8x vs 10x

stillwaitin · Jul 11, 2014

Hey guys, thinking about some new binos and was wondering what most prefer. I have some decent 8x right now but am looking for an upgrade and was wondering if it would be a good idea to get 10's. I think some times a little more magnification would be nice but is it worth the loss in FOV. Or does it even make that big of a difference?
Right now I have Zen-Ray ed-2's and am looking to upgrade to some Viper HD's. Is it worth the upgrade?

Thanks

Zeke · Jul 11, 2014

I'm not qualified to address those brands but I have some thoughts on magnification.

8x is fine for 95% of what you're trying to do.
10x is fine for 95% of what you're trying to do.

In other words, the practical application of 8 vs 10 almost overlap. 5% of the time one will be better than the other.

Maybe add the 10's to the 8's instead of eliminating them.

Best of luck!

2 cents,
Zeke

twsnow18 · Jul 11, 2014

I'm not very steady handed so I regret getting 10's. They are fine while glassing with my elbows on my knees but you can't beat 8's for still hunting or while breathing heavily after getting to the top. Good quality 8's are tough to beat imo.

257Tony · Jul 12, 2014

I've been using the 8.5 Swaro's and absolutely love them. They find Deer just as well as 10's, and the spotter comes out for real judging work. The wider FOV is useful for me when Elk hunting in the Quakies.

Timberbuck · Jul 12, 2014

I like both.

The 8x will provide a more eye pleasing picture and easier view. Its easier to hold steady, brighter and the larger FOV is better in the trees. I use a 8x most of the time.

10x has its place in more open country where every bit of magnification counts.

I own both and which one I take on the hunt depends on the terrain I will be hunting.

txhunter58 · Jul 13, 2014

I have both and use my 8Xs 95% of the time. Saving up for some 8.5 x 42 swarovision swarovskis

txhunter58

venor, ergo sum (I hunt, therefore I am)

timberhunter_ · Jul 13, 2014

LAST EDITED ON Jul-13-14 AT 03:05PM (MST)[p]I have used 10x and 8x binos, and for me 10x is what I use. I hunt from 30 yards of vis to multiple km of vis. i would sacrifice ease of viewing up close to be able to judge a deer better at longer ranges. yes if there is a possible shooter the spotter comes out, but the binos make it nice. and i disagree about being able to spot as many critters as easily with 8x as 10x when you start looking at long ranges. a prime example of this is when i was glassing last fall i happened to pick out a deer, walk out in a grassy opening between two cliffs about 2000-2500 yards. i could tell it was a big buck. would i have found it with the 8x, i don't know but i think not, as it was a long ways off and hard to see. it gave me enough motivation to try for it. these minor differences is why i go with 10x.

Timberbuck · Jul 13, 2014

LAST EDITED ON Jul-13-14 AT 06:16PM (MST)[p]txhunter-you should first look at the new SLC before you decide on the 8.5 Swarovision. Its optics are just as good, its slightly brighter and quite a bit cheaper new. Have you looked through a 8.5 Swarovision before in the field? You may or may not like it depending on how sensitive you are to the "rolling ball" or "globe effect" distortion caused by the field flattening lenses.

stillwaitin · Jul 14, 2014

LAST EDITED ON Jul-14-14 AT 09:04AM (MST)[p]Thanks for all of the feedback guys. I actually went up to my brother-in-law's to look at his Vortex 10x Viper HD's and compared them side x side to my Zen Ray ed2's and there was a little difference but not enough to me to justify the paying almost $600. I think I will save my $$ for now and wait until I can afford to upgrade to some Conquests or Razors. Thanks for the help though I will keep this in mind when I have to money for the upper end glass.

mtmuleys · Jul 14, 2014

When I bought my ZEN ED, I compared it to Viper and found ZEN was actually tad sharper and brighter and decided to keep my ZEN ED. You may want to look into Zen-Ray PRIME HD for $519 (they have a $50 coupon on their website). For western hunting, I always stick to 10x.

http://www.zen-ray.com/shop/demo/prime-hd-1042-demo.html

Willametteriveroutlaw · Jul 14, 2014

>LAST EDITED ON Jul-14-14
>AT 09:04?AM (MST)
>
>Thanks for all of the feedback
>guys. I actually went up
>to my brother-in-law's to look
>at his Vortex 10x Viper
>HD's and compared them side
>x side to my Zen
>Ray ed2's and there was
>a little difference but not
>enough to me to justify
>the paying almost $600. I
>think I will save my
>$$ for now and wait
>until I can afford to
>upgrade to some Conquests or
>Razors. Thanks for the help
>though I will keep this
>in mind when I have
>to money for the upper
>end glass.

They are probably both made in the same Chinese factory...

Deerlove · Jul 15, 2014

I use my 8's most of the time, there at least a pound lighter and I always carry a spotter.

mmwb · Jul 15, 2014

It really is a personal preference. I used 10x for years. The last three have been 8.5 Swaros. I prefer the 8.5s. That being said, difference in quality make a difference too. High end 8x will probably prove much better than mid range 10x, and visa versa.