Hi im after a pair of binoculars, looking at kinglux with compass, on special at whitworths at the moment for $150
Does any body know if there any good? Do I even want one with compass? I herd they were hard to use.
any recommendations on others, on a budget.
cheers

Are these the ones you are referring to www.whitworths.com.au/binoc-8x30wp-yel-blu

Regards Don

I suggest something "auto-focusing", I don't own a pair...but have looked through some and couldn't believe how crisp and clear they are & quick, far better than my Tasco Offshore with the compass, I haven't used the compass much, I wont worry with a compass on my next pair.
cheers

Spend the money and buy a set of Steiner Skipper 7x50 auto focus and you will have them for life. I only cleaned out my shed yesterday an tossed out 4 old sets of binoculars. My Steiners's are now 12 years old and get kicked round the cockpit, never lived in their case and are still like new. Don't need a compass as you are better off with a good hand bearing compass.
That brings up another subject. How many people can now use a hand bearing compass and costal navigate with out the use of a GPS? I am amazed how many young sailors and newby's to sailing have no idea what a Running fix even is.

Hi Jode5,
Like SunnyCoast I have been looking for a set too. I think the Skipper range is no longer available. This is the Navigator Pro series, do you know if this is the same sort of specifications as your Skipper series?
Thanks!
SB

The Steiner Navigator Pro 7x50 Marine Binoculars offers plenty of advantages: sturdy water pressure proof construction down to 2m and maximum versatility. Designed to deliver clear vision and bright images with specially coated High-Contrast-Optics even in difficult light conditions. Steiner's legendary Sports-Auto-Focus ensures instant sharp viewing in any situation even at varying or rapidly changing distances — without the need to constantly refocus.Super Rugged
The super tough Makrolon® fibre reinforced polycarbonate body and an extremely compact construction make the Navigator 7x50 absolutely rugged and shock resistant. Added comfort with the slip-proof rubber armouring. A fog-free viewing and moisture protected performance guarantees the two-valve system of dry nitrogen pressure filling. The weight is evenly balanced and the 7-times magnification effectively stabilizes the binocular, provides a firm hold thus delivers a stable image.Sports-Auto-Focus
This Navigator is fitted with a Sports-Auto-Focus mechanism. Once your Steiner Navigator Pro 7x50 Marine Binoculars is adjusted, the unique Sports-Auto-Focus always provides razor-sharp images from 20m to infinity. You don't have to keep refocusing, especially when tracking moving subjects. Technical Specifications of the Steiner Navigator Pro 7x50 Marine BinocularsObjective diameter 50 mmMagnification 7 xWeight 1055 gWidth 207 mmHeight 140 mmDepth 75 mmExit Pupil 7.1 mmLuminosity 51Twilight Factor 18.7Field of view / 1000 m 123 mFocussing System Sports-Auto-FocusHigh-Performance-Optics High-Contrast-OpticsWater proof Water pressure proof up to 2 mNitrogen-Pressure-Filling via 2-way-valve systemTemperature Range -20 to +70°CEyecups cylindric-softRubber Armouring SEBS-ProfessionalCarrying Strap RobustStrap Attachment StandardObjective Cover YesBag YesWarranty 10 years

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Shaggybaxter said..
Hi Jode5,
Like SunnyCoast I have been looking for a set too. I think the Skipper range is no longer available. This is the Navigator Pro series, do you know if this is the same sort of specifications as your Skipper series?
Thanks!
SB

The Steiner Navigator Pro 7x50 Marine Binoculars offers plenty of advantages: sturdy water pressure proof construction down to 2m and maximum versatility. Designed to deliver clear vision and bright images with specially coated High-Contrast-Optics even in difficult light conditions. Steiner's legendary Sports-Auto-Focus ensures instant sharp viewing in any situation even at varying or rapidly changing distances — without the need to constantly refocus.Super Rugged
The super tough Makrolon® fibre reinforced polycarbonate body and an extremely compact construction make the Navigator 7x50 absolutely rugged and shock resistant. Added comfort with the slip-proof rubber armouring. A fog-free viewing and moisture protected performance guarantees the two-valve system of dry nitrogen pressure filling. The weight is evenly balanced and the 7-times magnification effectively stabilizes the binocular, provides a firm hold thus delivers a stable image.Sports-Auto-Focus
This Navigator is fitted with a Sports-Auto-Focus mechanism. Once your Steiner Navigator Pro 7x50 Marine Binoculars is adjusted, the unique Sports-Auto-Focus always provides razor-sharp images from 20m to infinity. You don't have to keep refocusing, especially when tracking moving subjects. Technical Specifications of the Steiner Navigator Pro 7x50 Marine BinocularsObjective diameter 50 mmMagnification 7 xWeight 1055 gWidth 207 mmHeight 140 mmDepth 75 mmExit Pupil 7.1 mmLuminosity 51Twilight Factor 18.7Field of view / 1000 m 123 mFocussing System Sports-Auto-FocusHigh-Performance-Optics High-Contrast-OpticsWater proof Water pressure proof up to 2 mNitrogen-Pressure-Filling via 2-way-valve systemTemperature Range -20 to +70°CEyecups cylindric-softRubber Armouring SEBS-ProfessionalCarrying Strap RobustStrap Attachment StandardObjective Cover YesBag YesWarranty 10 years

Firstly, congratulations on the new boat. At the moment you must feel like a five year old with a new push bike. Here's the bad news, you think you have a new boat and that should be the end of the spending. WRONG!!!
The Steiner Navigator Pro 7x50 sound the same as my Skipper's. People that use my binoculars can not believe how clear they are and that they are only 7x50 . The optics are so good you can even use them at night. The Kinglux binoculars look similar to the Steiner's but i think they are a Chinese knock off. I know when it comes to shooting scopes the Chinese knock offs of the Steiner scopes an not worth a cracker.
i would love to to see your new boat one day so I will probably see you down the bay one day or on an inter club race. MBBC have the Fairway Chalange at the end of February which can be used as a qualifying race for the Brisbane to Gladstone. If I am in town I will most likely be doing it.

