I like equipment that solves a real problem. But I doubly love gear that solves two or more problems with elegant solutions.

The brand new Nikon stabilized binoculars is a pipsqueak of optics, and the 12x25mm version fits easily in the palm of my hand. However, the addition of image stabilization transforms these tiny binoculars into an impressive mid- and long-range optical instrument.

See

• Length: 3.9 inches
• Width: 3.5 inches
• Depth: 2.6 inches
• Uses AA batteries
• Available in 10x and 12x
• Stabilizes movement by 80 percent
• Field of view at 1,000 yards: 236 feet
• Weight: 17.14 ounces (with batteries)

A look at the new image-stabilized binoculars

The problems solved by the Nikon Stabilized 12×24 come from this reduced configuration. Most super compact binoculars fall in the 7 to 8 power range, with a few 10×24 binoculars on the market. Increasing the magnification with this small lens results in a tiny exit pupil, which is the little circle of light you see if you hold a binocular (or riflescope, or spotting scope) at arm’s length and look at it. eyepiece.

Without getting into optics, the exit pupil is calculated by dividing the objective lens by the magnification. So a 10×42 binocular has an exit pupil of 4.2mm (42mm objective divided by 10). A 12×56 binocular has an exit pupil of 4.67mm, so images from these larger binoculars may appear brighter than those from a 10×42 or 12×50.

But consider the poor super compact binoculars. These 8×24 binoculars have a puny exit pupil of 3 mm, and it is even smaller (2.4 mm) with the 10×24 binoculars. Nikon’s new 12×25 binoculars have a stingy exit pupil of 2 .1mm, meaning they will only provide an adequate image in broad daylight, when the user’s pupil is small anyway. Remember that the human pupil, like a camera lens, opens in low light conditions to let as much light into the retina as possible.

Read next: Best compact binoculars

Back to that first issue: Most brands use lower magnifications in their super-compact binoculars in order to offer larger exit pupils, but this low power limits their use to near- or mid-range scopes. The Nikon 12 power solves this problem by offering a much greater range.

But compact binoculars are notoriously difficult to keep steady. These mid-sized 10×42 and 12×50 binoculars have some weight that settles into the hand. Small 24 and even 30mm binoculars are twitchy, moving around because they are so light and because there is so little frame to hold. This is where image stabilization saves the day.

Turn on the stabilization module and the Nikon’s 12-power image becomes crisp and clear. Turn it off and the image is still okay, but it suffers from hand shake and over-magnification. If you turn the module back on with the switch on the bridge of the binoculars, the image stabilizes and sharpens. Nikon engineers report an 80% reduction in vibration caused by hand shake (these engineers call these sine waves) with the image stabilizer enabled. I haven’t measured the reduction in shake, but it is significant and noticeable, and the reduction becomes even more apparent in low light conditions when the shake is amplified.

The remarkable detail of the new Nikon – it just entered the market earlier this month – is its size, about 4 × 4.5 inches, weighing less than 14 ounces and fitting easily into a jacket pocket . Most image stabilized binoculars are large. We evaluated the new ZULU6 HDX 16×42 in this year Outdoor living optical testand while it does a wonderful job of adjusting the image, it’s the size of a deli sandwich.

The new stabilized Nikon is available in a 10×25 mm version as well as a 12×25 mm version which I tested. The Power 10 will cost $639, while the Power 12 will sell for $649.

The stabilization is powered by two AA batteries placed under the central hinge. The company claims 12 hours of battery life, and while I haven’t tested that, I imagine casual users will get double that. The controls, from the center focus knob to the eyecup extensions, are undersized but usable. The glass and coverings are good but not particularly striking.

The new binoculars are covered by Nikon’s limited lifetime warranty which extends only to the original purchaser. Some electronic components benefit from more limited warranty conditions.

Final Thoughts

It’s a bit strange that Nikon is only just releasing image stabilized binoculars. The company is at the forefront of the camera industry in what it calls VR lenses (for vibration reduction). Maybe you have one. You hear a little crackle deep in the lens when you activate the VR function. This is the electronic gyroscope that activates to cancel all kinds of upward, downward and transversal vibrations, allowing users to get sharp images even in low light conditions or when subjects are moving . Later, Nikon integrated the VR module into its premium product EDG spotting scope in 2011. The company then released the first stabilized image laser rangefinders. Readers may remember the COOLSHOT laser rangefinder with a very effective stabilization module.

My optical testing records indicate that there were Nikon VR 14×40 binoculars in the late 90s or early 2000s, but they did not have the compact construction, the small and discreet stabilization module, nor the quality glass and coatings of the new binoculars. . And it didn’t last long.

You won’t use Nikon’s new 10×25 or 12×25 for serious glass. You will need large binoculars or a spotting scope for this. But for a high-performance travel binocular, tree optic, or pickup binocular capable of making quick and some IDs from mid-range to outdoors, Nikon’s new stabilized binoculars are a very useful addition and welcome to the new wave. of electro-optics.