Image Stabilized Binoculars-Law Enforcement Use?

[Magsz18]

Hey guys,

I've been looking for a pair of binoculars for work. I currently have a pair of issued Steiner bino's which seem to work well but long hours behind these things with no tripod leaves me feeling somewhat sea sick. I'd like to pick the hives brain about image stabilized binos for use in a professional capacity. Not much changes between recreational and duty use but first hand experience using the product as a handheld versus a tripod mounted setup would be nice.

I'd need really good low light performance with a very rugged construction as these will get bumped around in my vehicle quite a bit. The smaller the form factor the better. I'm picturing myself looking like Frank Drebbin rom Naked Gun with a GIANT set of binoculars pointed out my window.

A range finder could be nice but i don't need any ballistic solutions software. IF it has it, i'm not going to complain as I can use this off of the range too.

What suggestions do we have?

Thanks in advance!

 

[White Mamba]

My cannons have been running strong for 25yrs.

 

[Dot3]

I got a very brief through the new sigs a while ago. Nothing jumped out as bad and iirc they’re not too big. They belonged to an RO at a match and he went on and on about how much he liked them.

 

[Burdy]

The second gen Sigs without the insane blue tint seem good to go. I would love for this technology include ballistic software. Hoping Swaro will jump on board.

 

[Entreri]

Posted this reply in a very recent thread about the same topic:

"I've use the Canon 18x50 Binoculars with image stabilization for about a year now. Before that i used a 15x Zeiss for a long time.

I love the Canon. I like having high magnification on binoculars for work and for hunting and the image stabilization is an extremely helpful feature for me since i never mount binoculars to a tripod.

There's been a couple instances where i was too lazy to setup a propper spotting scope and used the Binoculars instead. The Canon worked surprisingly (to me) well out to 800m as a spotter.

The only thing that bothers me compared to my previously used Zeiss 15x is the size, it's quite chunky and a little less wieldy. "

I use these binoculars for pure surveillance work (as well as hunting and shooting) and they work great for that application. They are not exactly small or discreet though, that's the only downside to them.

 

[Pbjunkiee]

I have a set if steiners 7x50 I usually use, look into a window head mount, I have one and it helps a bunch. I prefer the lower magnification and larger objectives for night work, easily read plates a parking lot over.

I also have a set of Canon 10x42L that are insane, hate keeping them in my car but use them for other stuff a bunch. They always impress people who I let borrow them too.

I have played with a few sets of the new sig stabilized binos, they are nice but yet to convince me to leave my canons. If I do eventually get a set it will be a set of the 16x or 18x to supplement my 7x and 10x I current have and can use in lieu if my spotting scope at shorter distances if needed.