I am treating myself to a new set of bino's and unsure about the power. My use is for glassing big game in open conditions. I am leaning towards the 10X but have been told that the 8X are easier to use without the "shake" of the 10x. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.
Bino power, 8X or 10X?
- Thread starter hiredgun
- Start date
I prefer the 8X for the very reason you mention in your post.... hand shake. I see more than I do with 10X because of the shakes. I've never actually felt like I need more magnification and I hunt in the open prairie and mountains. I do sometimes take a spotting scope though.
sillymike
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Personally, I like 7x the best... but I ended up getting some 8x (great deal on some Minox 'demo' from Doug at http://www.cameralandny.com/)
The BL are nice and light...
8x32BL
8x42BL
I'd love to get some Leica Ultravid 7x42... But can't really justify the spending...
What's your budget?
The BL are nice and light...
8x32BL
8x42BL
I'd love to get some Leica Ultravid 7x42... But can't really justify the spending...
What's your budget?
Taylor-Made
CGN Regular
Budget is definitely a consideration, however, I use a set of Canon 12x36 that are Image stabilized and they are fantastic. Rock solid with the stabilization and I find them much easier on eye strain because of it. Battery life is also very good, but if it does die the binos are still very usable
BigUglyMan
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- New Scotland
I have a set of 10x42s. Upside is that they're a hair more powerful, downside is that they're heavier and more succeptible to shake.
8x are nice because you can go with a smaller objective and have the same brightness. They are also lighter (assuming you go with a smaller objective) and less shaky.
I like my 10x Pentax but would love a nice light set of 8x32.
8x are nice because you can go with a smaller objective and have the same brightness. They are also lighter (assuming you go with a smaller objective) and less shaky.
I like my 10x Pentax but would love a nice light set of 8x32.
The salesman is 100% right, because most people simply assume 10x MUST be better than 8x simply because bigger must be better... right?
As a Leica sales rep, I can assure you more 10x are sold as opposed to 7x or 8x, however, the difference in power is actually quite negligible in a real world situations. Less expense, less user fatigue, and a lighter more compact package are the real benefits of 8x.
- Location
- Kamloops, BC
Around here in the grassland the I like the 10x. Most guys I know with 8x wish they had gotten the 10x as they just can't pick out see the antlers as well.
Two of the nicest glasses to use were the older 7x35 Trinovids and the 7x, 42 classic Zeiss.
Beating a dead horse here again - but for many years the military (who actually know a thing or two about binoculars) have consistently stayed with 6x and 7x bino's for dismounted troops. Throughout WWII 6x, 30 were among the most widely issued and used (and among the most desirable war souvenirs - either "liberated" or "missing in action") .
Today many Cdn forces (including Naval) still use the 7x,50 ELCAN - among the best (and most expensive) issued bino's anywhere. Yes .. you may see the occasional 10x,50 but these are for folks directing/observing artillery ... and they tend to employ them for ranges a little longer than most hunters operate at.
It is also true that some Naval personnel use more powerful binos.. in fact the Kriegsmarine went all the way up to a whopping 8x, (usually 56mm objective but occasionally 60mm).
When Naval forces wanted something with bigger magnification - the selected ranging optics were (on Iowa class battleships) as powerful as 25x BUT these optical rangefinders were employed in conjunction with on-board computers to calculate firing solutions for targets 35 kilometers away!!
The simple reason for selecting all of these lower power bino's (as opposed to 10x etc) is that for a given weight they provide the broadest field of view and largest exit pupil ... which is a big aide in "finding" your subject/target first and then being able to "hold steady" to achieve a viewable image (eg bright and large exit pupil image) in most light conditions in order to get sufficient target detail.
I have 10x bino's .... BUT use 6x the most. Far and away the majority of hunters are best served with bino's 8x or less IMHO
Beating a dead horse here again - but for many years the military (who actually know a thing or two about binoculars) have consistently stayed with 6x and 7x bino's for dismounted troops. Throughout WWII 6x, 30 were among the most widely issued and used (and among the most desirable war souvenirs - either "liberated" or "missing in action") .
