8x42 vs 10x42

milkie62 · Nov 14, 2016

Trying to decide on 8x42 or 10x42 binocs.Looking to stay in the $400 plus a little range.Anybody wish that after they bought the 8 power they went for the 10 power or visa versa ? Thanks.

Gollywomper · Nov 14, 2016

I went from 8's to 10's plus an upgrade in glass. For $400 range it will be hard to beat a set af vortex Talon hd. I was told it was Same glass as the viper HD but a less expensive housing? I love mine and looked at a lot of others in the 400 price range.

3blade · Nov 14, 2016

I used 10's for years and switched to 8's 5 or 6 years ago and have never regretted it. A lot easier to hold steady and works much better in the timber. The only time I feel under glassed is when I legitimately need a spotting scope.

UtahJimmy · Nov 15, 2016

Depends on where you hunt and what terrain. 8's are great if you're in think timber or sitting a stand. Out West, 10's are the minimum for open country.

mmwb · Nov 15, 2016

I've used both. The quality of the glass is more important than the magnification. I don't agree with the common assertion that you need 10xs in the open west. I live in western Wyoming and find my 8.5x swaros more than adequate for anything I wouldn't need to put a spotting scope on. Side by side with the same model in 10xs I found that the difference in finer details was negligible, but the wider field of view of the 8.5xs to be a real plus.

There is a personal preference involved, so I wouldn't say one is better than the other. You would do well to look through them side by side, in what ever models you decide on. If you have poor eyes in terms of contrast and clarity, you may find more magnification is better.

milkie62 · Nov 15, 2016

>I went from 8's to 10's
>plus an upgrade in glass.
>For $400 range it will
>be hard to beat a
>set af vortex Talon hd.
>I was told it was
>Same glass as the viper
>HD but a less expensive
>housing? I love mine and
>looked at a lot of
>others in the 400 price
>range.

The part time job I have allows me to get Vortex optics in the 50% off price range.Thanks will look into that.

OldBear · Dec 15, 2016

I really like 10s, but if you can't always hold them steady then you'd probably be happier with 8s.

mtmuleys · Jan 8, 2017

just got my 10x43 Zen ED4. very nice finish for the new ED/HD binoculars. For western hunting, I found 8x is tag too weak. 10x is perfect without resorting to the monster 15x binoculars.

http://www.zen-ray.com/shop/binoculars/zened4/zened4-10x43.html

They have a code: HEART-ED4 for $150 off