Nikon 10x25 Image Stabilized Binocular Review (1 Viewer)

[kellmark]

From the Nikon website:

"When using this product, be sure to turn on the power and check that the LED is lit. This product is designed to be optimal for observation by activating the STABILIZED function when the power is turned on. When the power is off, the shutter inside the left lens barrel closes for safety reasons. This is because the left and right optical axes are not parallel, which can make you feel uncomfortable when observing. Although it is possible to observe with only the right eye even when the power is off, it is not recommended because the original performance cannot be achieved."

Is that true? If it is Nikon have shot themselves in the foot. You'll run through several of those dinky CR2 batteries during a full day in the field if you *always* have to switch on the stabilizer.

Not good.

Hermann

I saw this on the site as well, and it gives me pause. I have had Canon IS binoculars for many years, and am a big fan of them, from the original 10X30IS to the 18X50 IS to the 12X36 IS III, I have liked them all, but am also a fan of compact binoculars, which I love for their portability. If the Nikon 10X25 IS is only useable with the IS on, for me it is much less useful. I travel a lot, often to less developed areas, and always have a compact with me, a Leica UV 8X20, Zeiss 8X25, or such. The Nikon's battery don't last all that long, a few hours. Of course I would carry extra batteries. But not to have the option of viewing without the IS, reduces their utililty to me. I will just stick with my little Ultravids. They are amazing, and no need for batteries. And 8X is just fine.

None of my other IS Bins have this issue, obviously it is the technology used by Nikon.

 

[[email protected]]

I saw this on the site as well, and it gives me pause. I have had Canon IS binoculars for many years, and am a big fan of them, from the original 10X30IS to the 18X50 IS to the 12X36 IS III, I have liked them all, but am also a fan of compact binoculars, which I love for their portability. If the Nikon 10X25 IS is only useable with the IS on, for me it is much less useful. I travel a lot, often to less developed areas, and always have a compact with me, a Leica UV 8X20, Zeiss 8X25, or such. The Nikon's battery don't last all that long, a few hours. Of course I would carry extra batteries. But not to have the option of viewing without the IS, reduces their utililty to me. I will just stick with my little Ultravids. They are amazing, and no need for batteries. And 8X is just fine.

None of my other IS Bins have this issue, obviously it is the technology used by Nikon.

The advantage of the Nikon 10x25 IS is 20 to 50% better resolution than your Leica UV 8x20 or Zeiss 8x25 compacts. Once you see how much more detail you can see with them you won't want to go back to your "amazing" normal compacts. Try reading letters at distance with the Nikon IS 10x25 vs your Zeiss Victory 8x25 and you will see what I mean. Why would you even want to use the Nikon 10x25 IS without IS? There is a huge advantage to IS. The technology to make a compact IS binocular like the Nikon IS precludes using them without the IS engaged. Look at the drop in resolution in small binoculars hand held versus mounted and IS is close to mounted from Cloudy Nights. The Pentax 10x50 has almost 70% more resolution when mounted versus unmounted!


"First is normal power actual and apparent.
Second is boosted 6x power actual and apparent.
Third id normal power hand held actual and apparent.
Last is percent drop mounted res to handheld res.

