Nautical Binocular Advice (Calling all mariners!)

[Seahawk]

What a great thread: Exit pupil?

I love it.

[drcoastline]

Hi David,

Glad your Ensign is doing well and moving up.

Pazuzu and Cajundaddy have both given good explanations of what to look for in a binocular so I won't go into that any further.

Military issue binoculars are made by Steiner. I have a pair of Military/Marine Steiner's in 7x30, no fog with auto focus. They are a mid size binocular and weigh about 17 oz. Over all a very nice binocular. Comfortable, easy to use, light weight, waterproof and float. Lifetime warranty. I keep them at the helm. They were roughly $200.00

Last winter I was in a Best Buy in NC and saw a pair of Nikon Aculon 8211 8x42 binoculars for $85.00. I bought them so my wife had a pair of binoculars to use when we were traveling with the boat. The Nikons are also midsize roughly the same weight are not auto focus but have a center focus knob that is fast and smooth. Can't recall the warranty or if waterproof like the Steiner's.

Last spring when travelling back North I found myself repeatedly reaching for the Nikons over the Steiner's. The optics were that much better. Mind you this was all daylight with occasional use at dusk. In theory the Nikons should also perform better at night due to the larger reticle. I have not had an opportunity to use the Nikons at night.

The only negative I can say regarding the Nikons so far are the lens covers are terrible, they don't stay on.

Edit: Neither pair is stabilized. Both the Steiner's and Nikon are very comfortable to use on a rolling, pitching deck.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by Seahawk

I bought the 1990's version of these: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00C66C784/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00C66C784&linkCode=as2&tag=bestprodtagd3534-20

I've got a set of those in 8x42 that is about 4 years old. They are very nice binoculars. Those are the Nikon Monarch 5.

If Seahawk says 10x42 is good, then it's good. Fortunately, these are pretty light whether it's 8x or 10x, and similarly priced. 8x is pretty easy to hold steady. 10x is still pretty easy to hold steady, but any higher than that definitely starts to get shaky.

Nikon makes a Monarch 7 which is similar but with a wider field of view and nicer coatings that are about double the price of the Monarch 5

Then, for another upgrade, there is the Monarch HG line.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/compare/Nikon_8x42_Monarch_5_Binocular_Black_vs_Nikon_8x42 _Monarch_7_ATB_Binocular_Black_vs_Nikon_8x42_Monar ch_HG_Binocular/BHitems/910856-REG_880214-REG_1314384-REG

One of the things that binocular people really get into is the angle/field of view, generally wider is better, especially if you're searching for something. Another thing that could be important is the eye relief. If she wears glasses, then more is usually better. If she doesn't wear glasses, then it's pretty much immaterial for all of these.

[masraum]

Oh, and here are the specs for the same models, but in 10x vs 8x. Since they are higher magnification, the field of view shrinks a bit and the weight goes up a little, but not much on either.

[masraum]

Vortex is also a very highly rated brand that makes very similar binoculars that are just a tiny bit less expensive than the comparable Nikons at $230, $480 and $940.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by Seahawk

What a great thread: Exit pupil?

I love it.

I think it's usually quoted that most adults can have a maximum exit pupil of 7mm (how big your pupil gets when dilated in the dark). If your binocs have an exit pupil smaller than your exit pupil, then you won't be seeing as much light (darker image, maybe harder to see) as you could. In astronomy, you want the max possible. If she's not going to be in a room that's completely pitch black, then she's probably not going to be dilated to 7mm anyway. Most folks like to stick with at least a 5mm exit pupil. So a 7x50 gives you roughly a 7mm exit pupil (50/7) or 10x50 give you a 5mm exit pupil. Viewing during the day it's less important since it's not that dark so your pupils won't be dilated anyway.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by drcoastline

Hi David,
The only negative I can say regarding the Nikons so far are the lens covers are terrible, they don't stay on.

