"night vision" for game drives?
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"night vision" for game drives?
Has anyone had experience using night vision binoculars for a night game drive?
None of the tour operators we've consulted about an upcoming Kenya/Tanzania safari have used them.
We've been told that night game drives are not allowed in National Parks, but our itinerary provides a workaround.
Thanks!
None of the tour operators we've consulted about an upcoming Kenya/Tanzania safari have used them.
We've been told that night game drives are not allowed in National Parks, but our itinerary provides a workaround.
Thanks!
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I've never tried them, but on a night game drive like the one you are doing, someone will be spotlighting for you, so you don't need night vision anything. An ordinary pair of binoculars will do fine even for things not directly in the spotlight (8 or 10 x 42) - plus you get natural colours that way. For watching game from your tent or lodge a pair of night vision binoculars might be fun... that I don't know.
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I think night vision binoculars would be cool. Yes, spotlights are used most of the time. But on our night drives, our wonderful guides would sometimes turn off the engine and lights when animals were around, esp. lions stalking impala. And, they were always careful to avoid shining lights into the eyes of prey animals (well, not at Sausage Tree).
We could hear the nervous impala milling and barking in alarm and could picture in our mind's eye crouching lions inching along. Incredible sensations in the dark, but it would have been really fun to watch.
We could hear the nervous impala milling and barking in alarm and could picture in our mind's eye crouching lions inching along. Incredible sensations in the dark, but it would have been really fun to watch.
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hi, thanks!
Afrimaniac: Did you see much?
Each in our group would need to get a pair, probably for the guide, too (a lot of money) but if you saw a great deal it would be worth it.
Again, many thanks, jlw
Afrimaniac: Did you see much?
Each in our group would need to get a pair, probably for the guide, too (a lot of money) but if you saw a great deal it would be worth it.
Again, many thanks, jlw
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MrAloha,
I just noticed your post and thought I might add some insight based on personal experience with night vision optics. I have used all of the current versions (Gen. 1,2,3) night vision optics, over several years for both offshore and costals sailing and navigation. They will be of little use to you on safari. A typical nigh game drive is just that, a drive. Night vision might be helpful if you were in a Hide and stationary, but not while mving around in a vehicle. Keep in mind that even a small amount of light (from a flashlight) would be blinding to anyone wearing NVO. I wouldn't want to be in a vehicle being driven by anyone not used to driving with night vision optics. By the way, are you aware that decent night vision stereo optics run several thousand dollars a pair? The only place I might find NVO useful would be in a Hide overlooking a watering hole. At the very least, you might borrow a pair (do you have any sailing friends?) and give them a tryout and make your own decision. Just my two cents, Good Luck.
I just noticed your post and thought I might add some insight based on personal experience with night vision optics. I have used all of the current versions (Gen. 1,2,3) night vision optics, over several years for both offshore and costals sailing and navigation. They will be of little use to you on safari. A typical nigh game drive is just that, a drive. Night vision might be helpful if you were in a Hide and stationary, but not while mving around in a vehicle. Keep in mind that even a small amount of light (from a flashlight) would be blinding to anyone wearing NVO. I wouldn't want to be in a vehicle being driven by anyone not used to driving with night vision optics. By the way, are you aware that decent night vision stereo optics run several thousand dollars a pair? The only place I might find NVO useful would be in a Hide overlooking a watering hole. At the very least, you might borrow a pair (do you have any sailing friends?) and give them a tryout and make your own decision. Just my two cents, Good Luck.
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Yes, I did find them usefull. On one ocassion we followed a pride of lions on a hunt. It was just after dark when we stopped to watch the lions stalking a herd of impala. The guides left the lights off so as not to disturb the process and I was the only one who could watch the attack, capture and kill. Keep in mind though that you will eventually end up sharing with everbody else, but that's not generally a problem and the guides loved them. If you have space for them, take 'em. Also, I made sure they were in my possession at all times while traveling.
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