Magnification recommendation for a do it all bino

[Jakelap]

Thank you for all the comments and recommendations on my last post. The overall consensus was to upgrade my binos rather than get a cheaper spotter. With that being said what magnification should I go with? Mainly hunt the plains and breaks of South Dakota and some out of state high country. I will have them on my chest, as well as a tripod. My main concern is I want enough X to be able to spot bedded game.

 

[kcm2]

Definition trumps magnification. Get the best quality you can afford, used if necessary, at 8x or 10x. High definition 8x will beat lower definition 10x for hunting.

I have 8x32 Swarovskis I bought used on Ebay many years for a whopping $500. Money well spent. I've never needed to do anything but clean them. Likewise, my 10x Kahles binos I bought in 1996 are still superb for when I am long range scouting.

There are a lot of good binos out there. Used quality always beats new mediocrity.

Have fun.

 

[gr8fuldoug]

A 10x42 would probably be best. As a long standing supporting vendor of this forum it is our pleasure to assist you with different options, special pricing as well as answer any questions for may have.
Please give us a call, 516-217-1000, to discuss this.
Thank you
Doug

 

[Cowbell]

12x50 guiding and I no longer carry a spotter on most days

 

[Kauaihunter]

Quality vs magnification. An 8x or 10x with better glass will beat a cheap higher magnification bino. Buy once cry once.

 

[dreamingWest]

10x42

 

[Ajsomp]

I wish there was a Bino that had alpha glass, image stabilization, and LRF with ballistic solutions. That would be a do all (for me).

But sadly that doesn’t exist. I echo the comments here. Get high quality. If you don’t need RF binos, a high quality pair of 8-10 power will do great on the chest.

Image stabilized are great when moving a lot or in a vehicle, and while the glass quality is poor and it looks like a toilet paper tube, you pick up things a whole lot easier.

I have a pair of the GPO 8x40? RF binos. Are they the absolute best 8x binos out there, no. But I got them at a screaming deal. The laser works great and it allowed me to get a second pair of binos.

I may spring for a third pair of Kowa 6x just for FOV

 

[PredatorX]

If you will always have the binos on a tripod get a quality pair like swaro slc 10x42. But an 8x42 will look better or resolve better when handheld.

If you won’t always carry a tripod get the sig Zulu 6 12x42.

The glass really isn’t nearly as bad as some make them out to be. When handheld you will pickup more game with image stabilized then even the best of glass that is non stabilized.

With IS you will find yourself more “in the glass” then non IS and that is a real benefit.

Binos I’ve had:

Steiner Peregrine
Leica Geovid (first gen)
Swarovski SLC 8 and 10x42
Swarovski EL
Meopta B1 15x56
Swarovski SLC 15x56
Leica Geovid Pro

Have:
Sig Sauer Zulu 6 12x42