8x32's as an all-around choice

[coloradoan]

I have some full size binoculars that I really like optically, but I have learned that I simply do not like carrying much weight on my chest, no matter which bino harness setup I try. I'm looking to lighten up a little bit and am considering downsizing to a 32mm binocular. I got some great responses earlier when I asked about 10x32's, but I'm curious about 8x32's as well. They might be a little more forgiving in lower light conditions.

Anyone here use 8x32's as all-around binoculars? I am considering (on the low end) Sightron Blue Sky 8x32's. I am willing to spend more - the Kowa BD II looks nice as does the Meopro on the high end of the price spectrum.

How much will I regret not having 8x42's along, assuming similar optical quality?

 

[CoStick]

I have carried Swarovski 8x30 companion CL and now carry 8x32 ZEISS conquest HD. I switched to ZEISS because the Swarovski doesn’t take a bino stud. I don’t think you give up much of anything against 8x42. I previously used SLC 42’s. I agree it is nice having little weight on your chest.

 

[Blockcaver]

I use a 16 year old pair of Leica Ultravid 8x32 pre-HD binos for about half my hunting and most of my hiking.....Swarovision 10x42ELs for the other half of hunting.

The 8x32 are great for hunting elk primarily in the timber, whitetails from tree stands and much of my spot and stalk bear hunting. When I get above tree-line or in the wide open country, combined with horn curl/age restrictions on rams, antler point restrictions on deer, moose, and caribou the 10x42s get all the use.

I love the old Ultravids, excellent glass and the frame size and weight is low vs Swaro....and at the the time (2005) was optically a touch better to my eyes based on an extensive comparison.

So base don my experience I would not want to be without 8x32s, but say the same ting about 10x42s.

 

[JRMiller]

This last spring bear season i bought some 8x32s to shed some weight so I could still backpack in my spotter.
Packing 10x42s and a spotter has gotten to be too much weight for me.
I was very happy with the 8x32 form factor. Only weighs 16oz, the 10s weighed 24oz.
I actually surprisingly really enjoyed glassing with the 32s on a tripod

 

[CoStick]

This last spring bear season i bought some 8x32s to shed some weight so I could still backpack in my spotter.
Packing 10x42s and a spotter has gotten to be too much weight for me.
I was very happy with the 8x32 form factor. Only weighs 16oz, the 10s weighed 24oz.
I actually surprisingly really enjoyed glassing with the 32s on a tripod

Yes, I don't see a big difference between 8x32 conquest and my 10x42 slc, I still need my 50mm spotter to get real detail if needed So now I have 8x32 with bino stud and 50mm Cronus spotter in the pack. Very light and pretty much covers all my needs.

 

[AGPank]

I’m surprised the platform isn’t more popular with hunters. I really like 8x32. I think you give up a few minutes of light over 8x42, but I haven’t had it impact a hunt.

If you can shop around the Cabelas Euro Instinct / Meostar 8x32 hd can be found for a good deal and it’s excellent.

I have the older UV non-hd and it’s great too.


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[Browninglover1]

I've been running first gen 8x32 EL's for the past few years and I absolutely love them. I do lose just a few minutes of light compared to other binos but it hasn't been a deal breaker for me. I also picked up some 10x32 and while they're a little bit better when locked in on a tripod, the glass just doesn't look as "nice". Nobody says "wow" when they look through the 10x32 but everyone says it when they look through the 8x.

 

[Q child]

8x32s are sweet.
In my opinion there are only two choices for 'do it all' binoculars - 8x32s and 10x42s. There are plenty of other great configurations out there, but if I was to have only one pair I would choose one of those. They both work well in almost every situation that I have ever been in. Choose the 10s if you want the magnification, choose the 8s if you want to save weight. Pros and cons to both, but to me those two configurations are tied for the most useful binoculars you can have.

 

[eddielasvegas]

This is a good thread and watching.

Here's a question for those that know regarding the 8x32's vs. 10x42's:

I know the 42's will allow a little more glassing in low light, but what am I giving up in terms of glassing distance game identification/assessment with the 32's?

Or asked another way, will the 42's allow me to assess/ID an elk at 1.25 miles while the 32's will allow the same at 1 mile?

Thanks,

Eddie

 

[CoStick]

This is a good thread and watching.

Here's a question for those that know regarding the 8x32's vs. 10x42's:

I know the 42's will allow a little more glassing in low light, but what am I giving up in terms of glassing distance game identification/assessment with the 32's?

Or asked another way, will the 42's allow me to assess/ID an elk at 1.25 miles while the 32's will allow the same at 1 mile?

Thanks,

Eddie

I have 49 year old eyes and could not tell a difference on a tripod, I need my 50mm spotter for distance/details. I am sure more experienced people will have more details.

 

[DumpsterBear]

I went from a 10x42 to a 8.5x42 and am sticking to the 8.5s. The increased FOV and brighter image was my selling point. With a solid tripod I don't miss the higher magnification. If I have a slammer tag in my pocket I'll haul the spotter with me, but for 95% of the tags I pull it's just the binos tagging along.

