Use on water is definitely different….I did see some in the sub $2K range that had good reviews from sailers. The price of all electronic optics has gone down. The ATN thermal RGrizzz is getting is half the price today as it was when introduced. Of course, the question is “buy yesterday’s technology at half price” or “today’s technology at full price.” As I read about the Canon IS gen 1 vs gen 2, the difference was too subtle to justify paying more, but that is not always the case.My fear is they won't work on the water. A lot of reviews I've read for various stabilized binoculars say for use on the ocean they need to be gyro stabilized. Sure would be nice to see birds working in the distance with a good pair of binoculars but $5K isn't something I'm ready plop down for them