Looking for Lightweight Binoculars

charlesoutcalt

I hope folks on this forum have opinions on my question, even though it's not strictly photo related.

I'm going on a safari in a couple weeks. We've got a very strict weight limit of 26 lbs, including clothes, carry-ons, lenses, the entire deal.

Currently, I have an ancient pair of binoculars (not even sure of the type). They weigh a few pounds, and are definitely not worth their weight on this trip.

I'm looking for something with good ergonomics, as there will be some older family members on the trip, high magnification, weather-proofing, durability, and, as important, as light weight as possible. I'd like to spend no more than $500 US.

Any suggestions? Is this an impossible list of features to accommodate in one set of binoculars?

THANKS!

ziggy53

The Nikon Monarch ATB 8x42 get good reviews and weigh 22 ounces.

Around $250USD.

charlesoutcalt

Thanks for the quick response! These look great. I wonder if I could get something lighter if I spent a little more? At 26 lbs, it's probably going to be either the binoculars or a lens. Tough choices.

ziggy53 wrote:

The Nikon Monarch ATB 8x42 get good reviews and weigh 22 ounces.

Around $250USD.

ian408

I picked up a small pair of REI branded bino's some time ago. They are a great value for the money and perform nearly as well as the Nikon but at substantially less cost. REI bino linky.

ziggy53

If you're looking for daytime spotting binoculars, the Pentax UCF series are very compact and lightweight and get pretty good user reviews.

My son got me the Pentax UCF R in the 8x21 configuration and they are very light and reasonably good quality. They are also very inexpensive. I'm not sure those same ones are still available but I found the Pentax 8 x 25 UCF-X II for $62USD. (Weather resistant, 10 oz.)
http://www.adorama.com/PX825UCF2.html?searchinfo=pentax%20ucf&item_no=2

goodcrna

charlesoutcalt wrote:

I hope folks on this forum have opinions on my question, even though it's not strictly photo related.

I'm going on a safari in a couple weeks. We've got a very strict weight limit of 26 lbs, including clothes, carry-ons, lenses, the entire deal.

Currently, I have an ancient pair of binoculars (not even sure of the type). They weigh a few pounds, and are definitely not worth their weight on this trip.

I'm looking for something with good ergonomics, as there will be some older family members on the trip, high magnification, weather-proofing, durability, and, as important, as light weight as possible. I'd like to spend no more than $500 US.

Any suggestions? Is this an impossible list of features to accommodate in one set of binoculars?

THANKS!

26 pounds of carry on. Just remember, what you carry on your person, before your carry-on is weighed isn't counted in the 26# limit. So wear a jacket w/pockets and load it up. Then when you get past security screening, empty your pockets back to your carry-on!...
Greg

Miguel Delinquento

Steiner
Steiner, a German company, makes several types of binoculars that may meet your requirements. Sierra Trading online usually offers several models at discounted prices; often they have an additional deal as well to lower the cost.
I purchased the Wildlife (8x24) model and found them superior in resolution, contrast, and bokeh than my wife's similar Nikons.

Very high quality build. I had checked out the remarkable Carl Zeiss and Leupold models prior and the Steiners were not that far away, especially for a quarter of the price!

They make models with higher magnification as well. I may need to purchase another one as my wife took over mine. Funny how that works.

M

tpower

Charles,

I have a pair of Leica 8x Compact Ultravids. This is the ultimate in compact binoculars: as sharp as they come, waterproof, bright, fantastic eye relief, industry-best eye cups, and a very good field of view for a compact. They come with a great little case that you can wear on a belt. The diopter adjustment is incredibly clever and will never creep on its own because it does not involve rotating the eyepiece. Mine stay in the car in a map pocket and are always at the ready.

The only downside is that they sell for $700 US. If the fact that they are worth every penny is any consolation, know that they are. If you couldn't tell, I love mine.

charlesoutcalt

Excellent comments all around. I went to a retail store so I could play with quite a few models in person. In the end, the Nikon Monarchs won for their compromise between size, weight and cost. I liked some of the ultra-ultra compacts, such as the Swarovskis (really amazing!), but they were so light that they didn't feel as steady in my hands. I would like to be able to share these with my in-laws, who are older and not so steady in their grip, so the slightly additional weight of the Nikons won out, in the end.

Thanks for all the good help. I felt like a much more educated buyer because of you all.

tpower wrote:

Charles,

I have a pair of Leica 8x Compact Ultravids. This is the ultimate in compact binoculars: as sharp as they come, waterproof, bright, fantastic eye relief, industry-best eye cups, and a very good field of view for a compact. They come with a great little case that you can wear on a belt. The diopter adjustment is incredibly clever and will never creep on its own because it does not involve rotating the eyepiece. Mine stay in the car in a map pocket and are always at the ready.

The only downside is that they sell for $700 US. If the fact that they are worth every penny is any consolation, know that they are. If you couldn't tell, I love mine.