Image stabilization is very useful for folks who may have difficulty
holding the bins steady, and for situations where you're on a moving
platform (on a ship, for example). I've never tried using them from a
moving vehicle, but they may help here, too.
Stabilized bins are typically heavier than conventional optics with the
same objective and magnification. And they require a battery to power
the stabilizing elements. In some cases, the stabilizing mechanism
makes a noise, which can be annoying to your companions. And the
stabilized bins are more expensive than conventional bins with comparable
optical quality.
I know a birder who, with advancing age, developed a tremor in his hands.
He could not use conventional binoculars any longer, and it was with great
sadness that he gave up birdwatching. Then he got a pair of stabilized
bins, and his enjoyment of birdwatching was restored. Sometimes money
can buy happiness.
holding the bins steady, and for situations where you're on a moving
platform (on a ship, for example). I've never tried using them from a
moving vehicle, but they may help here, too.
Stabilized bins are typically heavier than conventional optics with the
same objective and magnification. And they require a battery to power
the stabilizing elements. In some cases, the stabilizing mechanism
makes a noise, which can be annoying to your companions. And the
stabilized bins are more expensive than conventional bins with comparable
optical quality.
I know a birder who, with advancing age, developed a tremor in his hands.
He could not use conventional binoculars any longer, and it was with great
sadness that he gave up birdwatching. Then he got a pair of stabilized
bins, and his enjoyment of birdwatching was restored. Sometimes money
can buy happiness.
