SANParks.org Forums

What type of binocs do you own?

I have a very old 10x50 Eikow.

We have a Tasco 8x21mm and we borrow a bigger one from my parents - don't know that name.

I have a Leica 10x25 that I usually have to fight hubby for (even tho they MINE!!)

He uses whatever else there happens to be.

I have a pair of 7x50's which are waterproof. Bought it for on the boat, but the owner of the boat has seen that they are very handy, so he bought them as well.
They were in my suitcase in SA, and mostly stayed there.
The bag they are in has been extensively used though, ideal for hanging off the seat in front of you, nice recepticle for exposed films, sigs, and it will keep your Castle upright while you are making photo's.

Nothing fancy at all. I thought they we sort of OK until I borrowed a neighbours in the camp site at Letaba to look at a pearl spotted owl one evening and realized mine were very weak. So what do you guys recommend for me to put onto my wish list (not in the R20000 range please)

I have two
Both by Bynolyt

8 x 40
and
8 x 21 (Bought this one at Jan Smuts 1999)
Both with quickfocusing

During photography i always use the 21. Fits nice in my photobackpack. Very clear view

The 40 i use when birding.
Have it now for 18 yrs. Never let me down in all kinds of whether. It isnt even waterproof.

It is not the most expencive brand but very good.

Bought a Tasco 10x50 recently, will try it out in July.

Always used my father's Tasco Zip 7x50.
Bought a Bushnell 8x40 Birder last year, fantastic clarity. Extremely light. And good price.

I am a bit puzzeled here
See a lot of people use 7 x 50
I have given a few birding courses and have been birding for
20 yrs now.
We always recomend 8 x 40, because the heavier 7 x 50 might
be a bit difficult to hold rocksteady.
When looking at birds very far away u have that handycap.
Or when it is a bit nippy in the early morning hours

And the 8 x 40 usually has a broader viewscope in degrees.

I have Bushnell 8x30
like it because it's nice and small and not heavy to carry around.

I bought it for another purpose remember (and cheaply). At least I haven't seen any in the list with IS (Image Stabilizer).

Nikon 8-24x25. Not the most powerful, but they are light and small and the zoom comes in handy. When you have to carry all your game-viewing requirements from overseas, this is a consideration!

Also have a Bushnell and a Nikon spotting scope, which are particularly useful set up on a window mount or a tripod. Due to the amount of wedding paraphernalia we had to transport on our last trip, we left these with friends in SA as we knew we'd be back before we missed them in the UK!.

A set of Swarovski's EL 10x42. They are not small but are really an outstanding set of glass.

bwana

My favourites are my Olympus 8 x 40's, I also have Bushnell 10 x 50's and Praktica 16 x 50's but my dream binocs would be Swarovski's 8 x 32, I need to win the lotto before I can have those. Would also like more info on a scope and night binocs if anyone has used them.