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Message: <blockquote data-quote="KorHaan" data-source="post: 1624983" data-attributes="member: 49910">Bob,Thanks for that twice thing.I chose the 18x because I wanted the best magnification; my local patch is a wide stretch of marshland, and my outings elsewhere are mostly in spacious areas too. My 10x30's I keep as back-ups since I became accustomed to the 18x's. I don't do much twilight birding nor early dawn birding, so the small exit pupil isn't a problem. I do want the 15x too for the bigger FOV and brighter image. It's identical in appearance to the 18x and I've grown fond of the bulky body of the 18x. It is heavy, but you can balance it on the palms of your hands after you press the IS button which you do not need to keep pressed down all the time when viewing, like the 12x36's require.The specs of the 15x look good on FOV: 79m/1000m, while the 12x is only 4 meters wider on that distance. I'd choose the 15x over the 12x, the first is more waterproof too. My 18x50's have endured rain and drizzle, and sand blown over them in strong winds on the coast. As you already own a good 10x42 it would be logical to choose a complementary bin like the15x50 and not the more competitive 12x36.The 15x's will show more detail than the 12x's.For stargazing, I don't know. I'm a complete nitwit in astronomy. I enjoy looking at Jupiter and its 4 brightest moons through the 18x, but that's about it. I have to buy a Sky Scout someday to tell some stars and constellations apart, but I never seem to get round to it.I can't decide for you, both 12x and 15x are enjoyable with the IS system, I think you owe it to yourself to try both side by side and take your time for the comparison. I hope you'll like the IS as much as I do, it's really a great experience the first time you press that IS button.Good luck!Regards,Ronald</blockquote>

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