Which binoculars is the best?

HI GUYS, I PRESUME YOU ARE ALL TIRED GIVEN TIPS ON CHOOSING BINOGULARS BUT PLEEEASE AGAIN FOR ME: i confused between canon
10x42L IS OR 15X50IS? WHY 10X42 MORE EXPENSIVE THAN ITS MORE POWERFUL BROTHER? AND WHERE TO BUY- PRICES FROM 522EURO(EBAY) TO 1699(SHOP IN DUBLIN) :shock: ? WHAT WOULD YOU SAY?

Hi Tania,

Welcome to the IFAS boards!

As you may be aware, both of these binos have built-in image stabilising. Where two binos primarily differ is due to the lenses they use. The 10x42s have "L" lenses, which are considered Canon's top-of-the-range lenses. The other binos doesn't have the same grade of lenses. That's not to say they are no good either - just not as good as the "L" lenses. How much of a difference it would make in practice, I honestly don't know.

As for where to buy them - always shop around and try and find the best price & service.

Hope this helps,

Hi Tania,

welcome to our boards! Don't worry about the tips request - it is the very purpose of why we are here that we exist on IFAS!

The kind of scopes you have mentioned seem very pricey for their sizes. I know Mike has explained somewhat about the types of lenses used in what you mentioned. The imaging stabilising 'technology' in them is relatively new, and from all I know about them, I know no one who has had a pair of image-stabilising binoculars.

The kinds of bino's with this feature are marine-grade ones, due to the nature of bobbing up and down on a ship. But, beware - they are not motion-proof! So, the benefit of buying them for astronomical use would almost be negligent.

The reason being because if you are going to use binoculars for astronomical observing, you will be holding them for longer periods of time trained on 1 particular object than for watching passing ships or landmarks. Therefore, your arms will get tired! To counter this, special 'L'-shaped bracket mounts can be attached to binoculars to attach them to a tripod which will make longtime viewing of astronomical objects more comfortable.

Also, I don't know if you know this, but just in case:

Taking your aforementioned 10 X 42 pair of binoculars as an example - '10' refers to the magnification power, and '42' refers to the diameter of the (front) objective lens. The larger the objective lens, the wider field of view. Average small pairs of binos bought these days are 10 X 50's.

I know I've ave typed a lot, but I hope some of this helps!

Seanie.

I've heard of alot of people who have these for astronomy and swear by them. As it happens, I read a review of them earlier today from one person who said they were of no use for boating. Guess it's down to the individual - and the size of boat! In any case, it would be ideal if you could try before you buy.

I've often thought about buying them but the price has always been the main reason why I haven't. I've used a pair of them once - at Whirlpool Star Party a few years ago when Coronado had Solarmax filters on a pair of them. The difference in detail when looking at the Sun with the stabilisation turned on versus turned off was dramatic. Far more detail visible with the stabilisation turned on. Apart from the price, the main disadvanatage as i would see it is the weight - they are heavy, much heavier than a pair of similar sized "normal" binos. From my brief use of them and from what I have heard from others, I would reckon the best use you would get from these is with a deck chair, so that you can lie back and rest your arms on supports.

The other option is to get a normal pair of binos and a tripod. Wouldn't be my preferred choice I have to admit as I found it gets uncomfortable trying to see something very high in the sky. Also means you would have to stand all the time as opposed to the comfort of a deck chair.

I'd be interested to know if anyone here has a pair of Canon IS binos who can give their experiences on them from extended use.

Hope this helps,

Gordon Nason has(d) a pair. He gave a brief review here:

www.irishastronomy.org/boards/viewtopic....amp;highlight=#33356

Actually, there was a lot of good stuff on binoculars in that thread.

Hi Tania

There has been a lot of talk and discussion about image stabilised binoculars on another website
www.cloudynights.org

Check the forum section under binoculars. A lot of users swear by them. The stability they offer over handheld binoculars means that you can see fainter stars compared to the same size handheld.

Also there is a review of the canon 10X42 on the following link
www.cloudynights.com/item.php?item_id=1625
hope that helps.