 |
Just like their camera's, Nikon produce world beating cutting-edge sports optics and one of their most popular ranges is their Travelite V Series. As their name suggests all the binoculars in this range consist of "take anywhere porro prism compact binoculars ideal for traveling with, camping or taking to sporting events.
All Nikon binoculars, like the other Japanese binocular manufacturers tend to focus on technology and value for money, without sacrificing quality and their Travelite Range is no different.
Binoculars in the Series:
All feature a very comfortable ergonomic body made from light and durable carbon fibre with a tough rubber armor coating. The range of magnifications range from 8x to 12x and the Nikon Travelite V Zoom Binocular takes you from 8x right up to a 24x magnification. All Travelite binoculars have 25mm objective lenses. A real highlight is that all models except the Travelite V zoom binocular have aspherical lenses that eliminate virtually all distortion.
Nikon Travelite V Binoculars have a central focusing system, multicoated optics, and Bak-4 high index prisms. A clicking diopter control enables strain-free viewing. Their compact size and low weight makes them super easy to carry with you wherever you go and each model comes with objective lens covers, eyepiece covers, and neck strap.
The latest upgrade to the Nikon Travelite binocular series feature a new, ergonomically shaped, carbon-fiber body that is not only strong, but makes them more comfortable to use for long viewing sessions.
The lightweight body of the 8x25 compact binocular covers a strong metal chassis that in turn is covered with a durable black rubber armor that not only provides added shock resistance and a positive grip in slippery conditions, but also helps to make the binocular "quieter" when you bump them against anything, an important feature when observing timid wildlife like birds.
The 8x25 Nikon Travelite Binoculars have a large (for compact binoculars) central focus wheel and a field-of-view of 294 feet at 1000 yards (98m at 1000m). The close focusing distance is a pretty good 3 meters and the 8x Travelite V also has 14mm of eye relief, ideal for wearers of eyeglasses.
These Nikon Travelite V binoculars use precision ground multicoated optics and high-grade BaK4 prisms for true color rendition, maximum sharpness, and enhanced light transmission. They also use aspherical eyepiece lenses that provide a very flat viewing field and offer markedly improved edge-to-edge sharpness over many conventional lenses.
Price Range
Depending on where you look you can pick up the 8x25 Travelite V for around $80 - $100 / £90 - £100
As with all types of binoculars, zoom binoculars are best for certain kinds of uses and not so good for others. The Nikon 8-24x25 Travelite V binocular is an ideal choice if you are looking for a relatively inexpensive, lightweight, compact zoom binocular for travel and general use.
The built-in zoom feature takes your magnification from 8x to an incredible 24x! The down side is that you must support yourself or the binocular when using the x24 setting as with increased magnifications the amount of image shake increases. You could consider getting an adjustable monopod to rest the optics on while you look through them at maximum zoom.
As you increase the zoom, three things happen:
One of the main differences between the zoom and non-zoom versions of the Travelite series is that because of the zoom these do not feature the aspherical eyepiece lenses that minimise distortion and provide sharp images up to the periphery.
Compared to the standard 8x version and again because of the Zoom eyepieces, the field of review is also reduced to 80m at 1000m / 240ft at 1000yards. For comparison, the 8x25 Travelite has a field of view of 294 feet at 1000 yards (98m at 1000m). Close focusing distance is also increased to 5m.
Price Range
The Nikon 8-24x25 Travelite V Zoom Binoculars can be bought for about $130 - $200 / £170 - £200
It is not often that you find a binocular with a 9x magnification, but this one is really interesting. It has the same field of view as the 8x Travelite V (98m at 1000m) and yet gets you that bit closer to the action with it's slightly stronger power. That is why I would really recommend this as a great little compact binocular to take on safari as not only will is it ideal for checking out all that big game, but will work well with all the wonderful birdlife that Africa has to offer.
Like all the Nikon Travelite V binoculars, these feature multilayer-coated lenses for bright images, BaK4 high index prisms: for extra-high resolution images and aspherical lenses that minimise distortion and provide sharp images right up to the periphery.
Price Range
The Nikon 9x25 Travelite V Zoom Binoculars can be bought for about $60 - $100 / £80 - £120
A 10x magnification is ideal for those people who want to get just that little bit closer to the action and are not too worried about the field of view. In general as the magnifications go up, the field of view comes down. It is for this reason that most birders tend to choose 7x or 8x binoculars to get the wides field of view possible, making it easier to spot fast moving objects like birds.
If however you are on the coast or lake where birds are out in the open or looking at bigger game out on the plains, a lager magnification like 10x come into their own.
Like all the Nikon Travelite V binoculars, these 10x Travelite's feature a durable and protective, rubber-armored coating: that provides you with a sure, non-slip grip in the wet or dry as well as Multilayer-coated lenses for bright images, BaK4 high index prisms: for extra-high resolution images and aspherical lenses that minimise distortion and provide sharp images right up to the periphery.
Price Range
The Nikon 10x25 Travelite V Zoom Binoculars are available for around $100 / £85
The Nikon 12x25 Travelite V binocular is an ideal choice if you are looking for a fairly inexpensive, lightweight, compact binocular with a powerful magnification.
Because of the larger zoom, the have a smaller field of view (80m at 1000m) than the 8x, 9x and even 10x Travelite's. It is because of this I would not recommend them to birdwatchers, unless most of the birding you do is in wide open areas, like you find with water birds near the ocean or on lakes and dams. I do however recommend them as ideal travel companions, great for wildlife observation and therefore make great safari binoculars.
Like all the Nikon Travelite V binoculars, these feature multilayer-coated lenses for bright images, BaK4 high index prisms: for extra-high resolution images and aspherical lenses (not on Zoom version) that minimise distortion and provide sharp images right up to the periphery.
Price Range
The Nikon 12x25 Travelite V Zoom Binoculars can be bought for about $80 - $100 / £100 - £130
Specification Comparison Chart: Nikon Travelite V Binoculars
If you are not sure which Travel lite V binocular to go for, this chart, that compares their main specifications and may help. For example it is interesting to compare the field of views between the 8x and 10x models, making it obvious why most bird watchers, where field of view is important opt for an 8x magnification.
Nikon Travelite V Binoculars on Amazon:
Other than the Travellite V Series, Nikon have a vast range of binoculars for virtually any and every application, making it easy to find optics for your own specific needs.
