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dOP
journeyman
Reged: 12/07/07
Posts: 69
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Hi,
I'm looking for quality, comfortably handheld, not too expensive, binoculars. My first choice, at least for now, are these Nikon:
http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-Sports-Marine-Waterproof-Binocular/dp/B00006IS3N
These look very good on paper, but I was wondering if anyone here has used this model and can share some impressions since I didn't find much information about their performance.
Thanks!
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hallelujah
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 07/14/06
Posts: 2151
Loc: Rocky Mt. High Colorado
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This dealer offers a better price:
http://www.eagleoptics.com/index.asp?pid=726
--------------------
Celestron Traveler 8x25 & B. & H. 8x40 FC JAPAN & Revue 10x50 CF Porro FC JAPAN &
Pentax 12x50 PCF WP II FMC & Pentax 16x60 PCF WP FMC &
Pentax 20x60 PCF WP II FMC & Orion 12x63 Mini Giant FMC JAPAN &
SPECTRUM I 20x65 FC JAPAN &
Orion 15x70 Little Giant II FMC JAPAN & Orion 20x70 Little Giant II FMC JAPAN
Orion 16x80 Giant FMC JAPAN & Orion 30x80 MEGAView FMC JAPAN
Barska 30x80 X-Trail LW FC & Burgess Optical Series II 20x90 FMC
Hallelujah! For the LORD God Omnipotent Reigneth
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ronharper
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 02/14/06
Posts: 1276
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dOP,
I haven't used it, nor do I remember any mentions of it here. It does look very nice, and costs enough to be good.
Here's an ad for a roughly comparable, but armored, 46-ounce, and more expensive Fujinon, just for comparison:Fujinon AR-SX
There's a review you can click on.
And here's a review of the Nikon, which I found weighs 41 ounces:Nikon review
A lot of folks here like the top Chinese made porro, branded Garrett Signature, Oberwerk Ultra, Orion Resolux, or William Optics ED. These things weigh around 57 ounces, but are mighty good, according to EdZ's review in the mini-review section of this forum, and further mention in the small binoculars reports also filed there.
Another possibility is to watch Astromart for a used Fujinon FMT-SX (51 ounces) to come up. These usually go for $300, and would be the last marine 7x50 you ever need.
Ron
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Mark9473
Post Laureate
Reged: 07/21/05
Posts: 3208
Loc: 51°N 4°E
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I don't know if it's important to you, but these are Individual Focus which makes them hard to use during daytime (except at a fixed distance). FYI, Nikon also lists the 7x50 CF WP which are central focus. Eagle Optics lists them as the Ocean Pro
A final comment would be that, to me, the step from 7x to 8x is a significant one. This may seem counter-intuitive, but 8x really does show noticeably more detail on almost everything. Resolving star clusters is an obvious case in point, and probably the Moon is where the apparent difference is the largest (to me).
I won't go as far as recommending a particular 8x binocular since you haven't told us much about your intended uses(s).
Don't get me wrong, I really like my 7x50s.
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Mark
Leica 8x20; Vixen 8x42; Swift 8.5x44, 10x50 and 20x80; TS 7x50; Orion 15x63; Docter 15x60
WO Megrez II 80 FD + Baader 90° T2 Amici
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Robert A.
sage
Reged: 01/21/05
Posts: 292
Loc: Milwaukee, WI Northern USA
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dOP,
You picked Nikon's best marine 7x50. 1207 grams, 7 degrees of view. It seems to be better than the Ocean Pro, more expensive.
This forum seems to think that the Fujinon 7x50 FMT-SX is about the best besides the Nikon 7x50 Prostar. That Fujinon is 1381 grams with a 7.5 degree field of view.
Many companies have the new chinese offering that almost equals the Fujinon FMT-SX. Here is the William Optic branded 7x50 model. Which is 1587 grams, 7.3 degrees field of view.
The one I hope is equal to that Nikon Sports and Marine is the Captains Helmsman 7x50 here at Captains Nautical Supplies It is 1315 grams and a 7.2 degree It was the one I bought. (I have not compared it) It does have Japanese sourced optics. Sure, the Fujinon or the William Optic binoculars may be better, but it is so good and comfortable to use, that I have not upgraded.
All of these have individually focused eye pieces. Mark is right to comment on them. Good for astronomy, good for sealing against water, much too hard to coordinate for viewing moving birds.
Does any of these comparisons help?
Rob.
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Oberwerk 11x56, Nikon 12x50se, Fujinon 16x70, Stellarvue 20x85, Oberwerk 25/40 45degree 100mm
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dOP
journeyman
Reged: 12/07/07
Posts: 69
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Thank you all for your answers!
I'll be using them for astronomy primarily. I had a 12x50 and before that a 7x50 which I tear apart after the collimation went terribly bad. Those were cheap binoculars and I'll never buy low quality rubbish again - it's a waste of money.
Quote:
This dealer offers a better price:
I just sent the amazon link for convenience, I did check other websites with better prices 
Quote:
It does look very nice, and costs enough to be good.
That's what I thought
Quote:
A lot of folks here like the top Chinese made porro, branded Garrett Signature, Oberwerk Ultra, Orion Resolux, or William Optics ED. These things weigh around 57 ounces, but are mighty good, according to EdZ's review in the mini-review section of this forum, and further mention in the small binoculars reports also filed there.
My problem with those "top Chinese" is the price. They are as expensive as the Nikon and (assuming they are equivalent in terms of quality) Nikon's warranty is unbeatable: 25 years, 10 bucks.
Quote:
I don't know if it's important to you, but these are Individual Focus which makes them hard to use during daytime (except at a fixed distance). FYI, Nikon also lists the 7x50 CF WP which are central focus. Eagle Optics lists them as the Ocean Pro
I'm aware of the individual focus feature and that's a requirement.
Quote:
A final comment would be that, to me, the step from 7x to 8x is a significant one. This may seem counter-intuitive, but 8x really does show noticeably more detail on almost everything. Resolving star clusters is an obvious case in point, and probably the Moon is where the apparent difference is the largest (to me).
Magnification isn't a concern for now. I'm thinking of buying, maybe in the summer, larger binoculars to use on a mount. For now I just want something I can comfortably hold in my hands and in that department, the 7x50 are hard to beat, I think. Anyway, I'll take that into my decision.
Quote:
You picked Nikon's best marine 7x50. 1207 grams, 7 degrees of view. It seems to be better than the Ocean Pro, more expensive.
I've read somewhere that the Ocean Pro model is manufactured in China and the Sports Marine in Japan. I know, that's not a bad thing (probably) but I don't like the Ocean's look. They look like toys
Quote:
Here is the William Optic branded 7x50 model. Which is 1587 grams, 7.3 degrees field of view.
This one with ED glass is new to me, I've been in the WO web site, and there's nothing listed there... Just wondering, are they available in the 70mm version?
Thanks again!
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