| Navigating in an unknown area or even a known area | | | | see at a distance a channel marker and read the |
| requires you to know precisely where you are at all | | | | number. Pressing the button gave a picture image of |
| times. Navigation markers and buoys help you do that, | | | | the channel marker with great clarity. This makes them |
| by using them as a reference point. However if you | | | | a very handy navigation tool. |
| cannot read which marker you are approaching from | | | | There are 3 types of Image stabilized (IS) binoculars. |
| a distance it may be of no help. With (IS) Image | | | | Gyro |
| Stabilized Binoculars you can read markers from a | | | | One of the most popular types of image IS binoculars |
| distance. | | | | are the gyro designs. These binoculars have |
| While on board your boat you may have a hard time | | | | gyroscopes built into them that are driven by a high |
| reading an image through regular binoculars. Even using | | | | speed motor. Hence these IS binoculars require power |
| the recommended boating binoculars the 7 X 50, you | | | | in order to operate, and you will have to have back up |
| may still have a hard time seeing the image clearly, | | | | batteries or some other type of external power |
| even if they are a very expensive pair with great | | | | source. These image stabilized binoculars are bulkier |
| optics and coatings. If this is the case IS binoculars are | | | | than some other designs and are also heavier. |
| a great solution. The first time I tried IS binoculars it | | | | Examples of Gyro IS Binoculars are the Nikon 14 X 40, |
| was like, OK these work, and for the first time I could | | | | Fujinon 14 X 40, and Bushnell 10 x 35. |