I'm getting some Binos and wondered what is better. 8 power or 10 power? I want to use them for Elk Hunting via the "coyote" (back country bivouac) style. Thanks for your input.
For elk hunting, I use my 8s more than my 10s. Actually for about everything besides scouting, I use my 8s more than my 10s.
i prefer 10X42 good sized without being to big, but i havent been in elk country, ....yet!
8X is a little more all around, but I would not part with my 10X Zeiss. Course I have a choice. 3 pair, 7x,8x, and 10x. The 8X zeiss is the only pair I would consider parting with and that is not because they are not good.You cannot go wrong with good glass.
I prefer 10x myself.
Go big or go home. :thumbsup:
10X every time, even on turkey hunts!
ElkNut1
8X when in the woods Open fields 10X is better. Just MAO
I have some older 10x25 Lieca binocs I love. I hunt mostly woods, but they work everywhere. Crystal clear and fit right in a chest pocket.
Depends on how you're going to use them. If you'll be using them strapped around your neck while still hunting, 8X is the way to go. If you'll be spending most of your time glassing for elk, 10X is probably better. Keep in mind that most folks can't hold 10X steady enough without a rest to get a clear, unshaky picture. All around, and particularly if you plan to also use them for whitetail hunting in the east, midwest, etc., 8X would be more versatile, IMO.
I use 10X42.
I prefer my 8 x 30's you got to remember if your on a bivy style hunt every ounce means alot and not just going with the biggest. My 8x30 ziess are not overweight and pretty compact but you will first need to decide how much weight you want to pack around.Then pick a bino based on quality, size and cost. Drop me a note if you know your price range and I can make a recomendation, it was one of my specialties when i worked for cabelas. Jerry
QuoteOriginally posted by Orion:
Depends on how you're going to use them. If you'll be using them strapped around your neck while still hunting, 8X is the way to go. If you'll be spending most of your time glassing for elk, 10X is probably better. Keep in mind that most folks can't hold 10X steady enough without a rest to get a clear, unshaky picture. All around, and particularly if you plan to also use them for whitetail hunting in the east, midwest, etc., 8X would be more versatile, IMO.
Great input, thanks!
I do most my hunting here in Montana, so I use my 10x Zeiss 98% of the time. Anybody interested in trading quality 10x glass for my 8x30 SLC Swarovski's send me a PM, they rarely get used anymore.
8x25 h2o bushnell good glass for the price.
If you are still looking, check out the Zen Ray Optics. There Summit or ED line outperform binoculars that sell for 3x the price. Best optics around for the price IMHO. Lifetime warranty.
I agree with the 8x for woodlots and when hunting while moving and the 10x if glassing alot an you have a steady rest.
From my experience I purchased some 10's a few years ago for some Elk hunting goals in the west. Well a few years later I havent yet been to the west. In the meantime I hardly used them just to powerful and shaky for me. With that said I sold my 10's and purchased some 7x42's. I see your posting from TN, 8's will work great in your state and in the west.
I'd say go by the terrain your hunting the most. I use an 8X here in Oregon as most of the areas I hunt, don't require me to see real long distances. I have a pair of 8X42 Leupolds that are just amazing.
8x. I think are more useful because they have deeper depth of field therefore more stuff is in focus at a time.
I have a hard time holding still enough to use anything more than an 8x without some kind of support.
I started using some Zeiss 10x40's about 30 years ago, and never looked back. I've used them in the hill country of TX, the mountains of CO, ID, MT, and NM, and a lot in the desert of SE NM. Haven't felt handicapped with them in the woods, but that is probably because I'm so accustomed to them.
I've had and used both Leupold and Zeiss 10x42's but have replaced them with ...8x42 Gold Ring Leupolds for their better light gathering capability and "wider field of view"... Which work great on the "more open" West Side of the state, for both Elk and Mule Deer.
Here's the funny thing however.. I hunt the coast of Washington [ very dense dark timber ] for elk.
I have actually found myself using a set of very inexpensive Leupold [windriver] Yosemite 6x30 binos. more than anything else... Even Wider field of view, "Waterproof", excellent clairity, and great light gathering charistics, and as important in my opion... they are light in weight and have leuopold's lifetime warranty [ but in this instance, to the origional purchaser ]
Gene
My preference is a really good 6x for bowhunting.
I settled on 8x42 because they were much easier for me to focus quickly.
It seems that terrain your hunting in would make the most difference in the decision making process.
Differences that I can see would be:
1. cost
2. weight
3. brightness (8x will gather more light for a given exit pupil and will work better in low light).
4. magnification - long distance viewing will be better with the 10x model.
5. steadiness. the 10x will magnify your movement more
6. 8x will have a wider field of view.
For most of the glassing I do in heavily wooded areas in the midwest, 8x works as well as, or even better than 10x. I've never hunted really open areas in the west where 10x may have the upper hand. I would say that the quality of glass will have more to do with the level of satisfaction with the binoculars you choose than the amount of magnification. Presuming glass quality is similar the above parameters apply.
Ted
10 x 42 is my favorite
8X for woods and 10X for open country.
