donaldsc Posted February 14, 2023 #1 Share Posted February 14, 2023 Most stuff on Viking is of high quality. However I would estimate that the supplied binoculars on ocean cruises cost them no more than $5 each. If you feel that you need binoculars bring your own. DON 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TayanaLorna Posted February 14, 2023 #2 Share Posted February 14, 2023 23 minutes ago, donaldsc said: Most stuff on Viking is of high quality. However I would estimate that the supplied binoculars on ocean cruises cost them no more than $5 each. If you feel that you need binoculars bring your own. DON Agreed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare CDNPolar Posted February 14, 2023 #3 Share Posted February 14, 2023 The last two ocean cruises we were on, there were no binoculars in the cabin. But agree - bring your own anyway if you feel you want them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duquephart Posted February 14, 2023 #4 Share Posted February 14, 2023 1 hour ago, CDNPolar said: The last two ocean cruises we were on, there were no binoculars in the cabin. But agree - bring your own anyway if you feel you want them. Maybe not in the steerage cabins and I think the higher you go the better the quality. But ----- you should still BYO. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare CCWineLover Posted February 14, 2023 #5 Share Posted February 14, 2023 1 hour ago, duquephart said: Maybe not in the steerage cabins and I think the higher you go the better the quality. But ----- you should still BYO. Very much agree. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Australia08 Posted February 15, 2023 #6 Share Posted February 15, 2023 5 hours ago, donaldsc said: Most stuff on Viking is of high quality. However I would estimate that the supplied binoculars on ocean cruises cost them no more than $5 each. If you feel that you need binoculars bring your own. DON Totally agree with ocean cruises. The expedition cruises provide nice binoculars. Wish those were on ocean! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sabrefan Posted February 15, 2023 #7 Share Posted February 15, 2023 We had a PV cabin with binoculars this past June. My 100 to 400 mm zoom lens on my camera was far better than the binoculars for seeing distant objects. Not to mention the fingerprints on the binocular lenses left over from the previous cabin passengers. The Viking provided binoculars are junk, definitely bring your own. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heidi13 Posted February 15, 2023 #8 Share Posted February 15, 2023 4 hours ago, sabrefan said: We had a PV cabin with binoculars this past June. My 100 to 400 mm zoom lens on my camera was far better than the binoculars for seeing distant objects. Not to mention the fingerprints on the binocular lenses left over from the previous cabin passengers. The Viking provided binoculars are junk, definitely bring your own. Thanks for providing this comparison, as I took one look at the Viking binoculars and stowed them under the desk for the duration. Based on a full-frame sensor, your zoom lens at 400 mm should be the equivalent of 8x binoculars. The best magnification in the marine environment is 7x or 8x, so a 350 - 400 mm lens should be comparable, if Viking provided standard maine binoculars. Discounting the quality of the Viking binoculars, this comparison really shows the poor specifications on the binoculars provided. Personally, I bring my 10x50 perma-focus, which are stronger than recommended, but I've used them for many years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THR Posted February 16, 2023 #9 Share Posted February 16, 2023 Anyone have any suggestions on brands/type? I don’t want to spend a lot as it is purely for our Into the Midnight Sun in June - but if they’re that bad, I would get my own. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Haqdeluxe Posted February 16, 2023 #10 Share Posted February 16, 2023 Just came off the Viking Venus and I purposefully checked out the provided binoculars. They are perfectly fine compact binoculars. Probably 4X20s, so not alot of reach but reasonably bright and sharp. Not a pair of 8X42 field glasses but not the trash some are suggesting Viking is providing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duquephart Posted February 16, 2023 #11 Share Posted February 16, 2023 3 hours ago, THR said: Anyone have any suggestions on brands/type? I don’t want to spend a lot as it is purely for our Into the Midnight Sun in June - but if they’re that bad, I would get my own. Steiner. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duquephart Posted February 16, 2023 #12 Share Posted February 16, 2023 2 hours ago, Haqdeluxe said: Just came off the Viking Venus and I purposefully checked out the provided binoculars. They are perfectly fine compact binoculars. Probably 4X20s, so not alot of reach but reasonably bright and sharp. Not a pair of 8X42 field glasses but not the trash some are suggesting Viking is providing. They get a bit better in the higher category cabins. Lower category gets either nothing or junk. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heidi13 Posted February 16, 2023 #13 Share Posted February 16, 2023 5 hours ago, THR said: Anyone have any suggestions on brands/type? I don’t want to spend a lot as it is purely for our Into the Midnight Sun in June - but if they’re that bad, I would get my own. You will get loads of suggestions on specific brands, so here is some info on the basic specifications of binoculars. The first number is the magnification. In a marine environment, with a moving ship, to have clear viewing I suggest a maximum of 7 or 8. More powerful binoculars can have blurred picture with ship movement and vibration. Second number is the amount of light able to enter the binoculars. Higher numbers have more light, but are bigger and heavier. Personally, I prefer the 2nd number to be 50. Prisms - usually are bak 4 or bak 7. Bak 7 are generally found in cheaper binoculars and have a tendency for blurred edges. Bak 4 prisms are the better option, but are more expensive. Field of View - this is depends of the magnification and other factors. A larger field of view makes it easier to spot smaller objects. Measured as an angle, or feet at 1,000 yds. I look for about 350' at 1,000 yds. Having spent about 40 yrs at sea with 2 companies, they both used Bushnell for the ahip binoculars. Therefore, I have continued using them. They certainly aren't the best, but they are adequate and reasonably priced. I also like the permafocus option, which provides focus from a few feet to infinity. If I wanted some of the best binoculars, I would purchase Swarovski. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CurlerRob Posted February 16, 2023 #14 Share Posted February 16, 2023 3 hours ago, Heidi13 said: If I wanted some of the best binoculars, I would purchase Swarovski. Andy, thanks - I had no concept that Swarovski made binoculars! Then I looked up the pricing ... unless they come fully jewel-studded, they are out of my snack bracket big time 👿 (they must be exceptional, given the price difference from Bushnells). Always nice to learn something new, however! 🍺🥌 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Capt_BJ Posted February 16, 2023 #15 Share Posted February 16, 2023 (edited) standard equipment on most Navy ships and larger Coast Guard Cutters while the bridge watch typically used https://www.steiner-optics.com/binoculars/military-marine-7x50 p.s. these are $420 .... but that's what 'professionals' who NEED quality optics pay . . . (actual military version is even more ...) Edited February 16, 2023 by Capt_BJ 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Avery Posted February 16, 2023 #16 Share Posted February 16, 2023 We have had good service with the Steiner Safari pictured. As the razor shows they are very compact, and light. I also have a great Fujinon 7 x 50 that I used on ships but large and heavy. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Avery Posted February 16, 2023 #17 Share Posted February 16, 2023 These cost a bit above $100 on Amazon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duquephart Posted February 16, 2023 #18 Share Posted February 16, 2023 23 minutes ago, Capt_BJ said: standard equipment on most Navy ships and larger Coast Guard Cutters while the bridge watch typically used https://www.steiner-optics.com/binoculars/military-marine-7x50 p.s. these are $420 .... but that's what 'professionals' who NEED quality optics pay . . . (actual military version is even more ...) Probably one of those $2,500 toilet seats deal. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duquephart Posted February 16, 2023 #19 Share Posted February 16, 2023 12 minutes ago, Jim Avery said: We have had good service with the Steiner Safari pictured. As the razor shows they are very compact, and light. I also have a great Fujinon 7 x 50 that I used on ships but large and heavy. I have the same ones - hence the endorsement. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Avery Posted February 16, 2023 #20 Share Posted February 16, 2023 Just now, duquephart said: I have the same ones - hence the endorsement. I knew you were a smart guy....