I have had the 15 x 50s for over 10 years now, and love those, do I need these as well?( I certainly *want* them, but do you find yourself reaching for one over the other? ) I use for casual backyard birding, astronomy) I have had the 15 x 50s for over 10 years now, and love those, do I need these as well?( I certainly *want* them, but do you find yourself reaching for one over the other? ) I use for casual... » Read More I have had the 15 x 50s for over 10 years now, and love those, do I need these as well?( I certainly *want* them, but do you find yourself reaching for one over the other? ) I use for casual backyard birding, astronomy) « Show Less
1243290
I typically carry both, but the 10's are my primary pair. I use the 15's as a stand-in for a scope (which I don't like to carry) and the 10's for regular birding. The 15s have too narrow a field of view for normal land birding. The 12's are better than the 10's in tropical places with high forest canopy or other areas where you are frequently looking at birds are a fair distance. In normal (for me) North American birding the 10's are great. THe 10's are also very good for pelagic birding, where the 12s and 15s are nearly useless.
2133909
Yes they are perfect for birding. You will not be disappointed. You can spend 3 times them amount and get less quality.
219560
I think they would be okay for bird watching if you have not been using a higher quality set of binocs before. For me, the Tasco's are great for that once in a while need, but not for watching over a stretch. The eye strain starts setting in after a minute or so.
1848269
To ED F,New 50d owner thanks you for advice on 50D over older 5D. After reading Ken Rockwell's info on the advantage of a full frame sensor, sensor size posed my only regret. If I continue to expand my system I can add the 5D Mark II. I know from the past that it is nice to have two bodies. In the 80's I had (still have) the New F1 w/speedfinder for telephoto pics and what I called my "Focus and Shoot" AE1 Program for everything else. What a combo! I'm new to digital and I have a lot to learn and my 50D should work out nicely.Bob
64694
Great, please let me know when you get your new ones!!!; I've got a hole burning in my pocket I fear, because I've been trying to rationalize the purchase of a pair of the "new" ones, too. I keep thinking that the Monarchs are so light and solid that I having the Monarchs at a "closer" view might just rationalize my investing in a pair of 10 X (name the lens)...I'm leaning to a 42 or 50....but I have a useless (too heavy old style, Swarovski Habicht molded porro prisms) 10X50s and my Monarch 8X42s just lifting them up to find a plane taking off and hearing them overhead and raising the bins to my eyes and pointing towards the sound all in one motion is fantastic...I love that ability...and I have glasses with astigmatism in the correction too. I just love the ease of use of the 8X42s....so I'm imagining the 10X42s would be wonderful too.but an extra $300 for just a one level bump in magnification? Whitneymuse...
298677
We both use these routinely for general birdwatching around the yard and marshfront, in forested areas and shoreline. Obviously when you're looking for distance optics the 7x35 isn't appropriate but we're quite happy with the clear images. We've used them for years
1753205
Thanks for taking the time to reply. I suspected as much, so I have just been using one at a time. Nice to know that I needed to, and should continue to, in the wide angle range.
1749904
We use them for video production and still photography. For the price they are great. I guess the size would depend on what the subject is, or how many subjects there are. I have yet to encounter an issue where we needed something larger, but every project and shoot is different. Hope this helps.
948044
I use the 100mm for shore birds. It has a long reach to see far off birds. It's great to use when you have a car. If you're hiking, it'll be too cumbersome for any long distance. It's great when you're driving though a nature preserve or a park. It's quick to set up and you will see things no one else could think of seeing. I've had people ask me what are you looking at? I'm looking at that bird in the tree just past the lake. I can't even see the lake. That's why I have the 100mm, I can see the lake, the tree and the painted bunting in the tree.
178704
I find them to be fantastic for general use. Recently used them for inspecting the roof and upper parts of our house from the ground. They are superb for birding and wildlife watching. They focus quickly and work well if tou wear glasses. Well worth the money.
1508606
I have had the 10x42 for close to 10 years. I can't bird with anything else. I am spoiled by the crispy view I have in the wind or with the car running. I have hauled them to jungles, on boats, to Scotland and all over this country. The image stabilizer just broke. I have beaten them up so much I am going to replace them instead of trying to get them repaired. My friends don't think they feel good in the hand. That annoyance disappears as soon as you get used to them and then all you notice is the crisp view. I wear the harness so the weight doesn't bother me. I love them.
482836
Obviously it depends on the conditions in which you will use the binoculars. If you never use them outdoors in wet or cold conditions, then it isn't worth it. I've owned the 10x50 Action EX for 3-4 years and love them. I don't have to worry about the binoculars getting wet or fogging up in cold weather.
43023
I was looking at these and changed to a 10 x 50 Celestron " Up Close G2" . They were only $31.16 shipping a d i would by another pair tomorrow if need be. Crisp wide almost 3D vision. Check those out before spending your hard earned bucks.
1500789
10 x 50 binoculars are very good for astronomy. These are considered the first pair for many. You will be able to see many objects and they are also good for quickly learning the night skies of each season. Clear skies!
298684
While we're not full-time bird watchers, we use them to watch various forms of wildlife including birds and they work very well, focus in quickly, and let you track easily with the subject's movements. That, combined with their compact size, would make them perfect for what you are looking for in this price range.
636082
You can use them to look at stars and star clusters any time you have a clear night. The ocean is more likely to be cloudy, but it can be clear too. 16x binoculars are great for looking at specific smaller targets, like star clusters and nebula and galaxies. If you want to look at the constellations, a 7x35 would be better. If you want to see planets, you need a telescope. Each star will look brighter, but you won't see detail on them.
226157
Yes, they can, and more than just the moon. I have this 10x50 UpClose pair as well as their 15x70 Skymasters. These work well for stargazing, and BETTER than the skymaster in some regards. Of course the skymaster has a closer, slightly brighter image, but these can see all of the same things. And the wider field of view is better for certain things. The skymaster pair is HUGE in comparison, and without a GOOD tripod/mount or being able to hold it steady, can be harder to use. The 10x50's are much easier to hold and maintain a steady image. Hand held, the 15x70's give you a 'better' view for a shorter time, and the 10x50's give you a 'good' view for a longer time. Yes, they can, and more than just the moon. I have this 10x50 UpClose pair as well as their 15x70 Skymasters. These work well for stargazing, and BETTER than the skymaster in some regards. Of course the skymaster has a closer, slightly brighter image, but these can see all of the same things. And the wider field of view is better for certain things. The skymaster pair is HUGE in comparison, and without a GOOD tripod/mount or being able to hold it steady, can be harder to use. The 10x50's are much easier to hold and maintain a steady image. Hand held, the 15x70's give you a 'better' view for... » Read More Yes, they can, and more than just the moon. I have this 10x50 UpClose pair as well as their 15x70 Skymasters. These work well for stargazing, and BETTER than the skymaster in some regards. Of course the skymaster has a closer, slightly brighter image, but these can see all of the same things. And the wider field of view is better for certain things. The skymaster pair is HUGE in comparison, and without a GOOD tripod/mount or being able to hold it steady, can be harder to use. The 10x50's are much easier to hold and maintain a steady image. Hand held, the 15x70's give you a 'better' view for a shorter time, and the 10x50's give you a 'good' view for a longer time. « Show Less