DiverDon

hello
does anybody know if there are places that would rent binoculars for safaris? we are doing the Tanzania northern circuit. we can even rent from here in the US (we live in Massachusetts) if that's available. would it be better to rent good binoculars vs buying mediocre ones for something that we would use only once every few years? thank you very much for your advice.

ekscrunchy

http://www.optics4rent.com/reviews.php


Are you staying at luxury camps? If so, you might ask them directly if they can lend a pair to you, or suggest how to rent. But the rental might coast as much as buying a decent pair.

I'd also contact B&H in New York about good, used binoculars.



https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/buy/B...0/N/4083534123

christabir

It depends on your needs and budget. My husband doesn't use binoculars, I use them almost constantly. I don't take pictures, he just upgraded his camera gear for better pictures. I got new good but affordable binoculars. I don't think "excellent" (read expensive) binoculars are so much better for the significant additional cost. I got the best I could afford and have had great luck with them. Getting them on sale was a bonus. Most recommend a pair for each traveler. Until you get there, you don't know if either of you will like using them.

I have these. Unless you're a twitcher/birder, I honestly don't see a need for more. But others of course disagree. After lots of research and using different ones, I think 10 x 42 is a good safari range.

http://www.nikonsportoptics.com/en/n...f-7-10x42.html

Since photos are forever and can record the great moments, I'd invest in camera gear over excellent binos. But I wouldn't go without my good binoculars to enjoy those moments.

No matter what you choose, have fun!

samcat

Buy your own binoculars. I use mine all the time -- for birding and traveling. I'd be very careful about buying 10 x 42, which are hard to hold steady. 8 x 42 is good, even for birding.

DiverDon

Thank you, ekscrunchy, christabir and samcat. Your suggestions are valuable. I took samcat's suggestion and decided on 8X42. i took christabir's suggestion and looked at affordable binos, and took ekscrunchy's suggestion and went on the B&H site and bought a couple of open box celestron binos which are highly rated but reasonable priced. also got a 20% off for never-used, open box with full warranty. thank you so much for all of your advices!