USAF * apr * USAF * apr ** USAF * apr ** hh lower
res ** res ** re6x * re6x ** rehh * rehh ** by
7.2 ** 87 ** 2.6 ** 184 ** 10.8 ** 130 ** 50% ** Nikon SE 12x50
7.2 ** 87 ** 2.7 ** 194 ** 10.8 ** 130 ** 49% ** Nikon Action Extreme 12x50
8.6 ** 86 ** 3.0 ** 180 ** 13.6 ** 136 ** 58% ** Fujinon FMT-SX 10x70
8.6 ** 86 ** 4.8 ** 288 ** 12.9 ** 129 ** 50% ** Oberwerk Mariner 10x60
8.1 ** 81 ** 3.8 ** 230 ** 12.9 ** 129 ** 58% ** Fujinon FMT-SX 10x50
9.7 ** 97 ** 5.1 ** 307 ** 12.9 ** 129 ** 33% ** Leupold W R Mesa 10x50
9.1 ** 91 ** 3.2 ** 194 ** 12.9 ** 129 ** 41% ** Nikon Action Extreme 10x50
9.1 ** 91 ** 4.8 ** 288 ** 15.4 ** 154 ** 68% ** Pentax PCF WP 10x50
9.1 ** 91 ** 4.1 ** 243 ** 12.9 ** 129 ** 41% ** Orion Ultraview 10x50
8.6 ** 86 ** 4.3 ** 258 ** 12.1 ** 121 ** 41% ** Oberwerk 10x50
8.6 ** 86 ** 3.8 ** 230 ** 12.9 ** 129 ** 50% ** Garrett Genesis 10x50
9.7 ** 97 ** 5.7 ** 344 ** 12.9 ** 129 ** 33% ** Nikon Monarch ATB10x42 Roof
9.1 ** 91 ** 6.1 ** 365 ** 14.5 ** 145 ** 59% ** Pentax DCFHRII 10x42 Roof
10.3 * 82 ** 6.1 ** 292 ** 14.5 ** 116 ** 41% ** Bushnell Legend 8x42 Roof
10.8 * 87 ** 5.4 ** 259 ** 15.3 ** 122 ** 41% ** Garrett DCF 8x42 ApoRoof
10.8 * 90 ** 6.5 ** 321 ** 17.2 ** 143 ** 59% ** Oberwerk 8x42 Roof
10.8 * 86 ** 6.8 ** 325 ** 15.3 ** 122 ** 41% ** Oberwerk 8x56
11.5 * 92 ** 6.8 ** 327 ** 15.3 ** 122 ** 33% ** Garrett Classic 8x45
10.3 * 82 ** 4.6 ** 219 ** 14.5 ** 116 ** 41% ** Fujinon BFL 8x42
10.8 * 86 ** 4.8 ** 230 ** 16.2 ** 130 ** 50% ** Swift Ultralite 8x42
10.8 * 87 ** 5.1 ** 245 ** 14.5 ** 116 ** 34% ** Oberwerk Mariner 8x40
10.3 * 82 ** 3.8 ** 182 ** 15.3 ** 122 ** 49% ** Pentax PCF WP II 8x40
10.3 * 82 ** 5.4 ** 259 ** 15.3 ** 122 ** 49% ** Nikon Action Extreme 8x40
10.8 * 87 ** 6.8 ** 326 ** 15.3 ** 122 ** 41% ** Nikon Action VII 8x40
10.8 * 87 ** 5.7 ** 276 ** 15.4 ** 123 ** 42% ** Nikon SE 8x32
11.5 * 83 ** 4.3 ** 186 ** 15.3 ** 110 ** 33% ** Oberwerk Mariner 7x50
12.1 * 85 ** 7.7 ** 321 ** 17.2 ** 120 ** 42% ** Captain's Storm King 7x50
10.8 * 76 ** 4.8 ** 202 ** 15.3 ** 107 ** 41% ** William Optic 7x50 ED
12.1 * 85 ** 5.7 ** 241 ** 16.3 ** 114 ** 35% ** Captain's Helmsman 7x50"

 

[Super Dave]

Hi Dennis,

Would you please do a group shot comparing your new Nikon to an 8x25 and an 8x20 if you have these?

It definitely sounds like an interesting binocular.

Enjoy your new toy!

Dave

 

[[email protected]]

Hi Dennis,

Would you please do a group shot comparing your new Nikon to an 8x25 and an 8x20 if you have these?

It definitely sounds like an interesting binocular.

Enjoy your new toy!

Dave

I don't have a Nikon 8x20 right now. I used to. Thanks! I wish I was in Hawaii.

 

[kellmark]

The advantage of the Nikon 10x25 IS is 20 to 50% better resolution than your Leica UV 8x20 or Zeiss 8x25 compacts. Once you see how much more detail you can see with them you won't want to go back to your "amazing" normal compacts. Try reading letters at distance with the Nikon IS 10x25 vs your Zeiss Victory 8x25 and you will see what I mean. Why would you even want to use the Nikon 10x25 IS without IS? There is a huge advantage to IS. The technology to make a compact IS binocular like the Nikon IS precludes using them without the IS engaged. Look at the drop in resolution in small binoculars hand held versus mounted and IS is close to mounted from Cloudy Nights. The Pentax 10x50 has almost 70% more resolution when mounted versus unmounted!


"First is normal power actual and apparent.
Second is boosted 6x power actual and apparent.
Third id normal power hand held actual and apparent.
Last is percent drop mounted res to handheld res.

