binoculars

I've used the zoom in my camera instead. I can't imagine bringing along a pair of binocs.

I bought a similar pair of small binoculars at Brookstone and took them with me for a few years, but I found that I rarely (if ever) used them to get a closer look at things. Now they stay at home.

I've used the zoom in my camera instead.

That's what we use for close-ups too. One less thing to pack!
The only place this wouldn't work is the Sistine Chapel - as photos aren't allowed so a camera pointed at the ceiling would be pounced on - or anywhere else where photos are a no-no.

While I don’t have Rick’s binoculars I do pack my older pair of Nikon Sportster 8X25s. I’m a casual birder and have packed along my bigger bins but didn’t use them enough to justify the weight. The small Nikons (15+years old) fit in my purse easily and I use them frequently in churches. I was just at Chartres and they were great at seeing detail in the carvings on the facades.

When I am in UK I also like to look for green men carved in various places in churches/cathedrals. They are often quite high or slightly hidden so the binoculars really help with that. I do always have them in my purse when I’m out and about. They don’t do any good back in the room!

I can also use them for any birding I might want to do.

I use my iPhone camera so not enough zoom on that for detail.

Oh thank you, Pam, for proving to me yet again that you're never too old to learn something new. I had no idea what you were referring to when you mentioned "green men in the UK"! So I looked it up and I will be using that new knowledge when I go to London next Fall! I'll also pack along my small but adequate binocs, and karenjor, they are an old(er) version of the RS binoculars sold on his site. They are perfectly adequate for my needs, which aren't many. Thanks to you both for posting!

Andi!! You will love hunting for green men! And yes, there are some on exterior columns at Chartres!

I got a pair of "pretty good" small binoculars at REI for about $30 for inspecting Italian church ceilings and mosaics (from a comfortable seated position) -- for me, an excellent purchase! They will go along on future trips.

We got our small, compact binocs from REI. They are small but mighty and we take them everywhere that we travel. Love being able to see the mosaics up close.

karen,

I used to travel with binoculars, but haven't packed any along for many years. As others have mentioned, I tend to use the zoom on one of my cameras.

I've used the zoom on my camera when I've left the binoculars behind - and never been as satisfied with the results. It also uses up battery time . . . and can look "wrong" when I'm in a place that bans photos.

I used to use my camera as a zoom lens instead of binoculars until my daughter left it on a newsstand at a cab stop in Dublin earlier this year......

I'm just using my camera on my phone four pictures for the foreseeable future. I'm sure my wife will come home one day with another $700 camera but until that time my phone will have to do.

In the meantime as far as binoculars go I have a rangefinder that I use for shooting my AR-15s and I'm just going to bring that along it works great primarily because you only have to use one eye.

I've always seemed to have problems with binoculars being able to focus properly. I think it's primarily because one eye has better Vision than the other and I don't use glasses or contacts.

"I've always seemed to have problems with binoculars being able to focus properly. I think it's primarily because one eye has better Vision than the other and I don't use glasses or contacts."

Better binoculars have an adjustable eyepiece on one eye, precisely to address this problem.

I've used my father-in-law's really expensive binoculars before and they are better but I still have some of the same issues for some reason. Knowing me it's probably operator error

I never leave home for travel without a great pair of binoculars. There is so much you can miss or even just have enhanced by viewing through binoculars. The key is to not get the full size but instead compact binoculars. I have several pairs I can recommend but you cant go wrong with any of the pics on this best compact binoculars guide. Just pick one in your price range.

One thing you can do is get a cheap pair that you wont feel bad giving away to take with you. If they don't add any value just give them away but I bet you would hold on to them.

I just asked about using a smartphone in place of binoculars. The consensus seemed to be take binocs. Here's the discussion:
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/binoculars-vs-smartphone-camera

I considered the Rick Steves/Carson set. I admired them when I was at the store a few months ago and they seemed capable looking at points of interest. And I am used to birding and using more powerful ones for that activity. In the end I found an alternative pair for cheaper that I'll be picking up next week. They are Barska 8x21 Lucid View.

... get a cheap pair....

My more expensive compact binoculars focus closer than my cheap compact binoculars. And all things equal a wider field of view is better than a narrow field of view, multi-coated lens with max light transmission are better than lesser quality coatings etc. Sadly, these is some wisdom to "you get what you pay for". If you are going to lug around optics, do it right.

YES. I have those and used them on a recent trip to Spain and also on Italy My Way tour. Lightweight, compact. Worked well for those far-away church ceilings. Won't travel without them.

Enjoy!

Oh and on sale!