Fujinon Techno-Stabi 14x40 (and Canon 15x50 IS)

I was considering buying a spotting scope for birdwatching, but I though about the hassle of lugging around a scope plus a tripod, plus the setup time, and decided to give image stabilized binoculars a try. I currently own a Leica 7x42BA, which are bright, have an 8 degree field of view, and the best image I have ever experienced through a pair of binoculars regardless of cost (and I've compared many).

In my quest for image stabilized binoculars I had a chance to try the Canon 15x50 IS, 18x50 IS, and new 10x42L IS WP (water proof). Each had a very clear, sharp and bright view (only daytime conditions were tested). However, I found that the eye relief on all three was insufficient to allow eyeglass users to see a full field of view - and my eyeglasses are small and fit close to my face. Also, only the 10x42 has quick-adjusting eyecups, the 15x50 and 18x50 have rubber eyecups that need to be folded down. Another problem was that the stabilized image showed a tiny amount of jitter every time you moved a bit too much (>0.7 degree tilt). The jitter was not terrible, but if you are paying $1000 for optics, you don't want to compromise the view. The Canon 10x42 IS WP model also had a very stiff focus knob, so stiff I was afraid it was stuck and I was going to break it. This might be a defective pair, or due to waterproofing with stiff o-rings, but they were off my list on that stiffness alone. The 15x50 and 18x50 focus knobs were excellent. Overall, I left the camera store disappointed.


I read reviews of the Fujinon Techno-Stabi 14x40, and decided to get a pair to try. I bought them used on eBay for $680 plus $20 shipping. The Fujinon Techno-Stabi 14x40 comes in a bright yellow hard plastic Pelican case that is fully padded and waterproof. The binoculars are also fully waterproof. A flotation neckstrap is also included, but I found it too uncomfortable to use - no big deal, I'll get a better one. The build quality is excellent. You get the impression they are military grade. The optics are clear, bright, and sharp. Focus is quick and easy, although the position of the knob is a little awkward and takes some getting used to. The image stabilization is superior to the Canon IS series. A full /- 5 degrees of stabilization is great, that's 7 times better than the Canons. Also, the jitter effect I saw in the Canons is so greatly diminished in the Fujinon that if I did not try to look for it specifically, I might not have noticed it. The eye relief appears to be better than in the Canons, even though the specification sheet says it has less - I was able to use my eyeglasses with them, but I had to press them against my glasses and into my face to get the full view. Eyecups are rubber and have to be folded down to use with eyeglasses. I did not detect any false color fringe while viewing a bird against a clouded sky. Detail was excellent. Overall, I am very pleased and I recommend these binoculars.

Update, Nov. 27 2006: Earlier I had said that these binoculars were not good for following birds in flight, but that is only a problem up close (50 ft), they do very well for birds in flight at a distance.