Stuck on what bino optic power to get

[Jonny360]

So heres the deal. New bowhunter out here in central eastern california. Plan to hunt the sierras and drier white mountains, maybe try and score a tag in nevada at some point as well. I have no optics at the moment, but I really like what i've seen and read about Mavens. For this season i'm thinking i'll just buy a set of binos and a tripod for glassing. And maybe get a spotter in the future if I feel like I need it. I had kinda been set on the B1 10x42's. Figuring that would balance well with a spotter in the future. But now reading about people liking 12x, i'm wondering if maybe I should just get the 12x and not plan on a spotter at any point? What are your guys thoughts? If I go with 12x56 i'd be looking at 30% heavier nocks than the 10x.

 

[Corvus Corax]

Between the two powers that you mentioned I would think 10x or maybe even 8x would be more useful than 12x binos. You probably would not see the benefits of 12x unless you were mounting them on a tripod. Being new to bow hunting I’m going to assume that you are not counting inches on deer, but rather establishing if it’s a legal buck or not? 8x works fine for that. Maven makes a good binocular. I have looked through my buddies B2 11x, and I have the C1 8x42. They’re nice for the price point. I’d say they give more expensive binoculars a run for their money.

 

[TheGDog]

8x or 10x you can hand-hold them farely well. Even if you've been hoofin it and your blood is pounding. If your terrain type is thicker, and you're not bringing tripod, go with 8's, If you're gonna be hiking up steep stuff, 8x. If you have a bino harness to hold em, go with 10x. Binos are magic on a tripod. Them being held still, will let you see ANY motion happening within the F.O.V.

If you think you'd be ok with bringing a light tripod each and every trip out, then just get some quality 15x's and be done with it. 15's are a gamechanger. With 15's you realistically might not need a spotting scope. Depends on your area and how the terrain is laid out. Pair of Vortex Vulture HD 15's is a great entry point into 15's on a tripod!.

 

[ozyclint]

bowhunting, 8x or 10x. i often take a one handed glance while stalking. any more than 10x would be far too much magnification to hold steady enough and the FOV would be too small for bow hunting ranges. IMHO

so you might not need a spotting scope with 15x's on a tripod but once you have spotted something over yonder and start moving in for a stalk into bowhunting range they would become too much for me.

 

[Brian Fahs]

If you don't own any optics you need to go to a store that sells optics and look through as many as you can. Holding the glass and looking through them especially at distance in low light will help you decide.

10x 42 will give you the most versatlilty. Adding a quality tripod head and bino mount should be your next move. Unless you are trying to field judge trophy quality at long range put the spotter on hold.

I have no experience with maven but meopta meostars would be my vote in that price range. Invest in quality binoculars and tripod system. Put the binos in a good chest rig and get after it. It will change the way you hunt.

 

[willfrye027]

In the sierras I like 8x if you plan to hunt timber or stillhunt at all. Even high county stuff, 8x on a tripod is fine. There’s not much open county to give the 10x any advantage. If you were pretty serious about the white mountains I’d still go 8x, plus a good spotter or 15x as the country is more open on the eastern side m.

 

[Tahoe1305]

Not sure this will help but when I tested various binos out last fall the different levels of resolution I could see with “similar” quality (not perfect apple to apples) 8x, 10x, 12x, 18x binos is in the attached picture. I believe this was 400yds and overcast out.

Again just to show what a few notches in magnification May provide.

Also I would get the Nikon HGs if you want $1000 10xs. I liked them a lot.

 

[Rob5589]

8 or 10's. I'd only use 12's as a main bino if mostly on a tripod.

 

[pc3]

So heres the deal. New bowhunter out here in central eastern california. Plan to hunt the sierras and drier white mountains, maybe try and score a tag in nevada at some point as well. I have no optics at the moment, but I really like what i've seen and read about Mavens. For this season i'm thinking i'll just buy a set of binos and a tripod for glassing. And maybe get a spotter in the future if I feel like I need it. I had kinda been set on the B1 10x42's. Figuring that would balance well with a spotter in the future. But now reading about people liking 12x, i'm wondering if maybe I should just get the 12x and not plan on a spotter at any point? What are your guys thoughts? If I go with 12x56 i'd be looking at 30% heavier nocks than the 10x.

