Introduction

A 9x magnification is fairly uncommon in the world of binoculars as most tend to have either an 8x or 10x.

8x magnifications are generally for those people looking for a wider field of view making it easier to spot small fast moving objects and are therefore often chosen as birdwatching binoculars.

10x magnifications on the other hand are often chosen by people who are looking for power over field of view and are therefore ideal for people looking at slower moving objects further away, like larger mammals on on the plains of Africa.

A 9x magnification, like what is found on this Nikon Travelite V 9x25 binocular on the other hand is a bit of both and is why it is an ideal compact porro prism binocular for those who are interested in both the birds and larger animals that you find on safari.

Nikon Travelite V Binoculars

The Nikon Travelite V Series consists of five (V) binoculars, all of which are of the compact porro prism design and all have 25mm diameter objective lenses. The magnifications available are 8x, 9x, 10x, 12x and the 8-25x Zoom binocular.

As their name implies, they are all light, compact binoculars ideal for traveling with. For more on this series, take a look at this in depth review of the Nikon Travelite V Binoculars on the Best Binocular Reviews website.

The Safari Guide Opinion

The main reason for getting any compact binocular over a full size one is because of their small size, so this is where i'll start:

Their dimensions of 113x118mm (4.4x4.6in) mean that like many compact porro prism binoculars they are wider than they are long and whilst these dimensions are fairly standard for a compact porro prism binocular, if you want super compact binoculars, you should consider roof prism compacts with duel hinges like the Steiner 10x26 Wildlife Binoculars, that when folded more compact than the porro prism design.

So why choose a porro prism design over a roof prism you may ask? As we have already mentioned, roof prisms binoculars tend to be more compact, but to achieve the same optical quality as Porro prism models they often cost more to manufacture, so in general for the same quality of binocular, porro prisms are cheaper. Because the Porro prism design has wider spaced objective lenses they tend to have a slightly better stereoscopic image.

So to sum up, yes they are fairly compact, but you can find more compact binoculars out there. The name Travelite also implies that these 9x25's are light and at only 255 grams they are indeed one of the lightest compacts I have ever reviewed.

To achieve this nikon have used a carbon fibre body that covers a strong metal chassis that in turn is covered with a durable black rubber armor that has a few benefits:

• It provides a comfortable gripping surface for making them easier to hold on to
• It helps protect the binocular from the bumps and scratches that come with day-to-day use
• It's easy to wipe clean after a tough day in the field
• It dampens down any noise from bumping them that could frighten away skittish birds and other wildlife as I often do with my wedding ring!

 

Focusing
To focus the binoculars, you use the central wheel on the binocular.

Lenses & Prisms
The 9x25 Travelite V uses quality BaK4 high index prisms that produce high quality images and have aspherical lenses that minimise distortion and provide sharp images right up to the periphery. BAK-4 prisms are made of superior optical glass that produces clearer images. These are what you want in your binoculars.

Lens Coatings
Nikon Travelite V binoculars have multilayer-coated lenses (multi-coated lenses). "Multi-Coated" means that at least some surfaces (again, usually the first and the last) have multiple layers of antireflection coatings. (The others presumably have single layer coatings.) Multiple layers are about an order of magnitude more effective than a single layer.

Whilst Multi-Coated lenses is good, higher quality (and more expensive) binoculars have "Fully Multi-Coated" which means that all air to glass surfaces have received multiple layers of antireflection coatings.

Stats

The biggest compromise in choosing a compact binocular over one that has larger objective lenses is the brightness of the image produced and whilst the difference is not huge, it is more noticeable in poor light conditions where you can notice it if you compare a compact and full size binocular side by side.

9x25 binoculars like these Nikon Travelite V's have an Exit Pupil of 2.8mm and a Twilight Factor of 15, both of which point to the fact that they may not be the best in poor light conditions, but that is the price you have to pay when choosing a compact binocular.

It is also important to remember that whilst these figures do not take into account the quality of the prisms, lenses and their coatings, they do make it possible to compare the performance of different configurations of binoculars in low light conditions. Features like their Bak-4 prisms and multi-coated lenses will mean that they outperform cheaper optics of the same configuration that use the lower quality prisms and lens coatings.

The close focusing distance is an excellent 3m which is pretty good. (2m is excellent)

The apparent field of view for the Nikon 9x25 Travelite V is 98m at 1000m and does fall a little short of the very best binocular like the Nikon 8x32 EDG Binoculars (136m at 1000m) and the Swarovski EL 8x32 (140m at 1000m), but you must remember that these are compact binoculars and less than a tenth of the cost of the Swarovski's.

Waterproof & Fogproof?

One of the negatives to the Nikon Travelite binoculars is that they are not waterproof or fogproof. Whilst waterproof binoculars are not essential on safari, it will mean that you will need to take special care of them should it rain.

Also Included

These binocular also come supplied with a Nikon travel case, compact binocular strap and lens covers.

Main Features

• Magnification: 9x
• Objective Lens Diameter: 25mm
• Exit Pupil: 2.8
• Twilight Factor: 15
• Relative brightness: 7.8
• Weight: 255g
• Length: 11.3cm Width: 11.8cm
• Field of View: 98m at 1000m
• Close Focus Distance: 3m
• Waterproof: No
  
  

Cost & Where to Buy

These Nikon Travelite binoculars can be bought for about $60 - $100 / £80 - £120 on Amazon:

UK Shoppers Buy in the UK:	US Shoppers Buy in the USA:
Nikon Travelite V Binoculars on Amazon.co.uk	Nikon Travelite V Binoculars on Amazon.com
Nikon Travelite V Binoculars on Warehouse Express

 

Conclusion

I like the 9x magnification that maintains their field of view compared to an 8x binocular, yet has just that bit more power.

They will make great traveling companions, good for camping if space is a factor and therefore also make ideal safari binoculars the use of Bak-4 prisms and aspherical lenses.

I would recommend them to anyone looking for a compact entry level binocular and considering that these Nikon 9x25 Travelite V binoculars can be bought for under £100, they make really good value for money.

Similar Binoculars

Other Compact Binoculars worth considering:

 

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