Binos for Africa

[Happy Myles]

I don’t think there are any poor binos anymore. It depends on how much you are willing to spend. I prefer Swarovski 10 by 42s. Here is a hint, check with your local bird watching club they are all binoculars fanatics. They will know which are currently the best.

 

[Moody808]

I always felt one should go to a big box store (Cabelas).
- Pick each pair up and look through them and focus them.
- Put them down.
- Pick them up once again and look. If you don't feel your eyes strain to focus you are off to a good start.
- If your eyes strain when the binos are focused, they're not for you/me.
- From there Size, Weight, Features and Price are a personal decision.

Yes, I think that’s a great suggestion. Will try and do that today. Currently in Las Vegas, if anyone knows some good optic stores feel free to recommend. I’ve already got the local Bass Pro Shops and Go Hunt on my list.

 

[ftrovato]

Yes, I think that’s a great suggestion. Will try and do that today. Currently in Las Vegas, if anyone knows some good optic stores feel free to recommend. I’ve already got the local Bass Pro Shops and Go Hunt on my list.

I bought my Zeiss Victory 8x32 24 years ago like that.

Best purchase I've ever made! Many many many hours looking through them and see no reason to trade up still today cuz they work for my eyes.

Have fun shopping!

 

[FlyGuy]

No matter which brand you decide to go for….
8x32 or 8x42 is the answer

 

[NIGHTHAWK]

I use these and love them:

I had similar Leica before these Zeiss. Like the Zeiss better…

Zeiss Victory RF work great with the DOPE I use for my rifles and Nightforce Zero stops scopes…

 

[ftrovato]

Pre retirement I spent most of my time working on a computer. With that my eyes just always seemed tired and strained.

However, when I picked up the Zeiss Victory it was and is like there is no glass between me and the image.

I guess this is what we should all hope for if we are going to glass all day for days on end when hunting...

I think mine actually are the 8x42 (not 32)

 

[JimP]

What it is going to come down to is get some that you will use here in the US, and not just in Africa. You'll be hunting in Africa for a maximum of 2 weeks, unless you really want to hunt there. But you'll be hunting here in the US a lot more than just 2 weeks.

 

[uplander01]

Any of the big 3 German brands 8x30s, all you need and there is a noticeable difference carrying 10x40 vs 8x32. You will be looking at stuff at a much closer distance than say hunting in the western mountains

 

[Beck]

Try these:

Meopta MeoPro Air 10x42 HDED+ Binoculars 1032370 For Sale | SHIPS FREE - EuroOptic

FREE SHIPPING on Meopta MeoPro Air 10x42 HDED+ Binoculars 1032370

www.eurooptic.com

 

[WAB]

8x30 or 8x32 are more than enough for most African safari applications. I love my Swaro EL’s…they are super light, clear & I like to hold them one handed in between the bridge for quick glassing. Every ounce adds up on long stalks, lighter is better.

Agreed. I used Steiner’s until a kind soul on here offered 8x32 SLC’s at a price that couldn’t be passed up. I really like the Swarovski SLC line. I have 8x32, 10x40 and 15x56. I’m one of those who has better luck with the SLC’s than the EL’s, however they are both excellent.

 

[Green Chile]

As has been said by several experienced hunters, 8x30's are great for Africa. Most of Africa is not glassing intensive like Coues deer hunting. I would suggest getting the best pair you can and if you can't "afford" binos that are over 1k, then you should sell one of your guns and invest in optics. Binos, boots and bullets are 3 things that should not be cheap and I wish someone had explained that to me in the beginning of my hunting. I could discuss that for many pages but I will move on.

The trackers will see most of the game (without binos) before you are aware of it...it's just the way it is. In fact, if you want to set a high goal, see how many you find before they do. I get a few each hunt but not anywhere over half! 8x30s are easily slung under the armpit and out of the way but into use quickly. To each his own but if hunting DG, I don't want rifle slings or bino chest carriers. It's a lot of junk in the way.

 

[Green Chile]

Agreed. I used Steiner’s until a kind soul on here offered 8x32 SLC’s at a price that couldn’t be passed up. I really like the Swarovski SLC line. I have 8x32, 10x40 and 15x56. I’m one of those who has better luck with the SLC’s than the EL’s, however they are both excellent.

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.

 

[Wiley64]

I think hunting really thick brush, you can’t do better than 8 x 30. All binoculars are easy as long at is European you can’t really go wrong here. If you want the best, it’s undoubtedly Swarovski… Rangefinding only needed if you plan on doing a bunch of other hunts. I would also highly recommend a rick young Bino sling for whatever you end up with.

 

[Safari Dave]

I go with Zeiss 8x32's

Great distance, like the American West, is hardly ever in play in Africa.

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

I will be in the Timbavati and Klaserie areas in South Africa, My understanding is that it's a huge area.

I’ve used my Swaro 8x30’s in the Klaserie without ever feeling under powered

 

[375Fox]

I’m not familiar with the area you will be hunting but, in the bush, 8x30 were more than enough for me. I’ve got maven b3 and they are great at their price point with Japan glass. Very light and compact.

Hunting western US where I spend hours glassing vast country, I use swaro 10x42.

I’m also a fan of Mavens. I like the B3 10x30s. They do everything I want for most African hunting. Also the only Binoculars I know of made in US. Mountain hunting in Spain though it was clear the Swarovski’s have better glass but also cost 4x the price.

I should add the only place in Africa I’ve ever carried binoculars outside the truck was eastern cape. Everywhere else your job is just to get on the sticks and be ready. Binoculars are just unnecessary weight and something to get caught in brush.

 

[Javaman]

Swaro EL 10x42… if buying new today I would get a pair with built-in range finder. No matter the model or power, IMHO there is no better glass than Swaro. YMMV. One other thing is to ditch the Kuiu or similar bino pouch we use here in NA and that have become a bit of the fashion. Very loud on a stalk taking binos in and out plus clunky and cumbersome. Opt instead for the Rick Young bino harness that a lot of the PH’s now use:

Amazon.com

 

[FlyGuy]

I will be in the Timbavati and Klaserie areas in South Africa, My understanding is that it's a huge area.

Timbavati and Klaserie are huge areas indeed, but it's bushveld.
Shooting and observation distances are close.

The old saying of "buy once, cry once" is very valid when it comes to purchasing binoculars. A high quality 8x42 or 10x42 will stand you in good stead for many years to come. As we get older, we start to shake a little more, and our eyes don't work as well as they used to, so this needs to be considered when buying an optic that you'll use for next 20 years.
The only advantage that a 10x42 has over an 8x42, is slightly higher magnification.
ALL the other important advantages go to the 8x42.
Better Stability, Better Field of View, Better Depth of Field, Higher Light Transmission, Lighter Weight.

It doesn't help having the extra magnification, when you can't keep the bino still enough to judge if the kudu across the valley is 52" or 56", or to see how many points that bull elk has.

I've literally spent months behind a binocular, and you won't find a 10x anything in my house.

 

[Trogon]

Just finished a cull hunt in the Northern Cape, ZA and used Zeiss Victory T*FL 8x 32. These binos have also been to the Eastern Cape a couple times. I like their weight and not a bother with the Rick Young harness. Maybe not the best for long distance but seems like the PH typically has 10x42. These are my primary birding binos all spring so they do double duty on hunting trips.

 

[Bandera]

I use a pair Steiner Predator 10X42. Had them for years and they work.
I also use a harness with my binos. I hate it when gear is flopping and rattling around.