Best Bins for Safari

[Ambrosian]

Hello,

I'm new to the forum, and am looking for some advice on suitable Binoculars to take on Safari. Using the criteria given below, that I wear glasses and the fact weight is at a premium, I am considering the Swift Reliant 8x42 Roof Binoculars. Does anyone have any experience of these? i.e are they robust enough to handle the heat and dust of Africa, easy to keep clean, focus quickly, etc.

Magnification: 8 x 42
Field of View: At least 330 ft at 1000 yards.
Exit pupil size: 5.25 mm or more
Eye relief: 18 or more
Prism and Coating: BAK-4 prism and Fully Multi-Coated surfaces
(Criteria from http://www.african-safari-journals.com/safari-binoculars.html)

I see they recently came top in a magazine review for budget Binoculars, but also that the quality of that magazine's reviews have been questioned in the past.

Secondly, does anyone know who stocks these in the South West of England? My local stores only seem to handle Nikon, Zeiss, and Leica. I see Sherwood's have the best price online, but after trying and dismissing the Nikon Monarchs after testing them, I would like to try the reliant before I buy.

Ambrosian

[J. Moore]

I do not know anything about the Reliant binoculars. Looks as though they only cost $100 (unless I am reading something wrong), which suggests to me they cannot be that good.

If you did not like the monarchs, I would urge you to consider Vortex Vipers--more expensive but also optically superior according to all the reviews I have read. they are good in low light, rugged, and have excellent eye relief. They would meet all your other criteria also, though you will probably have difficulty finding a place that you can try them out. Perhaps an online store will let you order them and then have the possibility of returning them if you do not like them.

My two cents,
Jim

[Robert / Seattle]

If you can afford to go on a safari, my guess is you can affortd a decent pair of binoculars. That will not be the case for the optics stated. Also, if you're traveling, I believe you don't need to be hauling around 42mm bins. For starters, I'd suggest this:

The best bins in the 32mm size you can afford (8x or 10x is another question and your choice). This will give you both brightness performance and portability. I'm a fan of Leicas, in this category, but you may also consider Zeiss, Swarovski, Nikon and Leuopold. There are doubtless others, but these 5 or so brands in the 32mm size should get you started on your research.

If it's a lifetime trip, and a lifetime investment, you should do it right.

Cheers,

Robert / Seattle

PS - I just gave this advice to a friend who had similar parameters and she chose the Leupold Katmai 8x32s. And she couldn't be more thrilled! (Not all that pricey, either).

[J. Moore]

IAlso, if you're traveling, I believe you don't need to be hauling around 42mm bins. For starters, I'd suggest this:

The best bins in the 32mm size you can afford (8x or 10x is another question and your choice).

Well, there are several quality, lightweight 42 mm binoculars. The vipers I suggested are fairly compact and only 23 ounces, which feels like almost nothing around my neck. And the 42 mm will give you a larger exit pupil, which should be helpful if you are trying to use binoculars while riding on rough roads in a jeep or other safari vehicle or in low light.

Best,
Jim

[Robert / Seattle]

Well, there are several quality, lightweight 42 mm binoculars. The vipers I suggested are fairly compact and only 23 ounces, which feels like almost nothing around my neck. And the 42 mm will give you a larger exit pupil, which should be helpful if you are trying to use binoculars while riding on rough roads in a jeep or other safari vehicle or in low light.

Best,
Jim

Perhaps Jim, but:

The Leupolds are 180.00 USD less expensive, nearly 2 inches shorter, and over 4 ounces lighter -- collectively, I'd suggest, a better travel binocular. And razor sharp, I can attest!

Robert / Seattle

[J. Moore]

The Leupolds are 180.00 USD less expensive, nearly 2 inches shorter, and over 4 ounces lighter -- collectively, I'd suggest, a better travel binocular. And razor sharp, I can attest!

They look like a good option for lightweight and compact binoculars. But, though I could be mistaken, I do not believe Leupold is sold in the UK. Also, Eagle Optics has the Katmai 8 x 32 listed as having 15.9 mm of eye relief, which is not especially generous.

Best,
Jim

[ceasar]

The Katmai's also have a narrower FOV than most 8 x 32 Roof Prisms in that price range.
Bob

[Robert / Seattle]

Jim, Bob ...