Today many Cdn forces (including Naval) still use the 7x,50 ELCAN - among the best (and most expensive) issued bino's anywhere. Yes .. you may see the occasional 10x,50 but these are for folks directing/observing artillery ... and they tend to employ them for ranges a little longer than most hunters operate at.
It is also true that some Naval personnel use more powerful binos.. in fact the Kriegsmarine went all the way up to a whopping 8x, (usually 56mm objective but occasionally 60mm).
When Naval forces wanted something with bigger magnification - the selected ranging optics were (on Iowa class battleships) as powerful as 25x BUT these optical rangefinders were employed in conjunction with on-board computers to calculate firing solutions for targets 35 kilometers away!!
The simple reason for selecting all of these lower power bino's (as opposed to 10x etc) is that for a given weight they provide the broadest field of view and largest exit pupil ... which is a big aide in "finding" your subject/target first and then being able to "hold steady" to achieve a viewable image (eg bright and large exit pupil image) in most light conditions in order to get sufficient target detail.
I have 10x bino's .... BUT use 6x the most. Far and away the majority of hunters are best served with bino's 8x or less IMHO
Shelldrake
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Right behind you,,
Steiner 8x30 Military/Marine,, best optic buy I have ever made.
Shelldrake
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Right behind you,,
Also, the image from an 8 power with the same objective, and all other factors equal, will be brighter. This is not only a huge help when the animals are the most active, but as Steyr mentionned, less fatiguing. When you have both side by side in lower light conditions, you will likely pick the 8 hands down. Comparing them during the day, is nearly pointless IMO.
Binos larger then your rifle scope or atleast should be in my opinion.
If you consider the fact a No4T carrying sniper had a 4X scope and 7X binos it makes more sense in context then just saying "that is what they used in World War 2".
Since most hunters have 3-9x scopes I'd say 12x is on avarice what you'd want.
Dimitri
If you consider the fact a No4T carrying sniper had a 4X scope and 7X binos it makes more sense in context then just saying "that is what they used in World War 2".
Since most hunters have 3-9x scopes I'd say 12x is on avarice what you'd want.
Dimitri
If you get accustomed to holding them properly you can usually overcome the problems associated with hand movements and vibrations. I've never found that to be a big deal when chosing between 8 or 19 power binos.
The 8's, however, are not only somewhat brighter (and often a few bucks cheaper), but they have a better depth of field. When you focus at a particular distance, you'll find much less need to refocus for objects that are slightly closer or farther away than that particular distance. This makes a big difference when using them at shorter ranges, especially in thick cover. That antler-like branch 20 feet past the tree you're looking at will still be in clear focus without any need to constantly crank the focus wheel back and forth. In cold weather, or when holding the binos with one hand (perhaps with your gun in the other) this is helpful.
The 8's, however, are not only somewhat brighter (and often a few bucks cheaper), but they have a better depth of field. When you focus at a particular distance, you'll find much less need to refocus for objects that are slightly closer or farther away than that particular distance. This makes a big difference when using them at shorter ranges, especially in thick cover. That antler-like branch 20 feet past the tree you're looking at will still be in clear focus without any need to constantly crank the focus wheel back and forth. In cold weather, or when holding the binos with one hand (perhaps with your gun in the other) this is helpful.
Binos larger then your rifle scope or atleast should be in my opinion.
If you consider the fact a No4T carrying sniper had a 4X scope and 7X binos it makes more sense in context then just saying "that is what they used in World War 2".
Since most hunters have 3-9x scopes I'd say 12x is on avarice what you'd want.
Dimitri
The highest magnification I have on any of my rifles is 6x, so my 6.5x and 7x binos are in line with your suggestion, but that's coincidence. To say the binos should be more powerful than the scope isn't practical when I see lots of scopes in use with maximum magnification at 15x or 24x.
(If you consider the fact a No4T carrying sniper had a 4X scope you aren't considering a fact. The standard scope for the No.4T sniper rifle in WWII was only 2.5x magnification.)
