The Nikon is small which is nice but I like the optics of the Canon 8x20 IS better. The Canon has a smaller FOV but it seems to be a little sharper and has better contrast. I am using the Canons more than I am the Nikons even though they are a little bigger they are not much heavier.
Also these optics companies, such as Fraser and Steiner, that deliver binos to military and law enforcement personnel seem to emphasize robustness more that anything else. How many Steiner binos have you tried that you really liked and thought they were excellent choices for birding?
I have tried several Steiners and the only one I liked was the 8x56 Night Hunter which is called the 8x56 Shadow Quest now and it is ranked 1st in Allbinos under the 8x56s. Ultimately, I like the Swarovski SLC 8x56 a little better though. I am sure these Fraser IS binoculars would be a super binocular but a little big and heavy for most birding uses outside of Pelagic or birds of prey.
The Fujinon 14x40 TSX is the best IS binocular I have used although I haven't tried any of the really high-end IS binoculars like the Fujinon S1640D 16x40 Stabiscope, Fraser S250 or the Zeiss 20x60. The IS works perfect every day and the IS works perfect on close focus which is 16.4 feet. The IS on the Fujinon is superior in my opinion to the Canon variable prism IS or even their better image shift IS system.
If you wear eye glasses the Canon 10x32 IS will probably work for you but if not be cautious of the eye cups that are too long for the eye relief which makes them impossible to use unless you fold the eye cups all the way down then they are quite finicky for eye placement. You would be surprised how much difference IS makes even at 8x. The IS binoculars are addictive as one member said. Once you get used to a rock steady image and you go back to a normal binocular you really notice how much you are shaking. The IS really lets you enjoy the view more instead of just giving you glimpses of what you are trying to look at when you happen to be steady.
Those look interesting. The degree of stabilization at 2 degrees is greater than the Canons 1 degree but not near the 6 degrees of the Fujinons so they are not going to stabilize big movements as well but the light weight would be nice for an IS binocular although I don't think they can be compared to the gyro stabilization system used in the Frasers. Some reviewers have criticized the Kites IS for curvature of field and sharpness, whereas, the Fujinon and Canon are quite flat field and very sharp. How are your Kites for field curvature and sharpness?? Thanks, for the link although Kites are not commonly available in the US and I would guess they are made by Kamakura.
I emailed them to see if I have to pay VAT in the US and also how hard it is to return them if I don't like them. I would too be interested to see how they compare to the Fujinon.
As far as I know there are no taxes/fees for importing binos into the US. In fact Kite should subtract the EU VAT from the price so you should get a "discount" of about 200 eur.
Thanks, for the information. I may give them a try if they have a good return policy. If I don't like them they would probably be a bear to sell on eBay because not too many people on this side of the pond have heard about Kites.