USAF * apr * USAF * apr ** USAF * apr ** hh lower
res ** res ** re6x * re6x ** rehh * rehh ** by
7.2 ** 87 ** 2.6 ** 184 ** 10.8 ** 130 ** 50% ** Nikon SE 12x50
7.2 ** 87 ** 2.7 ** 194 ** 10.8 ** 130 ** 49% ** Nikon Action Extreme 12x50
8.6 ** 86 ** 3.0 ** 180 ** 13.6 ** 136 ** 58% ** Fujinon FMT-SX 10x70
8.6 ** 86 ** 4.8 ** 288 ** 12.9 ** 129 ** 50% ** Oberwerk Mariner 10x60
8.1 ** 81 ** 3.8 ** 230 ** 12.9 ** 129 ** 58% ** Fujinon FMT-SX 10x50
9.7 ** 97 ** 5.1 ** 307 ** 12.9 ** 129 ** 33% ** Leupold W R Mesa 10x50
9.1 ** 91 ** 3.2 ** 194 ** 12.9 ** 129 ** 41% ** Nikon Action Extreme 10x50
9.1 ** 91 ** 4.8 ** 288 ** 15.4 ** 154 ** 68% ** Pentax PCF WP 10x50
9.1 ** 91 ** 4.1 ** 243 ** 12.9 ** 129 ** 41% ** Orion Ultraview 10x50
8.6 ** 86 ** 4.3 ** 258 ** 12.1 ** 121 ** 41% ** Oberwerk 10x50
8.6 ** 86 ** 3.8 ** 230 ** 12.9 ** 129 ** 50% ** Garrett Genesis 10x50
9.7 ** 97 ** 5.7 ** 344 ** 12.9 ** 129 ** 33% ** Nikon Monarch ATB10x42 Roof
9.1 ** 91 ** 6.1 ** 365 ** 14.5 ** 145 ** 59% ** Pentax DCFHRII 10x42 Roof
10.3 * 82 ** 6.1 ** 292 ** 14.5 ** 116 ** 41% ** Bushnell Legend 8x42 Roof
10.8 * 87 ** 5.4 ** 259 ** 15.3 ** 122 ** 41% ** Garrett DCF 8x42 ApoRoof
10.8 * 90 ** 6.5 ** 321 ** 17.2 ** 143 ** 59% ** Oberwerk 8x42 Roof
10.8 * 86 ** 6.8 ** 325 ** 15.3 ** 122 ** 41% ** Oberwerk 8x56
11.5 * 92 ** 6.8 ** 327 ** 15.3 ** 122 ** 33% ** Garrett Classic 8x45
10.3 * 82 ** 4.6 ** 219 ** 14.5 ** 116 ** 41% ** Fujinon BFL 8x42
10.8 * 86 ** 4.8 ** 230 ** 16.2 ** 130 ** 50% ** Swift Ultralite 8x42
10.8 * 87 ** 5.1 ** 245 ** 14.5 ** 116 ** 34% ** Oberwerk Mariner 8x40
10.3 * 82 ** 3.8 ** 182 ** 15.3 ** 122 ** 49% ** Pentax PCF WP II 8x40
10.3 * 82 ** 5.4 ** 259 ** 15.3 ** 122 ** 49% ** Nikon Action Extreme 8x40
10.8 * 87 ** 6.8 ** 326 ** 15.3 ** 122 ** 41% ** Nikon Action VII 8x40
10.8 * 87 ** 5.7 ** 276 ** 15.4 ** 123 ** 42% ** Nikon SE 8x32
11.5 * 83 ** 4.3 ** 186 ** 15.3 ** 110 ** 33% ** Oberwerk Mariner 7x50
12.1 * 85 ** 7.7 ** 321 ** 17.2 ** 120 ** 42% ** Captain's Storm King 7x50
10.8 * 76 ** 4.8 ** 202 ** 15.3 ** 107 ** 41% ** William Optic 7x50 ED
12.1 * 85 ** 5.7 ** 241 ** 16.3 ** 114 ** 35% ** Captain's Helmsman 7x50"

Wow.. I think you misinterpreted what I said. I never said that IS isn't a good thing. As I noted, I have a lot of experience with IS bins. And I never said that it wouldn't be good in a compact binocular. In fact I would love the combination. And 10X would be fine.

BUT. Each of us has their own environment and requirements. If someone goes out for day or two for a hike or birding in a highly developed area and carries an extra battery or two, then the Nikon 10X25 IS sounds great.

But if you travel a lot in less developed areas, for weeks on end, where simple things can mean a lot, like I do sometimes, then I don't want a device that is going to be unusable if the batteries don't work. I have had that experience with other items. In that environment the 8X20s are great. They are very small and they have excellent glass. And there are a number of ways to hold them to minimize the shake.

