I have not used a pair of binoculars in forever. I think I have a cheap pair of probably 8 or 10 power sitting in the garage somewhere. But since we have booked an Alaskan cruise for next year, I know that a good pair of binoculars will be able to be put to good use on the cruise for watching the scenery go by.

I know the first number equals the magnification. I know the second number is the size of the lens and the larger the number the more light it lets in. And that is about it.

I know I would prefer they be on the compact side. The smaller they are the more likely I will be to carry them when we are strolling the deck or when we leave the ship.

And since I have not used a pair of binoculars in forever, it might be forever again before I touch these after this trip, so please keep that in mind when you recommend a pair.

Do I shop on Amazon? A local camera store? Bass Pro? I am not even sure where to buy these things.

What do you recommend?

Whatever you get, I recommend the image-stabilization ones. It makes a difference especially if you're really using the magnification.

I barely used binoculars. Not needed often as the Killer Whale pod swam close beside the ship & a small whale surfaced next to shore. I used a Nikon 8x42 for distance a few times. A good telephoto lens on a camera was best for me.

quote:

Originally posted by 1KPerDay:
Whatever you get, I recommend the image-stabilization ones. It makes a difference especially if you're really using the magnification.

This.

Wife and I went on a cruise to Glacier Bay we brought binoculars I have for deer hunting (7-26 power zoom type) Having a set with image stabilization would have made it much easier to use when moving on the ship, especially for my wife.

Problem is, even in hindsight I cannot see the justification for a set of uber expensive glass for a 7-night trip. If you can foresee having other uses, spend the coin.

Something like these would be handy. If they’re big and heavy you ain’t gonna want to hang them on your neck. 8x42 Leupold McKenzie BX-1.

https://www.midwayusa.com/prod...023060366?pid=565086

How about circular polarizers?

Recommended for binos? I'm trying to find something for Monarch 5. I like them for cameras; not sure if they help for binos.

I'm not a pro but I have a small Nikon Trailblazer and a Monarch 5. Image quality is good in both for me. But the Monarch is easier to use (I guess something to do w/ eye relief - not sure). And the image is brighter but only really can tell in lower ambient light - bright sunshine and both are good.

I'd prefer the Monarch overall. Not sure why but the image just feels easier and better. But the Trailblazer has been great as a small light unit for hikes. For a cruise, I'd take my Monarch.

We cruised Alaska about a month ago. We sailed with Norwegian and left out of Seattle. Did Juneau, Skagway, Glacier Bay and Ketchikan.

I took my Nikon Prostaff 3S 10x42 binos.

https://www.nikonusa.com/en/ni...ostaff-3s-10x42.html

They worked well, clear. I picked them out of the anniversary book at work

My wife and friends of ours bought some 10x42 sets off Amazon, I think they were about $35 a pair. My wife used hers and then one morning I was on the balcony scanning the shore line and she tried mine and said there was definite difference in clarity.

Personally, 10x42 is probably the largest I would take in size and magnification.

We took a pair of Nikon 8x compact. They don't make that model any more.

You will be in well lit conditions, so no need for huge lenses. Go for excellent clarity.

I used them a fair amount, but my wife hardly did.

Consider a pretty good camera with an optical zoom lens. My cell phone takes fine pictures near by but not at distance. You'll want to get pictures of bald eagles floating on icebergs, whales, cool shorelines, and glaciers. Most cell phones just don't do a good job at those sorts of things.

My brother took his 8x 40's.
Said he never used them, on his Alaska cruise.
Didn't leave the suit case

Unless it's a ski trip, I've been a carry-on and daypack traveler for a while. Weight is therefore important. I bought a pair of Vortex Viper 8x28 binos before they were discontinued. Noticeably better glass than the Crossfire and Diamondback lines. They weigh about a pound and don't take up much room. I've never had the need for anything different.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Blackmore,

For casual daytime bino use, a pair of Nikon Travelites or Pentax Papilios are hard to beat. Small, light an compact with good views and decent FOV. Fit in a large pocket or light enough to hang around your neck without the weight bothering you.

For night time use (stargazing, etc.) a decent pair of 7x35, 8x40 or 10x50 with 6.5 degree FOV works, depending on how steady your hands are.

The 7x35 are really out of favor now, but they are a great all around size and not too big or heavy.

Like most people, I buy a pair of binoculars and that's my only purchase for a decade or more. Very happy with mine, but they're 7 to 9 years old (I bought them during the 2 years I lived in Can-eh-duh and I haven't lived there in 7 years). Therefore, I'd rather give a recommendation on the process I used to find them.

