Binocular Revelation - Canon IS
 

I have been wanting to buy a new pair of binoculars and recently had a chance to compare several different ones at an indoor boat show. It was in a dome (TWA dome, home of the Rams - no Ram's bashing please) so as part of the comparison I tried to read the seat numbers at the top where there was little light. I Looked through several different models in the $250 to $400 price range including a Pentax DCF WP, Nikon Monarch, Minolta Activa, Olympus EXWP I, etc, all 8X and 10X. After spending a fair amount of time playing with them I narrowed it down to the Pentax and Olympus. Then the person working the booth handed me a pair of Canon 10X30 IS. The IS stands for image stabilization which is a technology they developed for use in their video cameras. Next to the center focus dial is a button you push that activates the IS feature (uses a couple of batteries). Eager to try something new I focused on some seats that I could barely read with the other binoculars and pushed the magic button. HOLY SMOKES!! Those minute jitters that we all have when looking through binoculars vanished and the blurred numbers suddenly were sharp and clear. I couldn't believe how much improvement there was, everything was much sharper looking through the Canons.
Now everything is not perfect with them. A funky shape that I'm not sure I like. They are only water resistant rather than waterproof. Not sure how durable they are and I'm sure the IS feature would be very expensive to repair. At 10X30 I doubt they would perform as well in low light as the 8X42 Pentax or Olympus.
Anyone else have any experience with the Canon IS in actual everyday field use? If you haven't ever tried a pair you owe it to yourself to check it out.

RE: Binocular Revelation - Canon IS
 

I have never heard of them. Do they make them in any other magnification and objective lens sizes?

..and the big question...How much does one of them sell for? :)

RE: Binocular Revelation - Canon IS
 

They also make models in the following sizes: 12x36, 15x50, 18x50, and I saw where they just came out with a 8x25. The only one I looked through was the 10x30. I did some checking on the internet and the 10x30 goes for around $300. The prices go up from there to over $1000.

RE: Binocular Revelation - Canon IS
 

Sorry I can't say about the Canon's,but I do own a pair of Pentax 8x42DCF-WP's and have never owned or looked through a pair that were any clearer with the exception of some $1500.00 model Swarovski's that a fellow I shot with at the Worlds last year had.
Pentax also has a fantastic warranty and great customer service from what I've been told. Check out www.adorama.com and look at some of the prices(BUT BEWARE OF GREY MARKET STUFF).

RE: Binocular Revelation - Canon IS
 

Improvements and price reductions will come as soon as other models hit the market, only problem is if your like me you want them now.

Rick

RE: Binocular Revelation - Canon IS
 

Actually the Canon IS models have been on the market for several years. I'm not sure why they haven't received much publicity. The ability to see more detail due to the absence of any shaking was dramatic. Whether you are trying to count points on a buck's rack or get a better view of a target you are shooting at the IS feature would make it much easier. While I still think the Pentax DCF WP will get my final nod because of better viewing at dusk and dawn the Canon's are very tempting. Of course I could bet both for less money than a Swarvoski or Leica.