Binocular recommendation request for Father

Hello everyone,

Bit out of my element in regards to binoculars and thought I would reach out. Looking in the $300 - $400 range. Father really would like some binoculars while he is out on the boat on Lake of the Ozarks. We see plenty of large birds, especially bald eagles, deer on the shore while anchored. His old pair is nearly 30 years old and time for an upgrade.

Can I get any recommendations or suggestion of favorites?

Thanks very much and let me know if I can provide any more information.

I have the Tasco Offshore 54. I went into West Marine Products decades ago when I still had a 30' sailboat and would race it outside SF Bay in the ocean, and compared it with the best (and higher priced) Fujinon marine binocular with compass, and could not see a difference in evaluation. It is similar in profile to the Steiner Marine II 7 x 50 Binoculars with Compass, rather than the larger Fujinon Marine II 7 x 50 Binoculars with Compass.

https://www.opticsplan​et.com …ulars-offshore-os541.html

Unfortunately Tasco apparently no longer offers a binocular like this for marine environment, but here is one on eBay

https://www.ebay.com …a710d8:g:rpsAAO​SwRaFcY7Qq

Get one with good lens coatings, for better contrast. And get something with not too high of magnification (harder to hold on target) and larger objective (brighter in low light) like 7 x 50

I have the Nikon Prostaff 7S 10x30 Waterproof.

I love them. They are small and light enough not to be a hassle or tiring to hold, but large enough that you can actually hold and adjust them.

Many birders prefer and 8x magnification for the reasons Will gave and for a wider FOV, but I am happier with 10.

https://www.bhphotovid​eo.com …rostaff_7s_bino​culer.html

($196 at B&H)

Vortex binoculars are quite good in that price range

Nikon Monarch 5 series , 8x 42 or 10 x 42. Both are currently on sale.

See https://www.bhphotovid​eo.com …on+Monarch+Bino​culars/N/0

Hi Adam

Best value from a pair of binos that I own are Zhumell brand They are very inexpensive, but are very high quality. Vision is sharp across the entire field of view, nitrogen purged water and fog proof. I picked up a 8x42 roof prism which is great for light gathering, good power for birding and focuses to 1.2m. At about ± US $100 and a no BS lifetime warranty, these are an outstanding buy. I've owned mine for 11 years and no complaints.

5 posts and 5 different suggestions
That gives you a lot of direction!

John from PA wrote in post #18901946
Nikon Monarch 5 series , 8x 42 or 10 x 42. Both are currently on sale.

See https://www.bhphotovid​eo.com …on+Monarch+Bino​culars/N/0

I have the 10x42 and am very happy. I use them for birding and scanning hills for elk and deer. Good low light and good edge to edge sharpness.

Apologies if this is outside your budget - I have no idea what they cost in the US.

I have a pair of Canon bins with image stabilisation and have found IS to be a real help with my shaky, arthritic hands. The Canon's IS is so effective that I can cope with ahigher magnification than I would otherwise be limited to.

I also love IS in binoculars. Personally I find that lower magnification and even less sharpness or more CA are compensated for by the IS - I can still see more detail. Now if you can stabilize the binos really well, maybe that's not the case - but personally I would go for a spotting scope on a tripod instead.

I'm pretty sure you can get decent IS binos for < $400.

Edit: I think I have something like these, I guess a little more than I first thought. I really think they, or something similar, is worth the extra.

https://www.amazon.com …64458276&s=gate​way&sr=8-2

I have these. I think they're so good that, bearing in mind Canon's excellent build quality, it would be worth hunting down a used pair if they're too expensive new. They are pretty compact, too.

Spencerphoto wrote in post #18902064
I have these. I think they're so good that, bearing in mind Canon's excellent build quality, it would be worth hunting down a used pair if they're too expensive new. They are pretty compact, too.

Hosted photo: posted by Spencerphoto in
./showthread.php?p=189​02064&i=i108578162
forum: General Photography Talk

Fantastic binoculars. I owned a pair about a dozen years ago, that I used for star gazing. Having IS provides a great viewing experience. Might want to check Canon's refurbished site.

Perfectly Frank wrote in post #18902094
Fantastic binoculars. I owned a pair about a dozen years ago, that I used for star gazing. Having IS provides a great viewing experience. Might want to check Canon's refurbished site.

Sometimes due to age related health issues the IS binoculars are worth while. They tend to be larger in physical size but that can be a bonus and they are easier to hold.

A summary of the Canon refurb offerings is at https://shop.usa.canon​.com …&pageView:grid&​pageSize:&. Unfortunately, most are out of stock except the 10 x 42 L (yep, note the "L") at $1600.

A summary of the new offerings can be found at https://shop.usa.canon​.com …age-stabilizer-binoculars.

John from PA wrote in post #18902139
Sometimes due to age related health issues the IS binoculars are worth while. They tend to be larger in physical size but that can be a bonus and they are easier to hold.

I don't know about others in Canon's range, but my 10x30 IS bins are quite compact, perfectly suitable for hiking, etc. They are perhaps a tad heavier than their size might suggest, but nothing significant.

John from PA wrote in post #18902139
Unfortunately, most are out of stock except the 10 x 42 L (yep, note the "L") at $1600.

The refurb prices are weird. $1600 for the 10x42 L IS WP. But B&H Photo shows $1149 new.
18x50 refurb is $1600, new is $1099.