binoculars--question

[ned]

a neighbor lady is going to Africa and ask my advice on pocket sized binoculars. She could have asked any random person on the street and done better...but I have the tremendous bank of knowledge known as the Ruger Forum. Any thoughts?

 

[huntsman22]

swaro/leica or bust.....

 

[pisgah]

I'm no expert, but I do have a very nice little binocular. It's a Steiner Safari Pro, 8x22. Excellent optical quality, ruggedly built, generally run about $70-80, and well worth the money. These go with me wherever I travel.

 

[contender]

Small pocket types are "ok" for casual shorter distance use. But,,, I've used a lot of them, in different sizes & powers over the years. I currently own 5 pair.
I have found that the 10x40 power types cover a good general multi-task bino.
Buy the best glass quality you can afford. NOTHING beats good quality glass.

I currently use a top of the line Brunton set (retail of them when I got them was $1500,) DAILY in my work. I can focus within 5-6 ft, out to almost infinity. And I see a LOT of details with good glass that would otherwise be missed by lesser types. And, light gathering,,, better glass is always top notch in this area.
Leupold, Brunton, Zeiss, Swartosky (spelling?) Lecia, Steiner, are all good glass brands.

I got rid of my "pocket type" small binos a long time ago because of the better glass.

 

[Busterswoodshop]

swaro/leica or bust.....

Have to agree with this.
Swarovski and Leica make the best as far as I am concerned.

 

[6GUNSONLY]

My Swarovski 8x30s are my favorite. I have a pair of decent quality 8x25 compacts but they can't compare with the Swarovskis. My SIL has a pair of Steiner compacts, I think they may be the ones pisgah mentioned above. They are quite good for their size and for the money (around $200, I think, maybe a bit more). Every time I pick up other binoculars, I think, "not bad, but not as good as my Swarovskis". It depends on what you're willing to pay, but quality isn't cheap. I've looked through Zeiss, which are also very good.

All that said, mid price point optics are WAY yonder better than they used to be. Time was, you could get two kinds of glass; good and cheap. They were never found in the same item. Nowdays you can get some quite decent rifle scopes and binocs in the $200- $300 range. Much cheaper than that, and I think you pretty much get what you pay for.

 

[Bob Wright]

An African safari is not the place for pocket binoculars. Good binoculars needn't be expensive, I've done my birdwatching with Bushnell binoculars which have served me well.

Rule of thumb is the objective (?) lens diameter, in millimeters, be five times the power of the binoculars, or better. So 7 x 35, 6 x 30, or 10 x 50 is the recommended powers. The 7 x 35 is handy in size without excessive weight and the magnification is not so great as to induce noticed shake.

These ratios insure sufficient light gathering ability under less than good lighting conditions.

Bob Wright

 

[6GUNSONLY]

Add to that this consideration; my Swarovskis were not new when I got them. I traded a rifle for them years ago, and have used them a lot. A couple of years ago, the rubber casing had cracked a bit in a couple of places, the logo emblem was missing, and the diopter adjustment had gotten sticky. I got a service center address and sent them in to be looked at for a refurbishing estimate. Less than two weeks later, I had my binocs back, no charge, and would challenge anyone to distinguish them from a new pair. They literally made them like new and all it cost me was the shipping to their USA service center. I was/am impressed with service like that.

 

[Fox Mike]

The one I have is Vivatar PV Series 8 x 22 Never felt I was 'under magnified'.

 

[redhawker]

I'd recommend these...

http://www.zen-ray.com/shop/binoculars.html

...not extremely cheap (in price) but they're not priced like Swarovski either. Good quality and work great.

 

[Jeepnik]

Consider image stabilized binoculars. Some are getting quite compact. They do cost more. But, most folks don't use binoculars enough to learn techniques that minimize the shake often encountered when using higher magnifications.

 

[blackhawknj]

I'd recommend an inexpensive pair-if they get lost or stolen you won't be Crying The Blues.

 

[k22fan]

Here are a couple of simple tests for evaluating any scope or binocular. Focus on a vertical line in the distance like the side of a building or telephone pole. Then look off to each side to move the line to the left and right sides of the field of view. The line should stay straight. If the line warps when it is on one side of the field of view it usually warps in the opposite direction on the other side. Repeat with a horizontal line like a roof line moving the line up and down in the field of view. The second test is to move an image 360 degrees around the outer edge of the field of view. The image should stay equally clear all the way around. If it is distorted while near the edge of the field of view in one spot it will usually also distort on the opposite side. These simple tests reject a lot of fairly expensive optics.

