Fabulous Binocular

Author's Rating:

Pros: power; can be hand-held; quality, both mechanically and optically

Cons: price and weight, a bit.

The Bottom Line: 
The best high powered binocular, yielding much more information than a 10X or 12X binocular in a hand-holdable, precision package.

Author's Review
A Norwegian testing lab tested about 25 of the best binoculars in the 11X to 30X range and concluded these were overall the best of the best. Fabulous wide angle view, great sharpness, very bright, neutral color, decent contrast (see a lot of the atmosphere), great internal focus mechanism, waterproof and nitrogen filled. Can read small boat names and numbers all the way across San Diego Bay. Real "bring-it-in" power. Weight not a serious problem (cf. weight of Swarovski 10x50 SLC binocular used by many birders). Great ergonomics and balance with smooth precision focus and good eye cups, making the binocular easy to hand-hold. Comfortable eye cups that screw up and down for best eye relief and field of view. Can be easily used with a monopod or tripod. Great tripod mount with quick release. Very light weight for astronomy use (compared to other astronomy binoculars). Great travel case with shoulder and waist strap too, but must be purchased separately. Excellent for birding with or without a monopod. Fabulous binocular. (I know binoculars and have many of high quality)