Get by with 1 pair of binoculars?

[plenox]

We are going to AK in June and need to purchase a decent pair of binoculars. We probably won't have much use from them afterwards so we want to get a reasonably priced pair. My question is if we have a camera with a 400mm zoom for viewing and one pair of binocs can we get by in places like Denali? We also are not people to sit on our balcony for ours with binocs either. Hoping to say myself some money here ;)

 

If you don't use binoculars other than for this trip, I think one pair of binoculars should be good enough. For us, we bought a pair of 10x42 ZRS HD first, which became my son's favorite during our weekend hiking trips. Then, we realized that we need another pair for the rest of us to share. We ended up with an 8x42 Zen-ray binoculars. We use 8x more on the ship, and 10x more during our inland tour.

[tjroadster]

Best thing to do is take them to a park or zoo and let them try out your 8x and 10x. Let them decide which they like best.

 

that's a great idea. Thank you.

[knorrisb07]

Just received an email. Zen-Ray now gives a free monocular with their VISTA binoculars.

 

monocular http://www.zen-ray.com/shop/mono-10x25.html

 

vista http://www.zen-ray.com/shop/binoculars/vista.html

 

i am very impressed by the vista binoculars. Had it for over 2 years and it is better than the Nikon Monarch I had before.

[tjroadster]

Just received an email. Zen-Ray now gives a free monocular with their VISTA binoculars.

 

monocular http://www.zen-ray.com/shop/mono-10x25.html

 

vista http://www.zen-ray.com/shop/binoculars/vista.html

 

i am very impressed by the vista binoculars. Had it for over 2 years and it is better than the Nikon Monarch I had before.

 

great! just in time since we need another pair of 10x binoculars for the trip

[kGCAL]

Do people take 10x or 8x for their trips?

 

we took both.

[knittingGal]

has anyone taken image stablization binoculars with them for the trip? We are debating between the Canon IS binoculars and the ZEN ED binoculars that currently have a 20% coupon. Thanks

[tjroadster]

we have tried some image stablization binoculars. They are amazingly clear. But they are too expensive. At $600, they definitely priced us out

[dhmom99]

The canon 10x42 IS binoculars is the only one that works well for us. But they are expensive.

[psyfi]

I spent my time looking though the lens of my camera for the most part and DH used the binoculars. Sometimes we would swap but for the most part, I wanted my camera where I could take the photo.

[CruisingGoddess]

DH and I shared a pair of binoculars for our Denali land tour and our cruise. Taking photos is very important to us so one person was always taking photos and the other using the binoculars. We had no problem sharing at all!

[larsont7010]

since we have total of 6 people in our group, I am worried that one pair may not be enough for us to share. Any thoughts or experience.

[vbmom87]

since we have total of 6 people in our group, I am worried that one pair may not be enough for us to share. Any thoughts or experience.

 

Really depends on the people. For six, I would guess you would want more depending on your excursions. (sorry I didn't read back to see if you mentioned what you were doing) Many recommend one pair per person. My DH and I shared with no problem and even let others on our bus to Denali share. My sister purchased her own pair and hardly used them. She just didn't like to fuss with them. For her it was a nuisance, but then I don't think she was that into wildlife. She was more into scenery and she could see that just fine. So, really depends on your group.

[charlielinda]

For some reason this hasn't been on my radar. How much does a decent set cost?

[TiCKed]

For some reason this hasn't been on my radar. How much does a decent set cost?

 

Not sure there's one accepted answer to that question!

 

Some will tell you that anything under $250 is junk. Others will tell you that they are very happy with their $50 pair.

 

I think the right answer is to budget to whatever level is comfortable for you, then go looking at the different options available at that price. The theory being: Having SOMETHING is better than NOTHING.

 

It's a sure bet that even at the same price, some are better than others. And the only way to really know that is to actually USE them. A large outdoors or sporting goods store should help you out there.

 

As for me? I spent $100 on a pair. So I'm either an ignorant fool for being cheap, or an extravagent fool for spending so dang much. :D

 

Added:

Here's a link to another Cruise Critic thread on the topic of binoculars. This one focused on recomendations, rather than the number required for a party. Might be of use to you.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1418717