Brilliant Binoculars

What are the differences in designs, e.g.:

Takealot.com: Online Shopping | SA's leading online store

South Africa's leading online store. Fast, reliable delivery to your door. Many ways to pay. Shop anything you can imagine: TVs, laptops, cellphones, kitchen appliances, toys, books, beauty & more. Shop the mobile app anytime, anywhere.
www.takealot.com www.takealot.com

vs

Takealot.com: Online Shopping | SA's leading online store

South Africa's leading online store. Fast, reliable delivery to your door. Many ways to pay. Shop anything you can imagine: TVs, laptops, cellphones, kitchen appliances, toys, books, beauty & more. Shop the mobile app anytime, anywhere.
www.takealot.com www.takealot.com
 
Kamakura binoculars are about the best in the more affordable price range and can be found rebranded by quite a few companies, the Nikon monarchs are inferior especially in terms of build quality.

www.birdforum.net

Common re-branded Kamakura's?

I'm a confessed binocular junkie and bargain-hunter. That's an awful combination! Through the dozens, if not now hundreds of pairs of binoculars I've used, one of my all time favorites is a pair of Cabelas-branded Outfitter HD's that were made by the Kamakura factory. I've owned two of them...
www.birdforum.net www.birdforum.net
 
Since you mentioned hiking, weight and size is limiting factor also how steady your arms are.
I would go for 8x42, it is nice compromise.

I was lucky to get Kamakura which is OEM (or it was 10 years ago) for large number of companies.
At the time it looked better than Nikon monarch.

Maybe something like Vortex Diamondback HD 8x42 Binoculars
 
Layer Cake said:
Kamakura binoculars are about the best in the more affordable price range and can be found rebranded by quite a few companies, the Nikon monarchs are inferior especially in terms of build quality.

www.birdforum.net

Common re-branded Kamakura's?

I'm a confessed binocular junkie and bargain-hunter. That's an awful combination! Through the dozens, if not now hundreds of pairs of binoculars I've used, one of my all time favorites is a pair of Cabelas-branded Outfitter HD's that were made by the Kamakura factory. I've owned two of them...
www.birdforum.net www.birdforum.net
Click to expand...
Are you also Kamakura owner? Can you still buy them? (I got mine from Camera word probably 10 or more years ago)
 
capd said:
What are the differences in designs, e.g.:

Takealot.com: Online Shopping | SA's leading online store

South Africa's leading online store. Fast, reliable delivery to your door. Many ways to pay. Shop anything you can imagine: TVs, laptops, cellphones, kitchen appliances, toys, books, beauty & more. Shop the mobile app anytime, anywhere.
www.takealot.com www.takealot.com

vs

Takealot.com: Online Shopping | SA's leading online store

South Africa's leading online store. Fast, reliable delivery to your door. Many ways to pay. Shop anything you can imagine: TVs, laptops, cellphones, kitchen appliances, toys, books, beauty & more. Shop the mobile app anytime, anywhere.
www.takealot.com www.takealot.com
Click to expand...

Porro prism vs Dach (roof) prism. There are many articles which expand on the pros and cons of each.

Pros of the porro prism is that it does not lose any light (brighter image), and is simpler to manufacture and maintain due to looser tolerances. Cons are slightly bulkier enclosures, greater expense needed to waterproof. Potentially a heavier carry (but check to be sure).

Pros of Dach is that it results in a slimmer enclosure, easier to waterproof, but cons are light loss (even with special coatings) and higher tolerances during manufacture (which is claimed to be the reason for higher cost). Potentially lighter to carry (but check to be sure!)
 
aleksandar said:
Since you mentioned hiking, weight and size is limiting factor also how steady your arms are.
I would go for 8x42, it is nice compromise.

I was lucky to get Kamakura which is OEM (or it was 10 years ago) for large number of companies.
At the time it looked better than Nikon monarch.

