Switching to 8x32 Binoculars

[Humphr47]

Wanted to share something that I think may benefit some other Roksliders out there.

I have used 10x42 my entire life and have always completely dismissed 8 power, and certainly 32mm objectives, just based on the fact that everyone I knew had 10x42s. But over the years, a few things have bugged me about my Cabelas Euro 10x42 glass:

First they are heavy, heavier than most 10x42
Second they are difficult for me to free hand spot, especially with one hand (shaky).

I started thinking about what I actually use the glass for; essentially spotting/confirming something on the mountain is a deer/elk and then immediately whipping out the Cabelas Euro spotter to check it out. I didnt really need high magnification binoculars with a spotter.

I read a couple reviews of some guys raving about their compact 8x32 glass on here, and found some of their comments intriguing. It solved the two things I didn't like about my 10x42; the 8x32s were:
Much lighter
Less shaky
Plus had a wider FOV
All while not losing a whole lot of low light performance and not sacrificing much on magnification. So I gave it a shot. Sold my Cabelas Euro 10x42s and went to a pair of Cabelas Euro 8x32s.

All I can say is that I wish I would of done this many years ago. The weight savings is significant; 10oz. is a BIG diffenece when that weight is hanging off your neck/chest. These Euro HD 8x32 do everything I need them to: comfortable, light, top notch image, and much easier to free hand. I compared them with my 10x42 and honestly, I didn't see any difference at all in low light performance; I was not expecting that. Losing the 2x magnification is not a big deal for me since I am always carrying a spotter.

If I didn't have a spotter, I would probably stick with a 10x or even 12x, but for those of you using a 10x42 or higher with a big spotter in your pack, I recommend checking out a high quality pair of 8x32s.

Brad

 

[ianpadron]

Wanted to share something that I think may benefit some other Roksliders out there.

I have used 10x42 my entire life and have always completely dismissed 8 power, and certainly 32mm objectives, just based on the fact that everyone I knew had 10x42s. But over the years, a few things have bugged me about my Cabelas Euro 10x42 glass:

First they are heavy, heavier than most 10x42
Second they are difficult for me to free hand spot, especially with one hand (shaky).

I started thinking about what I actually use the glass for; essentially spotting/confirming something on the mountain is a deer/elk and then immediately whipping out the Cabelas Euro spotter to check it out. I didnt really need high magnification binoculars with a spotter.

I read a couple reviews of some guys raving about their compact 8x32 glass on here, and found some of their comments intriguing. It solved the two things I didn't like about my 10x42; the 8x32s were:
Much lighter
Less shaky
Plus had a wider FOV
All while not losing a whole lot of low light performance and not sacrificing much on magnification. So I gave it a shot. Sold my Cabelas Euro 10x42s and went to a pair of Cabelas Euro 8x32s.

All I can say is that I wish I would of done this many years ago. The weight savings is significant; 10oz. is a BIG diffenece when that weight is hanging off your neck/chest. These Euro HD 8x32 do everything I need them to: comfortable, light, top notch image, and much easier to free hand. I compared them with my 10x42 and honestly, I didn't see any difference at all in low light performance; I was not expecting that. Losing the 2x magnification is not a big deal for me since I am always carrying a spotter.

If I didn't have a spotter, I would probably stick with a 10x or even 12x, but for those of you using a 10x42 or higher with a big spotter in your pack, I recommend checking out a high quality pair of 8x32s.

Brad

Been looking hard at those 8x32 Euros on sale right now.

I run 12x50s and the are the shit, but at times I don't need quite that much reach.

Interesting about the light gathering ability for sure!

Sent from my SM-N910P using Tapatalk

 

[Mike7]

Brad, I completely agree with all of your points. The compact 8x's are so much more convenient to pull up with one hand for a quick look, and still work well off of a tripod. I don't have a spotting scope now, but if I am going to be in more open country, then I just add my 15x binoculars for further reach and only 2.5 lb wt penalty.

My compact 8x's are 3/4 to 1 lb lighter than most 10x42 binos.

 

[Humphr47]

Been looking hard at those 8x32 Euros on sale right now.

I run 12x50s and the are the shit, but at times I don't need quite that much reach.

Interesting about the light gathering ability for sure!

Sent from my SM-N910P using Tapatalk

Yep, I had them in my cart ready to pull the trigger until I found a virtually brand new set on ArcheryTalk classifieds. Scooped them up and I couldn't be happier with them.

 

[ianpadron]

Yep, I had them in my cart ready to pull the trigger until I found a virtually brand new set on ArcheryTalk classifieds. Scooped them up and I couldn't be happier with them.

Were those the ones listed at 450 like a week or two ago?!

I saw the post after they sold and thought "damn someone just scored the deal of the century!"

Sent from my SM-N910P using Tapatalk

 

[Humphr47]

Brad, I completely agree with all of your points. The compact 8x's are so much more convenient to pull up with one hand for a quick look, and still work well off of a tripod. I don't have a spotting scope now, but if I am going to be in more open country, then I just add my 15x binoculars for further reach and only 2.5 lb wt penalty.

My compact 8x's are 3/4 to 1 lb lighter than most 10x42 binos.

Those 12x and 15x are a sweet set up in combination with an 8x and something I would like to try in the future!

