BoatU.S. - January/February 2012

Canon 10x30 IS

Be prepared to
pay anything
from $400
to well over
$1,000 for
top-of-the-line
binoculars.

and eyepiece lenses are in line with each other) are more compact and often lighter, but these require roof prisms that are far more complex and normally cost more.

A major failure of even very fine prisms occurs when an impact to the binoculars knocks one askew, even slightly. The image may become distorted or out of kilter, causing severe eye strain and making the set useless. Sturdy construction is critical. You generally don’t get what you don’t pay for; cheap construction often means early demise of binoculars.

Steiner, for example, says that it uses a special independent prism-carriage system to protect them. In addition to cost, there are other clues indicating good construction. Manual assembly after use of computers in design and technology, as in, for example, cutting the glass for the lenses, is usually a sign of quality. Boat binoculars should also be encased in a shock-absorbent material such as rubber. A waterproof rating means that the set can not only be thoroughly splashed (a minimum requirement for boating use) but that it can be actually submerged, three feet or more, for a period of time with no water getting inside. Some sets even come with straps that’ll keep them afloat if you drop them, and others will float on their own. Mechanical fastening of lenses to the chassis, as by threaded rings instead of glue or sealant, helps to insure seal and prevent shifting. Rugged fittings, such as those that secure the strap, also indicate quality.

Fujinon 14x40 Techno-Stabi

TAKE A TEST DRIVE

Many features, such as quality of the glass and coatings, are difficult for the buyer to evaluate except by the reputation of and statements by the manufacturer. However, it does help to use them before you buy. Although looking through binoculars in or just outside a store gives some indication as to how well they will work for you, it isn’t as good as using them aboard.

One Neat Package

®

All the materials you need to complete minor boat repairs are now available in one convenient package.

The includes trusted 105 Epoxy Resin and

205 Epoxy Hardener, fiberglass cloth, adhesive filler, fairing filler and handy items like gloves, mixing pots and mixing sticks. Illustrated instructions show you how to repair cracks, holes, loose hardware, gelcoat blisters, delaminated cored panels and more.

Fiberglass Boat Repair

Kit

WS
WS
Easily stored on board until that crucial
moment when you need it, the Fiberglass
Boat Repair Kit retails for just $29.98 at
your local W S dealer. Visit
www.westsystem.com to find the dealer
nearest you.