I have two 10's and two 12's in my arsenal. My feeling is that 10 and 12x binos aren't that big of a deal for quick glances up close when needed. They're not optimal, but totally useable. They're more critical of recoil control, but once I learned to control recoil effectively and improve my body positioning and mechanics, I learned to appreciate the higher mag for watching splash and trace at longer ranges.
My next investment is a couple of 6x models, but I won't be getting rid of my 10's and 12's. My feeling is much what Form mentioned above. The 6x is probably a better coast-to-coast do-it-all optic, but there's units and areas where the extra x's are nice, as long as you are practiced up.
As
@Lawnboi mentioned above, target acquisition is a learned skill, and I would never put a new or inexperienced shooter behind a 10x or 12x SWFA and send them on a hunt. But if they've spent some time mock-shouldering their rifle and have shot a fair amount and have solid mechanics and have dry fired a fair amount, I see no reason why a person couldn't. My 12x went with me on Colorado 3rd season last year (big open winter grounds, sagebrush flats, potential for a 4 figure distance kill shot) and it wasn't a detriment to my 350 yard one shot kill on my buck out there. But again, I've shot A LOT with it.
A guy can shoot much much much further than he thinks with a fixed 6x, and he can shoot much much much closer than he would think with a fixed 10 or 12x. It's all about practice, confidence, and mechanics. Learn your system, whatever it may be, use it, become proficient, and then get off the computer and go start killing stuff.
