| The Canon 15 x 50mm IS (Image Stabilized) AW (All Weather) binocular has a good balance of aperture versus magnification that lets you use it for both astronomy and high power terrestrial observing. The field is a substantial 4.5° across, nine times the diameter of the full Moon. This makes it useful for nighttime observing of open clusters, large galaxies like Andromeda, large nebulas, comets, and more. Terrestrially, it has a reasonable 20’ close focus and an excellent twilight factor of 27.39. This makes it very suitable for long distance daytime and low light observing – of ducks swimming across a lake at evening, nesting eagles, hawks circling high overhead, etc. In all observing situations, the image stabilizing system provides crisp and sharp images that let you see small details lost in the shaky images of conventional hand-held high power binoculars. For more details on the image stabilization system, click on the “image stabilization" icon above. While capable of razor sharp images when hand-held, the 15 x 50mm IS binocular is still a relatively heavy binocular at 42 ounces. A tripod socket is provided to support the binocular if very extended observing is anticipated. The center focus and Image Stabilizer controls are easily accessible. Focusing is a little slow, as it takes two and three-quarter turns of the ribbed focusing knob moves smoothly from a 20’ close focus out to the horizon. The manufacturer’s eye relief is specified at 15mm. Roll-down rubber eyecups allow eyeglass use, although with some minor loss of field for those who must wear glasses while observing. A lockable rotary diopter ring on the right eyepiece allows you to match the binocular performance to your individual eyesight. The latest state-of-the-art optics are used for maximum image quality in the 15 x 50mm. A unique internal field flattening optical doublet lens between the image-erecting prisms and the eyepieces reduces curvature of field, so that images are sharp from one edge of the field to the other. The lenses are fully multicoated with Canon Super Spectra coatings for very high light transmission. There is a premium UD (ultra-low dispersion) glass element in each objective lens, another feature that improves overall image quality by maximizing contrast and minimizing color smear. Aspheric lens elements in the eyepieces reduce spherical aberration for sharper and more tightly focused images. Eco-friendly lead-free glass is used throughout. The rubber armored 15 x 50mm is called an “All Weather" binocular, but it is not truly waterproof to the extent that it can be submerged in water. It is, however, sealed and weather resistant to the point where you can use it in the rain without fear of damaging the binocular. There are two ways to operate the image stabilization system. In the first, stabilization operates for as long as you keep the stabilization control button depressed, which requires only a few ounces of pressure. A small indicator light on the top of the binocular glows red when the stabilization system is engaged and acts as a low battery warning light. In the second, a quick single press on the control button turns on the system for 5 minutes of continuous operation. Another quick press turns the stabilization system off if you finish observing before you reach the automatic 5-minute shutoff point. Both methods prevent the system from accidentally being left engaged and draining the battery. Despite the power-conserving features, a very limited battery life at low temperatures realistically makes this a warm weather binocular, unless you replace the alkaline batteries with Ni-Cad or lithium versions. The image stabilization system will operate continuously for up to 2 hours and 30 minutes on two inexpensive AA alkaline batteries at an ambient temperature of 77° F (unfortunately, considerably less at very low temperatures; only about 10 minutes at 14° F, for example). Rechargeable nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cad) batteries will also provide a warm temperature life of 2 hours and 30 minutes, but a longer cold temperature life of 1 hour and 30 minutes of continuous use. AA lithium batteries will increase the warm temperature operating time to about 8 hours continuous and up to 3 hours and 30 minutes at a cold 14° F. Even if the batteries die, the 15 x 50mm can be used as a conventional binocular, without image stabilization, at any time. Eyepiece covers (but no eyepiece rainguard), a soft case with a shoulder strap for hands-free carrying, two AA batteries for the stabilization system, a wide woven neck strap, and a 3-year warranty complete the package.
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