Gear Opinion- Binoculars

[Abe89]

I know gear preferences vary as widely as the people who use them, but...I've got a potential lead on some significantly marked down Leopold Binoculars. The difficulty is figuring what kind to get. Being on a tight budget this year I do not have a spotting scope so I'm trying to be as versatile as I can with what I do spend money on.
So, what is recommended; 8x42? 10x42? 10x50?
I know ideally you want a lower magnification and high objective for trees, and a high magnification for open slopes....I'm expecting to hunt a mix of both, mountain terrain.
This forum has been a huge help. Thanks-you for your advice!



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[BackPackHunter]

If you are a little shakey go 8x42
If your steady get the 10x42

The difference with the 8mm of objective isn't worth the weight for.packing it around all day

I use 10x42 and have never said
Man I wish I got 10x50s

[Pudelpointer]

10x42s will do you fine for open country, but they will be a hindrance in the trees.

If I were you, I would buy 8x42s and then pick up a decent spotting scope in the future.

[Okotokian]

I went from 8x42 to 10x42 and am glad I did. No shaking issues. Now you lose field of view when you go from 8 to 10, but remember that not all binocs have the same FOV. I have a pair of Nikon Monarch 7's in 10x42 and their field of view is wider than many 8x42's, so no "in the forest" problems.

In any event, go and try them out. Ask to take a pair of 8's and a pair of 10's outside and see which you like better. Go in the evening so you can try them out in lower light.

[elkhunter11]

I have 10x42s, and I find that they work well for me, whether hunting the mountains, prairies or the timber.

[cowboyhunter]

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

I have 10x42s, and I find that they work well for me, whether hunting the mountains, prairies or the timber.

X2

[Rio56]

I don't like anything over the 8 x 42 .... 10's get a bit shaky and more weight .... nothing wrong with walking glass in the 8 x 30 or 32 range for convenience and weight ...

[HoytCRX32]

Originally Posted by cowboyhunter

X2

X3
Never have a problem with my 10 x 42 in the trees

[The moose]

I have 10x50's and love them. Just used them last night to get eyes on a beauty mule deer. I hunt in both thick forest and open field. Never found the 50's to be too much. I dont mountain hunt so the weight I dont find a problem at all

[jayquiver]

I have Leica 10x42 not to big, good magnification, good glass. I haven't regretted not getting another size.

Having said that I would get the best glass in the Leupold line that is "marked down". Glass is more important then size IMO

[tacomama]

10x42 Vortex, couldn't be happier and they didn't break the bank.
Have used them now for 3 seasons and have nothing bad to say.

[Abe89]

Went with the leuopold bx-2 cascade 10x42 with harness and shipping, $340cad. Best deal/quality mix I had available to me. Thanks for all the input!


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[jaked2ca]

looks like guys like rinella / snyder / callaghan use a tripod with their binos. Anyone use that technique? Rinella swears by it if your sitting behind your glass all day (high open country).

I got the 10x50 Vortex Viper HDs, so far I really like them.

[old dog]

Gone through a few over the years. Lica or swaro in a 10X42 or 50 would be my pic.

[teledogs]

10x42 works well for me

[katts69]

Anything 10 power and up putting them on a tripod is a great idea. Only run 8.5 myself. Glass for a bit then pull out the spotter to really pick it apart.

[takeiteasybird]

Originally Posted by tacomama

10x42 Vortex, couldn't be happier and they didn't break the bank.
Have used them now for 3 seasons and have nothing bad to say.

Same here and i'm hard on my binos too (i have to work on that) lol