Canon 15x50 Image Stabilization All Weather Binoculars w/Case, Neck Strap & Batteries

I have recently purchased the Canon IS 15x50 binoculars for backyard astronomy. I wanted enough "power" to be able to see interesting things without needing to set up a telescope. I researched and read a lot before making the purchase. The binoculars are great! The stabilization makes it possible to get a clear, shake-free view. So far I have been enjoying Jupiter and its moons, double stars, star clusters, and even some Messier objects. As a treat, various meteors flash across, and satellites too faint to see with the naked eye travel by. Even in my light polluted backyard, the binoculars are providing some very satisfying viewing. They are a bit heavier than regular binoculars, but are not uncomfortable, especially if I brace my elbows against my body or the arm of my chair.

I have had these for a few years now, and they still work great. I use them mostly for keeping an eye on the world outside my office window. They are a bit heavy, and they go through batteries fast. Get NiMH AA rechargeables and you'll be glad you did. One oddity - they do not come with objective lens caps, so if you keep them outside their case, it's best to store them standing on the objective end. Luckily they are very stable this way on a table or shelf.

My main interest is in astronomy. I have had the Canon 10X30 IS Binocs for awhile and have been very happy. So I decided to take the (substantially more expensive) plunge and get either the 15x50 or 18x50 IS. After reviewing some info on various forums I decided on the 15x50 version.

They are outstanding! Sharp, clear optics. Of course the IS sytem works extremely well. As with all such systems, they eliminate the "jiggle" that ruins the view with binocs of about 10x or greater, but there is still some residual, slow "wander" because of larger scale movements that the user makes, but they stop everything more than enough to give a beautiful view. This "wander" is no more noticeable than with the 10x30s.

I don't want to overstate the "wander" business. If you have used IS optics you know what I am talking about. It's just that the IS system can't compensate for major movements. You wouldn't want it to try because you move the binocs to frame the subject. They completely eliminate the "shakes" though.

I recommend them highly.

I purchased these binoculars for my dad for Christmas. I was replacing a garbage pair of 8x36 binoculars that had to be at least 20 years old. Before purchasing, I went to Cabella's to check them out in person. If you're nervous about dropping this much money on binoculars without testing them, head to a local Cabella's store. A note, Cabellas wanted $1299 for these binoculars. I paid $850 on Amazon.

When I tested the binoculars in the store, I was blown away by the quality of how sharp the images were. It's impossible to describe the effect that pressing the stabilizing button has. It's amazing and makes the binoculars instantly more usable. You can still detect some minor shake but the stabilizing does a tremendous job eliminating it. In using the binoculars, like the other reviewers have said, they are a bit heavy, so I find its best to rest your arms on something when you try to use them.

My dad was totally surprised with the gift. When I took him outside, I had him look through the binoculars and he was amazed at the sharp image quality. Then I pressed the stabilizing button. "What happened to the shake?" he asked. "These are image stabilizing binoculars." I replied. "These are amazing!" he explained.

Later that day we went for a drive to test them out and he kept shaking his head and exclaiming that the binoculars were amazing. We marvelled at how great the binoculars were at low light conditions. At dusk, I used his old garbage pair and I could see a tepee out in a field that some kids had made. Through the old set, it looked like a dark triangle. With the Canon's, you could still count the individual sticks.

I even showed him the moon, and he remarked that he'd never seen the full moon so close and clear. Since my dad also wears glasses, he likes the deep eye cups. It's the first set of binoculars that he's been able to use without having to take off his glasses. My dad recently told me, that out of a 7 day week, he probably uses the binoculars 5 days a week.

There are a couple of downsides to the binoculars. For about 3 weeks afterwards, I got a call from my dad almost every day telling me what he looked at that day through them. The binoculars are a bit heavy, but this is solved by resting your arms on something. The eye caps are extremely cheap for something of this price, and they fall off easily, especially when putting in and taking out the binoculars from the supplied carrying case.

One more recommendation I have is to make sure you get some 58mm UV filters. I got some Hoya UV filters for the binoculars from Adorama, and put them on the binoculars as soon as I got them and before I gave them to my dad. They work well at cutting down the glare, and are good at protecting the lenses on the end. My dad has already scratched one of the filters, but at least we only have to pay $20 for a new filter instead of ruining an $850 pair of binoculars.

Bottom line, that although these binoculars have a couple of minor annoyances, the performance is spectacular. You won't be disappointed!

Canon products are amongst the most innovative I have ever owned. The 15x50 IS Binoculars are no exception. I have used mine for the past five years with much pleasure. My wife uses a Canon 40D camera along with an assortment of Canon lenses (I just got her an EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM for Christmas). We have several 'point and shoot' Powershots floating around. I will continue to purchase Canon products into the future with expectations that they will continue to lead their industry as they are doing now.

Now let me tell you about Canon's repair service... It is terrible... All which prevents it from being the MOST terrible is the fact that some of the other companies are worse, but this is no excuse for a world leader in its field -- as Canon certainly is -- to offer less than excellent service.

Banzai Canon!! Wake up and smell the tea!

Eric Rall