Recommendations on binoculars for animal watching on safari

[Javavirtualenv]

Hello everyone,


I know this is a hunting forum and might not be the best place to post this, but hunting and animal watching seem to have similar requirements: scanning large areas quickly under varying lighting conditions, then zooming in on a specific animal once you spot one.


I'm looking at 12x–16x binoculars and want electronic image stabilization. I've used a Kite Optics stabilized pair and they seemed pretty good — but if anyone knows more about stabilizers, I'd welcome a reality check on whether they're actually necessary at these magnifications.


Any budget options that are good bang for the buck?


Thanks in advance!

 

[Ucsdryder]

Hello everyone,


I know this is a hunting forum and might not be the best place to post this, but hunting and animal watching seem to have similar requirements: scanning large areas quickly under varying lighting conditions, then zooming in on a specific animal once you spot one.


I'm looking at 12x–16x binoculars and want electronic image stabilization. I've used a Kite Optics stabilized pair and they seemed pretty good — but if anyone knows more about stabilizers, I'd welcome a reality check on whether they're actually necessary at these magnifications.


Any budget options that are good bang for the buck?


Thanks in advance!

https://www.sierra.com/vortex-optics-diamondback-hd-binoculars-12x50-mm-refurbished~p~10f1m/?filterString=s~vortex%2F&merch=prod-rec-prod-prod10F1M

Have fun!

 

[Javavirtualenv]

thank you so much for the recommendation, do electrical stabilizers matter? Would it be very unstable?

 

[Javavirtualenv]

and also personally would you consider weight to be a big factor, im so new to these kind of stuff i have no idea, so sorry if the questions are a bit dumb

 

[hand skills]

I think you are on the right path with stabilization.

For me, handheld, the image gets shaky over about 10x, and stabilization can be really helpful.

That being said, there are some tradeoffs - I personally favor 8x32 and 8x42 binos because they are smaller, lighter, better in low light. I'll take higher quality glass over higher magnification just about every time, but I still hVe pretty good eyes.

I have a fujinon TS1440 that I tried to love, but it was so large it was always in my backpack. It's at its best daytime in a boat or a vehicle.

If i were to buy again today it would peobably be Canon IS 15x50

 

[RockAndSage]

Hello everyone,


I know this is a hunting forum and might not be the best place to post this, but hunting and animal watching seem to have similar requirements: scanning large areas quickly under varying lighting conditions, then zooming in on a specific animal once you spot one.


I'm looking at 12x–16x binoculars and want electronic image stabilization. I've used a Kite Optics stabilized pair and they seemed pretty good — but if anyone knows more about stabilizers, I'd welcome a reality check on whether they're actually necessary at these magnifications.


Any budget options that are good bang for the buck?


Thanks in advance!

You might look into Sig Sauer's Zulu6 line, they have them up to 18x, if I remember correctly.

There's a balance between magnification, field-of-view, and stability in using binoculars unsupported. In traditional optics, it becomes increasingly difficult and unenjoyable to use binoculars above 10x in just using your hands. Most of us using 12x or higher really only use them on a tripod - if you don't, things are just so shaky that it gets harder to spot an animal, and to stay on that animal. That quickly leads to eye fatigue and just an unpleasant experience.

The one exception to this are Swarovski's NL Pure line. They allow one step up in usability - their 10s feel more like 8x in terms of steadiness off-hand, and their 12x's feel more like 10s.

The advantage of the electro-stabilized optics becomes really obvious with high-powered ones off-hand, and in using them from moving platforms, like boats and cars.

 

[Muleyman8810]

+1 for the Sig Zulu’s


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Javavirtualenv]

You might look into Sig Sauer's Zulu6 line, they have them up to 18x, if I remember correctly.

There's a balance between magnification, field-of-view, and stability in using binoculars unsupported. In traditional optics, it becomes increasingly difficult and unenjoyable to use binoculars above 10x in just using your hands. Most of us using 12x or higher really only use them on a tripod - if you don't, things are just so shaky that it gets harder to spot an animal, and to stay on that animal. That quickly leads to eye fatigue and just an unpleasant experience.

The one exception to this are Swarovski's NL Pure line. They allow one step up in usability - their 10s feel more like 8x in terms of steadiness off-hand, and their 12x's feel more like 10s.

The advantage of the electro-stabilized optics becomes really obvious with high-powered ones off-hand, and in using them from moving platforms, like boats and cars.

thanks

 

[Mac308]

Big, over X'd binoculars on safari are a mistake.

An image stabilized 12 or 16x sounds amazing "on paper" sitting in front of a computer, but will be a hindrance to your experience.

The binoculars you want to carry and have with you at all times are the binoculars you will use - that means smaller and less weight.

Get a quality 8x25 (Leica/Swarovski/Zeiss), or at the most an 8x32 and forget the bulky, heavy over-X'd nonsense.

African safari wildlife viewing is done close up...

 

[Jpsmith1]

Hello everyone,


I know this is a hunting forum and might not be the best place to post this, but hunting and animal watching seem to have similar requirements: scanning large areas quickly under varying lighting conditions, then zooming in on a specific animal once you spot one.


I'm looking at 12x–16x binoculars and want electronic image stabilization. I've used a Kite Optics stabilized pair and they seemed pretty good — but if anyone knows more about stabilizers, I'd welcome a reality check on whether they're actually necessary at these magnifications.


Any budget options that are good bang for the buck?


Thanks in advance!

In my experience, hand holding binos gets difficult at 10x or higher power. I get a lot clearer images out of my 10s on a tripod than I can even approach hand held using every field stabilizing technique I've learned.

I tried IS binos once at a 3D shoot and I would LOVE a pair, I'm just not sure I can justify the price for my use case

 

[Javavirtualenv]

the Swarovski are so much more expensive then all the other brands, is the name worth it?

 

[Javavirtualenv]

In my experience, hand holding binos gets difficult at 10x or higher power. I get a lot clearer images out of my 10s on a tripod than I can even approach hand held using every field stabilizing technique I've learned.

I tried IS binos once at a 3D shoot and I would LOVE a pair, I'm just not sure I can justify the price for my use case

i see, if that's the case i would rather have stabilization rather than bring tripods then

 

[C.F.]

Never been on a sight seeing Safari, I’ve been to South Africa hunting. I didn’t have stabilized binos at the time… but now that I do, I believe they would work great. Zulu 6, In 12x,14x or 16x, you decide. I’ve got the 16x but they might be a touch over kill for you. I think the 14’s. You’ll be able to use them while the vehicle is in motion.