The covers on my Monarch 5s stay on well, and they are captive which is great.

[masraum]

Those binocs posted above are all roof prism, hence, the straight tubes. The more traditional binoculars are penta-prism. Nikon makes some of those that they call the Ocean Pro that are $300, but they are nearly twice as heavy as the roof prisms, and due to the price, probably don't have glass and coatings that are nearly as good as the Monarchs. If you filter the Nikon website by "nautical" they do also list the Monarchs.

[daepp]

Man, this forum never lets me down - you guys rock! Thank you!

Originally Posted by masraum

If she's not going to be in a room that's completely pitch black, then she's probably not going to be dilated to 7mm anyway.

It's def low light (red light) but not pitch black on the bridge. Lots of ambient light from the displays (even tho they're rigged for night).

This pic is not from the bridge (it's actually the "break" outside where the smokers hang out) , but it gives you an idea of the low/red light they operate in at night:

[daepp]

Where Paul (Seahawk) would hang:





What they call the "Big Eyes" - massive binoculars mounted to each of the bridge wings:



One more for Paul:

[John Rogers]

I have a pair of Bushnell 10x50 that I bought in Hong Kong at the China Fleet Club in 1970 and they are still as good as the day I bought them. They can see bullet impacts on my targets at 200 yards. I am surprised the case is also nearly as good as new also!


Make sure to get ones with real glass lenses, NOT plastic as they don't last and will get foggy.

[Cajundaddy]

There has been a pretty big optical revolution in the last 5 years and top quality binos that used to cost $500-$1000 can regularly be found for $100-$300.

All of the suggestions mentioned here would be great and far better than using the Navy issue that have been passed around and rested on 1000 noses before you. The differences will be subtle with one offering a little wider field of view, another with a little better edge clarity. Happy hunting!

[Sunroof]

Take a look at the line up on BOATUS. I bought a pair that are rubber armored, nitrogen filled, 20 X 50 with a built in lite compass and use them on my sailboat. Although they do not have the stabilizing technology they are worth the money (less than $200) and have been great in all weather conditions.

Bob

[Sunroof]

OOOPS....

I meant WEST MARINE. I correct that....The ones I have are 7 X 50.

Check out the West Marine Catalog.

BOATUS is the organization that's been around for decades!

[nota]

7x50 nikon leitz/leica zess or Bausch & Lomb unless she is very small they are the standard

I have a pair of Bausch & Lomb bu navy aero's 7x50 WW2 standard issue still working fine

I would look in hock shops for top of the line binoc's

reject any with clouding or that are stiff or any other flaws
but you can find top quality for 10 to 25% of new prices

I do not like any image stability gimmicks for sea duty KISS is the key

[Midlife930]

Steiner is the choice!

[daepp]

I was just reminded that I never put a period on this thread, so to speak.

I got so much good info that it was truly difficult to make a decision. I ended up with the Nikon Monarch 7 (8X42) with coated lenses. Case included. They seemed like a good middle-of-the-road pair, and also middle sized as well.

She will be on leave and then in a couple of months of training before she goes underway again, but when she does I'll make sure and report back how they worked out!

Thank you all again for the great information!

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by daepp

She will be on leave and then in a couple of months of training before she goes underway again...

NAV on a DDG is an outstanding assignment.

So cool, daepp. Please thank her for all of us.

However, as the son of a West Point graduate (1952), Go Army!

Since 1983 I can't finish the quote

[70SATMan]

Originally Posted by nota

I have a pair of Bausch & Lomb bu navy aero's 7x50 WW2 standard issue still working fine

I have my dads B&Ls from his stint in the Nav. 1941s with the original case. Don’t have any caps, don’t know if they had em back in the day. Well worn but the optics are still crystal clear and the movements are still pretty crisp. Never looked to see what a pair goes for these days but, would be cool using a pair on the Bridge that could tell some tales.

[Tobra]

Okay, this has got to be the best thread here for a while