Dave, I have both Fujinon 14x40 I-S and under-$200 Nikon 7x50 Sport with built-in compass, both for more than 8 years.(nl)The Fujinons have never failed but I consider them fragile and baby them all the time. They live in the Pelican case they came with and come out when I want to read a marker or boat name (or get a closer look at a "bird") .

The Nikons live in an open teak bino-holder mounted just on the inside of the bulkhead in easy reach from the cockpit through the companionway. They're used for spotting buoys or other objects at night and getting a quick look at something, and for the bearing compass function. They're my night vision. They get a lot more casual use, but when we want more detail -- out come the Fujinons.

If you're going to spend for image-stabilized you should only consider Fujinons IMHO. They're the only ones that are waterproof for the Marine environment. (If you want to get together in Stamford I'll meet you for lunch and let you try the Fujinons.) BTW I read somewhere that Nikon has an OEM deal with Fujinon for I-S models.