It’s the last hour of the last day of the tournament and the winning fish is feeding on a pod of bunker, with four frigates circling and diving from above. There’s just one problem – the birds are five miles beyond your vision. If you were to locate this spot, you’d go home a winner. And if you’ve taken advantage of modern technology in the form of image stabilized binoculars, there’s a good chance you’ll be in the money. If not…
Wait a sec—can IS binocs really let you see birds a solid five miles away? Although exact maximum range will depend somewhat on your own eyesight, the answer is yes. Standard marine binocularss feature 7X or 8X magnification, because the motion of a rocking and rolling boat, plus hand-shake, are exacerbated as you stand on a pitching deck. That makes it nearly impossible to hold higher-power binoculars steady enough to focus in on distant items. With gyroscopic binoculars, however, the image locks into a rock-steady view and you can boost magnification 12, 14, or even up to 18X without a problem. And when you’re looking for a handful of birds five miles away, on an average day with an average set of eyes 18X makes it possible to identify them with confidence.
So, why doesn’t everyone use IS binocs? They’re are a big investment. Big. It’s tough to find them for less then a grand, and those big eye-popping 18X versions cost a whole bunch more. On top of that, you’ll have to choose wisely among several brands. We can’t help you come up with the cash, but we can help you figure out which pair will be the best choice for you. Ready to get stabilized? Then read on.
Can you see me now?
Cannon
Most manufacturers offer just one or two versions of highly-potent binoculars with image stabilization. Not so, with Cannon. In fact, they’re the only manufacturer around with a hugely diverse line of image stabilization, running from a pint-sized 17-ounce 8X version (which is no stronger than regular binoculars without image stabilization and offers little real-world benefit to the marine user) to the super-powerful 18X, which is as strong as you’ll find on the market. The high-test 18X magnification is particularly impressive when one notes that these binocs don’t weigh any more than some of their competitor’s 10X or 14X models, at 42-ounces. They look a bit bizarre with their huge front lenses, almost like you’ll tilt over if you’re not careful when you hold them up to your eyes, but function more than makes up for form when you realize that you’re seeing farther off into the distance than any other pair of marine image-stabilized binoculars allow. The Cannons are sturdy, too. I tested a pair for several years—including drops to the deck and many cruises through heavy offshore seas—before they got soaked by a rough wave and I started having problems with the power button. Even then, though, they still worked with a little fidgeting.
Price: $300 for the mini’s to $1,600 for 18X.
The Highs: Super-powerful 18X is one of the most potent IS binoculars on the market.
The Lows: Not all models in the line are waterproof, and marine binoculars really, really need to be. Check the specific model you’re looking at before you buy a pair, to make sure they are waterproof.
Years of use & abuse have proven the Fujinons toughness.
Fujinon
The IS unit I’ve most thoroughly tested is Fujinon’s Techno-Stabi binoculars – my pair has been to the canyons 50 or more times, and on inshore waters literally hundreds of trips. They’re been dropped, soaked, banged, and slammed… and they still work great. The Fujinons have a magnification of 14X and weigh in at 43-oz. An LED indicator flashes when the batteries are getting low, which is a lot better than suddenly shutting off, and rubber armor keeps the Techno-Stabis watertight and shock resistant. In case you haven’t guessed yet, they’ve impressed the heck out of me. The battery case (an area of relative weakness on some models) is sturdy and is integrated into the body of the unit, and has a rubber seal that’s completely watertight.
Using these binoculars I can regularly spot working birds at about three miles, and in good conditions, out to five miles. That gives me a serious leg up on other anglers when we’re on the hunt for breaking fish. Added bonus: many people get seasick by looking through binoculars on a rough day. But since the image is stabilized, these binoculars don’t have that effect.
Price: Just under $1,000
The Highs:These things are tough—really tough.
The Lows: Holding 43-ounces at eye level gets heavy after a while.
They're light and powerful. Note the external battery case.
Nikon
Nikon’s Stabil Eyes, which come in 12X to 16X versions. Some image stabilized bionocs are incredibly heavy, but these weigh in at 38 and 46 ounces. The good weight-to-magnification ratios, a simple on switch, and crystal-clear optics impressed me when I gave the Nikons a go. I tested the 14X pair for a solid month, and wasn’t shy about dropping, soaking, and sitting on them, but they survived my torture test without missing a beat. The battery case is external, though, and if it took a blow in the right way it could prove a weak point.
These binoculars also look futuristic, like something straight out of a James Bond movie. They’re comfortable to hold, too, and have a “pause” mode, allowing you to stop the gyros and follow fast-moving targets without powering down the unit. To save battery power they have separate “land” and “on deck” modes. To my eyes, it seemed like the “land” mode was less effective at eliminating motion in all situations; it may save power but as far as I can tell, simply by reducing their usefulness. The come with a nice case, and—freebee alert!—a set of batteries.
Price: MSRP is $1,200 – $1,400 for magnifications of 12X, 14X, and 16X; you’ll find ‘em for several hundred less on the web.
The Highs: Sturdy, potent, and cool looking.
The Lows: Land mode is useless. Battery case should be in the body of the unit, not the handle.
