8x, 10x, or 12x

[KJStechly]

Looking for opinions on what to take elk hunting this year to Idaho. I’ll be doing an early season archery hunt with my one buddy. He has a spotting scope and tripod, so I was going to take a good pair of binos and tripod. Wasn’t sure what everyone’s advice would be.

Thanks,

Kirk

 

[zeroforhire]

High quality 8x will give you a great field of view.

Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk

 

[mrbillbrown]

In my limited elk hunting experience.... I've tried both 8x & 10x and prefer the 8x. Better FOV and easier to use in hand if necessary. Works great for my eyes on a tripod and I won't be changing any time soon.

 

[Steve C]

The reason the question of magnification exist in the first place is because they all work. In your specific post, I'd not recommend 12x at all. They are usually larger, and for best effect need to be tripod mounted. The usual discussion is 8x vs 10x. I happen to be an 8x user myself. Personally if I can't see it in enough detail with 8x, 10x won't work enough better. In my case I go to a spotter. Since your buddy has a spotter, let that do the long looking. Magnification preference is a strictly personal thing. If I was going out the door for Elk and only taking one glass, it is 8x. However many prefer 10x. I have 10x too and use them quite a bit. I just prefer 8x. Others 10x. You may well need to get each out for yourself and see which one you prefer. Which magnification is right for you is something you will best answer for yourself. There is not a quick answer. It takes quite a while to really get a good handle on a binoculars performance alignment with your preferences.

 

[Newtosavage]

I'm not sure how you could decide without trying both. I prefer 10x but I have no problems holding a 10x still. Ask me in ten years and I'm probably prefer 8x.

My wife on the other hand, only wants to use 8x. She doesn't feel she can hold 10x steady enough to see anything well.

I agree it takes some time and trial and error to really know your personal preferences.

 

[bozeman]

8x........spend the $ and get a quality set

 

[Xlr8n]

Both 8 and 10 wil get the job done and it's largely a matter of personal prefernence. Most folks tend to fall into the 'bigger must be better' category, but I prefer an 8x for the stability, wider fov, and brighter view at last light(bigger exit pupil). Just a more pleasant glassing experience overall for me.
In your case, if any of your Idaho hunt involves timber, I'd go 8x. If you intend to us them mainly on the tripod, then 10x or 12x would be the more logical choice, but by and large I'd agree with Steve C that most folks will not be able to freehand a 12x and have good time doing it.

 

[Huntingpreacher]

8x are the better choice for elk hunting imo.

 

[Trial153]

8x32s for all my bowhunts for elk lately. Not missing anything but the weight.

 

[zeroforhire]

My current setup is an 8x40 tract toric, a 15x58 minox and a kowa tsn 551 50mm spotter. Sometimes I swap out the 15 for my 12x50 Leupold bx4 pro guides.

I don't like using a spotter to glass and find animals, so the small spotter works for me.

Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk

 

[yogr]

I went through the same process earlier and decided that as long as you have another set of higher power optics, I like the 8x best since they offer a wider field of view.

Sent from my SM-G960U1 using Tapatalk

 

[idahohikker]

10x is my go-to. I pick the extra magnification. Also consider the terrain-10x if you're in big country, 8x in timber. I have no issues holding 10x steady.

 

[KJStechly]

Thanks for all the input, think I’m gunna go with 8x’s and just put the money I save from magnification into better quality glass

 

[PONYBOY]

Looking for opinions on what to take elk hunting this year to Idaho. I’ll be doing an early season archery hunt with my one buddy. He has a spotting scope and tripod, so I was going to take a good pair of binos and tripod. Wasn’t sure what everyone’s advice would be.

Thanks,

Kirk

Do you hunt anything else? I ask because all powers shine with different hunts in my opinion. I try to get out every year and hunt elk, mulies, and Coues. I love my 12's and 15's for Mulies/Coues (15's more for Coues). When hunting elk I fell like I don't need anything more than 10's. A nice set of 10's are super versatile in my opinion. If only hunting elk, 8's are $$$... If they are out there 8's and 10's will find elk no problem. Good luck!

 

[Newtosavage]

I don't like using a spotter to glass and find animals, so the small spotter works for me.

I agree. I learned very quickly that trying to glass with a spotter screwed up my eyes for hours at a time. Not sure if it affects everyone that way, but it did me. So glass with the bins, and then spot once something is located, is my MO.

 

[PredatorX]

I prefer 8's. For the same model binocular, the 8's image will be of a better image quality. Unless, you are on a tripod, handholding them does slightly distort the image as you are never 100% still. I think the military did a study on this and said about the same. Also when you climb up that ridge and throw up your binoculars, the 8's will look better to you as you are huffing and puffing. 8's will also have a better exit pupil. 10x's will be better off a tripod with the exception of FOV. I figure if I am underpowered with the 8's, I have my 15's or spotter to look closer.

Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk

 

[FlyGuy]

What terrain will you be hunting? Can’t really say what is the best choice w/o matching it to your hunt area.

Almost all of my archery hunts have been in thick timber, so I really like my 8x32 ELs. Very light, wide field of view. Perfect for thick timber hunts.

If you are hunting open terrain, a pair of 12x with a tripod could be the ultimate optic and saves the weight of any secondary optics (spotter or 15x). This is something I want to try out in a few years.

10x is the safest bet. It’s good at everything, which is why it’s the most popular size (IMO).




You can’t cheat the mountain

 

[JWP58]

8x should be enough, especially for archery. Heck even with my lowly brunton 8x45's I found elk out to about 1k yards this past season. Identifying antler was difficult, but identifying bulls from cows was very easy even in timber.

 

[balls47]

You can't go wrong with 8's , I've used my 8.5x42 EL's for the last 18 years and love them. If you are trying to judge deer then a higher power is better but for all around use the 8's will be the ticket.

 

[Shraggs]

i think terrain dictates what glass i take. timber and on the go, 8x30/32