My brother just gave me a brand new pair of Steiner binoculars. I have another pair that I have used for years, which I had planned on taking with me for my Sept Buff hunt in Zim.

Now the question, which pair??

My new pair are 8x30 and my old pair are 6x30. They both look almost identical (although the old pair are "Hunting" and the new pair are "Military".

Any thoughts or recommendations.

I know there are more expensive binocs available, but on a deer hunt a couple of years ago, I got to compare my 6x30 Steiner against a much more expensive pair of Swarovskis and in low light conditions the Steiners were easily the equal of the other pair, which costs thousands of dollars.

BH63

I would recommend that you bring the 8x30. I use 10x42 Swarovski. 10x42 are perfect for me as I need to look at the boss on the Bulls that I look at and also when on top of ridges and hills you need that extra magnification for looking at animals.hope that helps

My opinion is that for a client, the binocs interfere with your job of hunting.

I have relegated my binos to the vehicle, as I was always looking in the binoculars when I should have been on the rifle. It cuts your situational awareness.

The PH is the one evaluating the trophy, not you. If you are out glassing, it makes sense to have them, but actually hunting it does not.

For looking at items of interest from the vehicle, the higher powered ones are better, but really, even then you would be better off looking through a camera, IMO.

I have a nice pair of 8x42 Zeiss that I use for hunting, which have been more than enough for me when hunting by myself in North America. I haul them along over to Africa when I go, but have been much happier since I started leaving them in the truck when we go on a stalk.

The best binos I have are an old pair of Zeiss military 8x30-B Dialyt. they are fixed focus and are by far the quickest to use as one doesn't need to manually focus, just look through and they are always in focus. admittedly a pair of Swarovski 8x32 or Leica 10x42 give a better image quality but for speed and ease of use you can't beat the fixed focus Zeiss for buffalo hunting.

crbutler - totally agree. When hunting dangerous game, less is more.

While it is nice to be able to glass, one generally does not have the luxury of time. Fumbling around with binos or getting them caught on bush when it's time to shoot is no bueno.

I watched a guy grabbing for his laser range finder when he had a shot on a trophy buff at 40 yards. After the buff wandered off, the PH asked the question - What the hell? The reply was the client got so excited he started grabbing for his usual toys and was not focused on dropping the buff. I've seen guys monkeying around with their scope, their slings, their ammo carrier, their binos, and cameras when they should have eyes forward and rifle at the ready. One of the more interesting one's was chambering a round on an already loaded rifle. The mind does some interesting things when it is stressed.

I like my Leica 8x32 the best. It is true that you don't need them at all as someone has stated BUT it is so much a better experience when you have them to see all the wonderful things you can while on safari. They have also helped me get focused on the target animal in a large group before I am on my scope.

CR is exactly right in my opinion. Let your PH judge the animal, binos can literally cost you a shot.Take your binos by all means, but most importantly be ready to get on the sticks, and shoot as soon as possible.Best of luck

BH63,

My preference would be the 8x30s.

I carry 10X32 Leicas, IMO they are the best tradeoff for weight vs power vs clarity/light gathering binoculars.

Personally I always carry binoculars. For me, there is far too much to see to not have good binoculars.

I have several pairs of high-end binoculars but I don't carry them when hunting/stalking any more.

For me, Binoculars are just pretensious; more shit to get in the way. Binoculars are for the PH and Tracker on my hunt. The hunter doesn't need binoculars in that short range hunting.

I have carried biniculars up and downs many, many mountains in the Alberta Rockeys back in the day. At my age now , I keep my little world very simple in the bush veld.

If you like both of them, and they perform about the same, I would say pick the lightest one, and if it is a tie, go with the 8x.

I have a totally different approach on optics. I no longer carry binos. I have not carried a pair while hunting since 2007. Instead I carry a Leica 7x range finder (1600 yard) around my neck on a pair of the bino-buddy harness things. This is what I use to ID game from 0 to 600/700 yards. Very bright, very light, simple to use, and multi-purpose (magnification and ranging).

Then I have a Leupold compact spotting scope (15-30x) mounted to a lightweight, but fully extendable Slick tripod. This weighs in under 5 lbs and I can use it sitting or standing. It allows me to spot hillsides and see things out past the 600 yard range in more detail, count antler points, etc.

My theory is, the range finder works well for the short range stuff, and if I cannot see it well enough with a 30X spotting scope, then I probably won't have time to walk to it in a day of hunting!

