10x42 vs 11x45

[deer310sg]

Other than obvious, is there much difference between these binos. Most obvious probably is the length, weight on a 11x bino.

Whats most prefer, pro, cons?
Either will be mostly used for scouting, midwest whitetail, stand hunting.

 

[SHIDJ]

Other than obvious, is there much difference between these binos. Most obvious probably is the length, weight on a 11x bino.

Whats most prefer, pro, cons?
Either will be mostly used for scouting, midwest whitetail, stand hunting.

I’ve never owned or looked through 11x45 binos but would think they would compare similarly to 10x42s. If the weight/size difference between models you’re considering isn’t significant, the extra light gathering of the 45mm tubes might be worth it. That being said, I currently have Leupold BX-4 10x42s that have been great for more open western hunting. They’re a nice balance of reasonable weight and enough magnification to glass a ways out there.

 

[cbuck516]

I have used 10x for the past 6 years and will be dropping down to 8x for my everyday binos. I have ended up in a number of situations hunting in heavily timbered areas out west as well as here in Missouri where 10x was a little too much magnification. I had a loaner 8x42 and my 10x50 on a hunt last September and got to spend some time going back and forth between the two. Even glassing out to well past a mile, the 10x did not have a significant advantage over the 8x for the two binos I was comparing.

If you don't ever plan to carry a spotting scope or own multiple pairs of binos, I think the 10x does make sense.

 

[K9TXS]

The higher power you go narrows your field of view and becomes less stable for viewing. When I was working, we were given 12 power binoculars for surveillance work. The only way we could use them is by resting them on the steering wheel.

We turned those in and bought our own. I bought a fixed 10x and my partner had fixed 8x. Both had their place. I use 10 power today in the PD fields.

 

[renagde]

It's entirely going to depend on which models you're comparing. If the 11x45 binos you're talking about are the Sigs or the Mavens, then I would compare them to more of a 12x42 bino. For the use case you specified, the wider the FOV the better in which case something like a 8x might fit better.