Which binoculars to get?

[Toadflax]

My daughter will be working on a monkey sanctuary in South Africa in a couple of months time and they get to go out into the Kruger National Park for a couple of days. She wants to get a relatively cheap, relatively light, pair of binoculars. I know that you get what you pay for, but she can't afford too much (I'd say less than £50) and she can't be taking anything too heavy (flight weight restrictions).

We don't really have any idea what to get, so any thoughts or suggestions for particular models and mag x diameter for African game observation?

Thanks



Geoff

 

[xavierdoc]

That's tricky. I'd go for second hand at that pricerange. Check for fogging, fungus and smooth operation of focus wheel/dioptre adjust.

I wouldn't go above 8x magnification -anything more when handheld and what you gain in mag, you lose in wobble.

Your choice of objective will be limited by the size and weight restriction. I like 40-42mm in 8xmag, but these are not pocketable! Bear in my the game drives are often dawn and dusk, so a good exit pupil/twilight factor will be beneficial. So bigger diam obj. and less mag, is more.

Phone around a few optics shops and ask if they have had anything decent in on trade-in, or scour small adds and flea bay. Problem is, without trying them, you'll not know if they're any good.

I was a poor student on an elective placement when I went on safari and I think I just took a good camera and telephoto lens. Don't remember using the binos. If she wants to take pics, the telephoto lens would be a better bet than the binos in terms of investment/payoff.

If her experience is like mine was, she won't need the bins!

 

[gaz_miggy]

hello the only thing i could say is just try diffrent ones and see with works bestfor yu and your eyes

 

[Barn Owl]

For about double that price,Nikon do an 8x36 c. £89 (rrp £199) from warehousexpress.com(no connection).
Nikon also do 'Travelite' compact bins' that are very good.Price c. £100.

Any rspb shops nearby?
You can try out a good number of models there,iirc 'Viking' do a compact 8x25 that aren't bad at all.

There are a lot of dealers who'll have good 2nd hand offers on the go.
Buy a copy of 'Birdwatch' or 'Birdwatching' magazines, they carry ads for good dealers and if you call any i'm sure they'll impart really good advice.

I deal with 2 companies who are great and know their stuff.

Also check www.birdforum.net for a lot of info on all optics,at all prices.

Tom.