Have you ever tried the Canon 10x42 IS-L? You will love the optics but hate the ergonomics.
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Nikon 10x25 Image Stabilized Binocular Review (1 Viewer)
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I agree. It is a good first attempt at something that has never been done before. A normal looking compact IS binocular. Nikon did a pretty good job on it. If it sells well maybe we will see a 8x42 IS from them.
After a few days of birding in NYC Central Park with the Nikon 10x25IS in lieu of my trusty Canon 10x42 ISL, some early impressions.
These Nikons are a joy to carry, the light weight and small size fit in much better with the urban scene.
They are a a much more IS oriented glass. The Nikon without the IS is a wobbly monocular, so the IS stays on. Hence it becomes instinctive very quickly to push the IS button as one lifts the glass.
That eats batteries, about one CR2 every other day and the CR2 is usually several bucks. This is a big change from the Canon, where the IS is usually only used once the bird has been acquired and the batteries last for weeks.
I've ordered a charger and rechargeables, but note that this is a 3 volt CR2
(CR15H270), not the 3.7V version. I don't know whether the 3.7V CR2 version would be safe to use. The Nikon package included a 3V Panasonic lithium battery, so that is the type I use.
The Nikons do a good job on color and are comfy to look through, despite their small exit pupils. They do lag the Canons noticeably in bad light or at dusk, where the bigger objectives shine, but for daytime, they work well.
The Nikons are harder to handle with bulky gloves. I use heated mittens in winter and they drown the little Nikons. Finding the focus wheel or pushing the IS button with them on takes practice.
So a solid 'thumbs up' for this new Nikon. It is a well made small glass with a groundbreaking IS orientation. It should help win the broad acceptance that has thus far eluded IS.
These Nikons are a joy to carry, the light weight and small size fit in much better with the urban scene.
They are a a much more IS oriented glass. The Nikon without the IS is a wobbly monocular, so the IS stays on. Hence it becomes instinctive very quickly to push the IS button as one lifts the glass.
That eats batteries, about one CR2 every other day and the CR2 is usually several bucks. This is a big change from the Canon, where the IS is usually only used once the bird has been acquired and the batteries last for weeks.
I've ordered a charger and rechargeables, but note that this is a 3 volt CR2
(CR15H270), not the 3.7V version. I don't know whether the 3.7V CR2 version would be safe to use. The Nikon package included a 3V Panasonic lithium battery, so that is the type I use.
The Nikons do a good job on color and are comfy to look through, despite their small exit pupils. They do lag the Canons noticeably in bad light or at dusk, where the bigger objectives shine, but for daytime, they work well.
The Nikons are harder to handle with bulky gloves. I use heated mittens in winter and they drown the little Nikons. Finding the focus wheel or pushing the IS button with them on takes practice.
So a solid 'thumbs up' for this new Nikon. It is a well made small glass with a groundbreaking IS orientation. It should help win the broad acceptance that has thus far eluded IS.
The little Nikon's are pretty comfortable to use for a 10x25 aren't they? A large part of that is the IS which makes eye placement easier and of course stops the shakes. I know they are not as good optically as your Canon 10x42 IS but not having to lug those heavy Canon's around is probably a refreshing change.
Super Dave
Well-known member
Dennis, how do you like your new 8x20 Canon IS? Do they compare favorably to the Nikons?
Thanks,
Dave
Thanks,
Dave
Yes, I like the Canon 8x20 IS. They really have excellent optics similar to the Nikon 10x25 IS except maybe a slightly smaller FOV. They are much better than the older Canon 8x25 IS which were pretty average. The Canon 8x20 IS are as light as the Nikon 10x25 IS but a little bigger in dimensions. The eye cups and the ergonomics are very comfortable. I bought mine for $375 on sale and I can see more detail with them than I can with my $3K Swarovski NL 8x42. Here is a thread on them by Canip who does an excellent review on them. He really liked them also comparing them to a Leica Ultravid optically.
https://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=384155
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Super Dave
Well-known member
Right on Dennis. Can you buy the 10x20 Canons and do a review on them? 
Hey your suggestion on the Lowepro Case was great. I got mine in and the fit could not be better. It was like they were made for the Nikons.
Hey your suggestion on the Lowepro Case was great. I got mine in and the fit could not be better. It was like they were made for the Nikons.
Super Dave
Well-known member
Whatever the reason, I appreciate that he shared them.
You have to admit that publishing rave reviews of something, explaining how useful it then selling it a month and a half after buying without saying why can make us doubt your objectivity.
I get that we can buy & sell a lot of gear but when I find something excellent & useful, I tend to keep it.
I like to try different binoculars. Maybe I should be a reviewer instead of a user and just review binoculars. That would be my dream job! Any manufacturers out there that want their binoculars reviewed send them to me!
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I bought one too and I found his review overly optimistic. But I'm no expert, just a guy with close to a 40 years experience with refractors, binoculars, lenses.
So I could be wrong.
The fact that he sells it so quickly and without telling us why after being so enthusiast makes me wonder if he has a bias or a hidden agenda.
Super Dave
Well-known member
Come on people, we are talking about binoculars. It
Super Dave
Well-known member
...is supposed to be fun.
No knocks on Dennis for selling his Nikon 10x25IS.
It is a glass of tradeoffs, small and light, with good optics and very effective IS, but not waterproof, not too bright and not fun to use without the IS.
For me here in NYC, it is a summer glass, long days, good light and comfy to use without gloves.
Once it becomes gloves only weather, the ergonomics fail.
It is a glass of tradeoffs, small and light, with good optics and very effective IS, but not waterproof, not too bright and not fun to use without the IS.
For me here in NYC, it is a summer glass, long days, good light and comfy to use without gloves.
Once it becomes gloves only weather, the ergonomics fail.
Super Dave
Well-known member
Yea Andy, the weather / light levels can impact things. Man, I really like the little Nikons. I think they are great. They are my car binoculars and I use them to check out the waves at my favorite surf spot on my way home from work. It's probably 2 1/4 miles from my observation point but I can see if there is any action.
Tourism is back open to Hawaii. Come out and catch some waves with me... Video from last month off the Marine Air Base in Kaneohe Bay...8AM bugle call.
https://youtu.be/t95vXZ7OQDc
Tourism is back open to Hawaii. Come out and catch some waves with me... Video from last month off the Marine Air Base in Kaneohe Bay...8AM bugle call.
https://youtu.be/t95vXZ7OQDc
NDhunter
Experienced observer
Dave:
We are hoping to go back to the Big Island next year, probably Jan. 2022, we have had fun several times at Kailua Kona. I like to pack my Nikon ED50 and a 10x42. Ocean front to watch the dolphins play, a great place to vacation.
I hope things get back to normal soon.
Jerry
