Binocs for African Plains Game hunting?

[Mtn_Infantry]

I personally use an older pair of Swaro 10x42’s and they’ve suited me great on all 4 of my African hunts.

I used to have a pair of 10x42 EL’s but had my truck broken into and they were stolen along with some other stuff. They never made it to africa but were used on many elk and deer hunts.

If I was to add another binocular it’d probably be a pair of 7 or 8 power compacts and with Africa in mind to save on a bit of weight and bulk.

 

[Philip Glass]

Philip,
I'm still working on posting a hunt report for my FANTASTIC hunt at Frontier Safaris with you and your group. @JimP has been prodding me to do one sooner than later. LOL.
Mark

I cant wait to see your report. You certainly have a story to tell.
Get 'er done!

 

[AZDAVE]

@CoElkHunter as @Philip Glass said "Get 'er done"

look forward to reading your report

 

[JGRaider]

I'd never consider hunting anything without my binos, especially in Africa. Too much to see and look at when even when not in the middle of a stalk, like the time we stumbled into a honey badger knawing on a skunk, or a pangolin slowly making his way by. Meopta Meostar 8x32's attached to a Rick Young harness is as superb combo.

 

[baxterb]

I don’t go anywhere without glass. I have a pair of Maven 8x30s and they are feather light. Keep them on a very short leash high on the chest and they are never in the way. Same for my 10x42s when the situation calls for them.

 

[uplander01]

A good pair of binos are good for so many things. In the handful of hunts I have been on in Africa I can see why guys are recommending super small and light, it mostly is close work, and I'd rather carry a heavier rifle than heavy optics. However, I just got back from Sengwa Research area in Zim and honestly wished I would have had my spotting scope with tripod to use from the high rocky lookout points we were using. One of the buff was a 2 mile hike with the last 1/4 mile being quite an intense stalk. I use Zeiss 10x42 victory, they won't let you down but there are times I would like something a little smaller, 10x32 Leica maybe. There is no substitute for good glass. One trip to Alaska with average or less binos and the first thing you will buy when you get home is the most expensive glass you can afford. I cross carry, always have,...just can't get used to chest harness. Swaro, Leica, Zeiss....the 3 best, no specific order, always have been, always will be.

 

[Tanks]

Well, for those looking for stylish method to carry your binoculars, saw this at a store this past weekend.

 

[Hunt anything]

Well, for those looking for stylish method to carry your binoculars, saw this at a store this past weekend.

View attachment 701242

That looks like something I would’ve tried to use for sneaking liquor into a college football game with.

 

[Hogpatrol]

Well, for those looking for stylish method to carry your binoculars, saw this at a store this past weekend.

View attachment 701242

Look like the ones you can get on the streets of Philly for twenty bucks. The shirt's a little more $27.50.

 

[shootist~]

Well, for those looking for stylish method to carry your binoculars, saw this at a store this past weekend.

View attachment 701242

To paraphrase the local K-Mart: You've been choping too much.

 

[Tundra Tiger]

Well, for those looking for stylish method to carry your binoculars, saw this at a store this past weekend.

View attachment 701242

Wow... just... wow.

That cost more than the ten animals on my first trip to Africa.

 

[CoElkHunter]

Well, for those looking for stylish method to carry your binoculars, saw this at a store this past weekend.

View attachment 701242

For probably around $50us I’m guessing, I’d buy Townsend @Bob Nelson 35Whelen these for his next camel hunt in the Northern Territories. LOL

 

[WAB]

Well, for those looking for stylish method to carry your binoculars, saw this at a store this past weekend.

View attachment 701242

That’s truly one of the most hideous things I’ve ever seen!

 

[mark-hunter]

I use and bring with me Leica Geovid 10x42.

I used it with satisfaction on plains game hunting. If PH observes something, I can follow up. A few times, I saw the game before PH or the tracker—open savanna.

However, when I tracked buffalo twice (once as a hunter and once as an observer), I carried nothing but my rifle and spare ammunition. Close range. And you need to be mobile. Bino stays with backpack in a bakkie.

Another thing is sitting in the blind over a waterhole. Easier to observe around with bino, then bringing the rifle up for observing. This can also cause unwanted sounds if rifle hits the wood or metal plate in a blind..

 

[homeless]

I have 3 binoculars
8x32
10x42
10-15x50

My favorite for hunting 8x32, i am 52 years old

Duovid 10-15x50 for the nigt and Seat on the floor

I never use 10x42 never

 

[Tanks]

That’s truly one of the most hideous things I’ve ever seen!

I agree. Can't believe people pay $8,700 for it.

 

[Nevada Mike]

I have used my 10 X40 Zeiss rubber armored binos for all hunting for many years. I also have a pair of Swaro 15 X 56 binos for spotting duty, which is more specialized. I took my 10 X 40s to hunts in Canada and in Africa and they worked well as usual.

I found that hunting in Africa is generally easier on gear than the hunts I have taken in North America.

 

[Sika98k]

I have used a pair of Leica 10x25’s in Namibia on a couple of occasions. Nice and light, they fit easily in a shirt pocket. The clarity is excellent as you would expect from Leica.
Otherwise I have used Swarovski 8x30 SLC’s. Again I’ve been very happy using these although the focus is a tad finicky.