Binos for Africa

[JimP]

If you are young and do a lot of hunting both here in the US and Africa then buy once cry once. Get the best that you can afford, I was in my mid 60's before I purchased my first pair of Swaro's.

As for the rangefinder in the binoculars, I believe that if you are young enough where you are going to make a lot of good use of it then it makes sense. In February on my javelina hunt in Arizona a friend was talking about getting a new pair of binoculars with the range finder, I asked him just how much he would use it now that his will be 72 this year. He said that he'll just keep on using the separate range finder on his hunts.

Together we had a couple of long talks on just how much longer we'll be able to hunt elk and mule deer here in Colorado plus our hunts each year down in Arizona. We came to the conclusion that we are getting close to that downward spiral.

 

[Longwalker]

Moody, you have received lots of good advice already. My personal favourite that has served me well on my last three safaris is the Swarovski CL companion 8x30. Easy to use one handed, clear image and not too powerful. Good value for the money. I changed out the carry strap for a longer one that goes over one shoulder and across my chest. It’s easy to swing out of the way and doesn’t get in the way while doing a crouching stalk. I prefer 8x to 10x for any forest area hunts.

 

[Moody808]

The best bang for your money is the Zeiss SFL 8x30 or 10x30. Both tip the scales at 16 ounces. Stepping up in image quality ever so slightly is the SF series but you will spend almost twice the money for about a 2-3% increase in color fidelity. Resolution is going to be the same. The SFL is a phenomenal binocular series. If you are not in a mad rush to purchase something in the next ten days wait till April 10th and Zeiss will be announcing a groundbreaking series of binoculars.

EJ

Not in a rush at all, thanks for the heads up. Looking forward to seeing what they come up with.

 

[chase0109]

I’m amazed only 1 person has mentioned the Sig Zulu 6 in this thread. Specifically the 10x30.

Sig Sauer ZULU6 HDX OIS Binoculars

SIG SAUER ELECTRO-OPTICS’ ZULU6 HDX binoculars create a groundbreaking new paradigm in hand-held glassing solutions, utilizing SIG SAUER’S proprietary OIS™ Optical Image Stabilization technology and HDX lenses that deliver a full-resolution image without a tripod. OIS Scan Mode delivers the...

www.marsupialgear.com

If you haven’t looked at image stabilized binos yet, you really should before you make any purchase.

Absolute game changer for me and I wouldn’t trade them for any other glass. 10x30 with image stabilization is amazing! You can 1 hand hold with ease. Smaller than 42 which is nice on a chest pack.

I have other brands and also RF binos. I’d rather carry my Zulu 6 and a separate rangefinder than give up the image stabilization. If Sig creates a Bino with the image stabilization and rangefinder all in one, I’ll sell all my other glass and invest in nothing but them lol.

I’m considering selling my other 8’s and 10’s and replacing them with more pairs of Zulu 6’s.

Chase

 

[Moody808]

I’m amazed only 1 person has mentioned the Sig Zulu 6 in this thread. Specifically the 10x30.

Sig Sauer ZULU6 HDX OIS Binoculars

SIG SAUER ELECTRO-OPTICS’ ZULU6 HDX binoculars create a groundbreaking new paradigm in hand-held glassing solutions, utilizing SIG SAUER’S proprietary OIS™ Optical Image Stabilization technology and HDX lenses that deliver a full-resolution image without a tripod. OIS Scan Mode delivers the...

www.marsupialgear.com

If you haven’t looked at image stabilized binos yet, you really should before you make any purchase.

Absolute game changer for me and I wouldn’t trade them for any other glass. 10x30 with image stabilization is amazing! You can 1 hand hold with ease. Smaller than 42 which is nice on a chest pack.

I have other brands and also RF binos. I’d rather carry my Zulu 6 and a separate rangefinder than give up the image stabilization. If Sig creates a Bino with the image stabilization and rangefinder all in one, I’ll sell all my other glass and invest in nothing but them lol.

I’m considering selling my other 8’s and 10’s and replacing them with more pairs of Zulu 6’s.

Chase

My concern with sigs and electronics is always their warranty.

 

[M70375!]

I have a pair of 10x25 Swarovski for sale if you're interested $400

 

[Moody808]

I have a pair of 10x25 Swarovski for sale if you're interested $400

Please PM me some details and photos. Thanks!

 

[SETH RINGER]

MY HANDS SHAKE A BIT, COULD BE ALCOHOL BUT PROBABLY ESSENTIAL TREMORS PASSED DOWN FROM GRANDPA, SO I LIKE 8X. GOT A SWARVO EL (WHO AMONGST US DOESNT?) BUT USED STEINER PREDATORS FOR A LONG TIME BEFORE I BOUGHT THE EL'S AND THEY DID JUST FINE.

 

[dchamp]

This is my take on binoculars for a Safari in Africa. Disclaimer, I have only been to Africa twice and both times in Namibia, in the month of June.

First, you don’t need them, Your PH will spot and range game so why add extra stuff. But if you want them, then I think the better way to approch this endeavor is to go small and light. Keep it simple. I keep a pair of Zeiss Terra 8x25 and 10x25 in my truck. They are small, light weight and clear. To my way of thinking they are perfect for spoting game at the distances you will most likely to encounter on sunny days in the bush. Oh, and they are reasonably inexpensive.

 

[Troubleshooter]

… if buying new today I would get a pair with built-in range finder.

Agreed; whether you go with the 8x or the 10x42, spend the extra money on one with an integral rangefinder. You will find it useful in a variety of situations, and not just on African safari. On two safaris, I've shot (or shot at) ~15 or so animals. Some were hurried shots and others we had more time to assess the animal. The PH called out the range on exactly two of those occasions.

