Telescope Reviews: Canon 10x42L vs 15x50 vs 18x50 IS binoculars

I received the Canon 18x50's yesterday from Amazon... got a good half hour of skies to check them out last night, and after thinking about it overnight I made a decision to return them and go for the 15x50's. I already have the 10x42L's, which I love- they are keepers- and when a friend of mine showed up at the astro viewing site with a pair of the 15x50's, had a chance to compare the two, and was surprised to see that I actually preferred the 15x50's. I surmised the 18x50's would be even better, so ordered a pair finally after selling a few other items.
Now we have been discussing the pros and cons of the 15x vs the 18x here recently, some prefer one- some prefer the other. Bottom line turned out to be that the only way to find out what was best for me was to try the 18x, since I already had tried the 15x.
CSEDewar made a comment that the 18x were probably right at the threshold of what was practical in a hand-holdable, even with the IS, and he is correct. For me, just a little too close to the threshold. I think a chair or chaise lounge should be considered a requirement with the 18x.
So, I made the decision to return the 18x and go for the 15x.
Amazon, I might add, is an incredible company to do business with. No problem returning them. My wife and I have done a lot of business with Amazon, only rarely having to return something- but as many of you know, trying to return something purchased on the internet can be a nightmare: Not so with Amazon.
Lastly, I will comment that while Canon has done a great job with these IS binoculars, they fall down horribly on the case and lenscap issues. The 10x42L's come with a nice zip-up nylon case, not the sturdiest most protective case- but still decent. Of course, no objective covers, but at least a decent 1-piece eyepiece cover. The 18x50's (and I assume the 15x50's also) come with a nylon bag with a drawstring and flimsy eyepiece covers. Not in keeping with $1100.00 binoculars. Period. We've discussed this before, and it remains a pet peeve of mine. I will probably purchase a Pelican case for the new 15x50's when they arrive Monday. Only $3.99 for overnight with Amazon Prime!
The final kicker??? The 18x50's ran me $1157.40, the 15x50's are $798.62. That made it- for me- a "No-Brainer"! I'll take the $360.00 difference and the 15x50's over the 18x50's anyday.
I just did.
And applied the $360 to a pair of the Nikon Prostar 7x50's.