[PCW] Binoculars and PDF

[Robert Deering]

A few years ago I bought a pair of the Canon image stabilized 18x50
binoculars.  They have been fantastic.  With the image stabilization off I
can see the license plate on a car 1/2 mile away - with the stabilization on
I can READ the plate.  The difference is dramatic.

Underway, unless the boat is moored in flat calm water, there's no way to
use unstabilized binos of that magnification.  But with the stabilization
active I can use them when running unless it's pretty rough.

For Christmas I bought my wife a second pair, 12x36 Canon.  This is the next
generation of IS binos from Canon and they've made some improvements.  Much
lighter and smaller, though of course these are lower magnification binos.
Battery life seems longer - it was reasonable with the 15x50, but we haven't
used up the 2 AA's in the 12x36 since Christmas, and they get used a fair
amount.  Lots of subtle improvements in the shape and handling
characteristics too.

For boat usage I would recommend the 12x36's.  Lighter, smaller, and usable
under most running conditions.  Better battery life.  And they cost less
too!

I haven't physically used the Fujinons or any other brands, so I cannot
provide a comparison, but I'm a very satisfied user of the Canon binos.

As an aside, so my southern colleagues can enjoy some gloating, it's a
whiteout again today here.  We have accumulated over 15 feet of snow this
winter and there's no end in sight (another foot forecast for tomorrow,
which usually means 2 feet).  My poor boat is just a white blob these days.

Bob Deering
Juneau Alaska