I am debating about buying a new set of glass for all around hunting. I hunt in Iowa and out west mainly (Montana, Wyoming, Colorado). Alot of my hunting is in timber in Iowa but in open country out west. I am going to buy high end glass if possible.

Just wondering what was the opinion on 8X vs 10X.

All opinions welcome.

ddj

I am currently using both, 10x40 Zeiss Classic's and 8x32 Leica Ultravids.
Have been reaching for the 8x30 more often but still prefer the 10x for hunting where game is spotted at great distances.

I guess you are referring to binos? If so, I would recommend either 7X or 8X magnification. I have a good pair of 10X50s and wish I had a good pair of 7 or 8X35s. I don't need that much magnification and a smaller unit would be a lot easier to hang from my chest.

Thanks Dennis,

I was talking about bino's. I am thinking about Leicas if that makes a difference.

ddj

If you hunt in timber in Iowa, I would go with the 8x binoculars. Yes you will not be able to see as far in Montana, but I believe the 10x would a disadvantage to you in the timber.

The Katmai 6x32 is the ticket for hunting, especially when driving on a vehicle or in bushy terrain when walking. Quicker to get an image of the target and the picture appears more steady in comparison with 8x's and 10x's.

This is a great buy for around $300.

The Leupold 6x32mm Compact Katmai Wind River Binoculars give you all the performance of a full-size binocular in a compact package that's lightweight, and easy to carry or pack. The key is the Katmai's 32mm objective lens and L-coated prisms that work together to transmit a greater amount of light to your eye than traditional compacts, which usually employ a much smaller objective lens.

Warrior

For binos I much prefer 8x.

Let me add that I wear my Binos 100% of the time when hunting.

8x32 is my favorite size everything considered.

I REALLY like my 8x42 Leica's with the built in rangefinder. They are a little heave but I like the built in rangefinder enough to carry the weight around my neck.

I have a pair of Leica 8x20,s and find them excellent. They are great when not hunting early in the AM or late in the PM.

I also like them when hunting in Zimbabwe, Africa [where I do not need a range finder], as I can carry them 100% of the time, so I have them when I need them.

I do not second guess my PH, I do not, check his descision or judgement, ei. "glass" an animal he tells me to shoot. The 8x20's are perfect for me in Zimbabwe.

What would be the best binocular IMHO on the Planet... an 8x32 with a built in rangefinder.

I prefer the 8x over the 10x because when stalking I can hold the 8x steady with one hand, my rifle is in the other, the 10x is just too shakey for me.

get a pair of 8.5X52 minox high grades. better than a leica in the low light.

I have three different binocular types I use.

15-20x(with greater than 50 objectives for long range spotting of game), tripod mounted.

10x50 or 10x40 for mountain hunting or hunting pronghorns and mule deer.

8.5x56, 8x50, 8x56 for hunting in the forest and under low light.

I have about 10 pairs of binoculars, but these are the only type they all fall into.

I wouldn't want less than one of each above. If I could only afford medium quality I would do the following:

Nikon monarch atb 8.5x56
Pentax 20x50 pcf
Nikon monarch 10x50 ATB

If money was no object

Leica 8.5x56
Swarovski 16x56
Zeiss 10x50 Victory

I have two pair of SLC`s.One is a 7 X 42,and the other a 10 X 42.I would say the 7 X42 is a good all around Bino.It is more forgiving on adjusting for differnt distances and a better low light Bino.That being said I spent the money on the 10 X 42`s for hunting Western States.Where it is wide open the extra power is the difference in knowing if you want to stalk a certain animal or not.What ever you buy,buy the Best you can afford.Good Bino`s can last a lifetime.I have had my 7 X 42`s about 11 years.2 years ago ,I sent them back to Swaro for repairs.The completley rebuilt them,includeing the NEU Glass.Cost me not one cent!!!

A couple of years ago we were doing a deer count of some fields in the predawn.
I said to the other stalker there were 8 deer under the larches.He replied no there are 10.
I too now have a pair of 8x42 Leicas and sold my 10x40s on.
8 power is much steadier in the hand and a good compromise.My 2 cents anyway

Been around the full circle and ended ut with Leica 8x42 as the best all round binos.
Ok for spotting, great in dense woodland and dark timber and very good at dusk and dawn deer stalking.
A bit on the heavy side, but I manage

For my money, I would go with the 8x or the 7x. I have owned them all and found that brightness and field of view are king. A good piar of 8x42's fully multi coated are just right imho. I have a Nikon Monarch's 8x42 which if you search, can be bought for around $250-$275. They are very bright, very sharp, waterproof, fog proof, and they carry and unconditional 25 year warranty...even if you drop them, Nikon will replace them.

Oops, I forgot! Like D99, if I had the money, either Zeiss, Leica or Swarovski's would be mine. When you lood through a pair of those, every thing else is "less than". You will kow why they are $1,000 plus...they are worth every penney.

8X is best for hand held.

Put them on a tripod, and you can quickly go to 20X.

8x42 are the only way to go. I did recomend to my cousin who hunts out of his pickup to get 10x42 because the way he hunts. I have a pair of 7x40 NVA Zeiss that i use for scouting out of the truck... they were made to watch the Berlin wall and do very with low light. But they will stay in the truck due to weight. I have a pair of minox 8x42 for carry.
Aaron

n not hunting early in the AM or late in the PM.



What would be the best binocular IMHO on the Planet... an 8x32 with a built in rangefinder.

I asked the Leica rep at the last DSC show and he said they were working on getting the 8x32 w/ rangefinder done. He said the difficualty was getting the rangefinder into the smaller 32 objective.

I agree this would be the best all around bino!

I'm with D99 on this. It's hard to have a one pair does all binocular. I personally have a 8x25 pocket pair, a 10x50 pair, and a 20x60 pair.

The pocket pair is handy for only occasional use with lots of walking. The 10x50s are the default pair. Since most of my hunting is in Texas out of stands, I'm going to try the larger pair this year. I'm on a new lease with a couple of areas where 400 yard shots are possible so I got the 20x60s with a tripod and window mount. (I find binoculars much easier to use than a spotting scope).

But if I wasn't going to have several pair then I think I would get the best pair of 8x I could afford. An 8x pair with high quality glass will beat the pants off a 10x pair with mediocre glass any day.

LWD

I have choosen 8,5 (Swaro EL 8,5x42) and have found out that it is the most versatile bino around! Now I have sold it, because I have seen the NEW Swaro 8,5x42 Swarovision yet with my own eyes - now I can´t wait to get my pairs...

Got all kinds but 8x32's is what I take hunting. If I can't see the game with them, I know I can't shoot.

I like and carry a pair of 10x Pentax. We hunt in everything from timber scrub to open fields, and I've not found 10x to be a hinderance in either terrain. The extra magnification is beneficial in 90% of instances.

quote:

Originally posted by Arild Iversen:
Been around the full circle and ended ut with Leica 8x42 as the best all round binos.
Ok for spotting, great in dense woodland and dark timber and very good at dusk and dawn deer stalking.
A bit on the heavy side, but I manage

Me, too.

I've had to make the same decision and decided on the 10x. The eye strain is similar and the 10x gives more detail.

quote:

Originally posted by Ahab:
Got all kinds but 8x32's is what I take hunting. If I can't see the game with them, I know I can't shoot.

You don´t go pig hunting without artificial light (prohibited here) during night, are You?

If, You would know that you need a light collector. The only pair of binos which could take the chasse to the traditional 8x56 binos in my experience is the Swarovski EL 8,5x42 or 10x42 - and it does it very proud!