10x or 8x binoculars

FullCurlHunter · Aug 4, 2005

From your experience, 10x or 8x for all around use. Plan on using them out west in the open, mountains as well as some timber use while bowhunting. Need all the opinions i can get!!!
Looking hard at Steiner Merlin 10x42/8x42, Leupold wind river pinnacle 10x42/8x42. Any experience wit these particular binoculars?

grizzlyplumber · Aug 4, 2005

I personally like the 8x for use around my neck. They are a little more stable after Ive huffed up a mountain. I also carry a pair of 15's on a tripod, so Im not giving up anything by carrying the 8's. If you are only going to carry one pair then I would say maybe the 10's. Another thing to consider is when doing very detailed glassing even the 10's work best on a tripod. Good Luck.

lucdavis · Aug 5, 2005

I cannot say that I have ever used/tried the Steiners. However, I bought a pair of Leupold Wind Rivers in 10x42 from Sportsmans Warehouse about 3 years ago for about $250. My personal experience has been very good with these. They have been very durable, extremely clear compared to all the other bino's I have used/tried over the years and much better in low light conditions as well. I have a hard time stomaching the $1000 for a pair of Leicas, Swarovski, etc. And I think the Wind Rivers were a good middle of the road bino.

-Lucas

~

http://www.monstermuleys.com/cgi-bin/stories/site.pl?page=lucasdavis10103

kilbuc · Aug 5, 2005

10's...and get the best quaility binocs you can. As a well known hubnter once said, "binocs weight nothing and cost nothing". LOL

from the "Heartland of Wyoming"

fullcry · Aug 6, 2005

Unless you will have a spotting scope with you every time you hunt,go with the 10s.For the average guy Windrivers are fine.If you ever actually hunt with some one who has very,very good binos and you plan on hunting serious. You will not be satisfied.Just looking through them in the store isnt a good comparison.On the Mt. however its a whole new game.The guy who says there isnt a big difference is up in the night.Theres no comparison....The bigger thing to look at isnt the 10x or 8x its the the second number. that is more important.thats the amount of light it gathers.I would go with a 7x50 long before a 10x42.I wont own anything but a 10 x50...Been there done that..
Go with the highest quality absolute most you can afford...Then go a little more....

PronghornHunter · Aug 7, 2005

I use a pair of 10x50 in the truck and when out walking and looking I carry a pair of 8x32 and they work great for me.

grizzly · Aug 8, 2005

I would look at the Zeiss Diafun also.

mmwb · Aug 8, 2005

I prefer the 10x as well. In terms of quality of glass, there is no doubt that you get what you pay for and the high end glass is worth the extra $$$. That being said, sometimes we are bit unrealistic about what is affordable for some. The first year I even hunted with glass, it was a pair of $30.00 sam's club speacial 10x50s. Saw more game that season with those cheap, disposable (and they needed thrown away after the first good soaking!) glasses than I had the previous 3 or 4 seasons combined! It was a revelation to an inexperienced hunter. Now I have a decent set of Bruntons. Someday, if I ever scrape up the change I will go high end. Good glass is worth its weight in gold, mediocre glass is better than poor, and poor is definately better than none! Let us know what you decide to get.

outtabreath · Aug 12, 2005

I have the windriver 8 x 42s and love them. Did a bit of research before hand. When deciding which model use this equation to see how well they will gather light ( called exit pupil). Divide second number by first. For example 42/8 =
5.25. The higher the number, the more light it will gather. Better for low-light conditions. Also. the higher the magnification, the harder it is to get things in focus. It takes longer to get your focus adjusted also. just my two cents.