32 vs 40 mm Bino’s

[TomM]

Some of the 8 vs 10 threads have me thinking. I am in the 8x camp and have only used 8x40 or 42’s but am thinking of 32 as a more compact option and jumping up in glass quality. So anyone went from 40’s to 30’s and regretted it? Or was happy they made the switch?

 

[Wrench]

I went to 32mm edg and it wasn't bad. No noticed loss over my 42mm glass (leica, meopta, nikon)

 

[willfrye027]

To me, only noticeable in the first or last 20 min of light. My 8x30s I feel take me past legal light even in timber. But if low light performance in critical then the 42s are gonna be better, no question. It’s worth the trade off for me though.

 

[Blockcaver]

I have SV 10x42 ELs and old Leica Ultavid 8x32HDs. The 8x32s see about half my bino use over the year and virtually all of my tighter cover hunting. I wouldn't be without 'em, but would chose the 10x42s if restricted to one pair, as I do alot of sheep, caribou and moose hunting where we have horn/antler point restrictions to be legal.

 

[Shraggs]

I run both too. For me it’s a trade off as both have their place. Less weight and size make the smaller ideal for timber and or on the move hunting. You give up light gathering and usually some fov. The larger are best when light gathering and resolution really matter and or a little weight is worth it.

 

[Blue72]

I notice you loose detail when there is a change in aperture. I know between my 7x20 and 7x35 during the day I don’t see the superfine texture of a weathered cinderblock in my neighbors yard., at night I see less moon craters

 

[Newtosavage]

There is no x30/32 bino I'm aware of that can compete with even a medium range x42 in terms of light gathering. I owned the Swaro 8x30 SLC for a while and tested it side-by-side against my wife's 8x42 Bushnell Legend M's, and it wasn't even close.

 

[TomM]

Think I’m going to get a Yosemite, etc class compact Bino for woodsy stuff, and keep my 8x40’s for all day glassing choirs.

 

[Newtosavage]

Yosemites are tough to beat actually. Great little binocular with excellent sharpness to price ratio

 

[prm]

I switched to 8x30s and don’t see myself going back to 42s.

 

[Beendare]

Sold off my 32mm years ago, i want the low light performance.....

But of course its personal.... the next guy prefers the compact- ness

..

 

[WestNE]

Tried 8x32 Euro HD's and loved them. Thought I needed more power so I sold them and went to a new 10x42 Nikon HG... you don't know how much you love them till there gone. I now use 8x32 Euro HD's for my everything bino.

Though the 8x30 Maven B3 or Nikon HG do pique my interest.