I went through the same process as you, 12x or 10x in the end I opted for 10x42's and honestly I am personally glad I did as I doubt I could hold 12x's steady enough I think 10's handle held are as much as I can hold steady in hand I think. I also opted for the 10x42 Meopta B 1.1 HD's very happy, they are quite brilliant, best binoculars I have owned. Meostars are also apparently constructed very well and are heavy duty albeit a little heavier than the competition.

 

[AZ_Hunter_2000]

For the areas that comprise the bulk of your hunting, there are two things you need to answer. First, how thick is the vegetation? Second, how far can you see? If fairly open for a good distance, then look at 12s. If thick or can see nothing but trees forever, then look at 8s or 10s.

 

[eyeguy]

10 x max If you dont have good binoculars already. I like and cant tell much difference btw 8 and 10x. No use lugging around 56 objective unless you have specific needs match up with 12x56.

 

[rosslloydbutler]

bowhunting, 8x or 10x. i often take a one handed glance while stalking. any more than 10x would be far too much magnification to hold steady enough and the FOV would be too small for bow hunting ranges. IMHO

so you might not need a spotting scope with 15x's on a tripod but once you have spotted something over yonder and start moving in for a stalk into bowhunting range they would become too much for me.

This is great advice. I too am debating between B2 9's or 11's.

Often times I think I'm only using my glass from a tripod, where you might get sold into higher magnification like the 11's. However, there are times where you're stalking in at 50 yds and looking for an ear flicker or shooting 3D where having 11s is just too much. I haven't opted for either yet, but I'm leaning towards the 9 as a better all arounder to be used on a tripod as well.

 

[ozyclint]

I've since bought the swaro Habicht 7x42GA. Perfect for bow hunting in most situations for me.

 

[gcronin]

So heres the deal. New bowhunter out here in central eastern california. Plan to hunt the sierras and drier white mountains, maybe try and score a tag in nevada at some point as well. I have no optics at the moment, but I really like what i've seen and read about Mavens. For this season i'm thinking i'll just buy a set of binos and a tripod for glassing. And maybe get a spotter in the future if I feel like I need it. I had kinda been set on the B1 10x42's. Figuring that would balance well with a spotter in the future. But now reading about people liking 12x, i'm wondering if maybe I should just get the 12x and not plan on a spotter at any point? What are your guys thoughts? If I go with 12x56 i'd be looking at 30% heavier nocks than the 10x.

Based on what it sounds like you will be using them for, I would recommend going with an 8x42 or a 10x42 binocular and pairing that up with a spotter down the road. A set of 12x binos will provide more magnification, but won't replace a spotter all together. The other thing to consider is that as you increase magnification you are also increasing any noticeable movement. If you are winded, glassing for long periods free-hand, shaking from cold, adrenaline, etc. it will be harder to hold higher power binos steady. There are plenty of people that can hold 12x binoculars steady, but this will vary person to person.

 

[nobody]

Based on what it sounds like you will be using them for, I would recommend going with an 8x42 or a 10x42 binocular and pairing that up with a spotter down the road. A set of 12x binos will provide more magnification, but won't replace a spotter all together. The other thing to consider is that as you increase magnification you are also increasing any noticeable movement. If you are winded, glassing for long periods free-hand, shaking from cold, adrenaline, etc. it will be harder to hold higher power binos steady. There are plenty of people that can hold 12x binoculars steady, but this will vary person to person.

I clicked on this thread to give this EXACT answer. 10x binos will do what 98% of guys need binos for. 8x becomes too little magnification for so many guys, 12x is too much for most of us to hold still when we've been walking or are excited (MUCH different than standing in the store and looking at this opposite wall to see if you can be steady). For me and lots of guys on here and guys I know, a 12x shakes too much when not being used on a tripod. That extra magnification doesn't do you any good if you can't hold still because you're excited about the giant bull you saw disappear over the ridge.

To the OP, I would pick up a good pair of 10x42'x, like you're planning to, and a good spotter. Like I said in a thread yesterday, "If it needs to look like it's 10 times closer than it actually is, then walk a little closer or pull out your spotting scope." A spotter is also nice to verify rough scores on animals as well. You'll pick out a buck vs. a doe with your 10x (and if you need more magnification to tell if it's a buck, he's probably reeeeeeeeally small or you're too far to make a play), then pull out a spotting scope to see how bad you wanna go after him.

 

[Elk2008]

I’d roll 10x42. Will be very versatile for you and also would work great in a tripod if you want to.