You both speak the truth. It all comes down, once again, to selecting the features which best correspond to one's personal preferences.

Looks like there's no substitute to a visit to a bins shop for hands on comparisons. But perhaps we've at least given Ambrosian something to look for in those comparisons.

Good cheer,
Robert

[Allan Hobbs]

Ambrosian hi,
when and where are you going on safari?

If you are spending most of your time in vehicles then weight and size won't be much of an issue. I'd suggest looking at the vortex vipers as mentioned by Jim - the reviews are all really positive. You also have several vortex outlets in Devon. I'm also looking at getting some new bins for my wife, and the vipers are high on my list, although there don't seem to be any outlets near us :C

Whatever you decide have a great time, and don't forget to share some pictures with us :t:

Allan

[Swissboy]

The most important thing is that you actually DO have binoculars along with you. And in case you go with your partner, make sure you each have a pair. It's always amazing how people invest lots of money for such trips and then they come without any binoculars, or just one crummy pair for the two or three of them.

Now, there are of course financial constraints even if one can afford such a trip. But I concur with Robert/Seattle that one does not need x42 models for a safari. Particularly so, when weight is at a premium. Leupold Yosemite models are claimed to be waterproof, so there should also be decent protection against dust. But it's clear one should protect them anyway like any other optical tool. I'd suggest 8x30 Yosemites, if cost and weight are really important. Or, for a particularly brilliant view their 6x30 model. Otherwise some of the more expensive types as has been suggested already. You get better views for the money if you go for porros instead of roof models.

As safaris concentrate on mammals, a 6x model would be quite adequate.

PS: Sorry, I did not realize you are from the UK. So Leupold may be a problem. But they could be sent as I have done.

[Allan Hobbs]

The most important thing is that you actually DO have binoculars along with you. And in case you go with your partner, make sure you each have a pair

Agree 100%. Missing out on a good sighting can ruin a days game viewing.

As safaris concentrate on mammals, a 6x model would be quite adequate

Sorry but I disagree with this. I go on safari a lot, and I always use 10x. Having that extra reach can make the difference between good views of eg a leopard in a tree and a smudge of colour in the leaves. If this is going to be a once in a lifetime you want the best views possible, particularly as some of the more interesting animals may not come too close. Oh and you may see a few birds as well :-O

[lucznik]

...and the 42 mm will give you a larger exit pupil, which should be helpful if you are trying to use binoculars while riding on rough roads in a jeep or other safari vehicle...

???

I don't understand this statement. How is a having higher EP going to assist when riding on rough roads?

I don't disagree with the premise that a 40mm+ binocular is the better choice; I just don't understand how they are to assist with anything in your example.

[J. Moore]

???

I don't understand this statement. How is a higher EP going to assist when riding on rough roads?

"When things are jiggling around, however, it can be useful for the exit pupil to be a little larger than the pupil of your eye. If you’re bouncing about in a boat or being buffeted by wind, a binocular with a larger exit pupil helps you keep the binocular positioned where you can see the image. A larger exit pupil can also benefit a person whose hands are unsteady."
From Michael and Diane Porter, "Mid-sized Binoculars and the Aging Eye" (2005), http://www.birdwatching.com/optics/midsizedbins2005_agingeye.html

Best,
Jim

[lucznik]

"When things are jiggling around, however, it can be useful for the exit pupil to be a little larger than the pupil of your eye. If you’re bouncing about in a boat or being buffeted by wind, a binocular with a larger exit pupil helps you keep the binocular positioned where you can see the image. A larger exit pupil can also benefit a person whose hands are unsteady."
From Michael and Diane Porter, "Mid-sized Binoculars and the Aging Eye" (2005), http://www.birdwatching.com/optics/midsizedbins2005_agingeye.html

Best,
Jim

That's an interesting premise. Personal experience from many, many extremely rough Rocky Mountain roads however, teaches that if you want to see something from an off-road vehicle, that vehicle needs to be stopped. Even using binoculars when travelling on a nice, paved road is an exercise in futlility.

