Thread: What size binoculars, 10x42 or 8x32 ?

Any recommendations for best all round size for some binoculars?
I am only after an economical set such as the Bushnell XLT Trophy's...
to be used for: at the range, and hunting (bunnies etc)...

The smaller ones are obviously smaller, lighter, and larger field of view.
Also with less magnification may be easier for kids to use...

or would the 10x42's be better all rounder's?
opinions appreciated.

10x42

Good all rounder

10x gets my vote....my scopes get me to 9x so if using 8x binos its ok for quick check but end up using scope. 10x50s that are easy on eyes will find you a heck of a lot of game in open country .

I find that FOV is king for my hunting.. mainly reasonably open country, rabbits wallabies fallow etc, but often quite close, glassing scrub etc inside 3-400 yards. My binos are 7x40 and find them pretty spot on for that sort of searching. Have used some 10x40s on occasion, but found with the limited FOV it was not overly practical for my use. 8 power to see the animals, 10 power to inspect them.

thanks all for your advice... some things to think about...

I think you need to look through them before you decide. I had a set of Minox 7x42's and on several Tahr hunts with other guys had more than my fair share of "theres one" that no-one else had yet spotted - maybe if you are using your bino's to assess trophies then there are other factors at play.

When it came time to upgrade I visited every shop with bino's I could find between here and Chch, and looked through every set of Swaro's and Leica's in 8 and 10 power that I could find. For me, all the 10x models felt like I was looking through a tube, and I eventually settled on a pair of Leica 8x at Shooters Supplies - and got a demon deal, they are worth talking too !!

Cheers
Foster

10 x. No question

Unless you hunt bush only.

For low light gathering the 7x50 actually gives the best light transfer but no one has mentioned that. My old Ross 7x50`s beat the hell out of my Bush & lomb 10x50`s for dawn and dust hunting.

Originally Posted by Tasbay

For low light gathering the 7x50 actually gives the best light transfer but no one has mentioned that. My old Ross 7x50`s beat the hell out of my Bush & lomb 10x50`s for dawn and dust hunting.

Yes that's true, but unless you have a scope that out performs your binos, there's no point eh

Originally Posted by JoshC

Yes that's true, but unless you have a scope that out performs your binos, there's no point eh

Or if you hunt in the early morning and the earlier you see something gives you more time to get into position...

It comes down to personal preference. There's no right or wrong to either choice. In use, I personally don't find a lot of difference to either except in weight and size.

Thanks all for your opinions, which is really what is was after.
I understand after using different ones you can work out what is best for you, but the feedback above is all positive and helpful.
Cheers grant