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1: definitely get one pair for each person. This will save many arguments!

2: the binocular specs you quote might be OK BUT they do sound very cheap. If this is a one off never to be repeated trip, and spending a bit more is not appropriate, can you borrow some from friends? Bad quality bins (and there are plenty) are worse than useless, and you will probably see more with the naked eye!

If not, look for something for £50 upwards as a rough guide, try them out - then see if you can get something back on e-bay!

Richard

Hi graham
Binocs discussion on the forum
You mind find some answers here

As RH says the most important thing is a pair each.
Binos enhance some sightings, particularly birds, but won't help with the lions lying on the road! I have never felt disadvantaged with my modestly priced 10x25s.

Graham, I've sent you a PM about a UK supplier.

I wouldn't count on it.

I found that after I came back after my first SA visit I started taking more notice of the natural world around me. It's amazing what is out there, even in surburbia. Once you start noticing it you're going to want to take a closer look. We always have the binoculars with us now.

So my advice is to get the best you can afford.

I agree with Saraf.
Also, once you have them, they are useful for so many different things, such as sporting events.

I am not sure what makes you have available. We have Bushnell as the major medium priced stockist here. I'm afraid to say that I have been underwhelmed by the quality.
I have a pair of Kenko, which were extremely well priced and I do think they are the best value for money I have come across.

It was no surprise to me to find out that Kenko was in the lens business and is possibly best know for their protective lens covers.
Unfortunately their binos are no longer available in most of our stores.

Absolutely agree with you Richard....Graham dont get anything x25 for Africa. They maybe small and convenient (Put in your shirt pocket) and cheaper than the larger sized ones but a 10 x25 even Zeiss , Leica and Swarovski (Ultra Premium European German/Austrian made and v Expensive) are extremely dark and hard to view through WHEN compared to the recognised birding/wild life binos of 8x32, 8x42, 10 x 40 and 10 x 50 versions. Look at Bushnell and that price range as starters. I cut my teeth on a pair of captured German WWII Zeiss military binos and have been with that brand ever since. Currently use the ultra bright and clear 8 x 42 FL Victory which may seem over the top price wise but you may not be a down and out bushwhacka like me and a cheaper brand in the same configuration would suffice. My Binos never leave me when I'm out there. In Addo for example I have them on my dashboard every week and use them to locate/track/interpret/identify a whole lot of stuff all the time...they are part of me and I wouldnt be without them

If this is your first safari, I would forget the binocs and just enjoy what you see with the naked eye
If your camera has a decent zoom you may get a closer look with that, just enjoy the atmosphere, relax and have a great trip.

The second number is the field of vision. Ie. if you look at a distant point a larger number will see a wider angle. 7x50s are great for sporting activities like horse racing, where you want to be able to see a few horses. With game spotting chances are you know where the game is but you want a closer view. So a smaller number will probably do. The higher magnification is great as long as you can hold it steady. I find x10 too shaky so I opt for x8. I normally carry a big video camera around with me, so I don't want anything too heavy. I have a pair of Tasco 8x21 pocket binoculars, quite cheap but fine for what I want.

I would say binoculars are an important part of your travel kit but what Freda said is true. I was once sat on the verandah having a sundowner. A toad hopped across the path in front of me so I grabbed my camera and zoomed in on him. There was a sudden commotion in the viewfinder. When I looked up, I saw that a night adder had taken the toad out. If I had been using my eyes I would have seen so much more. I do have some good video on how not to put a night adder in a bucket using a garden rake.

An alternative might be a monocular. They take a bit of getting used to because the trick is to keep the other eye open. That way you spot any activity that is outside of the field of view.

You could always check out
Ebay for a bargain.

Hi Graham

You are correct. The first number is indeed magnification and the second the size of the front lens, which influences the amount of light that is gathered.

But do not think that size is the most important factor when getting a binocular!

