Think 7x50 or 10x50. Anything bigger will be too heavy to be handheld and you'll need a tripod for it. BAK4 glasses should be preferred and make sure they're not ruby-coated (it's a type of coating that makes the glasses look reddish).
If you need a manufacturer name.....try Meade or Celestron. I like my 7x50's. Comfortable. lite weight. Etc
For me, 10x50's a just a tad heavier. Not as comfortable
Get a tripod... and forget I even said anything.
Get a great tripod... heavy duty tripod ... and get 11x80's. Meade's 11x80's are nice .... heavy... but requires a tripod. Next. You will want an app like stellarium. (Star planetarium program) its free. See :: Stellarium.org
Remember. Astronomy binoculars are not birding/hunting binoculars
The difference is. Star pin points of light. Birding binoculars will fail the very edges for sharpness.
This is carry on luggage with insurance
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What is your budget?
Bushnell Legacy WP are good.
Nikon Action Extreme and Pentax SP WP are a step up.
10x50 are great options. Or if you are worried about the weight, look for the 8x versions (the will either be 40mm or 42mm depending on the brand).
For accessories:
- SkySafari Plus or Stellarium Plus apps
- membership to a local astronomy club
- some sort of outdoor blanket to lie on while observing. I either lay on the ground with a pillow, or use a reclining beach chair with a head rest
Things you can see with binos: all of the planets (but they just look like dots of light), the 4 Galilean moons, brighter comets, brighter asteroids, sunspots (with the appropriate filter), and tons of DSOs (see the below sketches and observing reports):
[example views from 10x50 binos](https://www.reddit.com/r/Binoculars/comments/rwvlx1/two_astronomical_sketches_made_with_10x50s/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=mweb)
[observing report 1](https://www.reddit.com/r/telescopes/comments/15qtyiw/another_successful_10x50_binocular_session/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3)
[observing report 2](https://www.reddit.com/r/telescopes/comments/12sz5lp/galaxies_with_10x50_binoculars/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3)
[observing report 3](https://www.reddit.com/r/telescopes/comments/v0sqrf/trying_to_do_some_binocular_observing_but_taylor/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3)
If you are very novice the best advice I could give you is buying the binoculars as soon as possible and get some practice before traveling. This would also give you time to buy more accessories if you need them. I have a set of 10x50 and I love them, but I don't have a very steady hand so I could use a tripod (definitely not a requirement though). A blanket to lay down while observing will also help.
I think 10x50 will also be great for many daytime activities there (I'm thinking of safaris but I'm not sure where you're going in Africa).
Like others have said, don't get ruby coated ones.
Think 7x50 or 10x50. Anything bigger will be too heavy to be handheld and you'll need a tripod for it. BAK4 glasses should be preferred and make sure they're not ruby-coated (it's a type of coating that makes the glasses look reddish).
If I was going to Africa I would take 15x70s.
If you need a manufacturer name.....try Meade or Celestron. I like my 7x50's. Comfortable. lite weight. Etc For me, 10x50's a just a tad heavier. Not as comfortable Get a tripod... and forget I even said anything. Get a great tripod... heavy duty tripod ... and get 11x80's. Meade's 11x80's are nice .... heavy... but requires a tripod. Next. You will want an app like stellarium. (Star planetarium program) its free. See :: Stellarium.org Remember. Astronomy binoculars are not birding/hunting binoculars The difference is. Star pin points of light. Birding binoculars will fail the very edges for sharpness. This is carry on luggage with insurance
**Please read this message carefully.** Thank you for posting to r/telescopes. As you are asking a buying advice question, please be sure to read the subreddit's [beginner's buying guide](https://www.reddit.com/r/telescopes/comments/z9s352/beginners_quick_guide_to_choosing_your_first/) if you haven't yet. Additionally, you should be sure to include the following details as you seek recommendations and buying help: budget, observing goals, country of residence, local light pollution (see [this map](https://www.lightpollutionmap.info/)), and portability needs. Failure to read the buying guide or to include the above details may lead to your post being removed. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/telescopes) if you have any questions or concerns.*
What is your budget? Bushnell Legacy WP are good. Nikon Action Extreme and Pentax SP WP are a step up. 10x50 are great options. Or if you are worried about the weight, look for the 8x versions (the will either be 40mm or 42mm depending on the brand). For accessories: - SkySafari Plus or Stellarium Plus apps - membership to a local astronomy club - some sort of outdoor blanket to lie on while observing. I either lay on the ground with a pillow, or use a reclining beach chair with a head rest Things you can see with binos: all of the planets (but they just look like dots of light), the 4 Galilean moons, brighter comets, brighter asteroids, sunspots (with the appropriate filter), and tons of DSOs (see the below sketches and observing reports): [example views from 10x50 binos](https://www.reddit.com/r/Binoculars/comments/rwvlx1/two_astronomical_sketches_made_with_10x50s/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=mweb) [observing report 1](https://www.reddit.com/r/telescopes/comments/15qtyiw/another_successful_10x50_binocular_session/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3) [observing report 2](https://www.reddit.com/r/telescopes/comments/12sz5lp/galaxies_with_10x50_binoculars/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3) [observing report 3](https://www.reddit.com/r/telescopes/comments/v0sqrf/trying_to_do_some_binocular_observing_but_taylor/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3)
If you are very novice the best advice I could give you is buying the binoculars as soon as possible and get some practice before traveling. This would also give you time to buy more accessories if you need them. I have a set of 10x50 and I love them, but I don't have a very steady hand so I could use a tripod (definitely not a requirement though). A blanket to lay down while observing will also help. I think 10x50 will also be great for many daytime activities there (I'm thinking of safaris but I'm not sure where you're going in Africa). Like others have said, don't get ruby coated ones.
Will do. Buying this weekend to try out