8x42 or 10x42

[drthlwsk]

I am looking at getting some new glass for hunting, and was wondering what the opinion was of 8x42 versus 10x42. I have been researching, but, thought I would ask guys who are out there. What do you prefer and why?

[Drop_Tine]

I perfer the 10x42's .... Gives you a little more magnification and still good in low situations!

[Justin.C]

Originally Posted by Drop_Tine

I perfer the 10x42's .... Gives you a little more magnification and still good in low situations!

I agree 100% But the 8power have a better feild of veiw. I like the better magnification so I dont have to do a whole buch extra work that is not needed with good optics.

[280Hunter]

Originally Posted by Drop_Tine

I perfer the 10x42's .... Gives you a little more magnification and still good in low situations!

X2

[Lefty-Canuck]

depends on how and where you hunt....mostly open spaces 10X42.....mostly bush 8X42 will do...

LC

[trimble]

Calibre, hunting bush or open fields, bolt or lever, experience level, money?
For lever action guns from 30-30 to 45-70 I prefer 4x fixed power (short range shots 0-200 m). For mid. range from 50 to 400 m I would use bolt with 8x fixed power. For fixed power scopes I would look at Weaver, Nikon or Leupold.

[stc77]

Originally Posted by trimble

Calibre, hunting bush or open fields, bolt or lever, experience level, money?
For lever action guns from 30-30 to 45-70 I prefer 4x fixed power (short range shots 0-200 m). For mid. range from 50 to 400 m I would use bolt with 8x fixed power. For fixed power scopes I would look at Weaver, Nikon or Leupold.

pretty sure he is talking about bino's here. Doesnt matter what type of gun you are using, binoculars dont care about calibre.

I got some nice new 8s, love em. They allow more light and less shaking as i am holding them. A lot more steady in my hands as i am trying to glass my animals than my old 10's. But either way, as long as you get good glass you'll be happy. If you need the magnification, go with 10s. if that isnt needed, 8s will do you just fine.

[Sambar9.3]

I like the 8x42's because I'm can be pretty shaky and they give a steadier image. As others have said, they also have a wider field of view and potentially better low light ability. Having said that I also pack a 20-60x spotter with me so I use my bino's to find things and my spotter to look at them.

If I didn't have a spotting scope I would probably buy 10x42's for hunting in the mountains or open country.

[ishootbambi]

^^ totally agree. i cant hold 10's steady enough to not get the googly eyes. not only that, they are brighter in very low light at the edges of dawn and dusk. the spotting scope gives me all the detail i need for a closer look..

[outahand]

FOR WHAT ITS WORTH , i will give you my 5 cents worth . I have GUIDEd IN NORTHERN BC for a number of years and have seen many hunters using all kinds of binos here is the long and short of it . 8 power binocs are an excellent choice they are usually easier to hold steady and a great glass for all around hunting for most game and situations ,the 10 power glass will shine if you do alot of mountain type hunting and glassing for extended periods of time since it brings everything 10 times closer instead of 8 less eye srain. For me and my type of hunting there is only the 10 power glass either choice will work fine it comes down to personal preference take out both 8 and 10 power glasses and decide for yourself it wont be hard.

[Twobucks]

I use 8's but I often reach for my Dad's 10's. Personally I'd go 10 because I'm hunting more and more open country - but you have to rest them on something to get a good steady view. The 8's you can just free hand for most things.

[2 Tollers]

If you are looking at high end bino's it would be worth taking a look at 10 x 32 as well. These are realtively new to the market, drop the overall bino weight and still work well in low light.

[gunslinger]

Deffintly go with the 10x42, all of us have bought a couple pairs of binos over time and you always go with a better set with each new set, i used 10x42 forever and now i just went with the 15x56 after using them on a elk hunt.

[209x50]

10x42 for years now.

[Scott N]

Personally I see better with 8X because of the handshake with 10X. That's just me though, you might be different.

[Dark Wing]

It's always been 10x42 for me.

[Drop_Tine]

Good discussion ... Everyone uses what works for them !!!!... Lots of good points on both!!!

[H380]

Had the 8's and was given a pair of 10x42 as a tip .. wouldn't go back to the 8's ..

