Canon Image Stabilization Binos

AGPank

WKR
Joined
Jan 16, 2013
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978
I came across a pair of 10x30 last summer for a great deal and gave them to my sister. I have more binos than I need and she just needed them for viewing kids sports and standard hour viewing of wildlife. The IS works very well. I can imagine the 15x50 would be a great tripod bino.

They are heavier and have roll down eyecups, but that IS is great.
 

WRO

WKR
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Nov 6, 2013
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I came across a pair of 10x30 last summer for a great deal and gave them to my sister. I have more binos than I need and she just needed them for viewing kids sports and standard hour viewing of wildlife. The IS works very well. I can imagine the 15x50 would be a great tripod bino.

They are heavier and have roll down eyecups, but that IS is great.
If you plan to put them on a tripod, why get image stabilization?

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Joined
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California
I am also interested in these bins, the Canon 10x42 L IS in particular. From what I've read it's outstanding optically and the IS essentially negates the need for a tripod. The potential downsides are that you have a bunch of electronics in your bins that are prone to failure and I don't know much about Canon's warranty. In fact there have been recent listing on eBay for units with broken IS. Another downside is the added weight. That said, they are definitely on my radar, but I will likely choose the Conquest HD or Trinovid over them.
 

AGPank

WKR
Joined
Jan 16, 2013
Messages
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If you plan to put them on a tripod, why get image stabilization?

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Grid searching, long time use/comfort. Locking in on a target.


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FlyGuy

WKR
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They look heavy, but if they save the weight of a tripod then they could be a weight savings I suppose. Cool feature. I can really see it coming in handy for a lot of non-hunting activities.

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OP
Topo_trekker
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If you plan to put them on a tripod, why get image stabilization?

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In windy conditions above timberline I still get shake with a tripod. IS would eliminate the wind factor or at least make it less of one. I can imagine that digi scoping would be way better too. They make an 18x50 but would be awesome if they make some spotters with IS. I'm sure in the next 10 years all with have IS tech.


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WRO

WKR
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Grid searching, long time use/comfort. Locking in on a target.


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I do that 4-8 hours a day during hunting season without IS binoculars. I guess I'm struggling to see cost benefit analysis..
 

mamamia

FNG
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Dec 27, 2016
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OR
I have owned Cannon IS binoculars for over 5 years, I initially had an 12x36 IS, later sold it and purchased the 10x42 IS WP. I have used them extensively for wildlife watching, road-trips and star gazing. Here is my take on these binocualrs:

1. For those who don't know. Cannon IS binoculars are "The best kept secret in bino world", with IS engaged its game over compared to other binos out there.

2. 10x42L IS WP is the cream of the crop, since it is waterproof and uses the same Glass elements used on Cannon's top quality professional lens. Look for the "red" ring on the objectives. I have compared it with Zeiss HD and Leica Geovid HD rangefinder its hard to distinguish quality of the image without using IS. Many birders have compared with other Alpha Swaro's and have come out with similar opinion.

3. But when IS is engaged, Cannon 10x42L IS leaps past others in performance and how much you can see.

now the drawbacks:
1. Akward design and not so ergonomic.
2. Heavy to carry, but I have used it with Binobro harness and after few hikes and backpacking trips. I have gotten used to it.

If you have $1k to spare, I strongly recommend these binoculars. There is a reason why they are best kept secret, not many take Cannon seriously as outdoor sport optics manufacturer so there is little awareness among broader customer base in hunting community. But its widely accepted fact in astronomy that they are an essential and most used optics.
 

boom

WKR
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Sep 11, 2013
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3,185
my friend uses them. he owns both the 10x and the 12x. the 12x are beaten up.. externally. he uses them and uses them hard.

putting them on a tripod seems weird. without the button pushed, the image is actually super wobbly to me..like something inside is loose..i think there is something loose. you push the button, hear the click and whamo! clear, steady image. i like a tripod because you can let go and watch. it would suck (for me ) to have to hold a button while on a tripod.

he said the achilles is the battery life. on a five day, a month ago..he looked at me and said he was on his third set of batteries. my buddy is one deer finding fool. he is so good behind his binos. he is a boat captain, so the IS binos were a natural purchase for him.
 

mamamia

FNG
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Dec 27, 2016
Messages
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OR
my friend uses them. he owns both the 10x and the 12x. the 12x are beaten up.. externally. he uses them and uses them hard.

putting them on a tripod seems weird. without the button pushed, the image is actually super wobbly to me..like something inside is loose..i think there is something loose. you push the button, hear the click and whamo! clear, steady image. i like a tripod because you can let go and watch. it would suck (for me ) to have to hold a button while on a tripod.

he said the achilles is the battery life. on a five day, a month ago..he looked at me and said he was on his third set of batteries. my buddy is one deer finding fool. he is so good behind his binos. he is a boat captain, so the IS binos were a natural purchase for him.

FWIW I suggest using Lithium batteries, if cost is a concern rechargeable Lithium batteries. In addition, 10x42 L IS has press and forget feature where you dont have to keep the IS button engaged. It automatically turns-off if the binos were left vertically for 5 mins.
 
Last edited:

HookUp

WKR
Joined
Nov 4, 2015
Messages
959
Pros eliminates one piece of gear, cons batteries and electronics in a hunting environment.
 
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