Does anyone have experience using compact binos in Africa as opposed to full size? I was thinking that it may be easier to just carry around a set of 8X20's instead of full size 10X42's. Any thoughts?

The first time I went, I carried a full-sized set of Leica 10x40s.

The second time I took a pair of Leica Compacts in 10X25.

The latter will be all that I ever take back.

I tried a pair of Leica 10x25 and they were almost useless. Stick with a good 8x42 or better. The Swarski EL (sp) is the best pair I ever used. I have a pair of old Zeiss-Jena that are no slouch either but they are heavy.
I bought a pair of Doctor Optic 10x42 that I like. They don't seem bright in the daylight but at dusk they really do show the difference. They are heavy too but the price was right comared to other high end binos.
Now you have differing opinions. I found that if I knew where the animal was I could find him(eventually) with the 10x25's. If I had to find him I cound do it with the larger lenses with much more regularity and speed.

I used a compact set of Leicas and they were okay, but if you think you will be doing a lot of glassing you may wish you had larger ones, or at least 8X30s. There was nothing wrong with the binoculars, but the larger sizes are easier for me for extended use.

Leave the 10x binocs at home. I've got a pair, but looking through these and trying to stifle the "trembles" is a no-win situation. I do have a pair of compacts in 7x that seem to do fine, but my standard is a Swarovski 8x30mm that give me more definition than anything I've had of comparable size.

My first set of good bino's were Swarovski Habigt 7x42. Optically they were great. I then bought a pair of Swarovski 8x30's for my wife. After I used them I prefered them for me, as they were lighter, and my wife liked the 7x42's better. I always did more "moving" around type of hunting thamn she did. Once she started elk hunting and backpack hunting She got some Swarovske 8x30's too. They have been my favorite glass, not too big but good quality.

I receintly got a new pair of bino's a pair of 8x42 Licas with the built in rangefinder.
They are a little bigger, heavier than I might prefer, but the glass is excellent, and having the built in rangefinder is a great bonus.
The real test will be how I like them in Zim this March.

was thinking about getting the compact Swaro's for when I will be doing a lot of walking.

I have both the Leica 8x20 and 8x32 and took both to Tanzania last summer. Ended up using the larger ones mostly from the truck and carried the little ones when we dismounted. Thye fit unnoticed in a shirt pocket and were perfect for the glassing we did in the thick stuff. Might use someting bigger if I was going to a lot of wide open spaces. I'll take them both again, but if I had to just choose one I'd take the little ones

Bulldog,

My take is that it depends on what you are hunting, and how.

I have a pair of Leica 8x32's and they are great. On the other hand, they stayed in the truck when we were tracking buff or elephants. I found them more of a nuisance in the thick stuff than a benefit. On occasion I missed having them, alot. I think a small pair of 8x20 Leica's would have been a great compromise for the limited glassing in that situation and I will try a pair this fall.

Also elephant hunting will take you on some long, fast hikes - as can buff hunting, but it seems in my limited experience to be the SOP for elephants. The PH and trackers walk for a living. The faster and farther you can walk the better. Why handicap yourself?

I have tried the Leica 8x20's and found that you give up on the feild of view and a little else in bright sun. I would rather have only the 8x20 Leicas, or something comparable, like Swarovskis, then a full size pair of fair binos for any purpose.

If you are taking a walk for targets of opportunity along a river or whatever, well then things are different, and the bigger glasses are nice to have.

But apparently a whole bunch of clients are looking through their binos when the ought to be looking through their scopes, not remembering that the goal is to shoot and kill the animal, not to be admiring it as it bounds off.

Last thought; PH's use their binos every day of the season. I use them every time I hunt something with four legs. I found the PH to be extreamly quick with his binos. His glasses would be up and back down in the time it took me to have taken in the whole of the animal. In a non static, fluid situation either he waited for me or I lost a couple of steps and had to catch up. This is not efficient in time or energy and can cost you opportunities.

JPK

small ones are great for limited use but after a while strain your eys. 'Target acquisition' is easier with larger lens binos.
I reckon the 8x30's or 8x32's are the perfect compromise!

Good to read of Bradhe's experience with the 8x20's. Your experience is how I thought it would be.

