10x42 or 12x50?

[Dewey Cox]

Which binocular setup would you choose, and why?

I'm looking to buy some vortex diamondbacks, and I didn't want to derail the $400 binocular thread with my childlike understanding of binoculars...

[Manning74]

Which binocular setup would you choose, and why?

I'm looking to buy some vortex diamondbacks, and I didn't want to derail the $400 binocular thread with my childlike understanding of binoculars...

Will you be using them in wide open spaces or in the bush ? I choose 12X50 swaros over the 10x42 . If i were to buy again i feel like i would go 10X42 this time. I use mine extensively glassing for sheep and whitetails and i find when glassing at shorter distances the 12’s are just to much magnification and you loose field of view making you have to glass that much more. On the other hand when you do spot what your looking for the 12’s have a great advantage over the 10’s.

[Tronneroi]

I have the Diamondbacks in 12x50, my dad has the 10x42. After looking through both of them in the field, I prefer the 10x42's. The field of view is larger and I wasn't asking for much more in terms of magnification. 7oz lighter, but wasn't very noticeable IMO.

[Dean2]

Hand held, 10x50, or 8x42. You will be surprised how little detail and function changes from 8 to 10. You will also get the same low light performance on 10x50 vs 8x42. Divide magnification into objective size and for best low light you want a 5 or higher result. Tripod mounted 12 is fine.

This might help with your understanding of Binos.

https://asia.olympus-imaging.com/product/binoculars/tips/

[graybeard]

I have Leupold Cascades in 10 x 42 and so does my son.

Good field of view, sharp/detailed resolution, weight on my neck is good.

Stiff hinge.

Screw-in and out eye cups

Nice grippy focus wheel and it responds quickly, even with gloves on.

My eyes aren't strained.

Good luck,

[urban rednek]

I've used both of your options. The 10x42 or 10x50 is a better all around binocular for most people.
They have a better/wider field of view and any body movement/shake is less noticeable than with the 12 power. Very few people get more steady as they age.

[Dewey Cox]

Thanks everyone.
This is very helpful.

[Bearbreath]

Couple years back I did two sheep hunts back to back. One with 10X42 and the other with 12x42. The 12x was noticeably more shaky in my hands. Bino mount for a tripod would be a must for me if I used the 12x. My 10x42's are always with me.

[sns2]

As has been said, 12x are harder to hold still.

[KGB]

I had the same problem few years ago when I was looking to get a set. Here is a very simple answer: go to the store that sells the bingos and try them right there! I went in mind set on one brand and ended up with the vortex diamondback 10x50. Liked the clarity better than the $1000 hd models. Just whatever fits your eyes better!

[daveyn]

10x42 are lighter, steadier to hold (because they are lighter) smaller which makes them easier to pack around and you really don't lose much in the way of magnification with the 10x and you don't really get a lot more light gathering with the 50's.
I have 12x50's in the house for looking at deer in the fields but I have 10x42's in my hunting gear bag.

[7magtime]

I have Leupold Cascades in 10 x 42 and so does my son.

Good field of view, sharp/detailed resolution, weight on my neck is good.

Stiff hinge.

Screw-in and out eye cups

Nice grippy focus wheel and it responds quickly, even with gloves on.

My eyes aren't strained.

Good luck,



I have been using the 10x42 Leupold Cascades for close to 15 years and haven’t felt the need for higher magnification or better glass. They pick up everything easily and the clarity is good….:)

[-JR-]

I find when traveling on my ATV even the 10 x42 are too shaky when I stop and look down a cutline when engine is running . My next set will be 8 x 42

[nimrod]

I have the zeiss conquest 15 by 45, but you should have no shake in your hands to hold the binos on your subject

[StiksnStrings]

When I went to purchase a new set of bino's the gentleman that helped me had an interesting approach. I was replacing an inexpensive pair of 10x50's. He asked what my budget was and what I thought I wanted for power. He proceeded to put out three groups of three bino's and told me to try them and see what I thought. But, his last words were "don't look at the brand , just try them."
His next question which I thought rather odd was which felt lightest, most steady in my hand. From there he narrowed it down to three pairs. His next question was which pair looked clearest to me.
I ended up with a pair of 7x42's that to this day work well for me (though the old eyes might like a little more magnification). Just for reference, most all of my of my hunting is in the big bush to the north with little need to see more than 500yds.
Take your time and try the bino's that interest you. Then pick the pair you feel work the best for you considering the way you hunt.

[elkhunter11]

I find that 10x is as much as I can use without a tripod, and 42s are as large as I want to carry, so 10x42s for me.

[Smokinyotes]

I have new 10x42 geovids. I notice they are quite a bit heavier than my old trinovids. Myself I think 12x50 are just too big to pack around. Maybe they would be good for out the truck window.