Binoculars - any advice for a safari, please?
Discussion
Off to see the herds of free-ranging wildebeest marching majestically across the plains in Sept and want to purchase a pair of reasonably priced, compact (ie shove in pocketable) binocliers.
Anyone got any recommendations? I know you can spend hundreds if not thousands of pounds on them, but I really don't want to go to that extreme. Something that's maybe 10 or 12 x magnification... is that going to be enough?
Cheers in advance
Anyone got any recommendations? I know you can spend hundreds if not thousands of pounds on them, but I really don't want to go to that extreme. Something that's maybe 10 or 12 x magnification... is that going to be enough?
Cheers in advance
I've spent a shed load of money on bins over the past few years (you just have to where I live!), and all I can say is that (as with Hi Fi), you have to spend quite a bit to get something decent, but then there is the law of diminishing returns.
My last purchase was: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00164F0CM/ref=asc_df_B...
which are just unbelievable (but, as you'll see, a bit pricey).
If you spend £50 - then just don't expect anything decent. I know people always chime in and say how good their £16.50 bins are, but they haven't looked through proper optics! When you get a decent set, it's like taking a sheet of muslin away from in front of the lenses.
I've bought all my bins from one VERY informed outlet for many years. They will often suggest a cheaper pair! I highly reccommend you read: http://www.telescopesandbinoculars.co.uk/acatalog/...
My last purchase was: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00164F0CM/ref=asc_df_B...
which are just unbelievable (but, as you'll see, a bit pricey).
If you spend £50 - then just don't expect anything decent. I know people always chime in and say how good their £16.50 bins are, but they haven't looked through proper optics! When you get a decent set, it's like taking a sheet of muslin away from in front of the lenses.
I've bought all my bins from one VERY informed outlet for many years. They will often suggest a cheaper pair! I highly reccommend you read: http://www.telescopesandbinoculars.co.uk/acatalog/...
Co-incidentally just been researching this and am about to order these - just wondering what offer to make!
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&am...
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&am...
To be honest Steve, I am not overly concerned about them not being super fandango quality. They're mainly for me to have a look for stuff and then I shall be gazing upon them through the monstrous great lens I have rented to take on this trip. They won't get used much after this trip (well, not until the next one!) so I just don't need to justify such a huge expense...
I just want a pair of relatively decent lightweight and compact binos that I can shove in me pocket
I just want a pair of relatively decent lightweight and compact binos that I can shove in me pocket
knk said:
Don't get compacts (i.e. 10x25) get at least 8x40 or larger.
They gather much more light and give a much better field of view.
Eveyone runs for cover when I advise!They gather much more light and give a much better field of view.
Ignore the above post if you have proper money to spend (but as mentioned you may not... not sure of budget) Decent quality 10x25 will be much better than cheap 8x40 - However, Decent quality 8x40 will always be better than 10x25
(I have both).It's all about optical quality... and what you want to look at - not value for money, unless you just want a pair of bins... in which case, spend £50-100 and you'll be sorted.
Edited by GetCarter on Thursday 12th August 16:49
I have decent 10x25s, leica, which cost a few hundred quid, but I am impressed by cheaper poros like nikon or stieners which are not compact.
My good glasses are 10x42 leicas but they were over £1000.
I think at any price point non-compact will always be better than compacts. the compact form is compromised.
Kam
My good glasses are 10x42 leicas but they were over £1000.
I think at any price point non-compact will always be better than compacts. the compact form is compromised.
Kam
these work alright
http://www.microglobe.co.uk/catalog/product_info.p...
Edited by y2blade on Thursday 12th August 16:52
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