JPK

bulldog
Looks like our scope and binos tastes runs much the same...
I used to hunt only with a 8x20 Swarovski, and they are terriffic, but seeing as a great part of my job is to judge trophies, I switched to a 10x42 Swarovski (SLC). when I hunt for myself, however, (not PH'ing) I still use the compacts. They are clearer than most other brands's larger sized binos, in the same price range. You will not be worse off having the compacts as a tourist/ hunter in Africa.

What do you think, the 8X20's or the 10X25's?

8 x 20 definately the way to go. For daytime glassing in bright conditions - I was more than happy with the performance of my Bausch & Lomb compacts.

Higher magnification was no benefit - the wobbles/lower fov, ruining my ability to resolve the target.

One thing - personally I find the compacts with a single central hinge far easier to set up and use than the models with two separate hinged barrels.

rgds Ian

Thats the one I was leaning towards

I would go with the lower power -- it would be best if you can try them out.

When is your trip? Maybe you should borrow mine when you come to Texas for the hog hunt.

Once you get pas about 40 years old the high magnification compact glasses start to be problematic. I find 7x to be more agreeable to my eyes in all sizes and brands, (Especially if you use them from a boat as I frequently do)

quote:

Originally posted by Charles_Helm:
I would go with the lower power -- it would be best if you can try them out.

When is your trip? Maybe you should borrow mine when you come to Texas for the hog hunt.

Thank you for the offer. I may just take you up on that.

The trip I wanted them for will be in November in TZ.

quote:

Originally posted by bulldog563:

Thank you for the offer. I may just take you up on that.

The trip I wanted them for will be in November in TZ.

Let me know -- I have the Leica 8x20 BCA.

I have taken larger binoc and smaller binocs, and very nice ones and very inexpensive ones. I found the very small ones to be too small, and unless they are very good quality, pretty worthless.

I love my 8x32 Leica's, they are not too big and are an excellent glass.

I bought a couple of pair of Kern Swiss surplus binocs for a very reasonable prices, 8x30 and 6x30, and really have enjoyed them. The 6x's are pretty small, and are all you need. The 8x's are a little bit bigger but the equivalent of any of the older first quality binoculars, Leica, Zeiss, etc. Kudude

I have a different take on this question.

My first trip, I took some great big Leicas. Vary heavy and the PH wanted to use them all the time.

My last three trips, I took compacts, Leicas, that work great BUT

I don't carry them on me when stalking. They are in my bag in the truck. I ALWAYS use my rifle optics to look at game.

I think it gives me the advantages in target acquisition and getting the shot off.

When I look through binos then decide to shoot, down come the binos, up comes the rifle, with a different magnification, then I try to find the game, get settled etc then shoot

When I look only through the rifle optics, I fumble for a second, find the game, and more than once, the PH says its good take it, then crack, the shot goes off.

As you know, many times one only has a few seconds of shot opportunity, then the animal is gone and a shot may not present itslef for hours, days or ever...

Just the method I prefer.

I agree with several of the posts that Swarovski 8x30s are the way to go. I took compacts the first two times then went to the 8x30s. I am a binocular nut and have about 7 different pairs. IMHO the 8x30s are perfect for SA and Zim. Buy the best you can afford the first time. If you don't, you'll regret it later.

404Jeffery
You make a valid point.
Hunters take notice.
I use my binos quite a bit. Wheather on a guided hunt or on a self hunt I look through my binos a LOT. However when I am on a guided hunt I depend on the guide or PH. When in a shooting situation I do not use my binos.
If the guide/PH says shoot, I shoot.
I tell the Guide/Ph ahead of time it is not necessary to discuss the trophy quality with me, just tell me to shoot, or not, as many times there is not enough time to "talk about it". In the overall scheme of life an inch or two here or there does not make a difference to me. For me it is the shot and the FUN of the hunt that will be remembered.

Looking back on my Zim 2004 hunt, If every trophy would have been a few inches longer [or in the case of the elephant a few pounds heavier], It would not make any difference on the amount of FUN I had.

After all isn't it all anbout the FUN?

You are 100% correct, 404Jeff!!
Wish more clients did the same...