However, a good firm like Leupold will correct these problems and likely fix them for free or for a small handling charge so at the right price you could come out ahead buying the defective optic.

 

[blume357]

I agree that optics are the key and if you or she can afford the high end then that would be good... but I have never really been a fan of the small pocket binocs... too hard to manage, hard to get your eyes placed right and especially in low light don't gather enough light... I'd suggest a medium size 8 power with a 40mm front lens might be better. 10 at the max.... keep in mind the greater the power the harder it is to keep what you are viewing steady..... Africa... I suspect a lot of viewing while in a vehicle and possibly moving .... 7 power might even be better...

 

[Dan in MI]

General observations on the topic.

Africa is a high dollar trip - why cheap out on the things you may use the most for the most enjoyment?

I would expect the usage to be more like glassing on an out west hunt. A lot of time behind the lens. That means eye fatigue - which means low cost binocs that are great for quick looks (0-10 min) at things around home can end up ruining a day with possible eye strain/headache. (this one is often the most overlooked consideration)

 

[ned]

What a terrific data dump from a knowledgeable and thoughtful group. Thank you all. Ned

 

[Jeepnik]

I'd recommend an inexpensive pair-if they get lost or stolen you won't be Crying The Blues.

But you will suffer from eye strain and general frustration trying to get a clear view of your subject

As a young man I used inexpensive glass (all I could afford). The view was mushy, at best. Light transmission very poor. I'd heard that some brands were better but cost much more.

I finally broke down and bought a pair of Lieca. The difference was night and day.

Today's glass is leaps and bounds above even good glass from the past, but you still need to buy the best you can afford. Binoculars last many years, if properly cared for.

 

[Kevin]

I've got to agree with Dan in MI. A trip to Africa is not a trip to buy cheap pocket sized binoculars. Unless they are simply for backup, which she will also need, she should buy the very best. It's cheaper than a second trip because she couldn't see everything the first time.

 

[Bear Paw Jack]

I took my Swaro 8 X 30's to So. Africa when I went a couple of years ago. They performed admirably. Truth is if she's hunting she needs to pay attention to the game and let the guide pick the animal to shoot, she will get on it faster. If going on a photo safari or viewing the 8X30's will perform just fine. Drive along until you see something the vehicle stops and everyone takes a look. Leupolds can be just fine but before you buy compare them to something better and see which is better or if you can tell a difference. Sometimes you can't. Computer generated optics have reduced the tolerances by a long shot. Also on her trip she needs to carry them in her carry on. Other wise nice things go missing. Also anything else of value like cameras etc. Lot's of thievery that goes on. May even be worse than the Americans that go through your luggage.

In short, don't "order" a pair sight unseen. Variances can and do occur in optics. Have the sales person show her how to adjust them for most clarity. Buy the pair you looked through that was the most clear, don't accept having them reach down and get you a pair in the box you haven't looked through.

 

[GunnyGene]

Don't forget the zoom capability on your smart phone. You can get clip on lenses for them also, to increase magnification up to about 60x. Granted it will not be the equal of a good pair of binocs, but can be useful.

 

[WendyZXZ]

I agree with Dan also. A trip to Africa is something that most will never go on. We have 3 pair of binocular but none are pocket or compact but all are fine. Steiner 7 x 50, Swarovski 8 x 42 and Zeiss, but the Zeiss are much larger than most would want 15 x 56 and we use those like a spotting scope with a tripod adapter.

 

[Busterswoodshop]

A cheap pair of binoculars might be alright for a quick look at something , but if you plan on spending any time looking through them eye strain will take its toll.
A good pair of binoculars makes a world of difference when you look through them for any length of time.

 

[Cholo]

A friend got me into groundhog hunting in '76. He used a cheap pair of Tasco binoculars that gave me a headache that lasted till the next day. I bought a pair of Bausch and Lomb 7x35 Zephyr's for about $175, or the cost of a nice new revolver. I still have them and can see blood dripping from a squirrel at 35 yds.

Pay once for binoculars that you'll use with pleasure for a lifetime. Life is too short for anything less.