In article ,
wrote:

I'm sure this is a matter of opinion, but I would tend to favor
the 7X50, only because any type of motion makes the larger
magnification (10X) hard to deal with.

If magnification is all you are concerned about, than 10X with Image
Stabilization - as Jeff mentioned in his reply - might work for you.

They will also be easier on the eyes during daytime use than the 7X50's
(see below). Check them out at a dealer.

If you are planning to use them at night for navigational purposes, I'd
recommend the 7X50's. They have twice the light gathering power of the
10X50's (it's the same reason that 7X50's are preferred over 7X35's even
though the latter is lighter/smaller) and, as you've already mentioned,
are easier to keep steady compared to bincos with 10X magnification.

ron

On Sun, 26 Jun 2005 23:40:14 -0700, (Ron
Wong) wrote:

In article ,
wrote:

I'm sure this is a matter of opinion, but I would tend to favor
the 7X50, only because any type of motion makes the larger
magnification (10X) hard to deal with.

If magnification is all you are concerned about, than 10X with Image
Stabilization - as Jeff mentioned in his reply - might work for you.

They will also be easier on the eyes during daytime use than the 7X50's
(see below). Check them out at a dealer.

If you are planning to use them at night for navigational purposes, I'd
recommend the 7X50's. They have twice the light gathering power of the
10X50's (it's the same reason that 7X50's are preferred over 7X35's even
though the latter is lighter/smaller) and, as you've already mentioned,
are easier to keep steady compared to bincos with 10X magnification.

ron
I am no expert but have had a pair of Steiner 7x50s for about 15
years. I have tried friends 10x? and they were difficult to hold on a
target in any sort of light sea movement.

When I chose them, not knowing anything about binocs, I was lucky to
have a naval officer pointb out that I should try them out in twilight
conditions and take note of
1. light gathering
2. colour (yes, that is the correct spelling) definition of objects
such as red and green buoys.

It was amazing the difference in the later between several well known
brands of 7x50 binocs. I would never have thought of it but experience
has shown that it can make all the difference to correctly identifying
buoys, as not all are shaped as per the book or, as often in low light
conditions, with any swell, the shape may not be easily indentifiable
from afar when you are trying to make an anchorage before dark.

I swear by the steiners. They don't need to be focused. and are easy
to hold with even one hand.

Peter H

I have two sets of binoculars 10X50 and 7X50. I prefer the self focusing
7X50. I find the self focussing very easy to use in day light. At night
with moon light the 7X50 are fair. Conversely the electronic binocular are
better for night vision. However they get impaired by certain colors like
green, yellow and at time shiny white and consume battery power. The
consensus tends to be in favor of the 7X50. Some boaters prefer the 10X50.
Most important is how the binocular are sealed. My 7X50 are filled with
nitrogen and sealed as per MIL. specs. They do not get fogged up inside
and the vision is not affected by inside condensation. My 10X50 are not
build to MIL specs and condensation builds up inside. So I clean them
regularly inside out or I leave them inside the house.

"Ron Wong" wrote in message
...
In article ,
wrote:

I'm sure this is a matter of opinion, but I would tend to favor
the 7X50, only because any type of motion makes the larger
magnification (10X) hard to deal with.

If magnification is all you are concerned about, than 10X with Image
Stabilization - as Jeff mentioned in his reply - might work for you.

They will also be easier on the eyes during daytime use than the 7X50's
(see below). Check them out at a dealer.

If you are planning to use them at night for navigational purposes, I'd
recommend the 7X50's. They have twice the light gathering power of the
10X50's (it's the same reason that 7X50's are preferred over 7X35's even
though the latter is lighter/smaller) and, as you've already mentioned,
are easier to keep steady compared to bincos with 10X magnification.

ron