Conference unifix::sailing

    Since you didn't sprinkle any smiles around can I assume that FUZINON
    really equates to Fujinon? If so, $249.95 is a very good price since
    Defender has been mostly out of stock at their advertised prices
    for a couple of years. They're very happy to sell them at an additional
    markup of $50-$75 however.
    
    Fujinon has come out with a 'new improved' design in the past year
    but I'm not sure if they changed the model designations from MTR-SX or
    MTRC-SX. I remember thinking at the time I saw the announcement
    that the new design was not a significant improvement and really
    didn't obsolete the older glasses. I'd be surprised if this resulted
    in any cut-rate prices. Especially with the YEN/Dollar situation.
    [ref note 335.)
    

    Sorry for my misspelling but it is Fujinon,and if it is 
    such a good deal here is the address and phone for any-
    one interested     
                     THE KRAUTH CO.
                     530 MAIN STREET
                     SO.WEYMOUTH,MA. 02190
                     (617)331-3795  I talked to someone called Howard

    Just a note about the Fujinon's.  They are great low light glasses.
    
    Anchored off of Grog Island (mid Chesapeake) last summer with just
    a sliver of a moon, I could see the people in the cockpits of every
    boat in the cove.
    
    If you are a modest person who like their privacy, beware of the
    Fujinon.

    Does anyone know how the Fujinon's compare with Steiner's (spelling?)?
    
    Sandy
    

    Ref.3
    Funny you wrote that note!
    A few days back,my Fujinon arrived late in the afternoon (5:00 P.M.)
    and since I have heard so much about how good they are especially
    in the dark,I immediately opened the package right there on the
    front door and started looking and focusing towards some trees wes-
    t,where some light was still there...Honest!!
    Well,somehow I got that feeling that someone else was watching me,
    and there he was my neighbor across the street taking his trash
    out.He had a funny look on his face and he didn't say nothing,even
    after I holler that theese were my new binoculars and I was trying
    them out.Boy,nobody can ever accuse me for my low I.Q
                                        Regards
                                         Mike K.

    	I bought a pair of Fujinon MTRC-SX a couple years ago when they
    were first introduced.  The MTR-SX have been out longer but they
    held off adding a compass.  I spoke with Fujinon about that and
    it was one of those issues they debated internally for a while.
    
    	Compared to Steiners they were brighter and as Fujinon claims
    they are the brightest binoculars on the market.  It took me a while
    to search out comparative figures for the varying models on the
    market but Fujinon was definitely higher.  I don't know if I still
    have the actual numbers but it was about 90% versus 95%.
    
    	I really enjoy having the compass.  It really helps to take
    positions and a nice convenience.  We find we use it the most when
    someone spots a bouy and wants to tell the helmsman where to look.
     Its obviously more precise then saying '10:00' etc.
    
    	Fujinon also introduced a new flat field binocular this past
    year.  Their designator is FMTR-SX  and FMTRC-SX.  They add
    about $100 to the price.  I spoke with Fujinon about the difference
    in optical quality of these versus whaat MTR series.  They told
    me the main advantage was only for those who like to use their
    binoculars with their glasses on since they have a larger lens for
    on the viewfinder side.
    
    	Good luck I am sure you will enjoy using them.
    

    What is the cost of the binoculars in the USA? In the UK they are
    inordinately expensive. Is there room here for some trans Atlantic
    trading ? 
    
    Pete

    After trying them at Newport I bought a pair of the new 7x50 models
    (flat field, extra eye relief) and they are GREAT!  They work ok
    with glasses, are extremely bright, and the weight adds stability.
    They are expensive but I think worth it.
    

    Has anyone tested the Fujinon's against the Tasco 7 x 50's. Boat U.S.
    catalog lists Tasco's light efficiency at 95% as well. I've looked
    through the Tasco, but have held of buying any due to all the positive
    remarks about Fujinon. 
    
    Price is a definate consideration. I'm looking at the models with the
    built in compass and want a unit that will last me at least 10 years of
    regular use with limited abuse. Is a built in rangefinder useful?
    
    Robert

In binoculars, quality is expensive. According to a recent Practical 
Sailor review, Fujinons are the best, and built-in rangefinders aren't 
worth the price. Tasco's were, as I recall, much inferior. 10 years? 
Maybe if you're really lucky and don't abuse them at all. Even a short 
drop (cockpit seat to cockpit sole) may do any binoculars in. Internal 
fogging is inevitable (like death and taxes). 

    
    
    I believe that the Fujinons with the same light efficiency as the
    Tascos costs about twice as much.  I didn't see the PS article, but
    would not disagree that the Fujinons are much higher quality.  For
    what I use'em for, however, I don't see why the Fujinons offer twice 
    the value.  
    
    ...but I'm ready to be educated if there are some good reasons!
      
       /Jim           

    Help me out here. I too am having trouble seeing why the Fujinons offer
    twice the value. I would assume the most important points in binoculars
    would be light transmittance, magnification, field of view, and
    clarity. Obviously, rugged construction is a must if you need to bang
    them around, or do so anyway.
    
    Aside from the emotional issue of buying the best, when is it really an
    intellegent decision to pay mega bucks for the Fujinon's vs. some other
    brand that is less expensive?

Owning the best or almost best is a good reason for buying something -- 
this idea sells many a Hinckley, Ferrari, etc. 

You've listed the important qualities of binoculars, with a couple of
exceptions. They should also low internal reflectance (somewhat related
to light transmittance), good weather sealing, and accurate optical 
alignment (critical to avoid eyestrain). We have a pair of Fujinons,
which we use almost exclusively at night for several reasons: 

   since they're on the heavy side, we prefer lighter binoculars when 
   possible

   they have high light transmittance and low internal reflection, so 
   that low light images are as bright as possible and not distorted or 
   obscured by stray internal light

   they have accurate individual focus eyepieces -- you can set the 
   focus without looking at an object (invaluable at night)

For daytime use we have a lighter weight, central focus pair of Minolta 
7x35s. Quite adequate for daytime use, but we don't use them at night. 
If we had only one pair, they'd be Fujinons (or equivalent). 

    I just ordered a pair of Fujinon's from "The Focal Point", a 
    distributor in Norwalk, CT.   
                                         Focal Pt.      List Price
    Prices?     7x50 AR  80% Lt.Trans    $200            $360
    
                7x50 MTR 95%, Mill Spec  $379            $599
    
    The Focal Point Advertises is Sounding.
    
    Frank

   Re -.1
     Can you get me the phone number of "The Focal Point"? Those seem to be
    great prices.
    
   Re -.2 Thanks Alan. Internal reflectance is something I did not think
    about, nor the individual focusing eyepieces. Those are good factors to
    consider.

    
    re -.1
    
        btw, the Tascos also have individual focusing eyepieces, and are
        supposedly waterproof.  I don't know how internal reflectance is 
        measured; is this a noticable effect?

    Re: .14
    
>    I just ordered a pair of Fujinon's from "The Focal Point", a 
>    distributor in Norwalk, CT.   
>                                         Focal Pt.      List Price
>    Prices?     7x50 AR  80% Lt.Trans    $200            $360
>    
>                7x50 MTR 95%, Mill Spec  $379            $599
    
    Frank, are you sure about the Fujinon model numbers? They're both
    MTR's.
    
    If so, Defender is $35 higher on the first (If it's the MTR(AR) and
    cheaper on the latter by about $30 (If it's the MTR-SX).
    
    J_R