🥃 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heidi13 Posted February 16, 2023 #21 Share Posted February 16, 2023 2 hours ago, CurlerRob said: Andy, thanks - I had no concept that Swarovski made binoculars! Then I looked up the pricing ... unless they come fully jewel-studded, they are out of my snack bracket big time 👿 (they must be exceptional, given the price difference from Bushnells). Always nice to learn something new, however! 🍺🥌 Rob - When I was trialing Gen III night-vision equipment for our fleet operation, in addition to the night vision gear, the vendor gave me a set of Swarovski binoculars to trial. They were virtually indestructible and had amazing optics. Sadly, when I returned the night vision gear, I also had to return the binoculars. However, even 20 yrs ago they were over $2,000 each. When paying about $60 for Bushnells, even with a life-time guarantee, no way I could write a cost/benefit analysis, to satisfy the bean counters. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donaldsc Posted February 17, 2023 Author #22 Share Posted February 17, 2023 (edited) 8 hours ago, Heidi13 said: You will get loads of suggestions on specific brands, so here is some info on the basic specifications of binoculars. The first number is the magnification. In a marine environment, with a moving ship, to have clear viewing I suggest a maximum of 7 or 8. More powerful binoculars can have blurred picture with ship movement and vibration. Second number is the amount of light able to enter the binoculars. Higher numbers have more light, but are bigger and heavier. Personally, I prefer the 2nd number to be 50. Prisms - usually are bak 4 or bak 7. Bak 7 are generally found in cheaper binoculars and have a tendency for blurred edges. Bak 4 prisms are the better option, but are more expensive. Field of View - this is depends of the magnification and other factors. A larger field of view makes it easier to spot smaller objects. Measured as an angle, or feet at 1,000 yds. I look for about 350' at 1,000 yds. Having spent about 40 yrs at sea with 2 companies, they both used Bushnell for the ahip binoculars. Therefore, I have continued using them. They certainly aren't the best, but they are adequate and reasonably priced. I also like the permafocus option, which provides focus from a few feet to infinity. If I wanted some of the best binoculars, I would purchase Swarovski. You left out one parameter - eye relief. This is very important for those of us who wear glasses. With regard to your Swarovski comment and I would add Leitz to the mix - you should never try out optics that you can not afford. I would have bought the pair at the Leitz / Swarovski level but the divorce would not be worth it. DON Edited February 17, 2023 by donaldsc 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SempreMare Posted February 17, 2023 #23 Share Posted February 17, 2023 I purchased a pair (Celestron 8x42) for my first cruise on Holland America to Alaska and loved them. On the longer British Isles Explorer, there was just no room in the suitcase, and was grateful for the Viking ones in the room. But the Celestron’s would have been so much nicer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
photopro2 Posted February 17, 2023 #24 Share Posted February 17, 2023 (edited) On 2/16/2023 at 11:19 AM, THR said: Anyone have any suggestions on brands/type? I don’t want to spend a lot as it is purely for our Into the Midnight Sun in June Here is a more sensibly priced recommendation than those you got from the old sea dogs 😁 I've done half a dozen cruises with these Nikons and find them ideal. Though, as a long time Canon camera user, I make the recommendation through gritted teeth 😉 Here they are called the Nikon Sportstar EX but I believe they are marketed in the US as Nikon trailblazers and sell for around $90. They are good quality and work really well in practice, especially in the sea environment as they are waterproof and nitrogen filled to prevent misting. Best of all they really compact and easy to travel with. Below is a photograph of them alongside a coffee mug for scale. I'm sure you will love the Midnight Sun, it was one of our favourite itineraries. Edited February 17, 2023 by photopro2 missing word 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heidi13 Posted February 17, 2023 #25 Share Posted February 17, 2023 13 hours ago, donaldsc said: You left out one parameter - eye relief. This is very important for those of us who wear glasses. With regard to your Swarovski comment and I would add Leitz to the mix - you should never try out optics that you can not afford. I would have bought the pair at the Leitz / Swarovski level but the divorce would not be worth it. DON Don - yes, eye relief is a consideration for those that wear glasses. Fortunately, not something I have had to consider. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now