Maybe something like Vortex Diamondback HD 8x42 Binoculars
Click to expand...
Agreed. 8x42 roof prism is a great all rounder. Those are basically like my Monarchs.
 
aleksandar said:
Since you mentioned hiking, weight and size is limiting factor also how steady your arms are.
I would go for 8x42, it is nice compromise.

I was lucky to get Kamakura which is OEM (or it was 10 years ago) for large number of companies.
At the time it looked better than Nikon monarch.

Maybe something like Vortex Diamondback HD 8x42 Binoculars
Click to expand...
As recommended the Vortex range .
Just bare in mind if you want to use the bino's for stargazing anything under 8x42 is just not suitable , 10 or 12 x 50 is best , also if you want to use a tripod adapter , avoid the Nikon, as they utilise some nikon branded mount only , whereas Vortex , Bushnell , Zeiss etc utilise a universal adapter.
 
RonSwanson said:
Porro prism vs Dach (roof) prism. There are many articles which expand on the pros and cons of each.

Pros of the porro prism is that it does not lose any light (brighter image), and is simpler to manufacture and maintain due to looser tolerances. Cons are slightly bulkier enclosures, greater expense needed to waterproof. Potentially a heavier carry (but check to be sure).

Pros of Dach is that it results in a slimmer enclosure, easier to waterproof, but cons are light loss (even with special coatings) and higher tolerances during manufacture (which is claimed to be the reason for higher cost). Potentially lighter to carry (but check to be sure!)
Click to expand...
Thanks for the info, helps tremendously!

I reckon Bushnell will do the job but it seems brands like Vortex and Bresser are offering something a little better, even if Bushnell does 90% of what the others do? Reviews are excellent, and lifetime warranties inspires confidence around build quality, etc. Appreciate quality things and am happy to pay more for small improvements…
 
capd said:
Having been in the market and after testing some R70,000 Swarovski binoculars (quite the experience!), I'm looking for the best more budget-friendly binoculars. Happy to spend around R5k, or more within reason. Have checked Takealot and Vortex ones seem to be some of the better ones they sell? Bresser also seems like a good brand? I do wear glasses with a +- -3 prescription.
Click to expand...
You must get a bodyguard to use those outside
 
RonSwanson said:
That's exactly why that guy that talks about his "fantastic" Zeiss always leaves it at home!

I prefer to enjoy my tools, and use them for what they were designed for.
Click to expand...
That's maybe for those people who have designer houses filled with Gucci but those are not practical to use and im sure they're not made that way to use everyday
 
RonSwanson said:
That's exactly why that guy that talks about his "fantastic" Zeiss always leaves it at home!

I prefer to enjoy my tools, and use them for what they were designed for.
Click to expand...
Checkers Outdoor do Bushnell. Will go and take a look and compare to my experience with the Swarovskis.
 
capd said:
Checkers Outdoor do Bushnell. Will go and take a look and compare to my experience with the Swarovskis.
Click to expand...
Go to a dealer that has a wide range, spend an hour or two, have a look / feel / look through at all of them.

Leave the cards at home.

Then go home. Have a coffee, sleep on it for a week.
Then make a decision.

It's easy to be lured by the whore of babylon, sleek looks, sexy lines (Nikon for sure!), great features, but after 3 sleeps you realise that they are actually gimmicks? When you really want a pair of binoculars, when that Bryde's whale's tail is out the water, do you really care about whether it has ED glass or not?

You want to be able to use it. You have to also consider the possibility of an accident, it gets wet, or dropped into water. Or when you've arrived after doing Sani Pass and realise that the prisms are out of alignment. What are the costs of repair? Will repair / maintenance be so expensive that replacing it with an under R1000 Bushnell seem attractive? Is it so expensive that you feel compelled to add it to your household insurance as a specified item that you take with you?

With my cheapie combo, I know what to do when someone quotes me R2000 to repair, I walk and buy a new one. A new one that will go with me, everywhere, and be available to use when I need it.
 
Last edited:
purple face said:
Hurry people only 2 left, lolView attachment 1664445
Click to expand...
mrs-browns-boys.gif
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X