for me.

Enjoy the trip!