I hunted for yrs with 10x42's and as long as I could sit down and get a really solid rest they worked pretty good. But then about 3 yrs ago I gotta hankerin to get some 8's. After using those 8's for those 3 yrs there is no way I'd go back to 10's. The 8's are so much easier to hold steady and in the low light of dawn and dusk they pull in a little more light than the 10's. I don't feel like I miss anything either because of 2 less power, if anything I see more than I did before because I can hold em steady. Throw a Nikon 13x30 Fieldscope in the pack and you'll have everything covered.
ymmv
I used my Zeiss 10 x 40's for 25+ years and they are a great glass.
I recently got a pair of Swarovskis EL 8 x 30 and I like them very much. They have become my go to glass.
To get the very best use of 10's try using a tripod. I think you will be suprised at just how much additional clarity and sharpness complete "steadness" provides.
Bob
I use 10x32 Lieca's. I find the higher magnification helps me focus on an area. With smaller glass I see to much to focus on what I'm looking at.
MAP
Steiners....8X30.....good for everything!
Thanks all! I wish I could get broader cross section of perspectives :biglaugh: !
Really though, thanks for the input.
I agree with the people saying 8x, easier to steady and focus quickly and in the timber and even open country more than enough magnification!! They are also more versatile, so ya can use them in the whitetail woods and bird watching as well. Shawn
What Jeff said. I do not like more than 8x without using a tripod. I use 8x around my neck and then carry 15x Swarovski's for use with a tripod.
I'm w/ Bjorn
A moderate priced 6x32's(leupold,minox) will perform as good or better than high priced 10x40's or 8x30's(swarv,zeiss) durring low light conditions.
I do most of my hunting in the dark timber where you can never see more than 50 yards. I have a pair of Ranging 5x32s. I pick up a lot of things that my naked eyes overlook. They really brighten things up. Unfortunately I don't think any body makes glasses like these anymore.
Larry
7x or 8X is the way to go with at least a 40mm objective lens. I highly recomend the Zen-Rays too, or Promasters. They are the same glass, made in the same factory. Jap glass assembled in China is the only drawback. They are better than anything you can buy under $2000. I have owned just about every kind of glass there is and I have sold all the European stuff. You really need a good rest with 10X or you are going to be battling eye fatigue trying to get a steady image.
I like 8's in the woods and 10's in open country.
Heck, I think I use 8X just for reading glasses ! 10X for hunting.
I had a pair of swarovski 10x42 and they were wonderful, I did not like carring them around very much though. I ended up with the Leica 8x32HD ultravids, very light and small for a full size binoc, but for me size was a very big priority. If it is not I did like those 10x42's.
David
I prefer 8's due to size.
I thought I liked 8X but I just ordered 10X Cabelas Euros so maybe I like 10X more.
The good thing about shopping for a new bino now is that there is a lot of good options out there. And what is considered midrange these days would have been top end 10-years ago. Lots of great advances in technology.
I really like an 8x for my hunting and prefer a 32 or 36mm objective. I don't like to use a 10 in that size because of the smaller exit pupil and lower light transmission.
As you age unfortunately your eyes lose some of their light gathering ability so if you find yourself hunting or using binos right at first or last light I would really consider the 8xs.
Another easy thing to do is get a 10 and 8 at a local store (same model bino) and see if you can really tell a difference in magnification. You might be surprised. I notice the difference up close more than at "normal" glassing ranges.
But just like bows, everyone has a personal preference with binos
If you are shopping at a store front retailer make sure you walk outside with whatever binos you're looking at. The light in a store is not the same as what you will be using them in. Most all look good in the store. And spend more than just a quick look. The distance between your eyes makes a big difference on comfort so make sure they fit you properly. And be sure to set the dioper adjustments or you will think think even the best binos are junk. Eyecups can vary so make sure you are seeing a full field of view through the bino you choose as well.
Good luck in your shopping!!
If you have the cash, Leupold makes a bino that has 2 magnification powers. I've not tried them yet as I haven't seen them in a store around here, but sounds like you can get double duty out of one bino.
They call it switch/power
7/12x32 sounds like the ticket for you
and
10/17x42
This is as much personall prefrence as anything you could ask really.
I have two pairs that I use a lot. One is a pair of Zeiss 8*42 Victory II. The are bright with a great field of view. The other is a pair of Brunton 8.5*42 I also have a doubler for these that I can use to make them a 17* spootting scope.
Can you guess wich one I would choose of the 8 or 10.
My Dad will only buy tens.
Go and find a few pairs take them out side and look through them. See what you like and what your eyes like.
Thanks again all. I've gone with some 8 X 42 Nikon ATB Monarchs. Tons of great info here!
I bought a pair of Swaro 10x42 EL, took them back for the 8.5x42 EL.
The 10x resolution wasn't as good as the 8.5x, making your eyes want to focus constantly and in about 1/2-hour of glassing I'd have eye fatigue, also aggrevated by jitter trying to hold the 10x steady.
For hours and hours of glassing the 8.5x42 EL are great, plus they are brighter in low light than the 10x42. If you need to be assessing points for P&Y, you'll need a lot more than 10x anyway... like a spotting scope on a tripod.
Truthfully, 95% of all elk I spot is by the Mod1-MK0 eyeball, followed up with the binos to get a closer look for body/antler size, etc.
Think you made a good choice, I love my 8x.