Been an effective system for me.

I would not go without my binoculars as it enhances the experience as there is more to the hunt and not just the shot.
I use 8x30 and 10x40 but for buff hunting the 6# would be just fine.

I am using a Leica 8x32 now and prefer to take a set of binos on me. They do not need to be large but it's nice to be able to comunicate with the PH when observing sonething he sees. A scope is not for looking at something you do not know what it is. I once had a PH stop in front of me and glass a spot but after a bit he moved on. When he did I caught a movement and it was the nose of the buffalo we were after. I was able to get the PH attention and he was able to see the animal that thought it was hidden and give me the go to shoot when the buffalo moved. It's part of the hunting experience to me to have binos.

I just yesterday looked at the 10 x 32 Swarovskis at Cableas. Nice and very light weight. I think they are $1100. The 10Xs cover more applications for me than the 8Xs do.

They had some great sales on the Vortex and they were high on them. But the Swaros were just better for my eyes.

I have to decide on those or a new pair of the 10 x 42 EL Range. Which are kind of spendy.

quote:

Originally posted by crbutler:
My opinion is that for a client, the binocs interfere with your job of hunting.

I have relegated my binos to the vehicle, as I was always looking in the binoculars when I should have been on the rifle. It cuts your situational awareness.

The PH is the one evaluating the trophy, not you. If you are out glassing, it makes sense to have them, but actually hunting it does not.

For looking at items of interest from the vehicle, the higher powered ones are better, but really, even then you would be better off looking through a camera, IMO.

I have a nice pair of 8x42 Zeiss that I use for hunting, which have been more than enough for me when hunting by myself in North America. I haul them along over to Africa when I go, but have been much happier since I started leaving them in the truck when we go on a stalk.

+1
Let the PH do the glassing so you can shoot the buffalo he tells you to shoot. If you absolutely must carry binos, carry something like the Swarovski 8x20s I carry - they fit in my short pocket with the strap (actually a string) around my neck. Less really is more for dangerous game (IMHO).

quote:

Originally posted by subsailor74:

quote:

Originally posted by crbutler:
My opinion is that for a client, the binocs interfere with your job of hunting.

I have relegated my binos to the vehicle, as I was always looking in the binoculars when I should have been on the rifle. It cuts your situational awareness.

The PH is the one evaluating the trophy, not you. If you are out glassing, it makes sense to have them, but actually hunting it does not.

For looking at items of interest from the vehicle, the higher powered ones are better, but really, even then you would be better off looking through a camera, IMO.

I have a nice pair of 8x42 Zeiss that I use for hunting, which have been more than enough for me when hunting by myself in North America. I haul them along over to Africa when I go, but have been much happier since I started leaving them in the truck when we go on a stalk.

+1
Let the PH do the glassing so you can shoot the buffalo he tells you to shoot. If you absolutely must carry binos, carry something like the Swarovski 8x20s I carry - they fit in my short pocket with the strap (actually a string) around my neck. Less really is more for dangerous game (IMHO).

+1

Alaska you need good glass. In Africa a quality pocket carry binos is best.

Mike

I've carried 8x32 Leica's for years and wouldn't think of leaving them in the truck. Used to carry the big 10 Zeiss, the old style. Man did those get heavy.

I've got a pair of those 8x30 Steiners and you'll be fine with those on buffalo. But I would carry them.

I agree with some of the concerns about watching and not getting on the rifle, but that's just situational awareness (a fancy term for paying attention).

You'll be glad you have the binoculars when there is an animal or bird you want to watch and not shoot. Horror of horrors, I carry a compact camera in my shirt pocket at all times too.

I like my 8x32 lei as best. You do not need Gino's for the hunt but the binds make my hunt better in many ways. They help locating the shooter in a group of buff. They make the hunt more enjoyable overall by being able to see so many things in such vivid detail. Since using binds in Africa I never hunt without them and usually have some with me anytime I am in the field for any activity.

I'm in the camp of there's too many cool things to see, so I'll never leave the glass at home or in the truck. I've used the Meopta/Cabelas Euro HD 8x32's 3 times now and they are outstanding.

8X32 Leica. I agree with both opinions here. Binos make the hunt a better experience. Birds, scenery, other wildlife. But when your PH has you lined up with a buffalo you don't need to be messing around with binoculars. Get ready to shoot.

I normally take a Leica 10x42 with me, but always leave it in the car.

