I just returned from a western hunt and used a pair of 8x42s. I prefer the 8x for overall general use. If I was going to use a tripod I'd rather have 10x, but I rarely do so prefer the 8x. I did compare the 8x vs 10x of the same manuafcturer on the trip and didn't notice any real advantage of one over the other. I could get by fine with either but like the subtle differences of the 8x.