10x50 vs. 12x50

[applepie_eli]

I'm trading in my Vortex Diamondbacks in 10x42 to get a pair of Crossfire 10x50 or 12x50. Reason being is I have another pair of Crossfire and they are actually nicer even though they're cheaper in my opinion. I'll be using them to sit on a hill top and glass fields 500 yards and out for deer, turkeys, and whatever else.

Which would you pick, 10x50 or 12x50?

I already have 8x42s so these will be for longer distances.
Yes I know I should save up and get better optics but I'm a college student so it will have to wait.

 

[Dioni A]

I would use what you have and just keep on saving.

 

[RussGS]

^^^^^^ This

8x42 on a tripod can cover a lot of ground, and are better for managing shake when you don't have it on a tripod.

 

[applepie_eli]

Well I already have two pairs and I want to keep it that way in case something happens to one pair and so my girlfriend/family/buddies have an extra pair to use when we go away on trips. So getting rid of the Diamondbacks with nothing in return is out of question. But I should be able to trade them straight up at my local gun shop for crossfires, or I have enough money on a gift certificate that I can make up for any difference. My reason for this is that the crossfires are much better to see through with my glasses on because of the flatter eye cups. I'd like something a little bigger so I'm deciding between 10 and 12x50. I have a tripod (cheap but sturdy) and would only be using the bigger ones while I'm stationary anyway. So it's just between 10 and 12x50. Looking to see what everyone likes better. I looked through the 10x50 at Cabela's yesterday and was very impressed. Hoping to get a look at 12s today at the gun shop.

 

[wannakillabigbull]

At that price point you're better off sticking to lower magnification, so I would recommend the 10x50s of the two you're looking at. Higher magnification will highlight the imperfections in any glass, so the higher you go in magnification the more money you're going to need to spend to get a nice clear image. For the Crossfires if you went to 12x you're going to get a "bigger" image, but it's going to be more blurry than the 10X and you'll likely get little to no advantage as far as being able to see details. You're also sacrificing a ton of field of view (320 vs 273) if you go with the 12x. Anything under about 285 feels like you've got tunnel vision IMO. The 10x50s should be a good choice for you. They'll be more versatile for sure. Good luck!

 

[applepie_eli]

At that price point you're better off sticking to lower magnification, so I would recommend the 10x50s of the two you're looking at. Higher magnification will highlight the imperfections in any glass, so the higher you go in magnification the more money you're going to need to spend to get a nice clear image. For the Crossfires if you went to 12x you're going to get a "bigger" image, but it's going to be more blurry than the 10X and you'll likely get little to no advantage as far as being able to see details. You're also sacrificing a ton of field of view (320 vs 273) if you go with the 12x. Anything under about 285 feels like you've got tunnel vision IMO. The 10x50s should be a good choice for you. They'll be more versatile for sure. Good luck!

Thanks good point! I kinda feel that way with the 10x42, they don't have a wide enough field of view. I'll probably end up sticking with the 10x50 and wait till I can afford higher quality glass for the higher magnifications.