Thread: New binos - 8x42 or 10x42?

Looking at getting some new binoculars and was wondering what peoples thoughts were. Personally I am leaning towards 8x42 due to wider exit so more light and wider field of view. They will be used for hunting and general purpose.

Any reason why I should stay away from 8x42?

Are you predominantly hunting I bush and broken country? if so then 8x42mm would be a good choice.

If you do a lot of alpine & open country, then 10x42mm is a better option.

Yeah, the reason that you should stay away from 8x42 is that you will next have to buy a bino harness as they are as heavy & bulky as the 10x42 and not as easy to sell (10x42 are the most common general-purpose size).

I personally would narrow the choice down to either the 10x42 or 8x32s, with both having the same brightness at low light as they have similar exit pupils. The mid-sized 32mm lenses make 8x magnification binoculars lightweight and compact without compromising too much on light-gathering ability (great FOV too). So there's little difference in practical use but only 2/3 of the weight of the 8x42mm class.

I own six binoculars and have found that 8x32s are the ones that end up going with me 60% of the time (30% 10x42 and 10% 7x21).

Originally Posted by Bryan

Are you predominantly hunting I bush and broken country? if so then 8x42mm would be a good choice.

If you do a lot of alpine & open country, then 10x42mm is a better option.

Admittedly, I haven't got my firearms license yet (still waiting for police inspections...) so haven't been hunting yet. Although, I do live in Auckland and all of the hunting blocks around me are mainly forest and bush.

Originally Posted by Hermitage

Yeah, the reason that you should stay away from 8x42 is that you will next have to buy a bino harness as they are as heavy & bulky as the 10x42 and not as easy to sell (10x42 are the most common general-purpose size).

I personally would narrow the choice down to either the 10x42 or 8x32s, with both having the same brightness at low light as they have similar exit pupils. The mid-sized 32mm lenses make 8x magnification binoculars lightweight and compact without compromising too much on light-gathering ability (great FOV too). So there's little difference in practical use but only 2/3 of the weight of the 8x42mm class.

I own six binoculars and have found that 8x32s are the ones that end up going with me 60% of the time (30% 10x42 and 10% 7x21).

Weight isn't really a concern for me. Comparing the Vortex Diamondback HDs which I am looking at getting, the 10x is only 14grams heavier than the 8x. The Diamondbacks actually come with a front pack harness which makes things convenient.

I recently bought a second hand pair of Vortex Diamondback HDs off here for $300 in 10x42. I do most of my hunting in more open country and prefer to have a bit more distance so they suit me perfectly. They are really good value for money and the harness is handy. Remember to click your binos in too, I slipped and lost them overnight the other day but luckily found them in the morning.

Been through the same process. I ended up deciding that 10x were best for South Island and 8x for North Island. Got some top end Nikons, which are superb value I think, highly rated on various review sites. Had some cheaper 8x30's before that which I still use if in bush only as they are a little bit smaller and lighter than the Nikons. But low light or eye-strain if glassing a lot - no contest. Bulky binos in the bush are more of a pain to use, hence you will use them less - and miss some things as a result I think.

I think its most important to get a binocular power that suits your eye and your scan style. Ive proven time after time that I can spot just as many (if not more) tahr at extended ranges with top tier 8x binos than guys with 10x. Dont get hung up on "power", look through as many sets as you can in your price range, narrow the selection to 3 or so of the ones you like, then take them outside the shop at 5.30 pm (this time of year is the best for buying binos) and compare them looking into the darkest patches.

@Tall kiwi - how old are you? Eyes age and the entrance pupil diminishes over time. The exit pupil measurement for the binoculars is 5.25mm for the 8x and 4.2mm for the 10x (Vortex Diamondback HD) which may be more less important to you. Have a look here:
https://www.oreilly.com/library/view...o%20only%205mm.

Originally Posted by Bol Tackshin

@Tall kiwi - how old are you? Eyes age and the entrance pupil diminishes over time. The exit pupil measurement for the binoculars is 5.25mm for the 8x and 4.2mm for the 10x (Vortex Diamondback HD) which may be more less important to you. Have a look here:
https://www.oreilly.com/library/view...o%20only%205mm.

I'm 26 with 20/20 vision so hopefully have a few more years ahead of me before my sight goes downhill...

well I have 8 power and 10 power the 8 power are in the cubboard almost permanently- only used if I take someone out who does not have binos -the 10 power is really the way to go between the two