I finally sprung for a pair of the Fujinon Techno Stabi 14x40 binoculars
(about $1200)--using 2 AA batteries.  (The 12 volt adaptor, although listed in
the literature, has never been sold by the NA Fujinon distributer--since it
"costs" about $500!  ( am sure I could make an apaptor using an extra bottom
of the water proof case, if that really becomes an issue).  I also have a pair
of Fujinon 7 x 50 marine binoculars, 8 x 30 Stieners and an assortment of
other less expensive binoculars for guests.  Since I now run a Cat and cruise
at 25 knots, the Techno Stabi binoculars are the only ones which will really
do the job.  With trawlers and sail boats, the 7 x50 were fine.

Although I have a gen 1 nite scope, I am going to spring for a Fujinon Gen 2.5
nite scope this year.  We do run a fair amount on the ICW after dark.
Although not a binocular, in the traditional sense, it does serve as that
function at night--and will do much better than a 7 x50 "night glass".

As Henry, we also recommend the SOS, or equivilant inflatable life jackets--I
saw that Walmart had the Mustang variety at a very good close out price last
week.  I do recommend that you get a inflatable life jacket, with the D rings
for tethers.  There may be a case where you need a safety harness, and these
work very well.  We also both have well fitted foam life vests (actually were
custom made for us by North Sports a few years ago)---which not only are life
jackets, but keep us from breaking ribs in heavy weather.  Finally there are
the typical $5 life jackets for the regulations, plus at least a couple of
type I with Solas specs.

We also both have a personal EPRIB, GPS enabled, a waterproof/submersiable
radio and strobe flash light which is attatched to what life jacket we are
wearing at the time.

Good hunting--and I agree that these types of items can be accumulated before
the boat--but not the electronics!

One slight comment on boat tests: --they seem to be slightly over optomistic
in fuel usage--because the boats they test are light, clean bottoms and no
increased windage.  They gave numbers for the boat I drive about 10 to 15%
high, and I have several thousand miles of both fill up to fill up over
measured courses of 200 miles, plus flow meter readings.  Also be cautions
about "MPG vs Nautical miles per gallon--NMPG".

Regards,

Bob Austin

A few years ago I bought a pair of the Canon image stabilized 18x50
binoculars.  They have been fantastic.  With the image stabilization off I
can see the license plate on a car 1/2 mile away - with the stabilization on
I can READ the plate.  The difference is dramatic.

Underway, unless the boat is moored in flat calm water, there's no way to
use unstabilized binos of that magnification.  But with the stabilization
active I can use them when running unless it's pretty rough.

For Christmas I bought my wife a second pair, 12x36 Canon.  This is the next
generation of IS binos from Canon and they've made some improvements.  Much
lighter and smaller, though of course these are lower magnification binos.
Battery life seems longer - it was reasonable with the 15x50, but we haven't
used up the 2 AA's in the 12x36 since Christmas, and they get used a fair
amount.  Lots of subtle improvements in the shape and handling
characteristics too.

For boat usage I would recommend the 12x36's.  Lighter, smaller, and usable
under most running conditions.  Better battery life.  And they cost less
too!

I haven't physically used the Fujinons or any other brands, so I cannot
provide a comparison, but I'm a very satisfied user of the Canon binos.

As an aside, so my southern colleagues can enjoy some gloating, it's a
whiteout again today here.  We have accumulated over 15 feet of snow this
winter and there's no end in sight (another foot forecast for tomorrow,
which usually means 2 feet).  My poor boat is just a white blob these days.

Bob Deering
Juneau Alaska