Binoculars - Buying Advice

Soldato
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I know this isn't precisely photography or video related, but I figured this might be the best sub forum to ask about optics, as I guess that some of the accomplished wildlife photographers here might have some good experience. If not, mods, please feel free to move if appropriate.

I am off to South Africa in a couple of weeks with my girlfriend, visiting her cousin and staying with them for a couple of weeks. We expect to spend most of the time mooching around on game drives, and probably a couple of days in Kruger national park. We've visited a couple of times before, and both times I've taken my DSLR + long lens with me, and I'll be doing so again. However, I am not the greatest photographer, and sometimes I feel I spend too much time trying to take nice photos (and failing) and not enough time just watching the wildlife. And while I can use the camera and lens as a monoscope, it's not particularly ideal when you just want to observe.

So with that in mind, I fancy buying myself a fairly decent pair of binoculars so I can spend more time just enjoying the view. But to be honest, I don't really have a clue:
- I don't think I need huge magnification - perhaps 8x-10x, but I'm guessing a decent field of view might be more useful when scanning for wildlife. But I don't really know a good starting point.
- I'm not bothered too much about ultra compactness. Obviously the smaller the better, but we won't be doing much hiking - most of the time we'll be inside a car or on the back of a safari vehicle, so as long as they're not the sort of thing you find mounted to the bridge of a WW2 destroyer, I'm not too bothered about size.
- I need glasses, but I have contact lenses and will be wearing those the majority of the time. But it would be handy to have binoculars I could use when wearing glasses too. Is this a big factor to consider, or are most sets accommodating to glasses wearers anyway?
- I don't want to spend mega money, as besides the occasional holiday, they will get used infrequently - but at the same time, I want fairly decent quality. I've set a budget in my head of £150-200. Is this a hopelessly impractical figure?

I don't really know where to start, so rather than saying "Spec me..." I was just wondering if anyone had any suggestions based on the above (very rough) requirements - what sort of manufacturers to look for, where to buy, should I be upping the budget at all? That sort of thing, so I can cast around a bit with some more knowledge.
 
- 8x42 tends to be the standard magnification and field of view
- The eye cups should twist to move the eye further away from the viewing lens to use with or without glasses
- For your budget/wants maybe look at Vortex or Hawke. I'd recommend finding a store or RSPB site (some sell bins) and visiting to try a few pairs
 
I spend a lot of time birdwatching.

I take my DSLR but my spotter (gf) has done hawke frontier ED binoculars.

The ED glass is worth it as you get a brighter view with less aberration.

They are very good and I can't tell much difference between them and far more expensive ones.

They have updated the range and increased the price since we bought ours but this is the most similar pair available now.

https://www.lcegroup.co.uk/New/hawke-frontier-ed-x-10x32-green_40718.html

We did have a fault with the focus when they were a few years old but hawke fixed them under warranty with no hassle.

We went with 10x32 for lightness as we walk long distances sometimes.
 
Thanks gents. Been looking at the Hawke line-up. They do cater for my budget in their lower end range, but I may up my budget and go for something in their Endurance ED range to benefit from better lens optics.
Unfortunately there's not many places to try before you buy around here, but if they provide decent quality and warranty I may take a punt on them when I decide on what magnification I want.
 
Unless you are viewing in low light there is no need for 42mm objective 30-32mm will be fine.

That is a low budget but if you can stretch have a look at these:-

Zeiss Terra ED 8x32 Binoculars - Black | Wex Photo Video
8x30E II E II Binoculars Sport Optics (nikon.co.uk)

The Nikon is a stunning pair for the price.

I use these:-

Swarovski NL Pure 8x32 Binoculars - Green | Wex Photo Video

Thanks for the suggestions, but they are much more than I'd want to spend...however I went ahead and ordered a set of the Hawke Endurance ED 10x42 for £250 from Amazon. A tad more than my budget, but not much.

I was going to to go for a 32mm lens, but it's often best to be out well before sunrise for the best chance of spotting something on a game drive. So I figured a larger lens might help if I'm going to be using them at twilight. They should be arriving today.
 
Thanks for the suggestions, but they are much more than I'd want to spend...however I went ahead and ordered a set of the Hawke Endurance ED 10x42 for £250 from Amazon. A tad more than my budget, but not much.

I was going to to go for a 32mm lens, but it's often best to be out well before sunrise for the best chance of spotting something on a game drive. So I figured a larger lens might help if I'm going to be using them at twilight. They should be arriving today.

Hawke ED's are what I started with and are very good for the money.

Don't make the mistake I did and look through a pair of Swarovski's! It will cost you money :D

Let us know what you think about the Hawkes.
 
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Hawke ED's are what I started with and are very good for the money.

Don't make the mistake I did and look through a pair of Swarovski's! It will cost you money :D

Let us know what you think about the Hawkes.

They arrived yesterday (not until the evening when it was dark though, typical). But today I've had a play with them. Very impressed! Seem solidly built and after I'd fiddled with the eye cups a little to get a comfortable eye relief, the image quality was great.

Not too bulky or heavy and captive lens caps so I cant lose them. Should be more than adequate for what I need. Thanks for help everyone.
 
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