I now have the Leica 10x25rubbered,and i used to have Leica 8x20rubber,& Zeiss classic 10x42Rubber (till those two got taken) I liked them all. but I do prefer the 10x25 overall.
Leica has a new improved series of the mini versions,Which I will get. They are better than the old series.
Truth is, I mostly use my rifle scope for viewing and prefer not carry binos that much cause I like less weight. It is a sacrifice I choose to make that works for me. Cant say that I would be without a mini high grade bino though, even just for travel in general,and as a lightwight option in hunting. If I was to carry extra weight it would in the form of another presighted QDscope cause I cannot put a bino on a rifle should something happen to the orig.scope.

I have small, medium, and very large Bynocs, of verying quality, that I have come by over the years. All have been used on hunts in Canada, Alaska, and Africa. None have given me a problem as far as staying together, and not fogging, or breaking. My favorite were a pair of Zeiss-Jenna, but as the Doc says are heavy.

Beleive it or not, back in about 1992 I baught a couple of pairs of CABELA'S 8X25 water proof, wide angle,roof-prizm for the princely sum of $105 US each, to take to Africa to give to the trackers as gifts. I fell in love with these little glasses, and kept one pair! I used them all the time I was in the bush, and have used extencively ever since. Five yrs later the tracker still had his little glasses, and though they looked like they had ridden in the bed of a dump truck, were still just as sharp as they were when new.

I used the long strap,from my video camera, and carried them under my left arm (I'm rt handed), and they were out of the way. These little cheap glasses, have been in my pack on every hunt since. I don't think I've used my more expencive glasses ten times since I got these. My sons, and Daughter-in-laws have used my better glasses for bird watching. Some times you find a diamond in the rough! This was one of those times.

I like Leicas 10X25 for Africa as they are light in weight and fit in my shirt pocket with a thin cord for around my neck so they don't drop somewhere. Carrying in the pocket takes any weight from my neck. In Africia most of the glassing is done by the PH and I concentrate on being prepared for the shot. For hunting on my own in open country I like Cabelas 12 X 50. I have compared these with more expensive glasses and they stack up with them. For closer glassing in thicker areas I love my Steiner 6X30.

I am a birder 365 days per year. I carry a pair of Zeiss 10x42 either in my Crooked Horn rig or on the seat of my Hummer EVERYDAY. Whether I am hunting or birding I have little use for compacts with their narrow field of view, unsteady holding due to their light weight,etc. Spend enough time glassing and you'll soon give those compacts to your grandkids to use when they tag along with you. I know my grandsons each have a set of comact Sawv. to use when they come over to Gramp's house.

I use 10x40 Zeiss CLASSIC's if there will be a lot of glassing. But when hunting big game I use a LEICA 8X30 and have been totaly satisfied with this combo.
Cheers,
Adam C.

I could not agree more with 404 Jeffery.The PH and I talk before we go out, I trust his judgement. He says shoot, I shoot.If I don't agree, no shot, no harm done. When we are on final approach and the PH stops to glass, I am on a rest of some sort ready to go. When the PH says'" Shoot the third one from the left when the cow moves out of the way" is not the time to stop messing around with your binos and looking for someplace to shoot from. Most shot opportunities are fleeting at best, missed several opportunities before I quit using the binos and just used the riflescope. Just my $0.02, Russ Green.

No way I am not carrying Bino's while hunting, I want to see that Leopard a cross the river or that Bush Buck in the Jesse thicket and my eyes are not that good on their own.

apparently the crowd that uses their rifle scopes for "glassing" have not gone to any saftey training for hunters. Be it from their grandfather or a state mandated class before geting a lisc.

quote:

Originally posted by cats:
apparently the crowd that uses their rifle scopes for "glassing" have not gone to any saftey training for hunters. Be it from their grandfather or a state mandated class before geting a lisc.

Why do you say this Cats?...you make assumptions that people who use a certain technic are unsafe.

IF I use the principle that the rifle is unstacked, bolt removed,hand on the stock behind the rear grip far away from the trigger, I dont see a problem. I have more of a problem with the person who binos most of the time,then moves forward with aloaded rifle without proper reassessing.
It makes no difference how many times you glass you quary with your binos,one must make no assumption that what someone else or yourself saw in the binos a few seconds or minutes ago is what your auto matically going to see through the Rscope first up or what scenario could appear next .All that bino work is guarantee of nothing. Going from bino to Rscope for a shot ,you have taken your eyes off the target, and once you do that,you are back at the start and 100% identification(glassing) of the target is required regardless and this must be done through the Rscope for a realtime image. So inadvertantly ,people are "glassing" through their Rscopes right up to the point of the decision to take a shot, or they should be, whether one likes the reality of that or not.

