Why All the Comments Saying 8x Binos for Archery

[RussGS]

I know the 8x vs 10x is frequently debated, and that is not the point of this post. I understand the merits of 8x, and don't debate or disagree with any of them. I loved what Robby Denning said in this article, and currently own 8x for my main binos. Killing Big Mule Deer: Glassing - Rokslide

My question is simply this: Why do so many forum comments imply that an archery hunter would need less magnification than a rifle hunter? Both hunts still start with finding deer, and if you like 10x for finding deer, why would that be different for a bow hunt?

What I have come up with is that bow slings are relatively new, and maybe most guys are stuck with their bow in their hands more than a rifle hunter. This means learning to glass off of your top cam, and the 8x is more steady.

Please give me some of the other reasons for why an archery hunter would want less magnification than a rifle hunter?

Thanks.

 

[mfllood3800]

I think size and weight mostly. Most bow hunters hike thru dead fall, wind fall and dark timber. They are on the move a lot more. Calling with bugles and using their ears more than their eyes. With 8's you can use smaller bino harness as well as have a bit lighter bino set up. Every little bit helps reduce weight when it is all said and done. I personally use 10's, cause some of my areas are open more. I also hunt in Aug, when elk aren't bugling much.

 

[RussGS]

I think size and weight mostly. Most bow hunters hike thru dead fall, wind fall and dark timber. They are on the move a lot more. Calling with bugles and using their ears more than their eyes. With 8's you can use smaller bino harness as well as have a bit lighter bino set up. Every little bit helps reduce weight when it is all said and done. I personally use 10's, cause some of my areas are open more. I also hunt in Aug, when elk aren't bugling much.

So would it be fair to say still hunt with 8x and spot and stalk with 10x?

 

[mfllood3800]

It's what ever works for your scenario. Everybody has similarities as well as differences to where , when and how they hunt. Some guys don't even bring binos on bow hunts, they rely on bugling (ears) and not binos (eyes). Early huntis in Aug and early Sept, bulls are quiet so bugles aren't as effective as glassing or hiking into bedded areas. Mid Sept or peak of rut, allows more bugling opportunities so glass isn't as critical. Rifle hunts or late season hunts usually find elk more reclusive and offer longer range set up scenarios so glass becomes a more critical part of this system.

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I will add I use 10's for everything I do. I decided rather than putting more $$ into another set of binos, I invested it in a spotting scope. I opted for a Swaro 65. The 10's can pick up most stuff at distance and then the 65's which are packable can do the next level needs.

I thought about getting another set of binos, maybe 12's or even 15's, but never 8's.

I ended up getting another spotter (80 size Swaro) as I felt my 10 binos were sufficient for needs, and would rather spend the $$$ on a spotter that went further.

I never had a need for 8's in binos. But thas just me. My 10's are pretty decent all around set. When more magnification is needed, I pull out the spotters.

 

[5MilesBack]

I use 8x32's for archery because they weigh less and 8 power is easier to use in the timber than 10's. I'm not trying to look out hundreds of yards, mostly under 100 yards. It's easier to pick out an animal at close range in the timber with less power than higher power.

 

[Newtosavage]

I'd choose 8'x over 10's for bowhunting because I don't need to determine if an animal 300 yards away is legal or not. More like 30. And I can shoot my bow in much less light than I can a rifle. So I want the best light gathering I can get. Also, at closer distances, the wider field of view is very helpful at picking up movement.

 

[Trial153]

When your relocating your target animal on stalk the generally larger field of view on the 8x is very beneficial.
Since I havent rifle hunted in years I may misspeak on this however I also think that your less likely to be using your glass while your in close. Say your within 150 yards at this bowhunting things are just starting to get good and you very well might be watching the animal while you close into shot distance. Gun in hand the hunts probably over.

All that said I own 8s, 10s and 12s and use what I think is best for the country and game were i am hunting.

 

[hodgeman]

I tend to think of east coast timber midwest farms when I think of archery- no need for 10x when the terrain tightens up like that. When I carry the bow in my current locale- I just use my normal 10x binos.

For that matter, when I lived and hunted in the Appalachians...I didn't even own a set of binos or a riflescope.

 

[Blockcaver]

I carry 8x32 binos when bowhunting tighter cover and 10x42 binos in the open stuff where i can see over a few hundred yards. Love the 19 ounce Leica Ultravids around my neck versus the Swarovision 10x42 ELs that weight 34 ounces on my scale, including the factory strap and lens cover. They both have their place and I use them close to the same amount in a year. If forced to choose only one, it would be the Swarovision 10 x 42 EL.

 

[LostArra]

Better depth of field with 8x along with lighter weight. When bow hunting and animals are getting within range I will frequently take a quick glance while holding the binos with one hand, recurve in the other. Better depth of field means less focusing adjustment. Lighter weight, more steady hold.

