Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics 8x vs 10x bino for all around hunting.

I bought a pair of Tract Torics just to see what everyone was talking about. They are very easy binoculars to get behind. For the money, there's a ton of value there. They're really excellent. That said, if you spend 4x the money you can buy a better view.

My favorite for decades has been my Hensoldt 8X56 Nach Dialyts. currently I am enjoying the Leupold 7 to 12 X 32 mm Switch Powers!

They are even better than I thought they would be.

Leupold 7--12X Switch Powers

7X or 8X over 10X all day long for me. If I need more than that I'll get a bigger objective than 42mm and maybe a tripod mount. Power doesn't make the image any better.

Currently running Zeiss RF 8x45, Leica Ultravids 8x42 & Douvid 8-12x42

Some past all time Favorites - Swaro 7x30 SLC, Zeiss Nightowls 8x56 & Zeiss FL 7x42

Good luck

I am a big fan of 8X. I have a friend with the same Bino's in 10X, hard to hold and glass for long hours and not get eye fatique. What I give up in power if make up in light transmission and brightness. Both have 42 mm objective lens. The key is to keep the ratio above 5mm for objective lens divided by power. 5mm is the key number in that ratio.

if you're going to carry them much at all,
get a 7X35 binocular or a 8X monocular like
i carry.
jmho- i've used the cheapest of cheap optics
and rifle scopes, and always had plenty of
clarity during legal shooting hours. before
or after legal hours, i'm not interested.
my scope problems have always been holding
a reliable zero.

^ this for sure for all-around-one-set-type use.

Someone else said quality is a big deal and it is those you chose seem to be awesome.

I tried the 8x. They were fine for hunting in the woods but I ran straight back to the 10x after hunting more open country. I do agree that a quality pair of 8x would trump a lesser 10x.

8x vs. 10x always seems to bring out some great reasoning. In hunting various terrain we see pros and cons for each. I know where I do most of my hunting in the midwest, thick cover leads me to take my 8x's out more.

While I do prefer the 10x+ range for hunting the westerns states, I typically find 8x works well enough if I'm using a spotter. If no spotter, I'll take the higher magnification gladly...

As always, feel free to drop me a PM for anything I can help with.

I hunt out west. Lots of distance out here, but also thick vegetation hunting at times.

I have owned or still own 7, 8, 10, and 15 power binoculars, all Swarovski.

Naturally all were good. The 15 and often the 10's were tripod mounted.

That all said, if I had to pick just one set for all types of hunting I do and terrain have hunted, it would be the 10 power.

+1 on the 10 power if I could only have 1. Currently have 6, 8, and 10x. I mostly use 6 and 8 for local hunting, and 10x for out west/longer glassing opportunities.

As you stated: Hunting in the bush for deer ". Higher magnification optics will hinder your ability. An 8x in your case would be much better and a 7x better.
It can still handle the goat/sheep hunting.
If you carry a spotter, you have the ability to locate and disect. If you don't, a dual power would enhance your optic capability across the spectrum.
A Leica Duovid 8-12x would be ideal. There is validity in purchasing an alpha glass as a demo or on the used market to save some money but your gaining optic quality.

We can't know how steady you are. 10x might be great for you, but I've seen folks buy 10x binoculars after looking through them for less than a minute in a store. Holding 10x's steady on the side of a hill in wind and cold for an hour is a lot harder.

8X handhelds for me and 15x's on tripods.

8x gets my vote

I like to use the best tool for the job, within reason. In our "bigger is always better" culture it is difficult for many people to analyze this objectively. Here's my choices.

I have binoculars of 6x, 7x, 8.5x , and 10x, and I hunt in all kinds of terrain and all kinds of conditions. Each binocular has its strong points. Small low power binos don't perform well at great distances or in low light but but a big 10x pair is often too much of a good thing.

My little Minox 6x32 binos are wonderful in the bush. Quick, forgiving of eye position and easy to use one handed and waterproof and indestructible.

The B&L 7x26's are just plain handy. Tiny, light and good for many casual viewing jobs. They go with me everywhere when I don't even know i'll want a binocular. Not waterproof but eye glass compatible, even sunglasses.

I also have 10x52's and 10x42's. The big Minox 10x52's are great for low light and from tree stands and spotting from the truck. They'd wear you out if worn all day while walking. The Steiner 10x42's are a fairly lightweight & powerful choice for mountain and open plains hunts in bright light and at far distances. They are not as capable as the 10x52 or 8.5x42 at dawn and dusk.

If I only had one pair, i'd pick my Swarovski 8.5x42's - very good for everything and excellent for most situations.

I prefer a good 8x32 for most my hunting, but in no way would limit myself to one set

8X.

There is an easy answer to this question. I have not read
all of the other posts.

Consider getting both 8 and 10X. Get the 8x in a smaller
sized 8x30-32, and get the 10x, in a 10x42-50.

That way you have all bases covered.

That's my approach too.....


Casey