8s 10s or more!!

[Matt Cashell]

LOTS of Swaro guys!!! Anyone gotten to play with the Vortex RAZOR HDs? We have had a pair on order for 6 mo.

I have seen them (the dual bridge 2011 version). They seem pretty nice. Super flat image, nice aberration control. Interesting they totally redesigned them and came out with an entirely new Razor HD for 2012 (single bridge) after only one model year (2011) of the original Razor HD. I used to have an 8X42 Razor (non-HD) that was a fine performing binocular.

 

[Bryan Martin]

These posts confirm that about 80-90% of hunters use a 10x glass. I think most are missing the boat by not using an 8 or 8.5x for all around glassing. I spend 3-4 months/year hunting sheep and I still like an 8x for an all around product. Especially if using a 30 or 32 mm objective, you'll find the 8x to be much brighter and easier to hold steady than a 10x32. When sitting, a 10x is good but oftentimes, I'm glassing when standing as I'm always checking mountainsides as I hike. My personal glass for the last 2 years has been an 8x42 Leica range finding binocular. Before that it was a Swarovski 8.5-42 EL. Zeiss also makes a great range finding Binocular (8x45). I have also used a 8x32 Nikon Edge in Africa and found it to be of high quality as most of my shots were under 200 yards and a hunter does not need a rangefinder for shooting at under 200 yards. For me, a range finding binoc is more practical than carrying both a binocular and separate rangefinder. I think many bowhunters might still be better off with small stand alone rangefinder as they are faster and easier to use with one hand. I've never had people with 10x out spot me on sheep hunts, but for closer range work a 8x has many advantages. I will say that when Marco Polo hunting, there are times when a 10x would be better than an 8x; at times a 12 or 15x would be better yet, but without sitting and/or a tripod mount, high power binocs are too shaky. Keep in mind that I don't use my binocs for judging trophy size. I always carry a spotter. If a hunter wanted to go ultra light, they could carry a Swarovski 10x42 and a doubler, with a light wt tripod, giving them a 10x binocular and a 20x spotter. This would not be ideal for sheep, but for moose, elk, deer, it would probably work ok. I often spot many animals using just my spotting scope, so an 8x works fine for me, since I always carry both. There is no "right" answer, but I would encourage more people to try an 8x glass. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.

 

[Matt Cashell]

Bryan,

As I posted earlier, I really agree about 8x and 30/32mm objectives. That little 3.2 mm exit pupil on 10X32s is a hindrance at first and last light. I do appreciate the extra magnification of 10x in the full size (40-50mm) glass, where the exit pupils are sufficiently big (I like at least 4mm). Handholding 10x isn't a problem for me, but 12x gets shaky, and 15x requires a tripod.

 

[akrdkill]

10x32 swaro's...had some 10x42's but the size & weight compared to the 10x32's just didn't make it worth it to me for the extra 10 mins of viewing...really like the size & weight of the 10x32's. only thing i'd replace them would be leica's....vortex has nice glass but to heavy for me

 

[bowinhand]

I don't hunt in very open country so I settled on 8x42s IF $ wasn't a factor I'd have some 10x42 swaros. Been looking at the Zen Ray ED3 10x43mm.

 

[bowhnter7]

10x42 SLC's for everything.

Even spotting on a tripod like this....

 

[Backpack Hunter]

I use 10x42 Leupold Cascades. Good glass, not the best out there by any means, but enough to get the job done without giving me headaches.

 

[RosinBag]

I run the 12x50 swaros, but will move to the Zeiss rangefinding binocular if they add an angle compensation to their current version. Swarovski screwed the pooch with theirs only going down to 33 yards.

 

[bearguide]

swaro 8x32 / but in want to get the swaro ranging 10x 42