It also depends on the distances I'm glassing. The magnification math favors 8x for me under 300 yards which is a rare distance for my bow hunting.
A deer at 300 yards will appear to be at 30 with 10x, while it will appear to be at 37.5 with 8x. Not enough difference to outweigh the weight, one-hand steadiness, depth of field, field of view and exit pupil/low light advantages of the 8x.

Evaluating the antlers of a bull elk at 1000 yards? 10x all the way but a spotter would be better yet.

 

[Newtosavage]

When bow hunting and animals are getting within range I will frequently take a quick glance while holding the binos with one hand, recurve in the other. Better depth of field means less focusing adjustment. Lighter weight, more steady hold.

An excellent point that I forgot. I one-hand binoculars a lot when I am stalking, because my other hand is holding my rifle or bow. Much easier to get a good view with 8's with one hand. My 10's were nearly useless without either a second hand or steadied on my bow or gun.

 

[FlyGuy]

For me, Archery elk is generally more of a thick timber hunt, very little long distance glassing. In those conditions I appreciate the wide FOV that the 8’x32 give me. I also like the light weight and easy 1 hand use. 10x42 binos aren’t “bad” for this, but if you have the option I would pick the 8’s in this scenario.


You can’t cheat the mountain

 

[RussGS]

Thanks for all the responses. Everyone please keep in mind that I don't hunt waterfowl, and am just killing boredom in the offseason, NOT trying to be nitpicky.

I still think that all the reasons people recommend 8x for archery (FOV, light gathering, don't need magnification in the timber, etc) are all valid reasons to choose a bino. But with regard to archery, aren't most of us still sitting up on a vantage point, looking for the buck we want to go after before anything else matters? In this scenario (glassing from vantage point), I still don't see where weapon choice factors in.

As stated in first post, I understand that 8's are very capable, and don't question anyone's preference for 8, or 10 for that matter. It's just that the way I hunt is the same, whether I have a rifle or a bow, so weapon choice doesn't influence bino choice. Just something that comes to mind in the frequent 8x vs 10x debates.

 

[5MilesBack]

But with regard to archery, aren't most of us still sitting up on a vantage point, looking for the buck we want to go after before anything else matters? In this scenario (glassing from vantage point), I still don't see where weapon choice factors in.

It's not the weapon choice, it's how and where you hunt choice. For wide open terrain where stalks will be the norm, either one will do. But for timber hunting, 10's can be a real pain for seeing everything when you're glassing under 50 yards at times. 8's or even less are better suited for seeing more in your field of view, and picking up more details.

 

[BeaverHunter]

I hunt multiple western states both rifle and archery and I prefer my 10x42s. I’ve never been in a situation where I thought my 10s were too much magnification but truth be told I’ve been in quite a few where I’ve been glad I had them and sometimes wished I had more magnification.

 

[Gatorgrizz27]

IMO it depends on your hunting style and personal preferences. We hunted elk in Co this year, backpacking on public land. A buddy of mine killed a bull with his bow, I spotted him on a ridge leaving camp at about 2 miles away. We knew there were cows up there already from glassing the previous night, but I’m not sure I would have been able to pick out the bull with 8x binoculars instead of my Zeiss 10x.

Later on the same trip, I spotted a mule deer doe bedded down in the dark timber within 30 yards. I was glassing the area and saw her immediately through my binos, taking them away she was invisible again even after knowing she was there. It was an eye opening experience to say the least. For me, the FOV with my 10x keeps me moving slowly enough to pick up a brief movement, but forces me to move a bit rather than just glancing at a large area and thinking nothing is there.

As far as the size/weight, I’m a smaller guy and tend to be more sensitive towards excess weight. On a 10 day hunt the only times I took my 10x42’s in the KUIU harness off were in camp and while packing meat out. There was never a time in the field that I found the weight uncomfortable, and the smaller size of an 8x32 would make no difference inside the bino harness.

 

[Dioni A]

I believe it's because most archery hunters don't put as much into judging a trophy.

 

[RussGS]

I believe it's because most archery hunters don't put as much into judging a trophy.

Lots of good responses. This one in particular was a lightbulb moment for me. I said earlier that I hunt the same with either weapon, but in truth, I do not judge trophies the same way when I have an archery tag.

Thanks for indulging me fellas.

 

[SHTF]

I use the 8x because of size and weight but more importantly a larger field of view. As others have said I want to see more and be still so I can see movement then to zoom in and see a smaller field of view.

 

[5MilesBack]

Lots of good responses. This one in particular was a lightbulb moment for me. I said earlier that I hunt the same with either weapon, but in truth, I do not judge trophies the same way when I have an archery tag.

I'm the opposite. I didn't become concerned with trophy size until I started archery hunting. Now I'm pretty picky and pass on bulls every year. Even for deer......if I was going to go to the effort of stalking within bow range of a buck, it had better be worth my while.