If the Nikons didn't have that issue of being unuseable without the IS on, then I would be on them in a heartbeat. They would be ideal. But for now, I think I will pass.

But for you, if they work for you, more power to you. I wish you an excellent experience with them. To each his own.

 

[pbjosh]

I wouldn't. I'd need 2 batteries on most days. And at more than a buck - even if you buy them bulk - that's a cost factor to be reckoned with.

Hermann

As well as a lot of hazardous waste that you're generating. Spent batteries are a highly damaging item in the waste stream, and I'm continually amazed by products that in this day and age don't come with rechargeable batteries/battery packs. It's not like Nikon has no experience with this in the camera business. Canon is the same, though in my 12x30 at least it uses two AA's which are more widely available in a rechargeable version.

 

[[email protected]]

As well as a lot of hazardous waste that you're generating. Spent batteries are a highly damaging item in the waste stream, and I'm continually amazed by products that in this day and age don't come with rechargeable batteries/battery packs. It's not like Nikon has no experience with this in the camera business. Canon is the same, though in my 12x30 at least it uses two AA's which are more widely available in a rechargeable version.

The CR2 rechargeable batteries in 3.0v are widely available. Amazon.com has them. The 3rd link is 800 mah CR2 3.0v so it has battery life equivalent to the standard non-rechargeable lithium battery which is 800mah. So for $24.99 you would be done buying batteries for thousands of charges and you could throw it into your suit case when you traveled to underdeveloped countries and you wouldn't have to worry about batteries. In a smaller binocular you have to use a smaller battery. Canons are big for their aperture and don't make anything comparable in size to the Nikon 10x25 IS, so they can use AA batteries. The Canon 10x42 IS-L is a tank. No wonder very few birders use them. It is about time somebody made some smaller lighter IS binoculars that are usable in the field.

https://www.amazon.com/Charger-Rech...argeable+cr2+batteries&qid=1601769808&sr=8-14
https://www.amazon.com/Rechargeable...hargeable+cr2+batteries&qid=1601769999&sr=8-8
https://www.amazon.com/Battery-Char...rechargeable+batteries&qid=1601770238&sr=8-27

 

[[email protected]]

Wow.. I think you misinterpreted what I said. I never said that IS isn't a good thing. As I noted, I have a lot of experience with IS bins. And I never said that it wouldn't be good in a compact binocular. In fact I would love the combination. And 10X would be fine.

BUT. Each of us has their own environment and requirements. If someone goes out for day or two for a hike or birding in a highly developed area and carries an extra battery or two, then the Nikon 10X25 IS sounds great.

But if you travel a lot in less developed areas, for weeks on end, where simple things can mean a lot, like I do sometimes, then I don't want a device that is going to be unusable if the batteries don't work. I have had that experience with other items. In that environment the 8X20s are great. They are very small and they have excellent glass. And there are a number of ways to hold them to minimize the shake.

If the Nikons didn't have that issue of being unuseable without the IS on, then I would be on them in a heartbeat. They would be ideal. But for now, I think I will pass.

But for you, if they work for you, more power to you. I wish you an excellent experience with them. To each his own.

The Nikon 10x25 IS will work without batteries but just on the right optical tube so essentially you have a 10x25 monocular which is still usable.

 

[18000bph]

Dennis, I'm hoping you can clear up some confusion for me.

When the power is turned on is the "STABILIZED" function automatically on?

The poorly translated description isn't clear but makes it seem like there might be some in between mode where power is on but "STABILIZED" is not. However, based on your photo it looks like there is only one button...

 

[[email protected]]

Dennis, I'm hoping you can clear up some confusion for me.

When the power is turned on is the "STABILIZED" function automatically on?

The poorly translated description isn't clear but makes it seem like there might be some in between mode where power is on but "STABILIZED" is not. However, based on your photo it looks like there is only one button...

Yes, there is one button on the top and when you push it the stabilization stays on until you press it again to turn it off. It also has an automatic off that turns it off after 10 minutes if you forget to turn it off. The IS engages fast with no lag also. I don't see any artifacts either from the IS like some of the older Canons.

 

[b-lilja]

Shame these don't have a power port with a rechargeable installed.

 

[[email protected]]

Shame these don't have a power port with a rechargeable installed.

I know. Most electronic stuff like this do now days comes with a USB plug to charge on your computer. A lot of people like being able to use their own batteries though but it sure would be convenient to just plug them in to the USB on the computer to charge.

 

[[email protected]]

I wouldn't. I'd need 2 batteries on most days. And at more than a buck - even if you buy them bulk - that's a cost factor to be reckoned with.

Hermann

The CR2 rechargeable batteries in 3.0v are widely available. Amazon.com has them. The 3rd link is 800 mah CR2 3.0v so it has battery life equivalent to the standard non-rechargeable lithium battery which is 800mah. So for $24.99 you would be done buying batteries for thousands of charges and you could throw it into your suit case when you traveled to underdeveloped countries and you wouldn't have to worry about batteries.


https://www.amazon.com/Charger-Recha...769808&sr=8-14
https://www.amazon.com/Rechargeable-...1769999&sr=8-8
https://www.amazon.com/Battery-Charg...770238&sr=8-27

 

[Alexis Powell]

I don't know anyone who uses disposable CR2 batteries given that rechargeables have been available for many years. In a world of devices that use batteries, CR2 and 123A are nice because they allow for easy use of those lithium rechargeables. I prefer them to proprietary lithium designs. I wish more devices used these standards. I also prefer these to batteries that must be charged in the unit. Much nicer to be able to pop out the drained cell and pop in a newly charged one.

--AP

 

[[email protected]]

I don't know anyone who uses disposable CR2 batteries given that rechargeables have been available for many years. In a world of devices that use batteries, CR2 and 123A are nice because they allow for easy use of those lithium rechargeables. I prefer them to proprietary lithium designs. I wish more devices used these standards. I also prefer these to batteries that must be charged in the unit. Much nicer to be able to pop out the drained cell and pop in a newly charged one.

--AP

I know a lot of people would rather have a removable battery. If something goes wrong with a built-in battery you have to repair or replace the whole item. For $24.99 you can get thousands of charges on two CR2 batteries and never have to buy another one. Good deal if you ask me.

 

[DRodrigues]

What about eye-relief

Dennis,
Don't know if you use eye-glasses but I'm curious what is your felling about the stated 14mm eye-relief?
Thanks.

 

[[email protected]]

Dennis,
Don't know if you use eye-glasses but I'm curious what is your felling about the stated 14mm eye-relief?
Thanks.

I don't wear eyeglasses but the 14 mm eye relief on the Nikon 10x25 IS works good for me with the eye cups being long enough, so I can rest them on my eye sockets without any blackouts. Actually they work better than most of the compacts I have tried, as far as, eye relief and eye cup length and eye cup diameter.

 

[Super Dave]

Hi Dennis,

I'm about to pull the trigger on these. But, before I do I wanted to ask if these give you that feeling of satisfaction and ease of view that good optics provide? My Swaro 8x25's give me this feeling. I know you have had those bins too. Do these Nikons give you good feelings like the Swaro 8x25?

Thanks,
Dave

 

[[email protected]]

Hi Dennis,

I'm about to pull the trigger on these. But, before I do I wanted to ask if these give you that feeling of satisfaction and ease of view that good optics provide? My Swaro 8x25's give me this feeling. I know you have had those bins too. Do these Nikons give you good feelings like the Swaro 8x25?

Thanks,
Dave

I have had both the Swaro CL-P 8x25, 10x25 and the Zeiss Victory 8x25 but I don't have them now. Without doing a side by side comparison it is hard to answer your question. Going by memory I would say the Nikon 10x25 IS has very good optics with a big sweet spot and sharp edges but probably is not quite up to the Swaro or Zeiss in sheer optical performance but it makes up for it with the IS system. When using a light compact binocular it is unbelievable how much you shake and vibrate when holding them. I know for fact I can see much more detail with the Nikon 10x25 IS than I could with either the compact Swaro or Zeiss because I can read distant signs with the Nikon that I could never read with either the Swaro or Zeiss. In fact, I can see more detail and read signs from a far that I can't read with my Swaro NL 8x42 handheld. Part of that is the 10x but in large part it is due to the IS stabilizing the view. The Nikon 10x25 IS probably has easily 50% more resolution than your Swaro 8x25 compacts because of the IS. The IS makes even more difference on a compact than it does on a full size binocular.

 

[Super Dave]

Thank you Dennis. What I'm trying to ask is more about the feeling you get when using the Nikons and less about the specs. Does it give you that really positive feeling when you look through them like they are special and you enjoy the view just because the optical package is so good? Do you know what I mean?

Sorry I can't put it better into words.

Dave