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Canon is Binoculars Top the Bill

Optical performance is of ultimate importance when deciding which binoculars to buy but what makes IS Binoculars extra special is the ability to use them in moving environments whilst maintaining the clarity of image. Canon IS binoculars are among the best there is for image stabilizing technology with the Canon 10x42L IS, in particular, gaining hot reviews.

Apart from the ability to use IS binoculars while on the go, the technology has another added advantage in that it enables high magnification binoculars to be hand held without experiencing image distortion due to slight movements in the hand. Without image stabilisation the greatest magnification that most people can use without a distorted image is 8x, with IS high magnification binoculars can be hand held (Canon do an 18x50 and Nikon do a 16x32).

So which IS binoculars are the ones to choose? Well it really depends on what you want to use them for.

If you want to use them for astronomy take a look at those with a larger objective lens to ensure maximum light gathering ability such as the 15x50 or 18x50 Canon IS binoculars. The IS technology does make them a little on the heavy side with them both weighing in at 1200g but they are ideal for those times when you just want to pick up binoculars and get viewing without have the hassle of setting up a tripod. The image stabilizing technology doesn't eliminate all the distortion due to movements in the hand but you would be hard to notice slight movements and users absolutely rave about them.

For marine use the Nikon Stabileyes 14x40 and the 10x42 WP Canon IS binoculars are both popular choices.

• The Nikon 14x40 comes with two modes, an on board mode and a land mode, weighs in at 1120g, is exceptionally good for spectacle wearers and is waterproof and fog-free. If you want to add these to your shopping list you'll be looking at spending around £1,300.

• The Canon 10x42 are the first Canon IS binoculars to come with the coveted red L-series professional lenses making them an immensely popular choice. The optical performance is amazing, they are waterproof to 1mtr for 30 minutes and have a close focusing distance of just 2.5mtrs. If you buy on the internet you should be able pick up the Canon 10x42 for less than £900 which is a real bargain given the specification.

For bird watching it depends what is most important, size and weight or a larger objective lens. Again both Nikon and Canon have focused on the needs of the birdwatcher with Nikon offering 12x32 or 16x32 waterproof binoculars that have a reduced vibration mode to enable you to follow fast moving objects with a steady view. However the 14x40 offer 2 vibration modes (not available in the other models) which makes them a more popular choice.

Canon offer full size (10x42), mid-size (12x36) or compact options (10x30 or 8x25). The down side of the mid-size and compact canon IS binoculars are that they aren't waterproof. However, their weight makes them ideal for carrying around (660g, 600g and 490g) and the 12x36 are extremely popular high magnification birding binoculars, affordably priced at around £450.

Overall my preference is the 10 x 42 WP Canon IS binoculars particularly for bird watching and general outdoor pursuits. The L series lenses ensure they deliver an unrivalled performance with outstanding clarity and superior optical performance. Weight can prove an issue for some, at 1030g (a problem with most IS binoculars), but the benefits of image stabilizing technology make it well worth it.

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Astronomy 7x50 binoculars for stargazing?

Hello, can someone please PLEASE suggest a good beginers binoculars for stargazing. I don't want so spend more then $100, and I only intrested for 7x50 size. I been looking for 3 days and i have a headache, there's so many different ones and all those multicoating, BaK4 etc. driving me crazy. I stoped on these here "Nikon Action 7x50 Binocular" Can u please tell me if they are good for Stargazing ? http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-7217-Action-7x50-Binocular/dp/B0001HKILS/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=photo&qid=1245650942&sr=1-2

Kate V,

I own a very simple pair of Bushnell 10X50 Binoculars that I use for star gazing (as well as, bird / animal watching). They are multi-coated (most decent binoculars are these days). My wife bought them for me as a Christmas present from Wal*mart. They have turned out to be a surprisingly good pair of Binoculars. I have had them for about 8 years had they've held up really well .

You can go crazy looking for binoculars but I employ few simple rules and that's enough for me.

1) Don't buy binoculars with red coating. (everything will appear red)
2) Don't buy image stabilized binoculars (unless you've got the doh-re-me for it). You can accomplish almost the same with a steady hand or a simple mop pole and a binocular mount.
3) Anything bigger than 10X50 is too heavy to handle and you'll need a stabilizing mount of some type. Again you can use a simple mop pole (the pole you attach to a mop) and binocular mount to steady it.
4) Look through the binoculars you are about to purchase at the store
4.1) The view should contain the same color that you see with normal eyesight, if not, don't buy them.
4.2) As you peer through the binoculars find a vertical wire (in the store) and zoom in on it. Center the vertical wire in your field view (FOV). Now turn your head slightly to the left and then to the right so that the wire travels from your far left FOV to the far right FOV. As the wire goes from the far left to the far right there should be no colors up and down the wire (like blue on one side red on the other of the wire). This is known as vignetting and you shouldn't buy binoculars with this defect.
4.3) Images should not be distorted on the edges or in the middle or any where in the FOV (coke bottle bottom effect).
4.4) At least one of the oculars should be focus-able (sometimes both are)
4.5) When zooming the binoculars there should be no distortion in the zoom and both eyes should remain in focus before, during, and after zoom.

That's pretty much it. Lay your money down, take you new binoculars home, and go out and start enjoying your binoculars.

The binoculars you mentioned look like a decent set of binoculars but for night sky viewing, however, I strongly recommend 10X50's. You just get more light, magnification, and a larger feild of view. The book Night watch is also an excellent book to start off with, as well as, the Audubon Society's Field Guide to the Night Sky".

Also, for free you can download the Binocular Messier List from the AL and start looking for night sky objects. (see the link below).

Finally, consider connecting with your local astronomy club they can also help you with your decision, as well as, give you great tips and pointers on how to view the night sky.

Good luck with your purchase decision.

PS Never look directly at the sun with a pair for binocular you will cause irreparable eye damage. You should buy (or make) a pair a solar filters for solar observing.

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