What would be better for an all around glass? Lotta brush with a few open hilly fields too glass over. So far I'm looking at Leupold as being the brand I like. There's a set of Leupold 8x32 Gold Rings on the auction site and a lot of 6xand8x 32 Katmais.

8X.
I hunt brushy laurel patches and hardwood forests, with a few beaver ponds mixed in. Sometimes I even wish for more magnification, but don't really need it. Check out the specs and see what the field of view is at 100 yards (that is the standard they use). I have a pair of Zeiss Diafun 8x32, and love them. The Leupolds will likely serve you very well, and Leupold has a lifetime warranty.

Killdeer

I have the 6X Katmai. They are plenty for ground hunting the thick stuff. I have a pair of Leupold 10X that see very little use, until I go out West.

8X as Killdeer said. Make sure you buy good glass. In optics, you get what you pay for! So rather than buy a cheap set save your money and get high end optics....ie, Zeiss, Swarovski, Kahles,Leica ,etc. they are worth every penny.  Good Luck, DAVE

Kawika,

I'd also say the 8 by 32 but before you settle on the Leupolds, take a look at the Steiner Night Hunter in 8 by 30.  Great all around glass specially made for low light situations.  Also once the eye pieces are adjusted there is no focus adjustment, near or far.  Very rugged binoc with great customer service.

I learned something interesting about binos and light gathering.  The best light gathering is when the ratio of large lens diameter to magnification is between 5-7.  8x32 is a ratio of 4 and 6x32 is 5.3.

Years ago the CIA and KGB both conducted experiments to determine the best light gathering for their spy work and independently came up with these ratios.

If you need good performance in low light - woods, brush, dawn, dusk - check out the light gathering capabilities of different models.

Assuming good quality in both I would go for the 6x. More low light performance and wider field of view will trump magnification in most bowhunting situations. I have always regreted not buying some light/bright 5x30s years ago when I had the chance.

I have a set of 8X30 Swarovski SLCs (the cheap version..$900...pretty cheap ay?) and on a recent Mule deer hunt in WY we spent alot of time glassing huge sunflower fields in low light in preparation for making a stalk. Anyway I could spot the Deer moving in the Sunflowers a full 10-15 minutes before any of the guides could. I could also Identify the quality of the racks 20 minutes before my guide could. By the end of the week he was using my binocs (it was really starting to wear on me) to judge the quality of the animals. His binocs were 10X42 and I won't mention what brand on here because it was listed above by one my esteemed colleagues. If you want to know email me.

That's very interesting cupcake because I've been told for years that the best light gathering ratio for binocs was 8X42. That would stand to reason with your formula. 5-7 ay?.....Cool. That's why I like this site, you learn something everytime. DAVE

I absolutely agree with cupcake.  I have a pair of 8 x 42 Bushnell's which are waterproof and they are as big as I wan't to carry in the brush.  At 40 I find I am always needing more light, I must have begun growing cataracts.  I would prefer to have something closer to a 6 power with 50mm lens.  But, I don't count tines till they get in range.  Just my two cents worth.

-Brett

I think 8X30's, or 8X40's are a great all around optic.  I personally have the Leica 8X40.  A little on the heavy side,  but well worth it, when I need to see if that branch is indeed an antler!!!!!!!!!!  

I have two pair of Nikons. One 10 X 42 and some compacts. I like them both, but I recently picked up a set of Leupold waterproof 6 X 30's and am really impressed with the brightness, clarity, and field of view. They're a good in between size and not too expensive.
                                   Lin

8 by 32's are ideal for  what ya want. Belive it or not simmons makes a very good set in that power range. As much as I use them(very little) I hate to spend a ton of money and the Simmons are perfect for around $70. Shawn

I bought an inexpensive($160) pair of Burris 8x42 this year and they are perfect for me. I also wanted to know the close range focus and these focus down to 10' or less. For heavy brush areas it came in handy for me last season. I got good low light vision on our food plots.  I also have a 10x25 pair of compact binos but I get a headache if I use them for an extended period of time. Pat

I have a pair of 8x32 Leicas and love them, but I sure wish they made them in 6 power.  The 8s are nice for mixed terrain, but for heavier cover 6s would be better.  They'll also be smaller and lighter.  Of course, buy the best glass you can, as others have pointed out.  Light gathering is dependent not only on the relation of the lens size to power, but also the quality of the glass, coatings, construction, etc.  Good luck.

I have owned more glasses then I can remember. My current glasses are Docter 8X42's and a set of Eagle Optic Ranger Platinum 8X32's. Both are world class bino's. The 8X32's have a wide FOV are smaller and lighter. The Docter's hold their own with any glass out there. The Ranger Platinums were discontinued a while back but can be had from time to time on fleabay. Eagle Optics also made a 6X32 version. I would trade my 8X's in a heartbeat for the 6x model. I prefer a wider FOV over the power, all things being equal. Fujinon makes a 6x glasses that are suppose to be very good also. Lot of good choises out there just depends on the application and personal preference.

JL

I have a pair of 6x30 Leupold Yosemite's (under $100) that I use when I am primarily still hunting.  The greater field of view and ability to hold it steady with one hand is perfect for still-hunting.  They also make a great pair for the kids.  Optically, they are better than any roof prism under $400.  Check out any of the birdwatching sites to verify that statement.

I recently picked up a pair of Bushnell Elite 8X43 at half price.  They are awesome!  As far as the topic goes, those 8X are more than enough for midwest hunting.

And if you've never tried Minox, they are great. Cameraland has demos for sale at about $200 off list price.  They are very compact & i love em.
jmo  Randy

Kahunter I bought a pair of those for my better half they are well worth checking out! We have both those and Nikon 10 x42 Monarchs sitting out for veiwing the Leupolds are the one's used most often

I like the lower power 6x32. I used a pair of 5x30 for many years but when it was time to replace them,the lowest I could find was the 6x32 Katmai by Leupold. But you have to know that I primarially hunt whitetails. I hunt thick cover, and it is alot easier to "find" what you are looking at with the lower power in thick cover. the light gathering of these are also great for the early and late light situations you can get into when deer hunting. You have to fit the optic to the type of hunting you are doing.

No matter how much light you can get through the front lens,it still has to get through the back lens for you to see it. Look for glasses with a large rear lens. Most of the European glass is that way.