|
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 6,168
Campfire Tracker
|
OP
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 6,168 |
I hunt the Northeast and NC for whitetails and Ontario and NB for Moose, all of which is mostly pretty close country. I use a set of Meostar 8x32's and have been pretty happy with them.
However this year I went to Newfoundland for Moose and am booked for Moose/Caribou next year. Its much more open and the ranges are much longer and I think there will likely be a lot more judging of racks particularly for the Caribou. This years moose hunt was the first time I felt a little more bino than my 8x32s might be worthwhile.
So my question from folks who have used different binos in more open country. Am I likely to benefit from a set of 10x42s in a moderate price range ($600-1000) over my 8x32 Meostars for my Caribou hunt? If your answer is yes, any suggestions for a good value in the range. I can do new or used.
The collection of taxes which are not absolutely required, which do not beyond reasonable doubt contribute to public welfare, is only a species of legalized larceny. Under this Republic the rewards of industry belong to those who earn them. Coolidge
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 8,941 Likes: 5
Campfire Outfitter
|
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 8,941 Likes: 5 |
Unless your one of these guys on the 24 hr campfire who thinks he only needs 1 gun, 1 set of binoculars go for it. It really is OK to have different equipment for different purposes. So you have allready considered what you have might be lacking, do something about it instead of brow beating and jap slapping yourself for the thought...mb
" Cheapest velocity in the world comes from a long barrel and I sure do like them. MB "
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 290
Campfire Member
|
Campfire Member
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 290 |
My county has no shooting deer with less than13" spread measured inside (unless a spike). Considered shootable if curl is outside ears. I began using 8x56, went to 12x42, now use 15x56. I do not think you will gain much going from 8 to 10.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 17,251 Likes: 1
Campfire Ranger
|
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 17,251 Likes: 1 |
My county has no shooting deer with less than13" spread measured inside (unless a spike). Considered shootable if curl is outside ears. I began using 8x56, went to 12x42, now use 15x56. I do not think you will gain much going from 8 to 10. Interesting restriction. Seems tougher to judge quickly when compared to the "3 points on 1 side" rule I used to have to follow in Arkansas. I wish Louisiana would go to a rule like that, and drop from 3 bucks a year to 2.
Now with even more aplomb
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 15,360 Likes: 10
Campfire Ranger
|
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 15,360 Likes: 10 |
I’d get another set of Meopta 10x42’s HD’s myself if you’d like to have another bin. I can’t find anything to not like about any of my Meopta stuff.
Semper Fi
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 2,249
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 2,249 |
A pair of 10X42 will compliment your 8X32 very well.
I keep a pair of 8X33 in a chest harness for offhand/on the move glassing, and 10.5X44 in my pack for tripod scanning sessions.
My heart's in the mountains, my heart is not here. My heart's in the mountains, chasing the deer.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 10,938 Likes: 71
Campfire Outfitter
|
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 10,938 Likes: 71 |
The people wringing their hands over Trump's rhetoric don't know what time it is in America.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,818
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,818 |
Yes. You will really like the increase. Quite a difference over 8s. Spend as much as you can. With glass, you get what you pay for.
I think, therefore I am, conservative.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 3,032 Likes: 4
Campfire Tracker
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 3,032 Likes: 4 |
I prefer 10x42 for open country hunting. 8x is great in wooded terrain, but I like the extra magnification where distances are greater. I use Swarovski SLC's but there are many good binoculars out there. The choice of brand and model mostly depends on how much you want to spend, but you'll use binoculars a lot in open country and high quality glass makes extended glassing a lot easier.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 821
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 821 |
I had a similar experience as the OP’s. I have a set of 8x42 Leupolds that work just fine for me around home and when I head toward the southeast on trips. Last fall I went to Newfoundland as well and wished I had binos with some more power. I just bought a new set of Leupold BX4 10x42s and thus far am very pleased with them. You might want to check them out.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,798
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,798 |
10X is worth it IMO, much more than that and they are no longer something most can hold with out some additional support. I have a set of 10 X 40 or 42 zeiss that are very manageable to carry on a neck strap.
For those without thumbs, it's s Garden fookin Island, not Hawaii
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 8,334 Likes: 4
Campfire Outfitter
|
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 8,334 Likes: 4 |
I agree, the 10x42's will help with your assessment of the animals at distance. Frankly, there are some good glasses available in that price range, and sometimes even Alpha glass.....
PM incoming.
Frog---OUT!
~Molɔ̀ːn Labé Skýla~
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 1,044
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 1,044 |
I went to Montana last year with a set of 8x42 and wish I would of went with 10x’s, which I’ll be getting a pair shortly. In this price range I would say to take a look at the Tract Toric’s and don’t look back.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 18,943 Likes: 2
Campfire Ranger
|
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 18,943 Likes: 2 |
Put the 10’s on a tripod and you’ll see a huge gain.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 236
Campfire Member
|
Campfire Member
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 236 |
I went from 8x30 SLC to Victory RF in 10x42. Very happy that I did, can see what I need to see much better.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,694
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,694 |
I hunt some very open country and utilize my 8x over my 10x most of the time. I like the wider field of view the 8’s provide and my shakiness seems amplified by the 10’s. I do always have a spotter with me if I need to judge anything at longer ranges.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 28,288 Likes: 15
Campfire Ranger
|
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 28,288 Likes: 15 |
Put the 10’s on a tripod and you’ll see a huge gain. +1.
It is irrelevant what you think. What matters is the TRUTH.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 2,060 Likes: 5
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 2,060 Likes: 5 |
I have 10x42 Swaros. They are great, but hunting western open terrain, I found my buddy's 12x were more useful.
Currently, the 10x are fine when I'm hunting around here until I get in dark, dense timber and I find myself wanting 8x binos archery hunting. At this point, I think I'd be happier with a 8x binocular and a 12x binocular.
"Full time night woman? I never could find no tracks on a woman's heart. I packed me a squaw for ten year, Pilgrim. Cheyenne, she were, and the meanest bitch that ever balled for beads."
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 4,015 Likes: 1
Campfire Tracker
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 4,015 Likes: 1 |
Like having more than 1 rifle for different situations, having more than 1 binocular for different hunts is not a bad thing. I have 8x20's when I really need to go light, 8x30's for regular closer range hunts, 10x30's for most open country hunts and 12.5x40's for tripod use.
I am continually astounded at how quickly people make up their minds on little evidence or none at all. Jack O'Connor
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 13,404
Campfire Outfitter
|
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 13,404 |
Like having more than 1 rifle for different situations, having more than 1 binocular for different hunts is not a bad thing. I have 8x20's when I really need to go light, 8x30's for regular closer range hunts, 10x30's for most open country hunts and 12.5x40's for tripod use. Yup. There's no 1 thing do all for anything. Different applications require different tools
|
|
|
|
523 members (17CalFan, 1234, 1_deuce, 1936M71, 10gaugeman, 12344mag, 51 invisible),
1,762
guests, and
1,125
robots. |
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
Forums81
Topics1,194,105
Posts18,522,468
Members74,026
|
Most Online11,491 Jul 7th, 2023
|
|
|
|