Hunter Lou 1947 Loc: Minnesota

I'm in the northern climate (MN). I wish to purchase a pair of binoculars. I've been looking on B&H and they are over whelming to say the least with all the dope they try and spell out. Don't get me wrong it's a lot to understand. I would be willing to spend around a grand for a pair. My main question is the IS one's versus the norm. I also am questioning the fog proof issue. I feel that being in the colder area If I was to use it from a car in colder weather it will be a problem without fog proof lens or gas filled binoculars. My question is would it be wise to spend more money to get the gas filled binoculars or go with one without. I also would like to know about going more than 10x power and say 40 objective lens. Will going more cause problems without stabilized binoculars? Like dealing with B&H but if there is a more reasonable seller where is such. Has anyone had experiences with Amazon on purchases? I enjoy viewing comments from Hedgehog members. Most are right on but then again there are some who just don't want to inform you correctly or want to just have some fun with their answers. Thank you, stay safe and wear those face masks. It just may save your life.

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

Hunter, I would deal with B&H. They have a chat line or call them with your questions. They have a very liberal (No charge) return policy.

pmorin Loc: Huntington Beach, Palm Springs

I purchased these from B&H last fall to use on a trip to Antarctica. The IS feature is worth investing a bit more cash on. That stability when you push the IS button really helps to clarify what you see. As for the extra reach in the 18X50 lenses I can only say that it made for a very happy wife when she used them. She could see far off objects just as well as I could with my big lens on my 5dIV. And we never had any problems with fogging in the Antarctic weather. The average temperature there was about 35F.
The price is a bit steep, but I plan on having these to pass on to my great grand nephews. The technology used in their design will be a standard for a very long time. I too would use B&H. They can be trusted.
Here’s the link to the binocs I bought.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/192388-USA/Canon_4624A002_18x50_IS_Image_Stabilized.html

bgrn Loc: Pleasant Grove UT

If you have a Bass Pro, Scheels, Spotsmans Warehouse around you can try them out. Employees are generally very knowledgeable and can help you a lot. Just beware when you go above about 10x they become more difficult to control. Last year I picked up a pair of Vortex 10x50 for a little over 600 and love them. Buts it’s what ever fits your needs and feels comfortable to you.

Hunter Lou 1947 Loc: Minnesota

Thanks members for the response to my questions about binoculars. I will be purchasing a pair before this fall as I want to do several trips to the SaxZim bog west of Cloquet,MN. Truly a good place to view birds, especially Owls and a wolf or two. Yea, the fog proof lens is a must.

Najataagihe

In no particular order:

For general use, 7X or 8X are the most versatile.

10X and higher glass is harder to keep on target and requires a tripod, solid rest or IS to use easily.


If you are trying to watch wildlife from afar, consider a good 10X-60X zoom spotting scope with a small tripod.

For low light, get at least a 50mm diameter objective lens.


Get the widest field of view you can get - you will thank me, later.

Definitely go for fog-proof, inert gas filled units.


I wouldn't bother with IS on anything less than 10X.

It's an added expense that is not needed.


If you learn to hold them properly, you won't have any problems.

Either prop your elbows on something solid or make a fist with your left hand, put your left elbow on your ribs and rest the binos on your fist while your right hand aims and focuses.

A walking stick makes a great monopod.


My favorite, after 42 years of using these things?

Nikon Action 7x35 Ultra Wide


I got my first pair at a local shop, after comparing them with much more expensive ones.

The Nikons smoked the more expensive glass - much clearer and brighter than any of the others I tested.

The other pair came from Amazon - no problems.


My recommendation for you: Nikon 7238 Action Ex Extreme 8 X 40 mm Waterproof Binoculars - $140 on Amazon.

A bit higher power than what I use, but with a larger objective lens for light-gathering and more rugged construction.

They are inexpensive, so you can afford to get a set for overall surveillance and use a higher magnification pair, if needed.

You may find you don't need anything else.


Have fun!

