Firehawk
WKR
I tried the 10x route for a while and just had too much shake. On a tripod they were terrific. I tried Minox BD series and the first gen Vortex Razors, but couldn't afford to go Swaro/Leica/Zeiss at the time. Eventually I ended up with 8x and found them much more comfortable for me to use. The operative word though "Me" to use. Only you can determine which is better for you and the way that you hunt.
Eventually, I ended up with a Leica Duovid 8-12x42 and loved them in nearly every way except for their weight. From a tripod or even just using my hiking sticks I could get by with the 12x, but I couldn't use that power at all free hand.
Eventually, I ended up with the Maven B2 9x45. They are terrific and when I used them on a tripod this fall, I was absolutely stunned. They are really good. So...I still see some "wiggle" with the 9x, but much less than at 10x. From a tripod I didn't feel handicapped whatsoever.
I still have an 8x32 that is a stalwart member of my family's hunting arsenal, an 8x42 Vortex Talon HD which is really good for the money, Zen Ray Summit HD in 8x42 that my daughter uses and likes a lot and my youngest son has used the 6x32 Vortex Raptor Porro he got for his 13th birthday quite a lot, although he tends to like my Talons more now. I carry the Mavens and I am very pleased.
Enjoy the search and best of luck. Be careful though, buying optics can become addicting if you are not careful.
Firehawk.
Eventually, I ended up with a Leica Duovid 8-12x42 and loved them in nearly every way except for their weight. From a tripod or even just using my hiking sticks I could get by with the 12x, but I couldn't use that power at all free hand.
Eventually, I ended up with the Maven B2 9x45. They are terrific and when I used them on a tripod this fall, I was absolutely stunned. They are really good. So...I still see some "wiggle" with the 9x, but much less than at 10x. From a tripod I didn't feel handicapped whatsoever.
I still have an 8x32 that is a stalwart member of my family's hunting arsenal, an 8x42 Vortex Talon HD which is really good for the money, Zen Ray Summit HD in 8x42 that my daughter uses and likes a lot and my youngest son has used the 6x32 Vortex Raptor Porro he got for his 13th birthday quite a lot, although he tends to like my Talons more now. I carry the Mavens and I am very pleased.
Enjoy the search and best of luck. Be careful though, buying optics can become addicting if you are not careful.
Firehawk.
