Blue72
Well-known member
The gain of 40% using a binocular instead of a scope assumes the observer has two equally good eyes and has no prism problems.
Many people have one eye better than the other, so the gain is less and sometimes minimal.
However, someone that I gave a 15x70 binocular likes it even though one eye is unfortunately poor.
I use both standard and IS binoculars.
Hand held the Canon 18x50 IS out resolves any hand held 15x or probably any standard hand held binocular.
The Zeiss 20x60S is better but not user friendly for me.
I am not a zealot using IS binoculars, maybe 15 different ones over the years.
If hand held fine detail is to be seen that is just the way to go.
Or one can use a tripod, but I dislike tripods for binoculars, and sometimes a tripod mounted binocular will just not get to difficult angles.
With bigger than bird watching instruments it is always a scope for me.
I’m almost legally blind in my left eye (still can see the big E on the eye chart). With that said. Still find it way more comfortable and enjoy the views better in binoculars then a spotting scope