8 or 10's

[CorbLand]

I am getting ready to order some high end optics. I am hoping to never have to order another pair in the future unless I want too. I know the major differences between 8 and 10 powers. i.e. stability, field of view, lighting,etc.

I am leaning towards the 10s but is there anything that i should know about 8 before I order them?

Background on my style of hunting. I generally do a lot of glassing, get high and let my eyes do the walking. I generally use my binos on a tripod. I use my binos to find things and investigate with a spotting scope. Most of my hunting is in the mountains but sometimes hit the deserts.

 

[kickemall]

I had always used 10s but then got a pair of 8s and like them much better, mostly for the stability while standing or off a horse. If your packing a spotter also I'd definitely say 8s. If you haven't read it, Robby Denning has a post in his blog on this board about why he likes 8s and its a good read.

 

[castandblast]

I had 10's and loved the way they worked on a tripod but struggled to be steady enough without the tripod. (Things are less steady as I age it seems!). I quit fighting it and went to 8's. I believe I am seeing more game since the move because I am more comfortable and relaxed. Any movement in the field of view jumps out at my eye better when everything else is still.

 

[cocky84]

I would say that most people use 10x. Not that it matters if you plan to keep them forever. But 10x would probably be easier to sell if you decided to. Just something to consider.

 

[mtfallon]

For me it's easier to hold 8x steady especially with one hand when I'm winded or trying to get a quick look at something but if you have steady hands and use a tripod a lot I would say for got the 10x.

 

[N2TRKYS]

I hunt in the woods 99.9% of the time with 10x binos and I have zero use for 8x binos. I would never buy a bino with a lower power than 10x. For your stated purpose, I would buy 12x. I have never experienced any issues with steadiness while holding 10x binos.

 

[Steve O]

I use 10x. I hunt very similarly to you. I just about always use a tripod or something to steady myself but don't have any issues when taking a quick look freehand. If you are not just taking a quick look it is stupid not to take the one minute it takes to set up the tripod. It's worth it!

I also hunt whitetail a lot in thick Midwest cover. I've never felt overpowered with 10x.

 

[5MilesBack]

I have never in my life ever wished I had "less" power in any bino I was using, whether it was 8's, 10's or even 15's at the time. They all have a place, but for what you describe I would go with the 10's versus 8's every single time. I've been using my 8x32's for archery hunting because I normally hunt a lot of timber, so haven't used my 10's much in the last few years. But picked them up this season and absolutely fell in love with them again. I might be ditching the 8's from here on out.

 

[justin davis]

12x50's are the way to go. I find more game using them than when I had smaller. I can free hand them, but they are also great on a tripod

 

[Broomd]

I'd be interested to see how this question is addressed and answered by age.
That isn't a dis, it's just an observation. At 52 y/o I most "like" the 10's, the extra detail is nice, but I probably "need" the 8's for all of the obvious reasons.

I suppose if I had to have one last pair of bincs, they would be 8 power.

 

[castandblast]

I'd be interested to see how this question is addressed and answered by age.
That isn't a dis, it's just an observation. At 52 y/o I most "like" the 10's, the extra detail is nice, but I probably "need" the 8's for all of the obvious reasons.

I suppose if I had to have one last pair of bincs, they would be 8 power.

+1 Same age, same conclusion here!

 

[BRobertson]

I am 65yrs
I used 8x30 Zeiss until 3 years ago. I got them in 1979. I now use 10x42 Zeiss HT. I still have the 8x30s and will always have them . They were upgraded by Zeiss with new lenses last year. They are still outstanding.
My newer 10x42 HTs are in a class of their own. When I got them , I could have gotten any binoc that was made. I chose these.
I have not had any trouble adapting to the 10x. Perhaps if I used the newer 8x HTs for a while, I would feel differently??

Bob

 

[Steve O]

I'd be interested to see how this question is addressed and answered by age.
That isn't a dis, it's just an observation. At 52 y/o I most "like" the 10's, the extra detail is nice, but I probably "need" the 8's for all of the obvious reasons.

I suppose if I had to have one last pair of bincs, they would be 8 power.

48--I could do everything happily over the world with my 10x42 ELs. I'd not turn away any Ultravids or Victory either.

 

[starsky]

I've got 8x30s and am very happy with them. I like 8x, especially when you're using a spotting scope alongside them.

 

[Broomd]

...I now use 10x42 Zeiss HT. I still have the 8x30s and will always have them . They were upgraded by Zeiss with new lenses last year. They are still outstanding.
My newer 10x42 HTs are in a class of their own...
Bob

Some great responses here.
I'll venture a guess why those HT's and other 10's are so loved, Bob,,,THEY ARE BRIGHT.
It used to be that exit pupil was really an advantage with the 8X, and it still is; but with the advent of such excellent coatings and bright flouride ion glass, like the HT series, the low light gathering is simply awesome.

My wife recently sold her 10X32 Victorys in favor of 8X32 Swarovisions. Both are outstanding glass, the swaros are in a league of their own. But when we did some serious comparison, we were both impressed in low light with the Zeiss. We expected a total butt whipping by the SV's, but those super bright FL*T 10X32s really amazed for their price point.
A guy can buy that glass in the $1000 range and have world class glass for a lifetime.

We spent the days scouting for moose last weekend, and the 8X swarovisons were impressive. The wow factor and FOV are staggering. It's a 3D movie with that glass. They made my new 10X42 HD-R geovids pale in comparison.

 

[TheCougar]

I don't think you can go wrong with either. I have 10s, but I know guys who swear by their 8s because of the larger FOV and ability to glass more effectively free-hand. If you are glassing longer distances or always use a tripod when glassing, then 10s might suit you better (this suits me in AZ). If you are glassing shorter distances, or glass without a tripod, or plan on pairing with a spotter or a set of 15s, then the 8s probably would fit better. Try to think not only about how you hunt now, but how you plan on hunting in the future to get what will suit you best in the long run.

 

[mdfanatic1980]

I have 10's, but would like 8's if I could do it again. When you're new to optics, high end optics really, you think 10x is the way to go because they seem more popular and you think they'd be a good binocular for hunting out west when long ranges are a possibility. But, the stability issue is a real thing. I love mine on the tripod, but when you're walking/hiking and out of breath, good luck holding steady enough to judge game.

 

[buffsmoker]

Just get some 9x45 Maven B2's. Perfect compromise!

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

 

[HookUp]

I switched from 10x to 12x and couldn't be happier. I rely on my bare eyes a lot to spot things that look like game then use my binos for a better look. I will then pull out the spotter for the final look.

If glassing from a seated postion deer hunting i tripod my 12X Els, it feels almost unfair to the deer I can spot.

 

[JO.]

I like the 10s. Only had one pair of 8s and I haven't bought another since moving to 10s. My most recent purchase were 12x50s. I have really come to like them for long sits. I still have the 10s and carry them in the truck most of the time and hunt with them on occasion.