For (non-safari) wildlife I use Zeiss Terra ED 8x25 -- compact, decent optics, bright enough from dawn to dusk, and reasonably priced. I carry them in a small pouch attached to one end of my camera bag and barely noticed them. I have larger binos (including some awesome vintage Zeiss 10x42) but grew to hate their relative bulk and weight so they became shelf queens.
Birdfeeders present additional viewing options. If you mount the instrument then IS isn't necessary. Viewing quality and comfort move to the next level, too. With mounting, you can choose a scope and greatly boost the magnification. Finally, you can just install a webcam for point-blank birding.
wordfool wrote:
... I have larger binos (including some awesome vintage Zeiss 10x42) but grew to hate their relative bulk and weight so they became shelf queens.
Hard to avoid the burden where full-sized bins are involved, and especially for those heavy-metal classic models. I picked the Victory FL 7x42 because Zeiss did the unthinkable—made the barrels out of plastic! Result: 750g
A word on purchasing: Many stores will bargain with you. Paying 40% less than MSRP is common. I have a pair of Pentax 8x42 and Zeiss 10x42. I rarely use them if I am lugging a big tele. I had a pair of Canon IS but sold them due to a lack of use. They were a beast. How long you usually hold the binoculars to your eyes is the deciding factor. A quick glance for ID or long, drawn-out observing can go a long way in deciding which focal length is best.
robert_in_ca wrote:
Thank you to everyone for their comments and for sharing their point of view.
Normally I would use my camera but I want to have a pair for when I am not shooting. I actually own a few hectors of land in SA that is open (no fencing) to the Greater Kruger. When I am in town I'll drive out there at sunset and sit and watch animals traverse--there's a pack of wild dogs I see often during sunset as they head back to their den.
I am also going to look at some 8x30 - which although are not going to be a bright as x42 - but they are a tad bit smaller but they are a lot lighter.
R_o_l_o wrote:
No brainer, save the $350 and get the Swarovski
I retuned the Noctivids as I was able to get a brand new pair of Swarovski 8.5x42 EL from B&H that were on sale. It ended up being $400 less than the Leica demos. I will say the Nocts are built a little nicer buy not enough to justify the extra cost over the Swarovski.
I also picked up a pair of Swarovski 8x30 CL - which I am really impressed with.
Since I just got the EL and CL today, I still need to test them out to see which ones I will keep.
robert_in_ca wrote:
I retuned the Noctivids as I was able to get a brand new pair of Swarovski 8.5x42 EL from B&H that were on sale. It ended up being $400 less than the Leica demos. I will say the Nocts are built a little nicer buy not enough to justify the extra cost over the Swarovski.
I also picked up a pair of Swarovski 8x30 CL - which I am really impressed with.
Since I just got the EL and CL today, I still need to test them out to see which ones I will keep.
I would consider the lighting conditions. In low light the EL will be considerably brighter with an exit pupil of 5mm as opposed to the CL's 3.75mm. The darker the lighting gets like in predawn or dusk, the view in the EL will be considerably brighter.
I knew the EL would be brighter, but after trying both at sunset, they were way brighter than I expected. I’m going to head out again tomorrow morning just before sunrise and give them both another go. Right now, I’m leaning toward the EL
R_o_l_o wrote:
I would consider the lighting conditions. In low light the EL will be considerably brighter with an exit pupil of 5mm as opposed to the CL's 3.75mm. The darker the lighting gets like in predawn or dusk, the view in the EL will be considerably brighter.
Late to the game here. But I have a pair of Vortex Diamondbacks 10x42's. For the money they suit me well. And one thing to look for buying binoculars. Close focusing distance. Not a big deal on a safari. But could come in handy at some point. My Vortex's are about 5' give or take. My old Bushnell's are closer to 20'!
I'm a birder and I use Eagle Optics 8x42 and 10x42. Vortex bought Eagle Optics a number of years ago and offer the same warranties and service, which is outstanding. I've used it several times over the years, as has my birding pal. My birding mentor used Eagle Optics and had Swarovski as well. Her comment was that the only significant difference was in low light situations. Then the Swaros performed better. Since I'm not in low level situations frequently, the Eagle Optics/Vortex suit me fine. I'd rather spend my money on travels.
Some relatives visited a few years ago, they are big birders and I compared their Swarovski to a pair of Nikon aculon 7x35 and somewhat to the vintage 7x50's i use . The Swarovskis are better than 7x35 aculon but probably not enough so that I'd want to babysit a pair of $2k binoculars. The vintage 7x50's might be at least as sharp vs compact, fairly recent (8x32?) Swarovski
I think the Nikon roof prism Monarch etc are probably good, looked through a pair in the store, but IIRC I've read most binoculars are made in a town or 2 in China (doesn't mean they are poor quality.) Not sure if Nikon makes theirs anymore or at least not the sub $500 ones. I think most are made in China these days then they put a company name on them, probably nothing new, used to be made in Japan
I use old 7x50's, haven't found a bad pair yet. Picked up a pair of 1980's or so Nikon 7x20, managed to get them collimated well enough, very compact and nice view. The 7x50's are theoretically better in low light but how wide are your pupils opening anyway
These days, isn’t a heat seeker handier? Admittedly, I have no clue, nor a heat seeker or a good set of binoculars.
And my kids went to school with the daughter of a (the?) Swarovski heiress and the latter was so annoying at school events, I’d never buy their products anyway.
AmbientMike wrote:
Some relatives visited a few years ago, they are big birders and I compared their Swarovski to a pair of Nikon aculon 7x35 and somewhat to the vintage 7x50's i use . The Swarovskis are better than 7x35 aculon but probably not enough so that I'd want to babysit a pair of $2k binoculars. The vintage 7x50's might be at least as sharp vs compact, fairly recent (8x32?) Swarovski
I think the Nikon roof prism Monarch etc are probably good, looked through a pair in the store, but IIRC I've read most binoculars are made in a town or 2 in China (doesn't mean they are poor quality.) Not sure if Nikon makes theirs anymore or at least not the sub $500 ones. I think most are made in China these days then they put a company name on them, probably nothing new, used to be made in Japan
I use old 7x50's, haven't found a bad pair yet. Picked up a pair of 1980's or so Nikon 7x20, managed to get them collimated well enough, very compact and nice view. The 7x50's are theoretically better in low light but how wide are your pupils opening anyway ...Show more →
Nikon Monarch HG's are still made in Japan... rest of the Nikon line of binos are made in China.