I've never taken a 8x32 with me, so I can't help there.

 

[JRMiller]

This is a good thread and watching.

Here's a question for those that know regarding the 8x32's vs. 10x42's:

I know the 42's will allow a little more glassing in low light, but what am I giving up in terms of glassing distance game identification/assessment with the 32's?

Or asked another way, will the 42's allow me to assess/ID an elk at 1.25 miles while the 32's will allow the same at 1 mile?

Thanks,

Eddie

I cold not tell a difference either. When I have my 32s, I always have my 65mm spotter though, so in doubt I go to the spotter.
The only difference I can tell is the 32s are not quite as bright, so in low light situations a 42 will be better.
A 42 lens pulls in more light, hence better low light capabilities.

 

[Rem788]

I’ve been carrying some cheap Bushnell 10x28’s for at least ten years now. Super light and got the job done but I have noticed several times that objects pretty much indistinguishable at dawn and dusk. Plus it’s really hard to see any details on animals through brush or branches so I’ve wanted to upgrade for some time while keeping within my budget. Finally got a deal on Vortex viper 10x42’s. Obviously not the best optics in the world but definitely an upgrade.


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[dreamingWest]

I recently grabbed a pair of Swaro 8x32 ELs here on rokslide. I’ve been directly comparing them to my Swaro 10x42 SLCs. Both are the latest models. Both are keepers for sure.

Exit pupil on the 10x42 is 4.2. Exit pupil on the 8x32 is 4.0.

So very close, and worthy of a low light comparison. The 10x42s are a bit brighter. I've always been one to ignore twilight factor. For good reason, most people do not think twilight factor is really worth considering when shopping glass. With similar exit pupils, high mag always prevails in this equation.

From a hunting perspective, I’ve decided twilight factor does/can matter. During the first and last 15 minutes of hunting light, and the 15 minutes on either side of legal hunting hours, the detail provided by the 10x42 SLC is better than the 8x32 EL.

Example: In the treeline of my pasture, I’ve got a fallen tree with dead limbs about 350-400 yards from my front porch. With the 8x32 ELs during this timeframe, I could not clearly make out antlers on a deer standing in front of the dead limbs. Not while hand holding the ELs. With the 10x42s, I can make out enough detail to make the shooter/not-shooter call. The scenario comes up often while ambush hunting whitetails. Maybe less an issue with other big game species and spot and stalk hunting

Of note, during full light, the 8x32 ELs give up nothing to the 10x42 SLCs. They provide very similar views, with the EL providing more FOV and perfect edge to edge detail. In full light I think I’m developing a preference for the ELs for a day-to-day bino. The ergonomics on the little ELs are great.

I’m mainly taking the time to post that I finally found a scenario where I think twilight factor actually makes sense to consider. I bought the 8x32s primarily for archery whitetail hunting. I plan to use them all season in this role. It will be interesting to see if I ever miss that added detail before or after shooting hours.

 

[tdot]

8x32EL are hands down my favourite all round bino's. FOV, size, weight, balance, hand held stability are all better for me with the 8x. 10x simply doesn't have enough magnification for me, to justify the decreased FOV, extra weight, increased shake. If I want to see more, I'll bump up to the 12x. IMO the 10x is a compromise that's not worh making.

I think that the differences between 8x vs 10x are even more skewed in favour of the 8x when you move out of the Alpha level glass.

 

[bozeman]

Just got some 8x32EL's this week, will put them through their paces. I also have some Meopta EDHD 8x42's that are some pretty sweet glass....I am doing side by side to see how much I give up for half the $$......but initial impressions are the EL's are fantastic glass.........I do believe they will be in my bino harness this fall.

 

[Browninglover1]

From a hunting perspective, I’ve decided twilight factor does/can matter. During the first and last 15 minutes of hunting light, and the 15 minutes on either side of legal hunting hours, the detail provided by the 10x42 SLC is better than the 8x32 EL.

Example: In the treeline of my pasture, I’ve got a fallen tree with dead limbs about 350-400 yards from my front porch. With the 8x32 ELs during this timeframe, I could not clearly make out antlers on a deer standing in front of the dead limbs. Not while hand holding the ELs. With the 10x42s, I can make out enough detail to make the shooter/not-shooter call. The scenario comes up often while ambush hunting whitetails. Maybe less an issue with other big game species and spot and stalk hunting

I agree with this. I can actually glass earlier/later with my 15x56 than my 8x32 but I still love my 8x and take them everywhere.

 

[AGPank]

Another great 8x32 are old Leupold Golden Rings.


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[CougarBlue]

Another fan of the 8x32. I have a stable of different binoculars ranging from 10x all the way to 18x. But the size, FOV, weight and ease of use, I find that the 8x32 are on me almost all the time now and the big eyes stay in the bag until I need to sit and glass.

There's been a few times I've thrown the 8x32s up on a tripod to glass as well. Ended up catching a monster muley last year working in and out of some think low country that I wouldn't have spotted without the wider field of view.

 

[eddielasvegas]

Thanks for everyone's comments on the bino comparison I asked above. Very helpful.


Eddie