Current issue binoculars

Like others have said the military buys from the lowest bidder or highest bidder for lowest quality product because of political/personal interest.

After being in the military I find it funny how people buy stuff because they figure its the best because the army bought it.

I have used the army issued binos and the only thing they have going for them is that they have a tough rubber case just the like the sh!tty Elcan c79 scope. Like others have said you could buy better and probably for cheaper

If you want them for collecting reasons then its going to be next to impossible. They are serialized kit so it will be like finding a unicorn or they were skillfully acquired if you know what I mean.
 
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The RCN currently issues Fujinon M22 7x50 binos. They are heavy, bulky, and not that great as far as optical quality goes... the only thing they have going for them is the rubber coating on the exterior. They also tend to break frequently, of the 22 pairs I currently hold on my account, 4 are broken and awaiting repair as soon as we get back home and at least another 3 or 4 are broken but people haven't reported it to me yet.
 
I had a couple different sets of Steiners. The first were 7x or 8X, can't remember. Then a set of 10X. They are available to the city market but the actual issue items are serialized. The binos were okay but there is much better available in the same price range.
 
Some military optics are good...some are not. The 7x,50 Elcans were/are very good mechanically and optically. The Steiners are plastic chinese manufactured disposable crap designed for a price point and 'good enough' for general issue. Fujinon..depends....Fujinon FMTR-SX 7x,50 are among the best binoculars of their type available. Given the average operational environment for the navy is full of steel...I am not surprised that the issue units are not the 'top' end fujinon since their binoculars take a beating. Few makes could survive long in this use. US navy commissioned the development of the Leitz 180mm Apo Telyt 3.4 which was not available for civilian use for numerous years until it was declassified...because of its extremely high optical quality. During most military conflicts...high end military optics are specifically protected from falling into enemy hands...optical coating being a good example in WWll. To dismiss all military optics as substandard is 'short sighted' :)
 
If you list your budget and what you're going to use them for, I'm sure some of us can recommend you some great binos that could possibly be better than standard issue gear.

I heard a saying a long time ago that was talking about military gear... "Never forget, your gear is supplied by the lowest bidder".
 
Clocked92 said:
I heard a saying a long time ago that was talking about military gear... "Never forget, your gear is supplied by the lowest bidder".... and who are able to meet or exceed the procurement specifications within the time specified subject to economic offsets and /or ###x (you name the country) 'content' requirements; and having met the specifications, demonstrated superiority in a predefined competition among finalists
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fixed it for you. There is a reason why the Canadian manufactured Diemaco C7 was the very best/highest quality rifle of its design type made anywhere. And the C130 has been flying since 1954.

I do not want to defend all military procurement .... just to point out that the 'lowest bidder' mantra constantly repeated by the unknowing only serves to undermine our military personnels' confidence in their equipment ... while in MANY cases they should be exceedingly confident in it!
 
To be honest, nostalgia and a system I'm comfortable with. The first set I was issued with was the Lietz, then now the fujinon. So, available purchase options for the current set or suggestions for something more modern and works better with a reticle
Regards.
 
R711 said:
To be honest, nostalgia and a system I'm comfortable with. The first set I was issued with was the Lietz, then now the fujinon. So, available purchase options for the current set or suggestions for something more modern and works better with a reticle
Regards.
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I have yet to see a pair of binos with the reticle like the issued binos. THAT is something I would like to see become more common.
 
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