Surprised that u r getting no response.

 

Jeb,

I have used the Fraser Volpe's and own a set of the Fujinon Techo Stabis and a set of older Cannon stabilized binocs.

The Fraser Volpe's were amazing and they had better be at $5K.

The Cannons did not offer much stabilization, so they became shore binoculars, where they work great.

The Fujinons are around 10 years old and I have heard the newer ones are better, but the ones we use are pretty good, 80% as good as the Fraser Volpe's at 1/4th the price and good enough for what we use them for.

If I had to do it again, I would still buy the Fujinons.

If you are ever in Ilwaco during the summer, I will gladly show you the Cannons and Fujinons so you can try them head to head.

Mike C

 

Hi Mike. thanks for the offer.

I did find a great deal on a pair of Canon 18x50 IS Binoculars. But you're comment about 'not much' stabilization has me a little discouraged to jump on the deal. Was your Canon still usable or just not worth using it offshore because the stabilization wasn't effective enough?

 

oh, I looked at the spec sheet and the Canon's only have under a degree of correction while the Fujinon's have +/-5degree of correction...so now I see what you mean.

 

I have Fujinon. There are 2 different models. one has gyroscopic stabilization and one electronic I think. On my way to Costa Rica, so can not tell you which I have, but the one with a smaller range. Was on sale years ago for about $400.

 

I just ordered a Fujinon TSX-1440 which should be here next week to play around with.

The TSX is the newer model that gives an amazing 6degree correction.

One marine magazine said that you really need a minimum of 3degree correction for boat use. Any less than that and you are not going to be happy with the image stabilization. Explains Mike’s comment regarding the Canon with less than a degree of correction.

Seems like 1 degree would be adequate for bird or game watching on land…..

 

I did see the Sig Sauer Zulu6 binoculars that hit the market a few years ago and they are cheaper. Apparently 3degree correction. Wonder if anyone has used them on the water?

 

When I was in Alaska recently they had a pair of these on the boat...I thought they were pretty darn impressive!

 

I have a pair of TS-X 1400 that I've had for a couple of years. 14 x 40 with 4°. They're ok but I really can't use them when running at speed. Maybe they'd work at speed on a larger boat. The newer ones might be better if they are now at 6°. One thing about Fuji is they seem to be fragile. When I purchased these I had two that weren't working right out of the box so it took them three tries before I got a working pair and these seem a bit janky when turning them on. I had an older version of these that were a bit more robust but I did have to send them in for repair a couple times also. Last time sending them in the estimated repair cost was going to be around $500 so I said no you can dispose them to the garbage and bought the pair I have now. I'm not sure if I'd buy another but maybe I've had rotten luck.

On a side note about the Fuji's. This is several year old information. Captains Nautical in Seattle when they were still in business had a very good optical department. Did in house repairs et cetera on binocs, compasses et cetera. It got to the point they wouldn't carry Fuji due to poor service. They also said the version like I had was the same manufacture as the Cannons. Of course that's several year old information now. I think the ones that were gyro stabilized were made in house and were supposed to be a very good glass. $5 grand or better.

 

18x is a lot of power to stabilize. I would think lower power would be better. Even 10 can be hard to stabilize for a lot of people. I think stabilized binoculars in lower magnifications would work significantly better than higher magnifications. I would also think that a company that is building a high magnification stabilized binocular is either going to compromise the cost by using inferior glass, or charge a crazy high price like the 5 grand or more that Mike is talking about.

 

Jeb,

Let us know how you like them when you get on the water this summer.

We only used ours to look for birds when trolling, and not running, so I have no clue how they work at 26 knots.

I hope they have fixed it on the new Fujinons, but a common problem on ours is that the battery box breaks, apparently this happens to everyone and it was a cheap fix when ours broke.

Mike C

 

Will do.

And if anyone has used a Sig Sauer Zulu6 binocular on the water, please share your experience. Although it only advertises a 3 degree correction, its half the price and half the weight of Canon and Fujinon products. So it might be adequate for someone on a budget for marine use.

The Fraser Volpe is by far the better one with 8degree correction....but with a hefty price tag.

-J

 

A friend just tried out two pairs of different magnification levels of the new SIG ZULU6 HD that a guy he works with had purchased. My friend has a pair of older Swaro SLC's. He was using them side by side and said when freehanding them it wasn't even close, he picked out way more deer and was able to count points on deer with the Zulu's that he was only able to tell were bucks with his SLC. Did sound like there was more eye strain he thought with the ZULU, maybe jsut a weirdness the IS creates (like walking after you get off a boat or treadmill). The FOV is narrower, they didn't gather as much light, and glass wasn't as crisp edge to edge. He thought even taken all the above into consideration they might be more useful for most hunts than that SLC's. He was blown away. The new model is better glass than their older offering. At a minimum they are worth a look.

 

I’ve been hunting with the 16X Zulu six from Sig Sauer this year and really enjoy them. From flat land Wyoming antelope to coastal elk. They are the original release I found on eBay where a seller had some original version stock for a great price. Doubt I’ll take theM on the water just to take care of them.

 

We Run canon 12x36 image stabilization 3 binos. Works great for the ocean. Really extends the visual range out.

 

It’s making me vaguely seasick just imagining using stabilized ‘nocs on the ocean. Isn’t the disconnect between what your body is experiencing vs what your eyes are seeing….. problematic?

 

Youve just gotta try it before you buy it.