Stabilized Binoculars

[Pursuit2150]

Please post you comments on a GOOD pair of SI Binoculars. I see most are about $800/$1300.So far I narrowed it down to 15x50 by Cannon.

 

[neumanns]

Re: Stabilized Binoculars

Are you sure you need stabilized? For that kind of money you can buy Swarovski, I highly recomend them you will not believe what you have been missing. Mine are 10x and my uncles are 8X if he would trade I would. The optical quality of good glasses my be worth the trade off for stabilized. Just something to consider, go find someone who will let you check them out...Outside!

 

[PAkev]

Re: Stabilized Binoculars

Image stabilization is a benefit for folks wearing eyewear when using the binoculars. Since most peoples visual deficit is different in each eye, this usually requires a different dioptric prescription value for each eye. Although nearly all binoculars feature a compensating adjustment, it becomes less effective with higher power magnification. In addition, the index of refraction (the speed which light passes through a lens material) is also different because most quality binocular lenses are made of glass (1.523 index) whereas most eyewear lenses are made of CR-39 plastic (1.49 index) or polycarbonate (1.5 index) Without getting too technical, image stabilization has a way of working all this out to maximize optical performance.<br /><br />Good binoculars without image stabilization can be had for much less. Check out what Carl Zeiss has to offer. These are very good German engineered products that afford premium optics.<br /><br />Kevin<br /><><

 

[Boatist]

Re: Stabilized Binoculars

I would not go that high a power if you intend to use them on a boat underway or in the ocean. Even if you get the stabilized ones still hard to hold still on a small boat underway. If your on a ship or a calm lake at anchor may be ok. Underway on a small boat I would not go over 10 power.

 

[Pursuit2150]

Re: Stabilized Binoculars

Thanks for the input.They are not for me, but for an old salt of 80 with bad eyes,for use on a 30'Black-Fin. I,ve ruled out Cannon due to a bad users report and am now looking into Fijinon.

 

[Andrew Leigh]

Re: Stabilized Binoculars

Hi<br /><br />a couple of things to consider.<br /><br />One of the most important issues on binoc's is the objective lens size, the larger the better (this is the 50 in the 8 x 50). The larger the lens the more light it is able to pass through to your pupil and therefor the better the clarity and the easier it becomes to focus.<br /><br />I agree with the views on magnification, anything greater than 8X magnification becomes difficult to keep steady. 10X for me has to be the limit for handholding. If one remotely suffers from motion sickness (like i do) then the larger magnifications the more it affects you.<br /><br />Many binoc's have very poor eye relief...having to hold your face uncomfortably close to the eye pieces. This often come with the greater magnifications.<br /><br />Consider a pair with a rocker focusser rather than a focussing ring.<br /><br />Don't be fooled by sales gimmicks like "special lens coatings". All these achieve in my opinion is to reduce the available light to your pupil, the exact thing you need the most of. Coatings can also artificially "colour" the picture you see through your binoc's.<br /><br />Lastly there is no substitiute for good quality lenses. This only becomes apparent after repeated use. Bad lenses cause eye fatigue.<br /><br />I have not yet heard a bad report on Swarovski binoc's and many rate them as the best. I have heard however that Zeiss are subcontracting their lenses to cheaper European and Asian manufacturers.<br /><br />Hope this helps

 

[PAkev]

Re: Stabilized Binoculars

I respectfully disagree with the statement.......Don't be fooled by sales gimmicks like "special lens coatings". All these achieve in my opinion is to reduce the available light to your pupil, the exact thing you need the most of. Coatings can also artificially "colour" the picture you see through your binoc's.<br /><br />One of the best advances in optical technology is the anti-reflective coatings applied to lens surfaces. Look at anyone wearing high power prescription eyewear WITHOUT AN ANTI REFLECTIVE COATING and you will notice a lot of residual glare and reflection. This is light that IS NOT penetrating the lens surface because the inherent thickness of their lenses cause resistance for complete light penetration. The main chemical component used in anti-reflective coatings is magnesium flouride which affords the greatest white light absorbtion rate. For every full dioptric value you will loose approximately (depending on refractive index of material) 5% of light to reflection. Therefore at 10X you would only be recognizing 50% of useful ambient light without an anti reflective coating process on your lenses. Anti Reflective coatings alone indeed do not result in 100% light transmission and/or 100% glare reduction. This is why some manufacturers use specific colors to block certain other colors from the light spectrum (contingent on environmentatl conditions) to maximize white light penetration. <br /><br />Assuming the binoculars will be used around water; the fact that water (moisture) creates glare and therefore something that eliminates the glare before it gets to your eyes is something positive in recognizing superior optical performance.<br /><br />Although anti reflective coatings have been used in optics for many years, it has recently gained popularity of many fisherman who recognize the benefits of the termed "flourocarbon fishing line" and swear to a greater success rate as some fish species may become spooked by glare from conventional monofilament line.<br /><br />my 2 pennies........not snake oil<br /><><<br />Kevin