Zeiss SFL 8 vs 10x40 ?

[Coopsdaddy]

I have been using 8x32 conquest hd for years while mainly whitetail hunting.
I just find I need more power and time.
I always need 10-15 minutes.
Looking at upgrading but they need to pull double duty for some future hunts out west.
Looking at buying used to save some.
I do need a new rifle range finder and looking at the Revic handheld as well.
These have my interest and just looking for opinions and how much of a upgrade im getting.
Zeiss sfl 8x40
Zeiss sfl 10x40
Swaro slc ?

​

 

[gr8fuldoug]

FYI, the Zeiss rep will be here in our store for Black Friday weekend. Call, 516-217-1000, or stop by to speak with him.
From Friday - Monday, all new non-sale Zeiss Sport Optics will be 20% off. You must call us or come in for this deal as it will not be available on our web site

 

[Nomax]

I know it’s not the exact comparison you asked for, but the 8x50 SFL I have is excellent in low light and a noticeable step up from the 40mm Conquest, Razor UHD, and Tract series. The SFL format is smaller than most, so a 8x50 is almost the same size as most 8x40. There really is no downside to the 50mm models in the SFL series unless you really have to have a very compact binoculars. The 40mm SFL if kind of a head scratcher for hunting.

As for 8x vs 10x that depends on the ranges you are spotting game. Within several hundred yards 8x is ok, beyond that 10x or 12x would be better. You do have to weigh image stability and FOV when you go up in magnification. There are lot of good threads where this is discussed on here.

One observation on “power and time” is the clearer and brighter the image, the more detail you can make out at lower magnification.

 

[Fritz D]

As much as I like my SFL 8x30s, a 8x50 SFL really, really sounds tempting for a variety of reasons? Even though I love my EL 8.5X42 as my all around hunting bino-I probably will wind up with the 8x50 at some poimt.
Im a bino-slut, what can I say?

 

[Coopsdaddy]

I didn’t know that about the 50.
8x50 may be the combination

 

[4weight]

I have the Conquest HD 10x42's and they are awesome. Love the 10 power. Can't go wrong IMO. For 200-300 less then the Swaro's, there is little difference.

 

[C Bow]

As much as I like my SFL 8x30s, a 8x50 SFL really, really sounds tempting for a variety of reasons? Even though I love my EL 8.5X42 as my all around hunting bino-I probably will wind up with the 8x50 at some poimt.
Im a bino-slut, what can I say?

Question about your 8 x 30 Zeiss SFL binos If you bought another pair would you go with the 8 x 30 or 10 x 30 SFL Thanks

 

[Fritz D]

Question about your 8 x 30 Zeiss SFL binos If you bought another pair would you go with the 8 x 30 or 10 x 30 SFL Thanks

I haven’t had the occasion to try the 10x30,SFL, that said, I’m pretty pleased with the 8x30 SFL and find myself using it a lot. I’m still pretty darn impressed with the optics considering the lack of weight? Seems like a textbook case of ‘having your cake and eating it also.’

 

[Time2fish]

FWIW I have the 10x40 SFL’s and really enjoy them. I’ve used them for almost a year and have no complaints. They are noticeably lighter on the chest than an average 42mil bino. They also slide in and out of a small marsupial chest harness very well.
I have a pair of Maven 8x42 b1.2 and I find myself reaching for the SFL’s more. I love how quickly I can steady the 8’s one handed but I hardly really notice when I’m using the 10’s I just take a few extra seconds to use both hands or slow my breathing.
I put a BA Sparrow on the SFL 10’s and really like them on a tripod. The sacrifice very little at low light. I will say I’m curious about the 8 power SFL’s tho. Might have to try them some day.
T2F

 

[Spiral Horn]

Since you already have the Conquest in 8x, and are buying this next glass for western big game, I’d suggest adding a 10x to the stable. A 10x40 SFL makes a very bright, crisp and easy handling glass.

 

[esorekim05]

I know it’s not the exact comparison you asked for, but the 8x50 SFL I have is excellent in low light and a noticeable step up from the 40mm Conquest, Razor UHD, and Tract series. The SFL format is smaller than most, so a 8x50 is almost the same size as most 8x40. There really is no downside to the 50mm models in the SFL series unless you really have to have a very compact binoculars. The 40mm SFL if kind of a head scratcher for hunting.

As for 8x vs 10x that depends on the ranges you are spotting game. Within several hundred yards 8x is ok, beyond that 10x or 12x would be better. You do have to weigh image stability and FOV when you go up in magnification. There are lot of good threads where this is discussed on here.

One observation on “power and time” is the clearer and brighter the image, the more detail you can make out at lower magnification.

I have 10x50 SFLs and really like them. I hunt wooded whitetails (MD), farm country whitetails (eastern ND), and mule deer (western MD). Chose them given they offer a good enough exit pupil for wooded hunts (same as 8x40) with the added magnification for western mule deer with a small
Enough frame for easy one hand use bow hunting (similar in size to other 42mm binos). I think they’ve performed great in all areas and have no complaints. But I also don’t have experience that others do looking through all sorts of high end optics, this was the fist high end pair I could afford (thus the multipurpose choice whereas others might have two or three pairs for the use cases)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[esorekim05]

I have 10x50 SFLs and really like them. I hunt wooded whitetails (MD), farm country whitetails (eastern ND), and mule deer (western MD). Chose them given they offer a good enough exit pupil for wooded hunts (same as 8x40) with the added magnification for western mule deer with a small
Enough frame for easy one hand use bow hunting (similar in size to other 42mm binos). I think they’ve performed great in all areas and have no complaints. But I also don’t have experience that others do looking through all sorts of high end optics, this was the fist high end pair I could afford (thus the multipurpose choice whereas others might have two or three pairs for the use cases)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

If you are doing a lot of western glassing from a tripod and already have nice 8x32s a larger tripod mounted pair (12-18x x 50-56mm) might be an ideal compliment if willing to use a two bino setup.

My hot take is, given the SFLs have such a compact frame for objective diameter, they should make a 15-18x60 to offer the ultimate tripod bino. That being said their 12x50s would be great for that niche.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk