Top Binoculars by Consumer Reviewers

Celestron SkyMaster 15x70 Binocular (15x 70mm)

387 Reviews

Consumer Passion :

Popularity :

Hayneedle.com	Price: $79.98
Telescope.com	Price: $79.95
Compare Prices

Pros: Excellent optics, Waterproof, Bright images
Cons: Lousy tripod adapter, Heavy

Review: Celestron's SkyMaster is inexpensive considering its quality. Its 15x magnification together with its 70mm objective lens provides bright images and helps you scan through long distances. Plus, it boasts a rubber construction which offers a firm grip and makes it easy to hold whether wet or dry. Although roof prism binoculars are newer, slimmer and more compact, the porro prism provides a wider field of view and better image quality. This water-resistant pair features a field of view of up to 230 ft, an 18mm eye relief for eyeglass wearers, multi-coated optics for sharper and clearer images and a center focus knob which allows you to easily adjust and focus on your subject. In addition to the binoculars, you also get a neck strap, a tripod adapter, lens covers and a carrying case. On a side note, its tripod adapter does its job but it doesn't feel as sturdy as we'd expect it to be. You also might have to consider buying a tripod because of its weight but as a whole, the SkyMaster is a great set of binoculars. It makes a perfect fit for those who have a serious interest in astronomy or even those who just want to have a better view of the galaxy.

Canon 10 x 30 Water-Resistant Binoculars with Image Stabilizer (10x 30mm)

157 Reviews

Consumer Passion :

Popularity :

	Price: $467.00
	Price: $499.95
	Price: $479.95
Compare Prices

Pros: Excellent image stabilization, Comfortable to hold, Great build quality
Cons: Not waterproof, No lens caps, Pricey

Review: The Canon 10 x 30 IS Binocular is an excellent choice for viewing fast-paced sports and birds in flight. It is constructed with 2 elements in 1 group and features a 30mm Objective Lens and 10x magnification. It also has a Double Field Flattener which ensures blur-free, undistorted images and a 14.5mm eye relief for the benefit of eyeglass-wearers. Thanks to its Image Stabilizer and Super-Spectra Multicoated Lenses, you can view your subjects in brilliant color and clarity. While it is not waterproof, this porro-prism pair boasts a robust construction which has proven to be reliable even in the toughest situations. It is also very lightweight and comfortable to hold. Most users will enjoy the convenience of having a rotary knob which permits manual focusing. The only disappointment is that the IS button is too small. It would've been nice if it is made larger or if it is placed on the side of the binocular for easy access. Canon's 10 x 30 IS Binocular doesn't ship with lens caps but it includes a set of batteries which makes it ready to use, a neck strap for keeping it within reach and a soft case for protection. Its price may still seem a little steep but it is more cost-efficient than higher-end binoculars and it outperforms other models in the same price range.

Nikon Action 8 x 40 Binocular (8x 40mm - Armored, Shockproof)

127 Reviews

Consumer Passion :

Popularity :

	Price: $93.82
Compare Prices

Pros: Sharp images, Wide field of view
Cons: Poor eye relief and close focus, Heavy

Review: The Action Binocular by Nikon features a 40mm objective lens, BaK4 prisms and 8x magnification perfect for viewing distant objects. It also boasts a wide field of view of 430-foot at 1000 yards, multi-coated optics which offer enhanced contrast and a central focus knob that allows easy focusing. In contrast with other models, its close focus and eye relief are poor but it still stands out with its excellent light gathering ability which lets you enjoy brighter and sharper images. This shockproof pair is also noticeably heavy and less handy. Holding them for long hours can be tiresome so you might need to purchase an adapter and securely mount it on a tripod for extended viewing. In terms of construction, it sports a rubber coating that provides rugged durability and makes it comfortable to hold. As an added bonus, it comes complete with useful accessories including an adjustable strap, lens covers and a travel case. The Nikon Action Binocular is very stable, making it ideal for astronomy, sport events, concerts, bird watching and wildlife viewing. It may not be the best in its class but given its very fine optics and compelling price, there's no reason to be afraid of giving it a try.

Nikon Action 16x50 Binocular (16x 50mm - Shockproof, Armored)

117 Reviews

Consumer Passion :

Popularity :

Hayneedle.com	Price: $119.98
Compare Prices

Pros: Lightweight, High quality optics, Rugged construction
Cons: Bulky, Not weather-sealed, Not ideal for star gazing

Review: The Nikon Action Binocular offers admirable and dependable performance in a mobile package that weighs only about 34.9 oz or 990 grams. Its 16x magnification along with its 50mm objective lens makes it suitable for a lot of purposes including hiking, hunting and even watching sports. It also has a 12.3mm eye relief, a field of view of 215 ft at 1000 yards and a central focus knob useful for keeping your subject in focus. Given its weight, you can just throw it in your bag or attach it to a neck strap. The Nikon Action Binocular may be a little bulky but it doesn't burden you while you travel and it is very comfortable to hold for extended periods of watching. While it is not weather-sealed like other models, this porro prism binocular boasts excellent build quality. It sports a rubber-armored coating for maximum durability and embodies multicoated eyepiece lenses and BaK4 prisms which allow you to view undistorted, crisp images and take advantage of enhanced contrast and increased brightness. As an added bonus, it also includes a tripod adapter which enables you to mount it on your tripod and get hold of the best viewing position. The Nikon Action 16x50 Binocular is not ideal for astronomical viewing but it is a decent choice if you're in search for a budget-friendly pair that is rugged enough to withstand everyday use and is capable of providing razor sharp images from far away.

Canon 15 x 50 All-Weather Binoculars with Image Stabilizer (15x 50mm)

102 Reviews

Consumer Passion :

Popularity :

	Price: $1349.00
Hayneedle.com	Price: $1499.98
Compare Prices

Pros: Outstanding image quality, I.S. feature works extremely well
Cons: No lens covers, Expensive, Heavy

Review: Whether for bird watching, hunting, general observation, astronomy or star gazing, the Canon All-Weather makes a great all-around pair of binoculars. Its 15x high magnification ratio allows you to have a closer look and provides you with a vivid view of your subject. This pair of heavy-duty binoculars has a rubberized design for a more comfortable grip and is constructed with optical anti-fog eyepieces for cold weather, a Doublet Field Flattener for sharp images, an extra bright, large diameter 50mm objective lens that offers a wider range and Multi-coated, Ultra-low Dispersion (UD) glass elements that delivers stellar image quality. Even without using the image stabilization feature, you'll see the difference between this beautiful optics over the regular ones but when this IS system is engaged, you'll be blown away by its breathtaking and detailed images. It works flawlessly in eliminating jitter or shakes and compensates well for movements. Eyeglass wearers can also take advantage of its 15mm Long-Eye Relief that aims to bring them comfort for extended hours. Although it includes a case for traveling and a neck strap that keeps it within your reach, a pair of lens covers would be a great addition. Overall, the Canon 15 x 50 All-Weather Binoculars may be expensive and heavy but its rock solid construction and stability makes it worth the extra cash and the extra weight.

Canon 18 X 50 IS All Weather (18x 50mm)

97 Reviews

Consumer Passion :

Popularity :

	Price: $1489.95
	Price: $1499.95
Hayneedle.com	Price: $1699.98
Compare Prices

Pros: Superior IS system, Non-slip rubberized grip, Water-resistant
Cons: Battery hog, Eye caps are not attached to the body, Heavy, Expensive

Review: While its price is too high, if you're not accustomed to using IS optics, Canon's 18 X 50 IS All Weather Binoculars will not only enable you to view everything up-close, it will also let you see the difference between cheap, regular binoculars and one that has an incredible IS system. With just a single push of a button, you'll surely be blown away by its Image Stabilization System that works extremely well in providing steadier images, regardless of the distance. It can be a battery hog, making it more expensive than it already is, but it delivers a far more exciting visual experience over inferior binoculars. A non-slip rubberized grip allows you to hold it firmly and a water-resistant construction keeps it safe from light drizzles. The added weight is quite noticeable if you're coming from standard binoculars but this can easily be solved by putting it on a tripod for solid stability. The Canon 18 X 50 IS All Weather Binoculars come supplied with a case, a neck strap and a lens cap. Batteries are also included to help you get started. For the price though, we would've appreciate a lens cap that attaches to the body as the one included falls off quickly and can easily be misplaced, especially when you're busy looking at the breathtaking view of the night sky or when you're in a hurry to spot that beautiful, one-of-a-kind bird passing by. We recommend investing on a Snap-On Accessory Lens Cap and a UV Protection Filter. In general, these binoculars give you an edge and are one of the most powerful around. The phrase "seeing is believing" also applies to the Canon 18 X 50 IS All Weather Binoculars. It delivers shake-free images, as promised. Along with the built-in IS, its Ultra-low dispersion (UD) glass elements, 18x magnification ratio, large diameter 50mm objective lens and Doublet field-flattener all contribute to a unique, satisfying experience.

Nikon Action Extreme ATB 10X50 Binocular (10x 50mm - Fogproof, Waterproof, Armored)

82 Reviews

Consumer Passion :

Popularity :

	Price: $189.99
Compare Prices

Pros: High quality lenses, Long eye relief, Great set of accessories
Cons: Heavy

Review: Nikon's Action Extreme Binoculars are perfect for star gazing, bird watching, enjoying distant scenery or in times when you just can't get close enough. Its rubber coating and ergonomic design provides a comfortable grip while its 50mm objective lens and BaK4 high index prisms offer superior image quality and increased light transmission. Being water-resistant and fog-proof, you can view your subjects without worrying about dust, dirt and other factors that can cause a blurry image. This rugged pair does a great job in low-light situations. It also features a field of view of up to 1000 yards, a right diopter control, adjustable eyecups for more comfortable viewing and a 17mm eye relief for the convenience of eyeglass wearers. With its center focus wheel and 10x magnification, you can quickly adjust and view objects up close. Due to its weight, holding it for a long period of time can be quite difficult but luckily, it gives you the option to mount it on a monopod or tripod using an optional adapter. Plus, it comes with a great set of accessories including a soft travel case, lens covers and an adjustable strap. The Nikon Action Extreme is a steal for the price. It has an awesome range and it offers depth and clarity on par with binoculars costing much more.