Based on a Sigforum recommendation, I checked out Cornell University's binocular review. Why Cornell? They're absolutely nuts about birdwatching (i.e. want quality binoculars) and they routinely test dozens of pairs of binoculars to give recommendations. It's a way more rigorous testing process than I'd ever do myself.

Here is a link to their latest Affordable Full-Size 8×42 Binoculars review. They're focused on MSRPs (i.e. not the Amazon price) between $130 and $650 so it's full of reasonably priced alternatives. As shown by this chart, their top performers were middle of the pack price wise, and not at the high end.


The updated version of my binoculars, Celestron Nature DX ED, made the budget list. Looks like they added the ED coating and kept it reasonable.

8x binoculars are easier to hold steady and have a wider field of view than 10x but the 10x may be better for open spaces while the 8x is good for hunting here in Ohio. I have had both and right now I have a pair of Swarovski SLC 8x42 that I bought used. I had a pair of Kahles 10x42 that I dropped from my tree stand. If you’re looking to get a quality pair that won’t break the bank check out Tract Optics.

https://tractoptics.com/binocu...ing-binoculars-toric

My experience is that a binocular smaller than 30mm lens size is difficult to use. Especially with 10x magnification. A decent quality 8x42 or 10x42 is my preference. These can be found for around $100-200 on Amazon. Nikon and Celestron have both had models that were well regarded for several years and the buying latest model isn’t really necessary.

quote:

Originally posted by Anush:
A good telephoto lens on a camera was best for me.

quote:

Originally posted by Fly-Sig:
Consider a pretty good camera with an optical zoom lens.

This I have. Nikon D500 with a 70-200 2.8 and 2X teleconverter. I have access to borrow my mother's 200-500 5.6 lens, but that thing is huge, so I do not think I want to take it.

Maybe I should just use my camera and skip the binoculars?

quote:

Originally posted by holdem:

quote:

Originally posted by Anush:
A good telephoto lens on a camera was best for me.

quote:

Originally posted by Fly-Sig:
Consider a pretty good camera with an optical zoom lens.

This I have. Nikon D500 with a 70-200 2.8 and 2X teleconverter. I have access to borrow my mother's 200-500 5.6 lens, but that thing is huge, so I do not think I want to take it.

Maybe I should just use my camera and skip the binoculars?

We cruised out of Vancouver to Alaska, great trip, I couldn't see where binoculars would be of use, if you are going to capture something do it with the camera, then you'll have it for a long time. Other than that you have some good selections.

Take good walking shoes.... Bring an appetite, if you drink, upgrade the drink plan so you get the better shelf..

I just got back from an Alaskan cruise. You should absolutely take binoculars. We used them on our hikes as well as off our balcony.

This is pretty much the pair I bought my wife a few years ago.

https://www.amazon.com/Nikon-S...%2Caps%2C143&sr=8-10

At 8x they are easy to work with. But the zoom out to 24 not so much. The plus here is they are very small and lightweight. I personally did not want to haul around a giant camera and relied on my iPhone. It did a pretty good job on most photos. But of course that zoom is limited if you are a die hard for great photos.

I'll also second what others said about packing. We took our waterproof hiking boots. Also make sure you have a quality rain shell to put over your layers. Finally, invest in a mid size dry bag. I bought two off Amazon for less than $18. Well worth it.

I enjoyed using binocs on our cruise. The shoreline is pretty close, so there is lots to see. For whales they were a little helpful. For eagles very helpful.

Very useful for viewing the glaciers.

If you like using binocs or long camera lenses, definitely take some decent binocs. There is a lot to see. I spent hours on our balcony checking out everything from other ships in the far distance to wildlife to distant mountains. My wife, though, hardly ever uses binocs. She's into broad landscapes and flowers, neither of which need binocs.

Note: The big ships only get within a few miles of the glacier due to ice in the water. Binocs were a necessity imho, and our ship got in as close as any of the large ships. To get up closer requires a smaller boat. If you want to see the kinds of stuff you see online like the glacier looming higher than you and ice falling into the sea, you'll have to do the $ excursion.

Our cruise did the glacier fjord in the morning, then Juneau in the afternoon. We chose to do that and go ashore in Juneau. We regret not doing the small boat excursion to the glacier. The excursion meant missing going ashore in Juneau, but we did not realize the big ship would not get terribly close to the glacier. Juneau was ok, but getting right up to the glacier would have been way better.

One of the few things I remember from my Biophysics class had to do with the structure of the eye and how it gathers light.

The bottom line was that the size of the lens should be 5 times the size of the magnification. For example if you get a 7 power bino the lens size should be 35mm etc. any more is not caught by the receptors in the back of the eye and any less is not taking full advantage of them. Of course 1 or 2 mm isn’t going to make a perceptible difference.