 

[Humphr47]

Were those the ones listed at 450 like a week or two ago?!

I saw the post after they sold and thought "damn someone just scored the deal of the century!"

Sent from my SM-N910P using Tapatalk

Yes sir!!!! $450 shipped! I about dropped my phone when I saw they hadn't been sold yet!

 

[ianpadron]

Yes sir!!!! $450 shipped! I about dropped my phone when I saw they hadn't been sold yet!

Yeah broke my heart when I saw they were already sold. What a rippin deal.

Great info in your post, and probably enough to push me into a pair of them haha.

This forum is expensive.

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[Journeyman]

This is a timely post, my EL 8x32's just came in the mail today.

Within the last week I sold my EL Range 10x42's and went to the 8x32. For wearing on your chest all day, especially the ranges, they were just to big and cumbersome for me.

I've been eyeballing the 32's for years and the benefits you've already stated with the 8 power suit themselves to the 32 objectives.

I'll get to put em to use them weekend for the archery opener but I'm really excited about them.

 

[AGPank]

Agreed. 8x32 are great for my archery hunts. There are times when I can use more magnification where I hunt, but it's off the property. I still have 10x42, but using the 8x32 more and more.

There are some 8x32 Ultravid hd in the classifieds and EL mom SV too.

 

[5MilesBack]

I would agree that for quick up and down action the 8x32's are great. That's all I use for archery season and mine weigh just 21oz with the strap. But last year I was doing some late rifle meat hunts and took my 10x42's that weigh 26oz. And the difference in viewing was so great that I started wondering if I'd rather take the 5oz penalty and take my 10's even for archery. The problem is......most of my archery viewing is close range in the timber, so the 8's just work better for that. But if I was glassing mostly open terrain or further distances, I'd take my 10's every time. A couple years ago I was archery hunting mostly above timberline, so I did take the 10's, and was glad I did.

 

[Ranger619]

I bought a pair of the Cabela's 8x32 for this year. I have found during many of my hunts it is thick enough that I can't see that far. The 8x32 should be great. I will know in 3 weeks. I did keep my 10's for more open hunts. The 10 oz. weight savings is going to be nice.

 

[Fire_9]

I would agree that they are a handy pair of binos but there is definitely a difference in low light. I could pick out elk plain as day at first light with my 8.5x42's while my hunting buddy couldn't see anything with his 32's. That's probably not a huge deal as the bigger objective will probably only come in handy the first and last 30 mins of the day but there is a noticeable difference between the two.

 

[LostArra]

I would agree that they are a handy pair of binos but there is definitely a difference in low light. I could pick out elk plain as day at first light with my 8.5x42's while my hunting buddy couldn't see anything with his 32's. That's probably not a huge deal as the bigger objective will probably only come in handy the first and last 30 mins of the day but there is a noticeable difference between the two.

Did your buddy's 32's have the same quality of glass as your 8.5x42? High quality glass in 32mm objective can make up for a slight difference in exit pupil for low light.

Doing the math on 10x vs 8x, the 8x wins for me (weight, one-hand use, magnification difference). I think 8x32 are the perfect bowhunting binocular.

 

[Humphr47]

Did your buddy's 32's have the same quality of glass as your 8.5x42? High quality glass in 32mm objective can make up for a slight difference in exit pupil for low light.

Doing the math on 10x vs 8x, the 8x wins for me (weight, one-hand use, magnification difference). I think 8x32 are the perfect bowhunting binocular.

I had them lined up side by side all the way till dark and honestly two guys could not see any noticeable difference. If there is, it is very minor, where my eyes can't tell. I think a 10x32 would struggle to keep up, but by going 8x, I think it keeps up very well.

 

[rodney482]

Love the vortex 8x32 vipers

 

[Browninglover1]

I did the same thing a few years back. Once I had a decent spotter I felt that I could try an 8x bino and hunted for a year with the 8x30 Swaro SLC's and loved them. When I found a good deal on some EL 8x32's later that year I picked them up and haven't ever missed my 10x. In a perfect world I'd grab another pair of 12x or 15x binos to add to my collection but my 8x32's with my spotting scope have been a great combo for me.

 

[Fire_9]

Did your buddy's 32's have the same quality of glass as your 8.5x42? High quality glass in 32mm objective can make up for a slight difference in exit pupil for low light.

Doing the math on 10x vs 8x, the 8x wins for me (weight, one-hand use, magnification difference). I think 8x32 are the perfect bowhunting binocular.

Both were swaros

 

[1signguy]

I went through this whole deal over the last year- 15x56 SLC, 8x32 CL, 10x42 EL ranges, ATX and BTX eye pieces...

Settled on the 10x42 El ranges as it eliminates the need for a rangefinder and the BTX eliminates the need for the 15x56's. Sold the 15x56 (stunning on a tripod) and 8x32 (great and light) which I really liked but would never use enough. The ranges ride on the chest and I can put them on the tripod which I do regularly. I pack the ATX or BTX with a 65 on back. The BTX goes if I have a partner as we can split some of the gear and the ATX goes if solo...

But a set of 8x32 EL's with a scope would be a great alternative for sure!

 

[Trial153]

My favorite combo to find and arrow stuff is 8x32 el and 12x50 Els off the pod. That said when I am only taking one glass it's my 10x42 SLC's