Which Bino size do you Prefer?

[BKhunter]

Hey All,

Been looking at getting a new pair of bino's been looking at 10x42, 10x50, and 12x50. Is there a size preferred and why? I'd be using them for both western hunting and white tails in the north east. Want something that serves both. TIA.

BK

 

[AkMtnRunner]

My preference is towards 8 or 10x for their fov and being easier to stabilize in the hand. I am in Alaska and most of my viewing in the binos are moderate range and always have a spotter with me to glass farther distances.

I would think for your stated situation, having limited fov in the East would be more of a hindrance than 10 vs 12 in the west as long as you had a tripod to put the 10's on. However, if there is ever an excuse to have 8's (or even 6-7x) and 12's or 15's, I think your two hunting locations justifies it.

As far as objective size, I think 42mm should be plenty if the glass quality is high. But if the added weight and size isn't an issue I wouldn't let that dictate the choice.

 

[BBob]

None of those. Since the first 10x32 EL’s came out my preference has been 32’s for on my chest glass. Now if you’re going to tripod mount them (I don’t) then my preference would probably be 10x42.

 

[nobody]

10x50, here's why:

10x is easier to handhold than 12x and has a wider FOV
10x allows for more magnification and more versatility (handhold and tripod work) over an 8x

10x50 has a larger exit pupil (better low light transmission, all things equal) than a 10x42

Boom.

 

[Swampcruiser]

8 x 42 on my chest and 12x50 in my pack- I hate spotters. If I am out west in open country Mule deer or Antelope hunting I just go 12x on my chest.

 

[mainbeam pursuit2]

I prefer 10x42 on my chest, 15x56 in the pack with a tripod.

 

[antlerz]

EL8.5x42 is the only allrounder that hasn't left me wanting. If you carried two then SFL 8x40 and NL 12x42 would be my pick but thats not the question.

 

[NorthernHunter]

With just one bino I would say 10x. I use 8x42 for midwest whitetails and 12x50 for out west.

 

[MattB355]

If I had to choose only 1 pair it would be 10x42's.

 

[Spiral Horn]

The hunting style and habitat for western big game and eastern whitetails are vastly different. So as folks have already suggested, it would be best to have a two glass solution. That being said there is no one glass ideally suited to both environments, so a compromise of features and view is in order. To me, the big question is always = where will you use them most often? Be honest about it with yourself and choose a bino more closely suited to that environment but will still work in the other.

 

[PredatorSlayer]

I mostly hunt out west - 12x50’s seem to be perfect. I also really like my 15x56’s, both are Santiam HDs.

 

[Novashooter]

After trying a bunch, I chose 8x42. A lot of times I'm dealing with low light, so I choose sizes that provide theoretical good 5mm exit pupil size for light gathering. 6x30, 8x42, 10x50, etc. I found 8x42 to be the sweet spot for me, then I bought the best binoculars I could afford. It's one of the few areas I really splurged. My opinion always was that if you are going to sit down and glass, get something really powerful. Trying to use 12x binoculars offhand does not work good for me. Some people might be steadier than me. If you are made of money, something like the Leica duovid 8+12x42 would be sweet. I'm hoping someone comes out with a reasonably priced multi-zoom binocular that is actually good in my active lifetime.

 

[justinspicher]

I’m lucky and use a set of Duovids that are 8x and 12x….but if I had to choose I’d probably got with a 10x32.

 

[BugleMeTimber]

I use 12x50 in my bino harness. Have a couple pairs of 10x42's but the 12x always end up on me.

 

[handwerk]

most of the time it's 10x42 RF binos, if not hunting then my EL 8.5x42 get the call.

 

[Brian Fahs]

8x32 10x42 12x50 els. 15x56 meostars. 30x66 kowa twins.
All have a specific purpose and all get used a lot over the course of a year

 

[Blue72]

6.5x32

when your heart is racing, these binoculars are flat and comfortable

 

[Mojave]

Being part of the heavily near sighted over 50 crowd. I am fond of 8x42, 10x50, 8x56, 8x50, and 10x56. As long as they have at least 19mm of eye relief and preferably over 21.

I hate 32mm objectives and there are damn few 10x42s I can or am willing to use.

 

[BigDaveAR]

I carry 8x42 turkey hunting, 10x42 for everything else. I do have a pair of 15x56 that I mostly use in the car or on a tripod.

 

[Weldor]

My vote and favorite 10x42 lrf