vortex HD 8x32 vs 10x42 binos

[Skieswalker12]

Hello, this will be my first year to try to harvest a deer and elk and I have started to get some of the recommended gear. I pretty much have everything(gun/scope, backpack, boots) except for a pair of binos. I live in the panhandle of Idaho and I was looking at either the vortex diamondback HD 8x32 vs 10x42. I was definitely leaning to the 8x32 binos as I like the idea of it being lighter weight and I was hoping get away with putting it in my side zipper pocket on my K4 backpack. I do not have any experience and I was hoping for guidance if 8x32 would be ok or if I would want something with better zoom.

also first post and thanks in advance!

 

[nm.otter]

IME 8X is ideal for walking around and glassing freehand. You'll eventually want to add something bigger for tripod use.

 

[j3h8]

8's will leave you wanting a bit more magnification. 10's are the sweet spot for most people. If your budget allows step up to at least the viper line, you'll be glad you did.

 

[fmyth]

I used Diamondback 10x HD's on many hunts before upgrading. In hindsight I would have been much better off buying the Vipers. I prefer 10's for archery and rifle season. I can use them freehand for a quick look or put them on my tripod for extended glassing sessions. Check Sierra.com for good deals on Vortex binos.

 

[Skieswalker12]

Unfortunately, I cant afford the vipers this year. I put most of my budget into my back pack, boots, rifle/scope. Darn, I was hoping to avoid having to get a bino harness this year, as I don't think the 10x42 would fit in my side backpack pouch. I was reading FOV is better with the 8x32 over the 10x42, so is magnification more important in the panhandle of Idaho then?

 

[nm.otter]

FOV and hand held are both better on an 8X as compared to a 10X of the same make and family. Western hunting involves assessing large swaths of landscape looking for moving objects. The more natural and comfortable you can make that, the more you will find yourself actually doing it.

12/14/15/18X on a tripod will reveal things (like bedded critters) a handheld bino will miss.

I bought a pair of Gen2 Viper HD 8x42s last summer and have been very happy with value for money on those. They do have a touch of CA that shows up on very high contrast transitions -- the edge of a street sign in low angle high altitude sun, or a crazy bright snow day at the wrong angle. Low light performance is impressive. The included harness/case is entirely serviceable -- not as nice as what they ship with the Razors, but noticeably better than what most manufacturers throw in.

Keep your eye on the classifieds -- a pair just sold here last week, and there's another currently listed but they might be Gen1. You want model V200.

 

[kcm2]

I'll make a suggestion. Go on Ebay and find a pair of Nikon 8x23 Venturer used binos. Should be about $30.00, maybe a bit more delivered. Save up your money for a better pair than the Vortex Diamondback. The Nikons are optically excellent, light and inexpensive. I had a pair for several years when they first came out, and keep a pair in both my off-road vehicles. If you're a little light on cash this year, that'll get you through the hunting season in good shape. And likely last for many years of good use.

 

[Skieswalker12]

I'll take a look at those options, thanks!

 

[180ls1]

Unfortunately, I cant afford the vipers this year. I put most of my budget into my back pack, boots, rifle/scope. Darn, I was hoping to avoid having to get a bino harness this year, as I don't think the 10x42 would fit in my side backpack pouch. I was reading FOV is better with the 8x32 over the 10x42, so is magnification more important in the panhandle of Idaho then?

I would take the 8x over the 10x but you will be fine with either.

Do what you can to have a bino harness. even if its the cheapest thing out there. Having binos readily accessible to use is a HUGE plus. You want them handy and will use them much more if they are on your chest.

 

[180ls1]

By the way, you are going about this the right way. You do not need a ton of expensive gear, spending money on tags/hunts is where it's at.

I hunted the first 5 or more years without binos and 20 with the same rifle.

 

[FuddRucker]

Any vortex bino will have a harness with it that works well for what they are. Not as refined as some of the more designer options, but you'll appreciate the refinements on a nicer harness down the road when you have the chance to upgrade.

Binos won't be much use in your pack imo, so I'd plan on keeping them on your chest and not let the pack pocket determine what mag/objective you want. If you prefer lightweight or don't want a pouch on your chest, that's another story. You could use 8x32 on your chest with a Rick young harness. I've never used one so I can't vouch for them but they get recommended here often and are only like 20 bucks. That's a really lightweight set up, but you may want more magnification and the bigger objective lense of a 42 mm for light gathering at sun up/down.

 

[JGRaider]

By the way, you are going about this the right way. You do not need a ton of expensive gear, spending money on tags/hunts is where it's at.

I hunted the first 5 or more years without binos and 20 with the same rifle.

I wouldn't hunt 5 minutes without binoculars.

 

[flyfisher117]

I would get 8x for hunting north Idaho. I used 10s while I was up there and just wanted less. I hunted with a fixed 8x rifle scope and even that was too much. Just my preference for how I hunted though. I was used to to large open tracts of land. Not that jungle.

 

[Truck24hr]

I've spent a good bit of time in the panhandle. It's thick. I think your 8x32's will be perfect.

 

[lefthandedasian]

If you haven't already, see if a buddy has some you can try out in the field a little. I started hunting with 10x and I hated how zoomed in they were for the areas I hunted where I was glassing maybe 400 yards max across clearings. I didn't care for the FOV and having to pan around more than I thought necessary. I tried out my buddies 8x and much preferred them over my 10x because of the FOV. I've also read many people prefer 10x and 12x for their everything binos, but they're not for me. Ultimately it'll be your preference. Once you try one, you might hate it and switch like I did or you'll love it.

 

[Wolfshead]

I have both the 8x32 and 10x42 Diamondback HDs.
They have been so great for me and my situation, without having to spend a ton of money.
I use the 8s mostly as I’m on the move a lot in thick woods, still hunting.
I use the 10s for sitting fields and open areas, out to 400-500 yards or so?
I can’t comment on how you hunt or what it’s like there so take this for what it’s worth.
The 10s are not as stable as the 8s and there’s a lot more shake to them, and it makes it more difficult to see through them one handed. They are much better suited for when you can stabilize them with two hands or some sort of rest.
My 8s are much easier to use with one hand, and to be honest the weight difference is noticeable on all day hunts. At least to me it is.

 

[cafemike]

I have the UHD 8x32, 10x42, and 18x56 (spotter replacement). The UHD 10x42 are my favorite despite being portly for a 10x42. The extra "x" punch makes for a great view.
Check Sierra & Dvor for great pricing on Vortex bino's.

 

[Skieswalker12]

Thank you guys, I went into Cabela's and tried out the 10x42 and 8x32 diamondbacks. I did like them. Honestly, I didn't try out the vipers cuz I didn't want to be ruined because it is outside of my budget for the foreseeable future lol.

I think I will start off with 8x32s. I really like the idea of it being lightweight, I feel like I could hold it much steadier and I think I'll be still hunting. I figure, I can upgrade years later down the road and throw one in the vehicle as a backup.

I guess I underestimated the importance of chest harness, does anyone have any recommendations for a budget harness?

Also, I use OnX on my phone, should I avoid any with magnets then?

 

[180ls1]

Here you go. These are 42s and come with a harness.

https://ebay.us/m/97etVm

 

[lefthandedasian]

I guess I underestimated the importance of chest harness, does anyone have any recommendations for a budget harness?

Also, I use OnX on my phone, should I avoid any with magnets then?

Eberlestock, FHF, marsupial, t&k are all around $130 and solid contenders. What's your definition of budget?

I run an eberlestock and it has magnets and I've never had an issue with OnX.