Vancouver Telescope Shop (in Kits) had some used Russian-made stabilized bino's for about $600, non-electric (so I don't know how they did it). But for less than $50 you can get almost the same stability with a mono-pod that can either be extended to the ground or shortened to jam into a jacket or pants pocket, saving your major coin for the best optics.

At 02:49 PM 2/24/02 -0800, you wrote:
>More on optics (no, not "moron" optics!):
>
>Fuji and Zeiss also make image-stabilized binoculars that are excellent but more costly than Canon. I believe they are marketed more to sailors than to birders, and they perform extremely well on choppy seas. The Zeiss model is roughly $5000--way out of my price range--but if you simply must have the best ...
>
>I recently bought 8x40 Pentax binoculars for $399. They outperform my fifteen year old Leica 8x40 binos in terms of sharpness and contrast, plus they are waterproof, but they don't have image stabilization.
>
>Remember, though, that Kenn Kaufmann set a record for species seen in one year with a pair of $20 binoculars that he painted with gold paint (something about being on a quest inspired him to paint them gold).
>
>Lee Rentz
>Shelton WA
>lee at leerentz.com
>
>
>>A year and a half ago I went to the Cape May Bird Observatory and asked their optical expert about his thoughts on the Canon image stabilized binoculars. He had nothing good to say about them, and was highly critical of the ergonomic design and the optical image.
>>"I wouldn't use them for a door stop", he said.
>>
>>Six months later I actually tried some 10X30s, and have gotten hooked on them for many situations. I love them for boating, driving, cold windy days, and even just days when my
>>hands are shaky. The image stabilization makes the difference, allowing me to track birds while other people have given up because bumpy conditions make it impossible. While I am now using some small Leicas as my all-around binocular, I still keep the Canons within easy reach. On cold blustery days I leave the Leicas at home.
>>
>>The Canons are not waterproof, need batteries, and are initially a bit clumsy to handle. 10X can be a bit much for woodland birding, and they don't come in a lesser power, but for raptors and waterbirds, they're ideal. They may be a bit of a luxury, but since I'm on the water so much I managed to justify them for myself. And by the way, I would never use them for a door stop.
>>
>>Has anyone had a chance to demo the new Zeiss spotting scope? Anyone know of a local dealer?
>>
>>Kevin Li
>>Ballard, USA
><mailto:kdli at msn.com>kdli at msn.com
>

Jack Kintner <kintner at nas.com> Blaine, WA