I even know a guy (my brother) who got a nasty black eye from having his binoculars up to his eyes, pointlessly trying to see something as we were moving, when we hit a particularly nasty bump. The jarring from the hole we hit caused the vehicle's side window to smack into his binocular forcibly thrusting it into his left eye. To hear the howling was terrible indeed.

Once we figured out that he would survive his wounds we laughed our guts out.

[J. Moore]

That's an interesting premise. Personal experience from many, many extremely rough Rocky Mountain roads however, teaches that if you want to see something from an off-road vehicle, that vehicle needs to be stopped. Even using binoculars when travelling on a nice, paved road is an exercise in futlility.

I even know a guy (my brother) who got a nasty black eye from having his binoculars up to his eyes, pointlessly trying to see something as we were moving, when we hit a particularly nasty bump. The jarring from the hole we hit caused the vehicle's side window to smack into his binocular forcibly thrusting it into his left eye. To hear the howling was terrible indeed.

Once we figured out that he would survive his wounds we laughed our guts out.

I have seen lots of stuff while using binoculars in moving vehicles on all kinds of roads. And frequently identified birds. Best to have rubber cushioned eye cups though. ;-)

Cordially,
Jim

[Robert / Seattle]

... It all comes down, once again, to selecting the features which best correspond to one's personal preferences.

Looks like there's no substitute to a visit to a bins shop for hands on comparisons. But perhaps we've at least given Ambrosian something to look for in those comparisons.

Good cheer,
Robert

Robert,

I quite agree with myself. (Thanks, Robert).

Like I said. Let's not beat this to death with a pair of 10x42's (or would 8x42s work better? Porros?)

Ambrosian, get to a good bin shoppe. Try some stuff. They'll take care of you.

Cheers,
Robert

[ceasar]

There is one more thing to consider. Get your binoculars well before you leave for safari and use them often! You want any problems they may have, especially mechanical ones, to show up while you are home and not in Africa. These problems usually show up early. To that end, you might also consider taking a good, small, inexpensive reverse porro prism like a Nikon 8 x 25 Travelite along with you as a backup. They look like this: http://www.eagleoptics.com/index.asp?pid=96
I like the 9 x 25 better.
Bob

[Robert / Seattle]

There is one more thing to consider. Get your binoculars well before you leave for safari and use them often! You want any problems they may have, especially mechanical ones, to show up while you are home and not in Africa. ... Bob

Yes, absolutely. This is very sound advice.

[Ambrosian]

Thank you everyone for the information.

The weight limit was imposed by a light aircraft transfer from Jo'burg to the Kruger of 10kg, and I'll have about 2kg of camera equipment with me (well after I've pruned the camera bag of unnecessary items), as well as city clothes for the non-safari part of the Honeymoon - so I was looking to keep as light as possible.

For magnification I think I will aim for around 8x40-2, as I can't guarantee how close to the action the drivers of the safari trucks will get, but I certainly hope they stop long enough for me to focus in whether by Binocular or Camera. I hope I'll get a chance to see a few birds as well as the big five. Having been on a 'safari' in Sir Lanka in the past, my experience was it was easier to get closer to the mammals than the birds, most of which appeared reluctant to leave the centre of the lake!!

I'll have to take a look for those vipers, and now I'm looking for two pairs of bins rather than one. At least buying early will give me an excuse to try them out on Exmoor and in the coastal estuaries...

Thanks again, it's much appreciated

[Allan Hobbs]

Hi Ambrosian,
first congratulations on your impending wedding.
You will have a great time in the Kruger - I absolutely love it. Apart from the mammals it is fantastic for birds. Where are you staying and when?

[Fernando np]

Hi Ambrosian,
About the weight limit, usually doesn't take in count what you are wearing. And I disagree with the previous post about the size. One time during safari the car is going to carry yours bins I bet for a bigger glass. In the middle prizes I'd go for a 50mm objetive in seven or ten power. In Southern Africa Parks is always interesting the night. I've spend many happy hours when at first hour of the night thousand of sandgrouses go the the ponds.
By the way, in Jo'burg over the Botanical Gardens there usually had a famous Verreaux Eagle nest.

[Ambrosian]

Thanks Allan,

We're staying just south of the Kruger, in the Sabie Sands reserve along the Sand river. So should be plenty of scope for spotting the odd grey heron, Bateleur, and hooded vultures, even in winter.