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What is a marine binocular?

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Peddler View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Peddler Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/26/2019 at 10:26
Just checked the Nikon website and they indeed do still offer their 7X50 Ocean Pro with the illuminated compass.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote WJC Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/26/2019 at 12:07
 There can never be any doubt about Zeiss being wonderful, at least if you don’t choose an instrument rebranded from somewhere else. But the Big Dog for the fishing fleets in San Diego and Seattle are Fujinon FMTRs.

I believe that somewhere someone suggested Porro prism binoculars aren’t waterproof. No, junky, two-piece Porro prism binoculars aren’t waterproof. The big Fujinon’s (MTRs and FMTRs)* , The Swift Storm King/Celestron waterproof/Tamaya BIFR—all three made by KATSUMA (JB2), I believe—and the Swift Seahawks are waterproof Porros. The Big Fujinons have 2 “O” rings at the objectives alone.

About 15 years ago, Practical Sailor ran an article in which a mariner had found a Swift Storm King at the edge of Puget Sound that had been submerged for over a year. After scraping it off in fresh water, he put it right back into service; it hadn’t leaked a drop.  Because of this instrument’s armor, I called it the “binoceros” of binos. However, when the cost began to approach that of the Fujinons, it fell from grace, as did the Celestron.

The Swift Seahawk/Bushnell Navigator/Fujinon AR/ etc. was a good compromise on size, weight, and cost. In addition, MINOR problems in collimation could be handled without the tech going inside. That is if it was a tech who knew what he was doing. Most, even “professionals” ... don’t!

But please understand that Swift Sports Optics is just a shadow of Swift Optics after Humphry Swift died and his daughter Alison sold the company. If you can find one of these on eBay, it would be good for you. If in good shape when you bought it, it would last you a lifetime. If you are one of those folks who own one of the best instruments in the world and feel you have to TEST and COMPARE everything on the planet in order to UPGRADE to a level that no human can detect, let it pass. If, however, you want a good binocular that will always be a good binocular, you couldn’t go wrong. Right before Humphry Swift died the company Started getting better oculars on the product as seen in the photo of the two Seahawks attached.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote WJC Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/26/2019 at 12:12
Well, once again I tried to upload a photo ... 3 times. Each time, I was told that it had been upload already, and each time it had not. Also, I tried to edit my previous post to add this as a PS. However, I could have pounded the keyboard with a mallet and no keystroke would have been allowed.

I truly wish OT would have someone fix this program.

Bill
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Peddler Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/26/2019 at 12:14
Bill, Nikon claims the Ocean Pro’s are waterproof and carry their lifetime warranty. Any thoughts?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote tahqua Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/26/2019 at 12:16
I can vouch for the Steiner military marine. These have been around for 32 years and do a great job. I see no difference between using the individual focus eye pieces of the and center focus. They both do their job. I also have the similar 15 x 80 version. 
Note that these compare to the Commander models and not the Marine as can be seen by the massive cost difference.




Edited by tahqua - January/26/2019 at 12:23
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote WJC Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/26/2019 at 12:24
Originally posted by Peddler Peddler wrote:

Bill, Nikon claims the Ocean Pro’s are waterproof and carry their lifetime warranty. Any thoughts?


Asking me if I have any thoughts is a dangerous thing. Yep, they are waterproof and a fine glass. Please understand there are so many binos that differ only in name, cosmetics, and price, I couldn't name them all. Nikon has a problem in shuffling nomenclature. That can be confusing.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Peddler Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/26/2019 at 12:28
Originally posted by WJC WJC wrote:

Originally posted by Peddler Peddler wrote:

Bill, Nikon claims the Ocean Pro’s are waterproof and carry their lifetime warranty. Any thoughts?


Asking me if I have any thoughts is a dangerous thing. Yep, they are waterproof and a fine glass. Please understand there are so many binos that differ only in name, cosmetics, and price, I couldn't name them all. Nikon has a problem in shuffling nomenclature. That can be confusing.




They’ve made that model since the late 80’s when we represented them. It’s nothing new though as I said earlier I didn’t know they were still in production until I took a look.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Sgt. D Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/26/2019 at 14:10
Originally posted by WJC WJC wrote:

Well, once again I tried to upload a photo ... 3 times. Each time, I was told that it had been upload already, and each time it had not. Also, I tried to edit my previous post to add this as a PS. However, I could have pounded the keyboard with a mallet and no keystroke would have been allowed.

I truly wish OT would have someone fix this program.

Bill

 

That happens a lot!! I make sure that I right click over the pic on the upload page just before I hit "post topic". Then if it doesn't load, I can right click on the post where I want the pic and hit "paste". And that usually works. Also if it prompts that the pic has already been uploaded you can right click on the pic just before you hit "open" and rename it by just adding a number or letter or change the name altogether. Keep in mind that doing that does add the same pic to your stored cache with all the renames.

Hope that helps in the future.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Whale Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/26/2019 at 15:23
 Sgt. D,
How are the Swift SeaWolf binoculars?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote WJC Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/26/2019 at 15:54
Originally posted by Whale Whale wrote:

 Sgt. D,
How are the Swift SeaWolf binoculars?








I haven’t been behind the counter or at the bench in some time, so I can only tell you what I know. Swift knew I was a friend and would be pleased to try anything new that they thought worth my seeing. But when, while their rep handed me their new Sea Wolf, it came apart with the rep holding an objective housing and me holding the rest of the binocular, I decided it was not appropriate for my inventory. The rep understood.

Many Porro prism binoculars have objective cells connected to prism housings with metal threads. The Sea Wolf had plastic threads with a large pitch and high crest. That high crest made the wall WAY too thin, even to support being used by an 85-year old lady weighing 90 pounds.

