Did a search and most of the answers provide the caveat regarding area to be hunted.

So, for those of you with experience in the Caprivi Strip and Sobe in particular for elephant (tuskers)

Binoculars - yes or no?

If yes:

8x20

8x32

8x42

or 10x in same variations?

Thanks

If you must, an 8x30 Swarovski (or the new 8x32) sets the standard. Or an old 8x30 Zeiss, which are smaller but no longer around.

That's part of the question, Bill - "Must I?"

I'm not one of those guys who had walked around with binoculars all of his life but my miopia has now been married to presbyopia and the past few deer seasons have shon me "the light" of using them to pick out details and shapes through bush and thickets.

If they're not worth the hassel of having them on a guided elephant hunt, then they'll stay in the tent or truck and frankly I'd rather save my money.

So, Bill:

Must I?

or

Should I?

Or not?

Yes, you should. I find my Zeiss Conquest 8x30's just right.

Binos available when needed.
http://www.long-grass.com

Mike

Hey Mike...nice ass! Oh, you meant the binoculars! :-) :-)

Damn you Biebs!

Had a friggin mouthful of coffee!

Binocs may ride in the truck but I don't carry them. What the hell is a PH for except for transporting binoculars?!

My vote and preference is that you do not need them. If trophy bull hunting, and you want to participate in the trophy evaluation process, then by all means carry them, in the manner correctly shown by Mike. If cow or herd hunting, you should not need them as you will more likely than not be told "Shoot that one on the left" and if you want to precisely ask, "Which one?", you won't be needing binos at that distance and it is a distraction, and possibly dangerous, to switch from your rifle to binos and back unnecessarily.

I have, on occasion, used them to spot elephant at a distance from a vantage point. That is always remedied by keeping them in my backpack stored in the truck. When tracking elephant with a PH who has binos, however, I don't see the point in carrying something you don't need. It all boils down to personal preference and there is no right or wrong about it. Just be glad you are elephant hunting!

I always carry them, including when I have hunted elephant in the Caprivi Strip.

I won't say that they're necessary for elephant. But they can be quite useful, and they're no particular burden.

I now use an 8.5 or 10 power.

LORD Biebs, did you have to say that!!!!! people are going to think your from Arkansas!!!!!
After my first hunt in Uganda I'm a believer in Binoculars. I took a small pair with me and hung them oner my shoulder as demonstrated by MIKE and they where never in the way and I actually got to where I forgot they where there until I wanted to see something. I wil not got hunting any where without a apair from now on.

I can't imagine hunting anything anywhere without them. You may not need them for elephant up close but there is a lot of wildlife in the Caprivi that you may want a good look at even if it's not on your trophy list. When I hunted elephant in the Caprivi the bird and game viewing was fantastic.I would at least keep a compact set with me at all times.

You can always stick a small pair in your pocket. Not much good for extended glassing, but a lot better than nothing if you find yourself wanting them.

Leica makes some good compact glass.

Paul, to me hunting is more than just the killing part, and when you track elephant with us in Sobbe, you will in all likelyhood have the chance to look at maybe roan/ kudu/ zebra/ interesting bird while walking, and then your own set of bino's comes in handy.

When we approach a bull, it may be in your way, but I do not think so. I prefer my clients at that time to concentrate on what they are about to do, start picking out the shot he/ she wants to take, and in general take in the whole experience, which will definately be minimized if seen through a 8-10x zoomed tunnel. But as a whole, I kike the idea of the client also carrying a bino, and think that 8x30's should be about ideal. (I personally use 10x42's, but remember, my primary job is to asses your animal for you, and I have found the extra power to be handy sometimes, even at the ranges that we hunt ele's at normally.

If you are using a scoped rifle, you can always point the gun at something to glass it, but I am not totally at ease with doing that. If you are using open sights for elephant, which is more typical, you won't have any glass with you at all if you don't have a pair of compact binos.

Thanks for the responses - 8x32 binoculars will be with me on safari

I think you made a wise choice. My 8x Swarovskis are with me all the time.

I keep a pair of binoculars in teh truck, never carry them with me.

I like to travel light, and I use the rifle scope to look at anything that requires close inspection.

I always carry at least a pair of 8x30's as there's always something to look at that bino's will assist with.

How can anyone hunt without a binocular on their person? I use them constantly. For Africa, I think you might be satisfied with a compact set with 25 or 30mm objectives. The only limitation of these is their lack of brightness in the very dimmest light of dusk or dawn. For 99% of the time they are perfect, while being light and easily carried or pocketed. If you are accustomed to always carrying a binocular, then an 8x30 or 8x42, carried the way that retreever demonstrates, will never be a burden.

John

John

quote:

Posted 30 January 2011 20:04 Hide Post
Hey Mike...nice ass! Oh, you meant the binoculars! :-) :-)

Karl S tells me that I need the binoculars to tell the ddifference between the 80 pounder and the 90 pounder he intends to find for me.

I told him I would be happy with either but will carry and use the binoculars if it makes him happy.

I love to have always with me my Hensoldt military 8x30 without focus regulation.

Quite light, ultra bright, strong and fast because no focus regulation. I think that it is ideal for hunting.