On Wed, 07 Jun 2006 14:46:00 -0400, chuck wrote:

Seems I misunderstood and thought real Fujis could
be bought for under $100.

Technically, these are Fujis because they are made
by Fuji exclusively for Defender. It's anybody's
guess whether they are identical to Fuji's branded
binoculars. It's my guess they are not in the same
league as Fuji's least-expensive binoculars. Which
does not mean they should be avoided, maybe just
approached with tempered expectations.


A reasonable approach. Personally, I feel that my 25 year old "real"
Fujinons are the best purchase I ever made, though I really couldn't
afford them at the time. I figured every boat needed one first class
piece of gear aboard and that's the one I chose. They have saved my
butt a number of times. Nowadays, most of my cruising time is on
deliveries. The one item that *always* comes along is the Fujinons.
Maybe it's just my security blanket, but when we're hitting an
unfamiliar inlet after dusk because we're running behind, they seem to
become *everyone's* security blanket.

IMHO, an excellent pair of binoculars is one area where anyone who
strays far from the marina can justify the cost. If you often have
guests, buy that $100 pair as well and let them have fun looking
around without risking the good stuff.

Anecdotal experience: On several recent deliveries, the boats had
well-used Steiners aboard. Without exception, the Steiners had
mechanical problems of various sorts that rendered them useless.
However, I have trouble believeg that this is typical. The ones I've
handled in stores seem optically as good as my Fujinons, and don't
feel that flimsy. Any comments?

__________________________________________________ __________
Glen "Wiley" Wilson usenet1 SPAMNIX at world wide wiley dot com
To reply, lose the capitals and do the obvious.

Take a look at cpRepeater, my NMEA data integrator, repeater, and
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On Wed, 07 Jun 2006 23:37:29 GMT, "Glen \"Wiley\" Wilson"
wrote:

Anecdotal experience: On several recent deliveries, the boats had
well-used Steiners aboard. Without exception, the Steiners had
mechanical problems of various sorts that rendered them useless.
However, I have trouble believeg that this is typical. The ones I've
handled in stores seem optically as good as my Fujinons, and don't
feel that flimsy. Any comments?

I have a pair of 7 x 50 Steiners that I like. They're about 2 years
old and have seen 7,000 miles of salt water trawler cruising in that
time. Low light visibility is excellent at night, and the optics are
crisp.

I do try very hard to protect them from the elements and mechanical
shock, something not always easy to do on a sailboat. I agree with the
advice about keeping an inexpensive pair for the guests to knock
around with. An additional advantage is that your "good" binoculars
remain properly adjusted for *your* eyes, a big advantage when you
need to see something quickly in low light conditions.

damm, thats a lot of miles on a set...


"They're about 2 years
old and have seen 7,000 miles
of salt water trawler cruising in that
time."




Wayne.B wrote:
On Wed, 07 Jun 2006 23:37:29 GMT, "Glen \"Wiley\" Wilson"
wrote:

Anecdotal experience: On several recent deliveries, the boats had
well-used Steiners aboard. Without exception, the Steiners had
mechanical problems of various sorts that rendered them useless.
However, I have trouble believeg that this is typical. The ones I've
handled in stores seem optically as good as my Fujinons, and don't
feel that flimsy. Any comments?

I have a pair of 7 x 50 Steiners that I like. They're about 2 years
old and have seen 7,000 miles of salt water trawler cruising in that
time. Low light visibility is excellent at night, and the optics are
crisp.

I do try very hard to protect them from the elements and mechanical
shock, something not always easy to do on a sailboat. I agree with the
advice about keeping an inexpensive pair for the guests to knock
around with. An additional advantage is that your "good" binoculars
remain properly adjusted for *your* eyes, a big advantage when you
need to see something quickly in low light conditions.

~^ beancounter ~^ wrote:

damm, thats a lot of miles on a set...


"They're about 2 years
old and have seen 7,000 miles
of salt water trawler cruising in that
time."


That *is* impressive. I've seen binocs that had a compass
built into them, for taking bearings, but I've never heard
of a set that had a knot log built into them

DSK

On Mon, 12 Jun 2006 12:38:40 -0400, DSK wrote:

That *is* impressive. I've seen binocs that had a compass
built into them, for taking bearings, but I've never heard
of a set that had a knot log built into them

Knot log is a good idea since you have to change the binocular oil
every 1500 miles or so.

Wayne.B wrote:
On Mon, 12 Jun 2006 12:38:40 -0400, DSK wrote:

Knot log is a good idea since you have to change the binocular oil
every 1500 miles or so.


Hello Wayne:

I've been wondering for years what that oil was? Where do you get the
stuff. Do you think Wes Marine carries it? Would I just ask for
binocular oil? I was thinking of getting a pint so I I would have some
spare on the boat in case I lose a little and a bubble forms. I would
really hate not having my binos at 100% when I need them most.

What do you recomend?

Bob

On 12 Jun 2006 18:25:01 -0700, "Bob" wrote:

I've been wondering for years what that oil was? Where do you get the
stuff. Do you think Wes Marine carries it? Would I just ask for
binocular oil? I was thinking of getting a pint so I I would have some
spare on the boat in case I lose a little and a bubble forms. I would
really hate not having my binos at 100% when I need them most.

What do you recomend?

Something like Beefeater's Dry Gin has a lot to recommend it. The
binoculars will be much happier although perhaps with some double
vision. You'll be happier also just knowing it's there for emergency
libations if needed.

In article . com,
says...

Wayne.B wrote:
On Mon, 12 Jun 2006 12:38:40 -0400, DSK wrote:

Knot log is a good idea since you have to change the binocular oil
every 1500 miles or so.


Hello Wayne:

I've been wondering for years what that oil was? Where do you get the
stuff. Do you think Wes Marine carries it? Would I just ask for
binocular oil? I was thinking of getting a pint so I I would have some
spare on the boat in case I lose a little and a bubble forms. I would
really hate not having my binos at 100% when I need them most.

What do you recomend?

Dunno----but if the binoculars have a built-in compass, be sure to apply
a dab of relative bearing grease!

Mark Borgerson