Going to Africa for anniversary. What would be your binocular recommendation? Don't need something over the top. Best value?

Thanks

Hard to answer without a budget?

ATX_AG_08 said:

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Hard to answer without a budget?

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This is OB… the budget does not matter.

I would go new image stabilized ones with higher mag. If safari. If hunting maybe not that important

Reasonable 8x42 in your budget

OP said best value.

To me? That's a second hand set of Swaro SLC's.

The open bridge ELs remain a premium at resale, but man that SLC glass and ergos is just beautiful if you don't require edge to edge perfection (swarovision).

Caladan is your man. Most recently he alerted us to these 10x42
https://texags.com/forums/34/topics/3626798/replies/72997853

Based on the op I'd guess he's never had a halfway decent set of binocs and will be perfectly happy with a "good value" $250 pair. Spending an extra $150 for vortex viper, Nikon monarch or kowa bd11 would probably be money well spent but 50/50 whether they could tell the difference from the $250 ones, and almost zero chance they could tell the difference between the $400 ones and swaros

ATX_AG_08 said:

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Hard to answer without a budget?

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This. Otherwise, putting up suggestions for binos you would never consider buying is just a waste of time.

C

It's Africa Swararski 8x42 spare no expense.

I'm partial Leica. Ultravid or Geovid 10x42. I've owned both. Love them both.

I like the eye relief from the Swaro EL's as an eyeglass wearer. Leo's Trinovids are excellent as well. Zeiss Conquest or Vortex Razor are all worth a look and would serve you well

Not sure where in Africa you're going or what your flight path is, but for anyone taking binoculars try and avoid flying through Addis Ababa, Ethiopia with any significant layovers where you leave the airport. Customs/Security will confiscate them when they scan your bags and while you are able to get them back when you go back out, it's a huge pain to deal with.

Swarovski EL 8.5x42 are the easiest and best view binocular I've used for my eyes. That would be my choice for Africa.

Unless I was hunting. In that case I'd take my Leica Geovids.