I would recommend a good 10 x 25 if you are going to do ordinary game viewing

Do not go larger than 10x magnification! It causes your image to distort as it magnifies your own movement when holding the binocular. And it is really not needed when doing the usual game viewing or even some birding. Do not go smaller than 8x.

A large "second number" helps when viewing stars, etc. 25 is more than adequate when viewing game. Bigger is of course an added advantage, especially with birds, but is really not critical. 50 is nice for stars.

There are other factors to take in to account:

If you are going to do some birding it is important that your binocular is able to focus quite near to you. You might be standing beneath a tree, wanting to watch a small bird which is quite close to you. This is where many binos fail. Many can only focus rather far away from you, and are of no use close up.

The physical size and weight of a binocular is also important. Since the top notch light weight wonders are not on your agenda, do not go for a big one which will be heavy.

The most important factor is however quality! That is not indicated on the bino! Junk binos may look the part but they do not give a clear image, and will often lead to sore eyes, headaches, etc. I would rather buy one good quality binocular than two junk ones!!! Yes, the expensive ones are grand and wonderful, but you get good quality binos at reasonable prices. Makes such as Nikon and Pentax gives good quality without the ridiculous prices.

I would suggest that you shop around, and not just buy the first you find. If you must, come buy a good quality one in SA. All the shops in the parks do stock binos, though they might be a little more expensive than in our ordinary shops.

If you are considering buying a bino, take it out of the box and have a good long look through it. Is the image clear? How close up can you focus? Does your eyes feel funny / sore after looking through them for a while? Quality is more important than sheer size!

Hope this helps! Enjoy your trip and your new binoculars!

I disagree entirely that 10x25 is ideal...they are darker than a coal mine at midnight...because to get the exit pupil (that little circle of light that you see when you look through binos held away from your eye) you divide the magnification into the objective and in this case 10 into 25 you get 2.5mm The human pupil at twilight grows to 7mm in a young person and for an old toppie like me in his fifties my pupil will grow to 5mm as my eye muscles are tired. so at 2.5 mm you get hardly any light in and sure you can improve on the brightness by getting Leicas or similar but you will pay Pounds 1000 plus = madness.
Take my binos (8x42 ) divide 8 into 42 and you get 5.2mm exit pupil and with my pupil at 5mm at dusk i am getting all the light possible in so I see better regardless that they are Zeiss. My advice buy right now and you wont have to ever replace/upgrade again. My Grand children will inherit mine (I havent got any yet but I am just making a point)

Those little x 25 binos are opera glasses at best and thats what they were designed for. Speak to any section Ranger/Scientist-zoologist/Birdwatcher/Ecotourist/hunter and you will see x32 ,x42, and x50 binos literally 100% of the time...surely that tells you something by looking what the experts use and what they need in their line of work. All the brochures/websites for Manufacturers like Zeiss/Swarovski/Leica/Steiner/Bausch & Lomb/Leupold etc the top makers in the world never ever refer to x25's as Nature binos

And speak to a professional wildlife filmmaker and the lens on his camera costs more than a luxury car. It's horses for courses.

Graham has said that he cannot justify spending a lot of money and IMHO his party will get more satisfaction from being able to all look at a distant LIT through budget 10x30s than having to take someone else's word for it being a LIT.

Graham, Jessops will give you a good feel for pricing.

Then we will have to disagree ... and ill go on spending lots of time in the bush with my 10x25 Nikon I prefer for general bush use above my 10x50 Pentax. 100% you say?

BTW I never used the word "ideal", since "ideal" depends on, amongst other factors, the type of use you intend a binocular for.

Oops, just checked up, they are 10x50!

Graham, why not see if you can find a good pair of second hand binoculars, or borrow a pair if you are concerned about the cost. I am sure that you have had to spend a lot of green stuff on your trip.

Many people do travel to the Park without binoculars, and as Freda said, it is not essential for enjoyment. Often for a first trip there is so much to take in.