Another Bino Thread - Low Light Priority

[LincG88]

On the hunt for a new set of binos in the $1k range. I believe I have narrowed my search down to the Maven B6 10x50 or wait on a used pair of Swarovski EL in the 8.5x42. Possibly Meopta Meostar, but semi-concerned with the weight. Would love run the NL Pure, but that is just not in my budget.

I do a lot of archery hunting for deer in all various types of terrain from wide open to super thick, so really need a good "all-around" binocular. I have always run 10x42 with no complaints.

My main goal is to increase my low-light performance. But i am also worried about dropping down to 8x or 8.5x in magnification. I have just always run 10x. I consistently run into situations where i need to see clear enough at 300 or so yds in low light to age deer. I have also never run into a situation where a deer was in close at low light and the 10x felt like too much magnification. But, i have not had an 8x in my hand in that situation either, so i may not know what i am missing lol.

So looking for opinions on the B.6 vs the EL's in these situations?

Any other options i should be looking at in that price range?

I think the 10x42 options are out. I'm either going 8x42 or 10x50. But, if i go 10x50, i dont want a crazy amount of weight or bulk, which is why the Maven's look very intriguing. Any other 10x50's out there in the 30oz. area of weight?

I have ruled out the Zeiss Conquest and the Vortex so far.

 

[dreamingWest]

On the hunt for a new set of binos in the $1k range. I believe I have narrowed my search down to the Maven B6 10x50 or wait on a used pair of Swarovski EL in the 8.5x42.

These two choices are exactly what I would look for to meet your criteria. Although you'll likely need to spend about $1,450-1,500 for the Swaros. I'd try to get both and sell the second choice. I picked up the Swaro 8.5x42 used on Rokslide this year and they are my new favorite for archery hunting whitetails. I previously used Swaro SLC 10x42 and EL 8x32. Both were great, these 8.5x42 are near perfect.

 

[LincG88]

Any issues with seeing detail at the 200-300yd range with the 8.5x42 EL's?
I dont ever carry anything else besides binos. And would really prefer to stick to having 1 pair as an all-around rather than having different binos for different situations.

 

[signing off]

A current ad on here has 8.5 EL for 1k. Might need to dig a little bit great price.

 

[dreamingWest]

Any issues with seeing detail at the 200-300yd range with the 8.5x42 EL's?
I dont ever carry anything else besides binos. And would really prefer to stick to having 1 pair as an all-around rather than having different binos for different situations.

No. I live on a farm and glass a pasture with a 500 yard treeline daily. Everyone is different but to my eyes the 10s don't gain anything over the 8.5s at 200-300 yards.

I've become a sucker with specialization for my optics. The 10x42s SLCs were like a gateway drug for me. But I don't think you would regret 8.5x42 ELs as a one and only. Especially inside 300 yards. It's one of the best ever made.

 

[LincG88]

A current ad on here has 8.5 EL for 1k. Might need to dig a little bit great price.

I am working hard on the 10 messages criteria to contact the seller on those so i can do some digging lol

 

[NickyD]

You’d have no issues with 8.5x42 vs a 10x. I got the EL 8.5x42 this summer and have loved the added FOV and I feel like I can competently handhold them, something (in retrospect) I don’t think I was able to accomplish with 10x binos.

When I was driving back from purchasing them I stopped by a place I can typically see some elk. I pulled out my Maven C3 10x50 and thought I saw some elk at about 900 yards but they looked like some rocks. Pulled out the ELs and it was clearly a herd of elk!

This summer I was comparing them to my friends Leica Geovid 10x42 while scouting and we couldn’t see any advantages of the 10x over the 8.5x, but the added brightness and FOV were definitely noticeable in the 8.5x. I consistently was spotting deer at 2 miles and elk at 4-5 miles this summer.

I’m all in on the low magnification binos

 

[LincG88]

No. I live on a farm and glass a pasture with a 500 yard tree line daily. Everyone is different but to my eyes the 10s don't gain anything over the 8.5s at 200-300 yards.

I've become of sucker with specialization for my optics. The 10x42s SLCs were like a gateway drug for me. But I don't think you would regret 8.5x42 ELs as a one and only. Especially inside 300 yards. It's one of the best ever made.

Thanks for the reply. That is my main worry with the 8.5s. As long as i am good to about 300.

You’d have no issues with 8.5x42 vs a 10x. I got the EL 8.5x42 this summer and have loved the added FOV and I feel like I can competently handhold them, something (in retrospect) I don’t think I was able to accomplish with 10x binos.

When I was driving back from purchasing them I stopped by a place I can typically see some elk. I pulled out my Maven C3 10x50 and thought I saw some elk at about 900 yards but they looked like some rocks. Pulled out the ELs and it was clearly a herd of elk!

This summer I was comparing them to my friends Leica Geovid 10x42 while scouting and we couldn’t see any advantages of the 10x over the 8.5x, but the added brightness and FOV were definitely noticeable in the 8.5x. I consistently was spotting deer at 2 miles and elk at 4-5 miles this summer.

I’m all in on the low magnification binos

More excellent info here. Thanks yall!