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Six of the Best Binoculars for Wildlife Excursions

Six of the Best Binoculars for Wildlife Excursions

8x42 binoculars offer the perfect balance between size and field of view making it easy for wildlife enthusiasts to track the fast moving athleticism of the savannahs big cats and gaze in awe at the beauty of the continent’s avian species. Quality binoculars are essential packing for any traveller embarking on a safari excursion which is why we have shortlisted six of the best models that are currently on the market.
 
Bushnell Excursion HD
Rating: 5/5
Field of View*: 142m
Weight: 690g
Price: £274.99 (Jessops)
 
The Excursion HD offers world class optics with industry leading field of view. It uses ED (extra-low dispersion) glass to produce colour tuned, high resolution image. Its ultra wide band anti-reflection coating makes viewing in low light possible by optimising brightness. Also included in the design is RainGuard HD – Bushnell’s patented permanent water-repellent coating. Furthermore, its lightweight magnesium chassis and enhanced soft-grip accents on the rubber-armoured housing ensures it is comfortable to use and convenient to carry around.
 
https://www.jessops.com/p/bushnell/8x42-excursion-hd-binoculars-90846
 
Carl Zeiss Conquest HD
Rating: 4.5/5
Field of View*: 140m
Weight: 629g
Price: £649 (Selfridges)
 
Zeiss has built a long-standing reputation as one of the oldest and most reputable optics and imaging companies in the world. After more than 170 years in existence, the German manufacturer continues to remain at the top of the pile with the industry-leading Carl Zeiss Conquest 8x42. The binocular features ED glass with T* anti-reflective coatings, allowing it to transmit 90% of available light with a high degree of contrast. It also features Schmidt-Pechan prisms with phase correction, which improve the clarity and level of detail of the viewing field.
 
http://www.selfridges.com/GB/en/cat/carl-zeiss-conquest-hd-8x32-binoculars_695-10044-ZEI8X32HDCONQUEST/
 
Celestron Granite ED
Rating: 3/5
Field of View*: 114m
Weight: 850g
Price: £399 (Jessops)
 
For many years Celestron has performed strongly as a cost-effective alternative to some of Europe and Japan’s more expensive brands. It offers excellent field of vision and edge-to-edge sharpness with high resolution colour and razor sharp images while virtually eliminating chromatic aberration. However, there is very little to separate this binocular from other more affordable rivals whilst also performing slightly worse in key areas such as field of view. It is also fractionally heavier than many of its competitors despite featuring a lightweight magnesium chassis.
 
https://www.jessops.com/p/celestron/granite-ed-8x42-binocular-93794
 
Leica Ultravid HD
Rating: 4/5
Field of View*: 130m
Weight: 790g
Price: £1,730 (Selfridges)
 
With the Ultravid HD, Leica claim to have introduced more than 200 innovative changes from its older models. Some of the biggest improvements include a new AquaDura hydrophobic coating to the outer surfaces of the lenses that repels both water and dirt. It also features a special HT glass from Schott, resulting in significantly higher image brightness and colour transmission. Furthermore, the contrast at higher frequencies is a thing of beauty with its exquisite rendering of textures and fine details.
 
http://www.selfridges.com/GB/en/cat/leica-ultravid-8x42hd-binoculars_695-10044-LEI8X42HDPLUS/
 
Nikon Monarch 7
Rating: 4/5
Field of View*: 140m
Weight: 650g
Price: £379 (Jessops)
 
The Monarch series by Nikon has long been a favourite amongst bird and wildlife enthusiasts and the Nikon Monarch 7 represents its highest quality and most advanced binocular to date. It features ED glass and proprietary lens and prism coatings for optimum resolution and brightness. Fast, easy focus and a fantastic field of view makes it ideal for following and tracking even the most elusive wildlife. The binocular is also waterproof up to 1m for 10 minutes and fog-free with O-ring seals and nitrogen gas.
 
https://www.jessops.com/p/nikon/monarch-7-8x42-binocular-140177
 
 
Swarovski El FieldPro
Rating: 5/5
Field of View*: 133m
Weight: 777g
Price: £1,799 (Selfridges)
 
These impressive, multipurpose binoculars provide a large field of vision with crisp clear imagery ideal for safari excursions. With 20mm eye relief, this binocular is comfortable to use for prolonged periods of time whilst its ergonomic open bridge design makes it easy to hold with one hand. In addition to offering some of the best product details on the market, this binocular also offers a digital camera adapter so that you can take high quality photos through them. Swarovski produces some of the best imaging products in the world, and this is no exception.
 
http://www.selfridges.com/GB/en/cat/swarovski-8x42-el-fieldpro-binoculars_695-10044-SWA8X42ELMK2/

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