stabilized binocs

[rtbates]

I finally bit the bullet and bought the Nikon 12x36 stabilized binoc. All I can say is what a difference! It's simply amassing and has to be seen to be believed.

Down side is, I'll never be able to go back to looking at jittery, bouncing images again.

If you've never looked through a pair of stabilized binocs you should. I can read numbers off of markers at about 3 times the distance required for unstabilized. I thinking of these as another piece of safety equipment.

binoculars.com has the 'camo' version on sale: $300 OFF!! They still aren't cheap but boy are they worth the money.

[nikon4004]

As a photographer who LOVES shooting sailboats, I haev had the same experience with camera lenses. With a steady hand, you might be able to get a sharp shot with a 150mm to 200 mm lens. After that, you need a tripod.

I bit the bullet and purchased an optically stabilized 80-400mm lens and what a difference. I can hand hold at 400 mm and no shake or jitter. Makes a WORLD of difference.


Steve
Boatless in Ohio, but not for long

[Russell]

What happens when the battery is dead, do they stop working all together? Or do they just work like normal binocs?

[bottomscraper]

What happens when the battery is dead, do they stop working all together? Or do they just work like normal binocs?

We just got a pair as well (Canon 10x30). If you don't push the button, they work just like normal binocs. So I am guessing that's the same behavior if the batter is dead as well.

[bilofsky]

I have had both the Canon and the Nikon 14x models. They're great. First of all, you can use twice the magnification because the image will hold still. Then because there's no shake, you can see more clearly. I believe you get the effect of double the specified magnification if you're reading buoys, etc.

The Nikon 14x has two types of stabilization, 1 degree to take out shake, and 5 degree to take out boat motion. The Canon has only the 1 degree.

Which mode(s) does the Nikon camo have?

[Bob L]

Louis Alvarez (of many fames..notably the idea of dinosaur extinction via comet impact) invented stabilization methods for binoculars and camcorders that were completely mechanical. No power needed. These patents were back in the 60's to 80's. I'm not sure if any current (no pun intended) stabilzed binoculars use mechanical stabilization.

Bob

[rtbates]

Russell:

They function just like regular binoc w/o battery power. The Nikon I have uses 2 AAs so like most folks I have plenty aboard. I even have a full set of 8 NiMH AA & AAA & D with a 12 volt charger for all.

Bob:

Yes there is a company that makes the old school gyro stabilized types. Requires no battery. They are heavy and fairly fragile and NOT water proof.

[bilofsky]

As far as I know, they use a gyroscope for sensing motion and a mechanical/optical method for altering the light path.

The best explanation I've been able to find is on page 6 of this newsletter (PDF file).

[rtbates]

Here's a link with useful information

http://www.boatus.com/Foundation/findings/binoc.htm

[winthrop fisher]

Randy, off shore 36 does the same thing, thats what i have....
all so itt sells one....

I finally bit the bullet and bought the Nikon 12x36 stabilized binoc. All I can say is what a difference! It's simply amassing and has to be seen to be believed.

Down side is, I'll never be able to go back to looking at jittery, bouncing images again.

If you've never looked through a pair of stabilized binocs you should. I can read numbers off of markers at about 3 times the distance required for unstabilized. I thinking of these as another piece of safety equipment.

binoculars.com has the 'camo' version on sale: $300 OFF!! They still aren't cheap but boy are they worth the money.