Help me with binoculars please- Which size?

[Climber]

Hey y'all,
Looking for some advice on getting my first pair of good 8x42 or 8x30/32 bins. I REALLY want some swaro's and am pretty sure that is what I'm getting. I've never thought I would spend this much $ on binoculars but I understand the ROI with good glass and have a Z3 scope that I really like. I've also looked at Zeiss and Leica but the Swaro seem to fit my face better.

I mainly hunt whitetail in the east but will do one or two trips out west each year. I need ONE pair that can do it all! I like the compactness of the 30mm but feel the 42 is probably a wiser investment for when I go out west. For those that use 42mm year round (and during archery especially) is it a pain packing around the full size glass all day? I have a good bino harness so I don't think it will be a big deal. Any advice is welcome!

Lastly, i'm not that overly concerned with losing a few minutes of daylight with the smaller objective. I seldom take a shot when its that dark anyway but if there are other benefits to the 42mm, please let me hear 'em.

 

[LostArra]

Individual preference.
I have both and use 8x32 most of the time for whitetail hunting locally and elk hunting in the big country.
I think having really good glass allows the 32's to perform well in most conditions and I like the compactness/lightweight.

(For me the 8x32 EL is a significant step up from the 8x30 CL)

Hard to go wrong though with an 8x42 as a good all-around bino when paired with a good harness.

 

[robby denning]

I'd recommend the 42s. I've had them in Zeiss/Pentax for 20+ years and now Swaro. The EL's I'm using are surprisingly compact and the extra field of view and light transmission are an "edge". Very happy with the Swaro viewing experience. Even though you don't purposely hunt predawn/post sunset, eventually you'll be in a situation and wonder if you're seeing everything out there.

If you only ever archery hunted and didn't glass long range a lot, you might be happy with the 30s, but if you can afford the 42's, I think you'll be glad you did.
I did a post on my thoughts about lower power binos here:
http://www.rokslide.com/easyblog/entry/killing-big-mule-deer-glassing
see the last half of the post under Optics package.

 

[russ_outdoors]

With top shelf glass, I don't think you lose much between the 42 and 32 sizes (Cheap glass is another story) I ran a pair of 8.5x42 SV last year but sold them to go with a 8x32 SV this year. The differences IMHE are very small and really only noticeable early and late in the day. For me the big difference is in the size and weight. I hike a lot with my binoculars and the lighter / smaller package is great around the neck on long days. While I never really had issues with 42s bow hunting, the 32s are certainly easier to use one handed.

 

[Climber]

Thanks for all the comments and it's nice to know I would not be losing much by going down to 32's. Guess I need to go fondle them some more and decide which ones will fit my needs the best. Thanks again!

 

[jns9661]

i would look at the vortex razor hd also great glass and warrenty. less money

 

[whitingja]

I just got the Zeiss victory in 10 X 42 and love them. Extremely clear and easy to focus. They just feel great in my hands. Can't beat clarity in low light.

 

[OR Archer]

Id opt for the 42s. I personally run 50s but have in the past used primarily 42s. The extra field of view and last light clarity is why Id opt for them instead of the 32.

 

[Matt Cashell]

Id opt for the 42s. I personally run 50s but have in the past used primarily 42s. The extra field of view and last light clarity is why Id opt for them instead of the 32.

I like 42s for 10x and 32s for 8x. However, most 32s have a wider FOV than their 42mm (and 50mm) counterparts. So if FOV is a priority, go for the 32mm.

 

[Bughalli]

I would buy them based on the conditions for when you really need them, which is more likely during your out west hunting. Similar to you I hunt whitetails and western game. Binos are handy for whitetails, but more novelty than necessity. They're nice if you want to analyze rack quality. They're also great in low light. If it's morning low light, you'll care if you can see the animal because shooting time with occur shortly. The thought of, I don't care about low light because it's not shooting time, really only applies to half the time (evening). Even then I would argue, what you see tonight might be valuable info for tomorrow. Out west is where the binos become critical, really impacting your potential for success. Thus. I would favor buying them based on those conditions.

I run 10x42's Swaro's today for everything. Absolutely love them. Get a good chest harness and you won't know they are there. I wear them all day long. 8x just doesn't seem worth it to me. Not enough magnification to be a significant advantage. Not enough benefit for the dollars if buying good glass. Plus the rifle scope will do fine for that magnification. I also run 15x56 Swaro's, but don't use them nearly as much as I thought I would.

 

[Justin Crossley]

My favorite pair of binoculars are the Swaro 10x32 EL. I think they are the best mountain hunting binocular available.

 

[russ_outdoors]

The 8x vs 10x and 32 vs 42 debate will go on forever simply because all options have their place. As a western hunter I first purchased a pair of 10x42 SLCs because, well, that's what most people recommend for the long distances out here. Ran them for 8 years and was very happy with them. On a tripod or sitting down a pair of 10x (or greater x) are a very effective hunting tool. However, I also do a lot of hiking and spot & stalk hunting and often found the 10x to be difficult to hold still when on the mover or with an elevated heart rate. Last year I decided to go against the grain and try a pair of 8.5x42s. Did I miss the 10x? At times yes, but more often than not I preferred the lower power for my uses. On my scouting trips I also carry a spotting scope, so high binocular power isn't a necessity. This year I went all "ape crazy" and bought a pair of 8x32s, a size of binocular completely foreign in my hunting circles. While my hunts are later this fall and the jury is still out, to this point I've been very happy with them. I run a couple different bino harnesses / neck straps and the lighter weight and smaller package is very noticeable to me.

 

[Screamrider]

I have Swarovision EL 10x42's for big game in the west, and Zeiss Conquest HD 8x32's for eastern whitetail/moose/turkey and 3D.

I honestly love having both. It's hard to beat the all around versatility of the SV 10x42 IMHO. Mounted on a tripod, they are great for glassing long range, but still a joy to carry in a chest harness for spot and stalk.

The 8x32's however are also incredible. They are extremely light and fit my hand like a glove, yet give up quite little compared to the SV 10x42. Low light is where the 10x42 shine, but for something small and light, especially in thick bush, the Conquest HD 8x32 deserve a serious look. I'm very impressed.