I’m sure they changed that immediately! However, even at its best, I would never call it a “marine” binocular. Also, “waterproof” for the user in Omaha is quite different from the user in the tropics or the Gulf of Alaska. 

I have nothing against plastic ... IF USED CORRECTLY!

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote WJC Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/26/2019 at 15:59
SORRY:

I see I spoke out of turn. Some MAY find my babble worthwhile.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Sgt. D Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/26/2019 at 16:07
Very disappointed to hear that. The Swift I have are almost antiques. 10X50 and heavy to carry around. But the only bino's I've had in hand that out performed them are Zeiss Victory FL. Loved those Zeiss but lost them to a truck break in. Thankfully the Swift were in the house and didn't lose them. If Swift has gone plastic then I will have to stop supporting them. I hate all the plastic out there these days. It is no secret that they build things to fail so they can sell more. Looks like "quality" is a thing of the past. That leaves Steiner but even with those its been several yrs. Have they gone plastic too?? 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote NDhunter Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/26/2019 at 16:51


[/QUOTE]

No, Zeiss (and Swarovski, and other upper tier manufacturers) have stopped making porro prism binoculars because they don't sell as well as roof prism binoculars. The typical buyer of uber high end binoculars prefers the more compact, more ergonomic shape of roof prism binoculars over porro prisms, so the manufacturers of course have responded by making what sells. 

There is nothing about a porro prism bino that makes it uniquely suited for "marine" use; it's just a tradition thing. Most of the upper tier roof prism binoculars available today are rubber armored and waterproof, so they can be just as well suited for "marine" use as any of the porro prism types called "marine binoculars" as long as you pick one with a rugged hinge design and heavy rubber armoring.
[/QUOTE] 




You are correct about Zeiss not making any more porros, but Swarovski continues to make 
the Habicht porro models in black leather or green rubber armor, they are fully waterproof.
They are made in 8x30, 7x42 and 10x40.  I have examples of all 3.

They are available in the US, usually special order.  This same design has been built for
many years, their first models, and they are updated with the latest brightest coatings, so they are very competitive
with todays models.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote WJC Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/26/2019 at 16:52
Originally posted by Sgt. D Sgt. D wrote:

Very disappointed to hear that. The Swift I have are almost antiques. 10X50 and heavy to carry around. But the only bino's I've had in hand that out performed them are Zeiss Victory FL. Loved those Zeiss but lost them to a truck break in. Thankfully the Swift were in the house and didn't lose them. If Swift has gone plastic then I will have to stop supporting them. I hate all the plastic out there these days. It is no secret that they build things to fail so they can sell more. Looks like "quality" is a thing of the past. That leaves Steiner but even with those its been several yrs. Have they gone plastic too?? 



Been there! Even before Steiner sold out to Beretta in 2008, many of their products were coming from China. I don’t have a problem with plastic ... advertised honestly.

Steiner binocular housings are made of Makrolon i.e. ... fiber reinforced polycarbonate i.e. ... plastic.

But thanks to Steiner’s unadulterated male bovine excrement about “auto-focus” binoculars, I was forced into writing books and articles. But they have some of the best marketers in the business, and learned a lot from Joseph Goebbels. Tell a lie hard enough, fast enough, and long enough and it becomes a fact.

The Steiner rep who first approached me showed me how indestructible their product was by showing Karl Steiner’s Mercedes parked on top of a Steiner 7x50. He was so proud of his potential conquest, he almost popped his buttons.

I asked him to follow me. I went to the part of the shop that housed my “good” bad examples. And taking an inexpensive TASCO 7x50 out to Captain’s parking lot, drove my truck upon it. After about a minute, I backed off the bino. When I handed it to the Steiner rep, his buttons were not even preparing to pop. The collimation WAS altered. However, it was STILL only off a fraction and was still in tolerance.

I know many on this forum love their Steiner’s. If they are happy with the product, I can be nothing but happy for them. But after 21 years of dealing with customers every day at Captain’s in a seaport city I can say that some people would love looking through a Coke bottle if it had a German name on the side.

I will also say that I don’t have NEARLY the problem with the Steiner PRODUCT as I do their stretching and shading the truth in their advertising.    



Edited by WJC - January/26/2019 at 17:09
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote NDhunter Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/26/2019 at 16:57
 Bill:

You can keep babbling, I kind of like it.  Big smile

Oh, by the way for those watching, your books are very well done, and I recommend
them for those looking for information on binoculars, and collimation.

Jerry
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote WJC Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/26/2019 at 17:22
Bill:

You can keep babbling, I kind of like it.  Big smile



Yeah, but we have already established that you don't have any TASTE. Confused

Lee wanted me to suck up to certain people and ask if I could mention my newest bino book. I couldn't bring myself to do that; I had not done anything wrong, except in the eyes of the political correctness Nazis. 

PS thanks for the kind words.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Whale Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/26/2019 at 17:23
 NDhunter,
I could only find the Swarovski habicht binoculars their Europen websites.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote RifleDude Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/26/2019 at 21:23
Originally posted by NDhunter NDhunter wrote:

You are correct about Zeiss not making any more porros, but Swarovski continues to make 

the Habicht porro models in black leather or green rubber armor, they are fully waterproof.
They are made in 8x30, 7x42 and 10x40.  I have examples of all 3.

They are available in the US, usually special order.  This same design has been built for
many years, their first models, and they are updated with the latest brightest coatings, so they are very competitive
with todays models.

Interesting. Since Swaro NA stated they stopped importing the Habichts from Europe due to lack of sales and the fact they don't show them on their website anymore, I assumed that they had ceased production. 
Ted


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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote mike650 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/26/2019 at 22:09
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Whale Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/27/2019 at 20:42
RifleDude,
Found the Habicht 7x42GA on Swarovski's UK website. MSRP GBP 900.00.
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