I never carry one while hunting, as I really see no need at all.

My PH has one, and he is the one who picks the right bull.

Once that is done, I use the scope on the rifle to see which one he is taking about, and take it from there.

I would be bored stiff without binoculars. Think about when your trackers are wandering around in circles trying to figure out where the heard left. An hour and a half of that would bore me to tears if I couldn't at least watch some birds.

Sitting in a leopard blind. Now I've had a PH that not only didn't want me to have binoculars, but didn't want me to be able to see out of the blind except out of my riflescope, and I've spotted a leopard through my binoculars before he got to the tree from an angle that the PH never could have seen. The latter was a more enjoyable hunt.

I'll carry my binos.

quote:

Originally posted by lavaca:
I would be bored stiff without binoculars. Think about when your trackers are wandering around in circles trying to figure out where the heard left. An hour and a half of that would bore me to tears if I couldn't at least watch some birds.

Sitting in a leopard blind. Now I've had a PH that not only didn't want me to have binoculars, but didn't want me to be able to see out of the blind except out of my riflescope, and I've spotted a leopard through my binoculars before he got to the tree from an angle that the PH never could have seen. The latter was a more enjoyable hunt.

I'll carry my binos.

That is when a camera comes in handy!

I always keep a small camera in my pockets, and take photos al most non stop.

i waited till i found a pair of 10x42 Minox and they are the best value for money, after my Lieca BRFs, great performance light weight and compact, one cannot ask for more

Leica 8x30, compact, lightweight and whose optics are second to none.

quote:

I would not go without my binoculars as it enhances the experience as there is more to the hunt and not just the shot.

100% right.

Take the 8 x and enjoy the all round experience. If the "cumbersome" binoculars causes your quarry to escape, bad luck......or rather good luck; you get to track him down again, gain experience and learn.

Don't forget to have fun on your safari.

Thanks for all the great advice.

I will be taking the 8x30's. Although I realize some hunters prefer to leave all the details of hunting to the professionals, I like to be as fully engaged as possible. One one hunt, I even helped change a tire on the hunting vehicle.

BH63

I would take the 8x personally, but carry whichever is most comfortable for you.

Carrying excessive gear, poorly secured to your person, is an invitation for disaster.

Standing around waiting for the PH to find an animal for you to shoot, makes you a shooter, not a hunter.

In instances where you have a surprise meeting with a handful of animals in the open, get on the damn sticks and shoot the one the PH says so, no argument from me on that.

But sorting an animal out of a heard, or through thick bush is another matter. You will be travelling thousands of miles and be paying thousands of dollars for this hunt. Not carefully observing your quarry could result in the wrong animal taken which you will still have to pay for. That's money and opportunity worth observing for yourself. I guarantee that there are many hunters here who have wished for a second chance because they rushed their shot.

If the PH is judging an animal you should be using your own optics, whether the one's God gave you or manmade, to check out the surrounding environment or to start confirming the details of the animal that will hopefully be in your crosshairs. I've saved more than one stalk by picking out an adjacent animal that the PH didn't see that could have blown our stalk if we hadn't accounted for it.

Hope that helps and best of luck on your hunt.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by 35whelenman:

Standing around waiting for the PH to find an animal for you to shoot, makes you a shooter, not a hunter.

While I respect your opinion, I could not disagree more with the statement you make about being a shooter rather than a hunter. I guess what you state makes sense if you are shooting a scoped bolt action rifle and taking your buffalo at 50 to 100 yards. That is what I would consider shooting and not hunting. My preference is to get close, as in inside 25 yards, and take buffalo with an iron sighted double rifle. Of the 6 buffalo I have taken, 25 yards has been the longest shot I have taken. I could have taken a much bigger buffalo much earlier on every one of my hunts, and I would have missed most of what I consider to be the "hunt" in every case - getting in close where even my old eyes can judge a bull is the way I like to do it, and I keep my 8x20 Swarovskis in my shirt pocket in case there is something I want or need to glass.

10x40 Leica for a dozen hunts in Africa.
Cal

I am taking some Leica Geovid 10x42 HD-B to Zim, I might just leave them on the truck, will see. As great as they work on NA game, should help in Africa as well.

Whelen makes an interesting point that reminded me of a situation that was a very good hunting experience and would have been a lousy one if I had not had binoculars.

We followed tracks and stalked up to a herd of 150 or so buffalo, most of which were bedded down in a fairly open area, but with some brush and trees. It was pretty shaded.