I have some 7 x 50 Tasco Offshore with a built in compass, I bought them secondhand for $120.
They work well, I like them although a little difficult to focus sometimes - maybe I need to see an Optician!
Don't go any more high power than 7 x 50, as it is difficult to hold them still on a moving yacht.
The compass is really only to use to give you an idea where you are pointing them - I don't think anyone would really use them for plotting a course.

I've got taco offshore with compass , Pentax 7x 50 , Nikon 7 x 50 and I find myself grabbing the missus pair of Bushnell H2O 10 x 42, can't beat them to use one handed and being able to focus all at the same time

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NowandZen said..
I have some 7 x 50 Tasco Offshore with a built in compass, I bought them secondhand for $120.
They work well, I like them although a little difficult to focus sometimes - maybe I need to see an Optician!
Don't go any more high power than 7 x 50, as it is difficult to hold them still on a moving yacht.
The compass is really only to use to give you an idea where you are pointing them - I don't think anyone would really use them for plotting a course.

I threw a good set of Tasco 7x50 and a Pentax 7x50's in the tip yesterday. Nothing wrong with them, just not a touch on the Steiner's. Never thought about sticking them on Gumtree. It was a ruthless shed clean out, anything that had not been used in the last 10 years went. People would cry about what went, anchors, portable depth sounder, heaps of boat fittings, rope, fishing rods and reels, tools, VHF radio, DVD player and lots more. It was all good stuff that I was going to use one day. Any way l earned lots of brownie point from the missus and I now have plenty of room to collect more stuff for the next 10 years.

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Jode5 said..

NowandZen said..
I have some 7 x 50 Tasco Offshore with a built in compass, I bought them secondhand for $120.
They work well, I like them although a little difficult to focus sometimes - maybe I need to see an Optician!
Don't go any more high power than 7 x 50, as it is difficult to hold them still on a moving yacht.
The compass is really only to use to give you an idea where you are pointing them - I don't think anyone would really use them for plotting a course.

I threw a good set of Tasco 7x50 and a Pentax 7x50's in the tip yesterday. Nothing wrong with them, just not a touch on the Steiner's. Never thought about sticking them on Gumtree. It was a ruthless shed clean out, anything that had not been used in the last 10 years went. People would cry about what went, anchors, portable depth sounder, heaps of boat fittings, rope, fishing rods and reels, tools, VHF radio, DVD player and lots more. It was all good stuff that I was going to use one day. Any way l earned lots of brownie point from the missus and I now have plenty of room to collect more stuff for the next 10 years.

the tip guy must love to see you coming !!!

Don yes there the ones I was thinking about, but after reading the replies and leaning away from ones with compass
Hi jode I looked through your steiners at seabreezer weekend, and was quite impressed with the clarity especially compare to my vintage 10x50 Kmart one , might have to Keep an eye out for a good second hand pair

here is a site that ma help with your decision. www.bestbinocularsreviews.com/marine-binoculars.php

I have a pair of 15x50 image stabilized binos by Canon and digital binoculars that I from www.atncorp.com/smart-hd-binocular last Christmas as a gift to myself. They are great and have been a real asset. Canon's are a little heavy though.

I use a very old pair of 7X50 binos. I don't use them much so won't be buying new ones.
If I was going to I'd go for stabilised ones. When it is bouncing around normal ones don't work well when trying to identify lights ashore, about the only use I have for them.

Great place to shop ......

............ www.bintel.com.au/?v=322b26af01d5

i have a Russian set of binoculars with compass at least 10 years old cant remember the brand compass no longer works, but never really used it any way as i get a much better fix off my sestrel hand bearing compass which i still use frequently especially when racing to find angels between other yachts though laziness has definitely kicked in when it comes to navigating because of the ease of the ipad and navionics

Only could second Jode's and Shaggy's recommendations on the Steiners. Got a 7x50 Commander with compass and it is so good, that almost can see the future with it. Did not touch my hand held compass for ages when piloting. It is especially good at night! Mr Steiner does all, this days.
Also carry a Tasco 8x21 for occasional day use for the dinghy or the kayak and for passangers and so.

If one is able to afford the not insignificant outlay to purchase it, one is going to be looked after for the rest of his life.
(The 30 year warranty works as well, l had to put it to the test and it delivered what was promised. Actually it was much better, l ended up with a brand new pair.)

We use an excellent pair of Bushnell 7X50.

Having said that, we hardly use the bino's anywhere near as much as we used to.

In days gone bye we were all constantly using them to look for landmarks and read light flashes etc before SATNAV and then GPS became available. Now we use them when approaching anchorages to see if there's anyone we know in there.

Occasionally we spend a few days and navigate without the GPS just for the sake of it and the bino's get used a lot during that time.

In regards to compasses in them, since I always have a decent hand bearing compass as well as a good steering compass I have never felt the need for them in Bino's. I guess thats a personal taste thingy.

Generally speaking, if you know your boats heading you should have a good idea of which direction you are aiming your bino's.