And obviously when hunting solo in your own area, it is useful to have the rangefinder.

After looking at Leica, Swarovski, and Zeiss I eventually bought the Leica. But that was the result of both personal preference and I was able to buy them at a really good price.

 

[Nhoro]

I know there is an element of trolling in what I say but also a huge truth. If I were to take the percentages and vast improvements in light transmission and clarity in the bino threads at face value, swarovski would have 150 % light transmission and x-ray vision. Those binos generate light like a light bulb !

 

[Tanks]

After looking at Leica, Swarovski, and Zeiss I eventually bought the Leica. But that was the result of both personal preference and I was able to buy them at a really good price.

Yep, I invested in Leica Geovid Pro 10x32 a few years ago. No regrets.

Leica Geovid Pro 10 x 32

The Leica Geovid Pro 10 x 32 is a genuine benchmark. Designed for hunting in the mountains, bow hunting or hunting in open field where the extra magnification is needed for identification.

leicacamerausa.com

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

Africa can be hot and the bush can get thick. The last thing you need is a heavy pair of binos around your neck, clunking around and getting in the way. Even a 'light' pair soon gets weighty. Furthermore, generally this is not long range territory, you will be looking at a buff at 50 metres and what you want to see is the hardness and shape of his boss, not the ticks on his hide.
For me the less clutter and weight the better, and that means nothing around my neck and nothing on my belt. The Swarovski CL 7x 20's in the right hand cargo pouch, my opinel No7 carbone in the left hand one and bullets in the shirt loops above the breast pocket.
These little Swarovskis are good beyond belief, I wouldn't change for anything.

 

[Russ16]

For the $, I would take SLC over EL any day. I have helped several forum members here upgrade into SLC and with no regrets. It's a game changer.

Why the preference for the SLC?

 

[Green Chile]

The SLC changed the optics game for hunters and many pros switched over to them. I don't think the EL has been the paradigm shift that the SLC was. If buying now, the used SLC gives tremendous value and the new EL is priced at the top end. I'm not saying the SLC is better than the EL but it is a much better value. In the field, the differences are minimal or inconsequential to a hunter, so don't feel like you have to get the new glass. With either one, you have an incredible optic. I have owned both and made sure when they sold that they went to good friends who will enjoy and use them regularly.

 

[Flipper Dude]

Whatever my PH is using. Mine stay on the high rack. Works for me.

 

[Brandon.Gleason]

I've been very happy with a pair of Swarovski 8x32 EL's on my three hunts in Africa so far. When I'm sitting in a deer stand in the US, I do wish I had a little more magnification. I keep saying I'm going to pick up a pair of 10x42's, but haven't bitten the bullet yet.

 

[Tom Leoni]

Being in the industry, I have access to discounted optics of all kinds. Disclaimer: when it comes to cameras and optics I've always been a sucker for that red dot, so I tend to gravitate towards Leica. In my arsenal, have a pair of Trinovid 10x42s with elasticated harness and an older pair of 10x25s, with a paracord lanyard.

Reality check: with a PH and at least one tracker 1) each having his own binos/rangefinder and 2) knowing the terrain and the animals like the back of their hands, my need for a pair of binoculars is much more limited than (say) here in the US while hunting solo. Sure, I haven't been in too many diverse African hunting situations and conditions, but I would wager that this is true for the majority of sport hunters (i.e., clients) here.

Thus, I've found that that pair of compact 10x25s tucked in my jacket's breast pocket with the lanyard around my neck gives me the clarity of vision I will ever need for that type of hunting, plus the convenience and ease of movement (especially in heavy acacia brush) that I require for situations where I sometimes have to move and act quickly. Not once have I ever found the need for anything bigger, and the question of "how far?" is literally preempted by the PH or the tracker--which negates any requirement of my lugging my own binos/rangefinder combo.

I'm fully with @Kevin Peacocke on this one.

 

[JimP]

On power you just need to ask yourself where am I going to be using them 95% of the time?

If 8x will work for you here in the US then purchase some 8x. If your hunting here in the US requires or if 10x will be better then get the 10x.

Unless you want to make multiple binocular purchases get the ones that you will use the most. For me it is 10x. I have no problem holding them steady and even in quite bushy areas I have found that they work just fine. But a 8x just won't handle it where I hunt here in the Rocky Mountains.

 

[NDWoods]

Only been to Africa once but I hunt a lot and have had different experiences. In Africa glassing for game at elevation looking for game I found some animals before the PH and tracker. It was vast. No way I am leaning up against a truck watching them glass. I have found goats in Hawaii, Nilgai in South Texas, and Pronghorn in the panhandle all before the guide simply because we were looking over large areas and additional eyes of an experienced hunter behind glass are going to find animals. That is my experience and no way I am going anywhere without good glass.

If I was only hunting dangerous game and only well after daylight and well before sundown, I might take compacts but to this day I have never hunted like that. I have always hunted dark to dark so compacts are out for me. That magical first 30 and last 30 minutes are where the best you can get in glass and a larger objective shine.

If hunting game over 100 yds, I do not ever want to rely on range estimates in an area I am not familiar with. I will always hunt with binos with a built in rangefinder.

I took Zeiss Victory 10x42 rangefinding binos to Africa and was very impressed with them. The PH was very impressed with them. There were shots I took on plainsgame I would not have taken without the rangefinder. Before those I was using Vortex Fury HD 10x42. Both are good with Zeiss noticeable better in image quality and brightness.