We got within 75 yards or so. The wind was good. We climbed a big ant hill and started to glass. We spent an hour and half or two hours ruling out everything in the herd, but I'd have felt like a tit on boar hog without binoculars.

I couldn't imagine hunting in Africa without binoculars. Whether the open areas of the East Cape of RSA or the thickets of Matetsi in Zimbabwe, I always carry my own binoculars.

On my last two trips to Zimbabwe, a buff hunt then a bull elephant hunt, I have used a compact pair of Zeiss 8x20 Victory. As SubSailor (IIRC) mentioned, these small binos can kept in your shirt pockect until needed. You hardly feel them. I wear Boyt Safari shirts.

You may not use them in the final stalk but you will sure want them to enhance your hunting experience.

A pair of 8x30 in a comfortable harness will not hinder but will only enhance your hunting adventure.

Have a great trip.

I used to carry 10x42 range finding binos with me all the time. Over time I realized they were too heavy and in moments of quick action I was fumbling between the rifle and binos. Now I mostly carry a set of 10x30 binos which are super light, but still leave them in the truck 90% of the time. Most of my shots in Africa are under 100 yds. I usually set up on the sticks and look through the scope once we have found something interesting.

A lot depends on the terrain. If in the hills or wide open places, I am more than likely to carry them, not so much in the brush.

After deciding that they just get in the way I usually give my binos to the guide or tracker to carry as I've never felt an urgent need to have them handy. I'd rather be at the ready with my rifle and let the PH do the assessment. I do use 8 power Leica's and they do fine if I need them.

I do wonder how many use binos in their regular stateside hunting so when it becomes time to go to Africa it is more natural? I know guys that go buy a pair of binos before going on a hunt to Africa but never use them in their normal hunting they do at home. I know some are not comfortable using binos

If it's gear you've never used, breaking it out on an expensive international hunt probably isn't an effective solution. But if you regularly use them at home, I would say they're a real force multiplier overseas.

If you don't use them at home, be willing to give them a try, they may just provide a superior experience.

Subsailor - We're in agreement on personal hunting styles, but I believe you've helped reinforce my point. Even you, iron sights only at spitting distance, has binos on him and looks the target over himself. You're not just getting on the sticks and shooting when, and at what the PH says.

I spend a lot of time doing "spot and stalk" hunting for muleys so I know the value of a good pair of binocs.

I have made blunders though. About 20 years ago I was slipping through black timber trying to ease up on a herd of elk, that I knew had bedded down in there.

It was late afternoon, and I spotted an elk about 30 yd. A cow had stood up. Since the wind was in my favor and I had a brand new (then) pair of binoculars, I lowered my rifle and started to glass the elk, hoping to find the herd bull. In a flash the entire herd spooked. I followed them until dark (and got lost in the process). I spent a long night climbing down a part of the mountain I had never hunted before. It had started snowing and I slipped and slid down really steep areas, grabbing hold of trees to keep my footing. I was then faced with crossing a river. I finally made it to my truck (were I always kept an extra sleeping bag, food, water, and dry clothes), but it was almost 1:00am and I was cold, wet, and exhausted.

Instead of an easy kill, I spent one tiring miserable night walking out. Lesson learned. Only use binocs when the animals are far enough away, or completely undisturbed.

Thanks for all the great posts.

BH63

I guess that I am against the grain on this one. I always carry my binos with me on any hunt. Currently mine are either Leica or Swarovski 10X42 range finding binos. When not in use they are in the bino harness, either the KUIU or the S4 Lock Down, but can be instantly pulled out for use. For me, they are extremely useful for ranging the shots and allowing me to dial up the proper range for Swaro ballistic reticle on my scope. More than one time while stalking one animal we have located a better one much further away and I have been glad to have the binos on me, not back at the truck. Just this past January we were hunting Coues deer in Mexico and had spotted and were stalking a buck when we spotted a better buck much further away. It was a lot easier to follow the movements of that further buck with the binos than it would have been through a scope. After a couple of hours of waiting I finally shot the bigger buck at 500 yards. I needed both the binos and the proper scope and range for the shot, as I had to thread the bullet carefully through a thick grouping of mesquite, ocotillo, cholla, yucca and mescal to where he was finally bedded down.

Have we not concluded that binoculars are handheld optical instrument composed of two telescopes and a focusing device and usually having prisms to increase magnifying ability?