[Almer Fudd]

I carried 8X56 Optolyth for 25 years. Nice glass.

I just got a new pair of 10X42 Leica geovid with the range finder.

If you plan to hunt in the high country go with the 10X for sure.

If your in closer country 8X would be fine.

[pikergolf]

Bottom line if you can hold the 10X steady enough to use go for it. I can't and I think it has to do with age, not as steady as I used to be. Go to the store and try them both free hand or leaning against something if you plan on doing that. Try and find the smallest sign print that you can read with one of the pairs and then try the other. For me it wasn't even close, what I could read with 8X was a quaking mess at 10X.

[jimbo1]

i have zeiss classics 10 x 40s and i love them! either would be fine thoiugh just spend as much as you can on your glass i saved up for a while for mine and its the best decision i ever made!

[Mxyzptik]

I think the answer lies in your price range. IMO if you can only afford a lower priced to mid priced bino then stick with the 8 power as a cheaper 10 power will give you way too much eyestrain. If you are buying a good glass like leica or swarofski then you won't experience that.

If you are hunting mountains or the big ass open prairie in the south then you might want the 10 powers but if you are a whitetail and moose hunter in the north like me the 8's are better suited. I have the 8x 42 leica's and they are perfect for what I do.

But beware of eyestrain with a cheaper 10x , half an hour glassing and you'll be cross-eyed.

[drthlwsk]

Looks like preference is the guiding point. Lessons I have learned from your experience. Buy good glass, 8's are good for stability & bush, and 10's are good for longer distances & lower light. I have used 8's for a while and had good luck with them. I read that 10's are the best selling glass out there.

[Lefty-Canuck]

I opted to go with a 10X42 set of Geovids. I could have gone with the 8's but I figured with the built in range finder the 10's were the way to go. Most of my hunting is in more open country so the 10 power is nice....there is the argument about low light conditions...my take on it is in low light with a 10 you still have higer magnification, so the trade off is brighter or more detail...

Also this might sound funny, if you have an issue steadying the 10's and if you hunt wearing a ball cap try gripping the brim of your cap with your index fingers only or your index and middle fingers when looking through your glasses....really helps you steady them....like a portable bino-pod (not really but it does help).

LC

[ishootbambi]

Originally Posted by Lefty-Canuck

Also this might sound funny, if you have an issue steadying the 10's and if you hunt wearing a ball cap try gripping the brim of your cap with your index fingers only or your index and middle fingers when looking through your glasses....really helps you steady them....like a portable bino-pod (not really but it does help).

LC

been doing that for years, but still a little wobbly. good thing i didnt become a surgeon....

[Lefty-Canuck]

Originally Posted by ishootbambi

been doing that for years, but still a little wobbly. good thing i didnt become a surgeon....

you gotta lay off the coffee then... The way you shoot gophers in 50 mile an hour wind makes me wonder, pegging them left and right....I figured you would be rock solid holding binos!

LC

[ishootbambi]

Originally Posted by Lefty-Canuck

you gotta lay off the coffee then... The way you shoot gophers in 50 mile an hour wind makes me wonder, pegging them left and right....I figured you would be rock solid holding binos!

LC

i thought i admitted that i was aiming at the one 3 feet to the right?

hey, i just got an anchor sight and put it on today. im heading to the range tomorrow and may have a question or two for you. ill see how it goes, but i may be calling you. i think your number is still in my phone.

[Lefty-Canuck]

Ok sounds good....I'll PM you my cell number just in case. Not sure if you mounted it yet or not...but I prefer it mounted in a lower position



This way it is in my natural periferal view like below....



To the OP not trying to derail....probably should have sent a PM Sorry....

LC

[Tabers Best]

12x42... Works for me, my dad has the same bino's in a 8x42 and things looked far away. Use a Cabelas bino strap and you will be surprised how it helps you to hold steady. Though I do give up some brightness. There are also some in between sizes like Nikon's at 8.5x45 and 10.5x45.

[Bearen09]

I use 10X42. I have the perfect solution for you.... Pick up a pair of Leica Duovids.. Then you have both pairs..