I'm surprised that there isn't any discussion on stabilized binos on this form.
I've just setup my new spotting/scanning rig.
Bino: Canon 10x42L IS WP - Image Stabilized (IS) and Water Proof (WP), from what I've seen, the optics on this bino is up there with all the alpha branded binos; yet if handheld, it beats the pants off of these binos costing 2-3 times as much thanks to the image stabilization, no hand shake, no jittery images, just perfectly still viewing WITHOUT a tripod. The major trade off is weight, this thing weights in at a whale-ish 2.6lbs with batteries included. But for anyone doing long duration spotting/viewing, this is still lighter than a bino/spotting scope + tripod combo. The Canon replaces my trusty Bushnell range finder bino the Fusion 1 mile ARC 8x32, which was damaged in my last hunting trip
, big scratch on the front objective. Canon is much brighter, sharper, even without image stabilization, with IS it's just in a whole different league.
Range finder: Nikon Monarch 3000 Stabilized - this thing weights about the same as any other range finder but also with image stabilization making ranging that much easier with less strain on the eye. Too bad it doesn't include a ballistics computer with either preloaded ballistics profile like the Bushnell Fusion or customizable profile options... that's the one thing I will miss from the Bushnell bino rangefinder.
Harness: Badland XR - this is a snug fit with both the bino and the range finder in it, but it does fit with some adjustment to the divider in between the bino and range finder compartments; the side pockets has room for a handheld Garmin GPS and a game caller. The harness also comes with security tethers that prevents both the range finder and bino from accidentally falling out. This harness is very well designed with multiple strong magnets that keeps the covers closed. It even includes a built in rain cover. Most importantly, the harness helps distribute the weight evenly across the wearer's back making the rather heavy setup seem lighter than they actually are.
I will do a more detailed review/update after I spend more time with this setup in the field.
I've just setup my new spotting/scanning rig.
Bino: Canon 10x42L IS WP - Image Stabilized (IS) and Water Proof (WP), from what I've seen, the optics on this bino is up there with all the alpha branded binos; yet if handheld, it beats the pants off of these binos costing 2-3 times as much thanks to the image stabilization, no hand shake, no jittery images, just perfectly still viewing WITHOUT a tripod. The major trade off is weight, this thing weights in at a whale-ish 2.6lbs with batteries included. But for anyone doing long duration spotting/viewing, this is still lighter than a bino/spotting scope + tripod combo. The Canon replaces my trusty Bushnell range finder bino the Fusion 1 mile ARC 8x32, which was damaged in my last hunting trip
, big scratch on the front objective. Canon is much brighter, sharper, even without image stabilization, with IS it's just in a whole different league. Range finder: Nikon Monarch 3000 Stabilized - this thing weights about the same as any other range finder but also with image stabilization making ranging that much easier with less strain on the eye. Too bad it doesn't include a ballistics computer with either preloaded ballistics profile like the Bushnell Fusion or customizable profile options... that's the one thing I will miss from the Bushnell bino rangefinder.
Harness: Badland XR - this is a snug fit with both the bino and the range finder in it, but it does fit with some adjustment to the divider in between the bino and range finder compartments; the side pockets has room for a handheld Garmin GPS and a game caller. The harness also comes with security tethers that prevents both the range finder and bino from accidentally falling out. This harness is very well designed with multiple strong magnets that keeps the covers closed. It even includes a built in rain cover. Most importantly, the harness helps distribute the weight evenly across the wearer's back making the rather heavy setup seem lighter than they actually are.
I will do a more detailed review/update after I spend more time with this setup in the field.
