How to Choose Image Stabilization Binoculars
Canon, Nikon, Fujinon & Bushnell for Sports, Birding and Marine Use
There are relatively few brands of stabilized binoculars. At the high end of the market, the Zeiss 20x60 is mechanically stabilized (no batteries) and costs $5,000. Fujinon Stabiscope models use gyroscopes and cost about the same as the Zeiss.
More affordable models can cost from a few hundred to over a thousand dollars. Popular brands include Canon (IS Image Stabilizer), Fujinon (Techno-Stabi), Bushnell (Stableview) and Nikon (StabilEyes).
Stabilization Performance
Manufacturers claim anything from 1 to 5 degrees (as in, a circle has 360 degrees) of stabilization, meaning that the binoculars can tilt (horizontally and vertically) that many degrees and still be stabilized.
Binoculars with high degrees of stabilization (3 to 5 degrees) often have two stabilization modes. According to the manufacturers, the two modes are:
- For use on vehicles (safari) and ships and boats (marine). The full 3 to 5 degrees is used to compensate for the slow but large movements caused by the vehicle.
- For normal handheld use. Stabilization degrees are reduced to about 1 degree, and the stabilization is optimized for the smaller high frequency jerks caused by unsteady hands.
Binoculars with only 1 degree of stabilization normally have only one mode, implying that they are best for non-moving handheld use (astronomy, birding and sports). They should still out-perform unstabilized binoculars on moving vehicles.
Some binoculars need the stabilization button to be continuously pressed to keep the binoculars stabilized. This is to save the batteries but can be tiring. New designs keep the stabilization on for a few minutes after the button is pressed and released.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Stabilized Binoculars
Manufacturers claim 1 to 4 hours of operation on a set of batteries. This will mean a few days of use if they are used intermittently for a few minutes at a time.
For long continuous usage, batteries will need to be changed a few times a day. The type of battery then becomes important:
- CR123A lithium batteries are popular with manufacturers because of their high power (actually high energy density). They are more expensive and difficult, but not impossible, to find. Many high-end LED flashlights also use these batteries.
- AA batteries are also popular. They are generally a better choice because of their wide availability. Disposable lithium AAs are lightweight and work well in the cold. Rechargeable NiMH AAs are economical. Alkaline AAs are cheap and can be found in most places. Some binoculars use 2 AA batteries, others use 4.
Especially for marine use, waterproofing is a popular feature for stabilized binoculars. To keep prices down, lower cost models costing a few hundred dollars aren't waterproofed.
Stabilization mechanisms are relatively delicate compared to the rest of the binoculars. Warranties are typically only 1 to 3 years. If the stabilization does fail, the binoculars should still be usable as normal unstabilized binoculars.
The Best Stabilized Binoculars
Stabilized binoculars do work. They are good for use on moving vehicles, when high magnification is needed, and even for general use.
The range of stabilized binoculars is still limited. It might not be possible to find the exact specifications (magnification and objective lens size) required, especially at an affordable price and reasonable weight.
However, the additional jerk-free clarity offered by stabilization means that it is possible for a lower specification pair of binoculars to out-perform a higher specification pair. Even with a lower magnification or objective lens size, stabilized binoculars can allow more detail to be seen.
With 8x25 and 10x30 stabilized binoculars from major brands costing "only" a few hundred dollars, stabilization is within the reach of the serious outdoors and sports enthusiast.
Stabilized binoculars are still binoculars and have the same optical trade-offs and limitations. Understanding how to choose conventional binoculars will help in choosing the right pair of stabilized binoculars.
Stabilized Binoculars are Good for Marine Use
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