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

Several years ago, my wife and I took a trip to Seattle in order to embark on a cruise to Alaska. All we had at that time was a 7x35 pair of Bausch & Lomb binoculars that were not color corrected. From a previous time of living there, we knew of a place called "Captain's." I see that ownership and location have changed, but they are still in business. Anyway...they had an extensive optical department at that time and spent a lot of time with us as we were shopping for better binoculars for our cruise. We learned a number of things that really helped us as we were shopping. Here are a couple that never seem to get mentioned in these discussions.

First...not all binoculars are constructed with color corrected optics. We learned through instruction and demonstration that having color corrected optics is probably the single most important parameter of a pair of binoculars. Color correction affects both visibility and viewability. Some targets that are invisible through non-CC binoculars become immediately very visible through corrected optics. Non-corrected optics also are very likely to become very fatiguing after only a short time.

Second...the most important numerical specification for binoculars or spotting scopes or the like is a number called "Exit Pupil." This is sort of a "virtual aperture" for the optical system, and almost everything important about that system is driven by this number...field of view, apparent image size, and others. This is a number that can be easily calculated, and is simply the objective lens diameter divided by the magnification. For the 7x50 pair of Fujinon binoculars that I selected, that is simply 50/7, or about 7.1mm. For Exit Pupil, bigger is always better, optically.

Even though we were buying for use on a cruise, the topic of gas-filled never came up. I can't speak to the importance of it, but would seem like one of those "lower order" features...beneficial but maybe not in proportion to the cost.

I did not select IS binoculars. Captain's at that time operated an optical repair department and indicated that the main benefit of IS at that time was to keep their repair techs busy. I've not missed having it in my 7 power binoculars, but can see that there would be some benefit at 10x or more. I also did not buy the version of my binoculars that was available with the built-in compass. The sales guy talked me out of it. If I had it to do over, I would probably overrule him and get the compass. It would be beneficial for storm spotting and some of my other binocular applications. These can apparently also be troublesome, however.

My wife was looking at more compact binoculars. (Mine are full size.) She was looking at a pair of 8x40 color corrected ones, but couldn't convince herself to pull the trigger. By the way...we both found a big difference in the viewability of 8x40 vs. the more common 8x32 models.

While it is easily possible to spend $1000 or more for very good binoculars, it is not a necessity. Mine were just a little over $300, and the ones she was looking at were about $450. (I was very disappointed that she didn't get them so that they would be available for me to borrow occasionally.) Prices have gone up some since then, but not a lot.

The suggestion to visit one or more sporting goods stores is a good one. If you can find someone who sells nautical optics, that might be of benefit also. Have fun shopping.

rwilson1942 Loc: Houston, TX

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

The Canon 18x50 IS Image Stabilized Binoculars do break the rules. You can have more than the typically recommended 8x or 10x.

When I go to Yellowstone we frequently stop where there are lines of people watching a wild critter. It is great fun to offer my 18x Canons to strangers struggling to see the critter. Always amazed, they become instant, short term friends. Those with "ordinary" binoculars are always "in wonder".

Hunter Lou 1947 Loc: Minnesota

Outstanding article, thank you.

Hunter Lou 1947 Loc: Minnesota

Very good material, thank you.

Hunter Lou 1947 Loc: Minnesota

I guess I screwed up putting a reply on wrong article. I ment to say the Audobon article was great.

pmorin Loc: Huntington Beach, Palm Springs

That was the consensus amongst the naturalists and biologists on our Antarctic cruise. And the ones they had were top tier.

Dossile

If $1300 is a little steep for IS, I really like my Leupold 10x40’s and have been impressed at Cabelas with Vortex optics. With both brands you get excellent optics, exceptional construction and you don’t pay for the name. I bought Leupold’s mid range binoculars for around $450 on sale 6 years ago and am very happy.

Having said that, the Canon IS 18X50 is like a high quality spotting scope that can be hand held. Using spotting scopes, I have enjoyed watching mountain sheep on a distant snow field and a big grizzly meandering along the edge of a mountain across the valley at Bear Claw Pass just outside Yellowstone. My binoculars just didn’t have the distance. Fatigue is a factor with the weight of Canon IS 18X50, but if you have the money and the super long distance fits with your needs, it’s what I’d buy.

Fayle Loc: Seward, Alaska and Rionegro, Colombia