Telescope Reviews: Need Advice Regarding Canon 10x42 L IS

Hello folks! Been lurking here for a few weeks, and have gone through most of the pertinent links on Edz's excellent collection of posts (the ones from the Start Here thread).

This has the potential to be a bit long, so if you aren't interested in the chaff and still would like to share some insight about the Canon 10x42, please skip down a bit.

I live in Southern California, which means that the skies I live under are about as far from the ideal as you can imagine. I have owned a scope in the past (a little Televue Ranger) which I sold due to lack of use.

This past weekend, I had the opportunity to go to Kitt Peak National Observatory outside of Tucson, AZ for what I can only describe as a life-changing experience. I took part in the Advanced Observers Program offered by the NOAO.

I got to view my first deep space objects through a 31mm Nagler attached to a 20" Ritchie-Chretien scope under an incredible sky. I saw six perfectly separated stars of the Trapezium (I was only looking for 4) in the first nebula I have ever "seen" that wasn't a photograph.

And speaking of photographs, piggy-backed on the RC scope was a 4" takahashi refractor. I had the opportunity to attach my digital camera to this scope and took these pics:

http://www.lkraven.com/kittpeak

They are modest, but they are a unique souvenir from maybe some of the most magical 8 hours of my life so far.

Anyway, one of the things that floored me while I was up there was the spectacular views available through a pair of 8x50 binoculars-- they were Celestron brand, but I did not note the model. Their construction was so-so, and the diopter adjustment was very loose and because it came from a stable of several dozen pair they use for visitors, my guess is that they were modestly priced.

Even so, I was amazed at what I could see of Andromeda, and the stars in general.

So I am in the market for a pair of excellent binoculars, and I have about $1000 budgeted. I have some specific criteria, and some specific questions which you learned gentlemen may be able to help with--

I am currently leaning towards the Canon 10x42 IS binoculars for a couple of reasons:

1. I am partial to Canon glass, owning quite a few Canon 35mm lenses.

2. I am partial the IS technology.

3. I know next to nothing about binoculars outside of what I have tried to absorb by reading here for the past week or so-- which actually means that I know more now than most people, and certainly more than I knew before. And knowing very little, the 10x42 seem like a good bet.

I prize portability because I take trips to dark skies, and would carry binoculars with me, whereas I am unlikely to pack a full-sized scope. That means that having to not pack a tripod would be an additional bonus.

I know the IS is no substitute for a proper mount (and in fact, am painfully aware of this, because I am familiar with the IS technology present in my lenses)-- but knowing I will be in places where I will definately NOT have a mount available, the IS certainly seems like an excellent and more convenient substitute.

I also plan to use these scopes for terrestrial viewing-- though this is of secondary importance.

My questions are as follows (any input would be greatly appreciated):

1. Given the budget of ~1000, and given the criteria above, would I be better off getting something else and foregoing the IS? If so, do you have any suggestions?

2. Knowing that I am likely to be limited by the magnification more than the aperture, should I instead be looking at the similarly priced 18x50 IS binos?

Basically, I am hoping a few of you who have experience with this magnification, and maybe these binoculars can give me an idea about whether or not it's the right way to go with the budget I have. I am unlikely to purchase another pair of binoculars soon afterwards, so I am looking for something that will be a great tool for learning the skies but at the same time fulfill other more terrestrial needs. I would like more information about alternatives before I pull the trigger on this purchase.

Thanks guys-- even if no one answers this post, you all have been extremely helpful in educating me through your previous posts.

Neil