Are you saying that you dont use your rifle scope to reconfirm or relocate a target numerous times when on the final part of a stalk? If you do, then why would using an unloaded&unbolted rifle at 600 0r 400yds to identifiy something properly be deemed unacceptable? What has changed to make one more acceptable than the other? seems all a matter of perception,rather than being either wrong or right. What a person didnt see in their binos at 600,400,200yds,they may see through the rifle scope from the 200 to 150yd mark, just as they are going to take a shot. Given that someone sights another hunter at that 150yd mark, He will be glad for your initiative/awareness and that you did, rather than question you too much as to whether it was through bino or scope. There is no distance or time when one can assume anything.

We don't have a Mandatory hunter orange law in Alberta,and if you ever come to hunt here you should be looking ,first look with binoculars,a lot of hunters do not take kindly at being looked at through a scope.Hunters crawling to the edges of coulee 500 or 600yds away can look like anything but a hunter.Don't be so defensive you should never point a rifle at anything you don't want to kill,and it is always loaded until you personally check it then rule #1 applies.

woodjack do you really think anyone actually believes you trek around the savannah with the bolt out of your rifle, no ammo in magazine using it as a bino?
I for 1 don't and I'll place a wager most no one else does either.

You need a good pair for the truck and short treks, and a smaller pair for long hikes. Nikon
makes a 10x42 price around 300.00 that is very good. I found them better than an old pair of Lecia I barrowed. Nikon also makes a higher end pair for 600.00 or so that have recieved great reviews. Let your PH do the trophy assesment, you better be ready to shoot when the time comes.

JD

Well, there are probably enough replies here for someone to form an opinion, but here is mine.

I have taken Swar 10x42. Great glass but heavy.
I have taken Leica 10x 25. For me, this is perfect. They are light as can be, I never notice I have them on.

I spend a lot of time glassing game here in the US.

I like to look over game and talk it out with the ph. Personally, I like to be more a part of the hunt, part of the decision making process. I like to try to learn what makes a good quality specie and how to identify it at x00 yards.

Yes, in the end, trust the ph's judgement, and do not question his many years of experience over your few days worth, but it never hurts to be able to confirm that the Buff (Sable, Dik-dik, Elephant, whatever) you are looking at is the same one your ph is looking at.

You might even see an animal the ph doesn't. If you knew what made a good one, you could identify it as a possible trophy and point it out.

Not in Africa, but I have had guides tell me to shoot an animal and I told them "No" that is not what I want.

It is not necessary to be able to judge your own trophies, but it is not a bad idea to try to learn a bit about the critter you are after.

This may not be practical. Some people lack the ability to tell a 30" Buff from a 40" Buff. Know your limits. The bottom line is that it never hurts to try. If your ph sees you trying to learn, he will probably respond favorably.

That is me, your opinion and milage may vary.

I like to take a pair of binos. Mine are a Khales 10X42 that I use for plains game or long distance viewing from rhe Cruiser. For long walks or going into the thick jess I carry a pair of 8x20 Leicas. These little binos will fit in my left breast pocket and are not then not in the way when I am ready to shoot. A recurrent bad dream for me is the binos getting wrapped up in my gun stock when I try to mount my rifle in an emergency.

465H&H

No use in Africa, but I got my father a pair of Brunton Epochs compacts (completely different from their regular line) for bird watching. He's quite happy w. them -- I thought they were better than the Leica or Zeiss compacts I saw at the SHOT show -- but I also just could have been tired by the time I made it to their stand.

quote:

Originally posted by cats:
woodjack do you really think anyone actually believes you trek around the savannah with the bolt out of your rifle, no ammo in magazine using it as a bino?
I for 1 don't and I'll place a wager most no one else does either.

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Its more likely and somewhat more believable than you telling us that you never "glass" to identify/confirm in real time with your rifle scope prior to squeezing the trigger. But if that happens to be true that you dont,then that is of major concern.