Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Which Binoculars do I want for western hunting?

Looking to go mule deer hunting next year for the first time, the 1st of what I hope will become numerous western hunts - mule deer, antelope, elk. I would like to buy a pair of high quality binoculars that will be suitable for same, thinking Zeiss Conquest HD up to top Alpha glass quality.

This is NOT a which brand / model question - I've looked some and have some preferences, but will explore further later.

The question is magnification and objective size. I have several pair of $2-600 binoculars from pocket binoculars to 10x50. Of those, the pair that I like the most (and use the most) are my el cheapo Leupold Yukon 6x36's. The hunting I've done I find the 6x36's bright and easiest to use.

I don't see too many people talk about using low powered optics like this for open western country. Most commonly I see 10x42's and bigger magnifications/larger objective sizes. I was leaning more towards a pair of 8x42's, but curious on others opinions about binocular size/magnification for open country hunting.

Thanks,

David

I've used a bunch of binoculars out west for elk and mule deer hunting and prefer a 10-40 or 10-42.

10x42 is the overall favorite.

I use Swarovski 8x30s and prefer them. I can see horns on critters so far away that I can't get to them on the same day. I figure its all I need to know, and the 8x30s are lighter...

I took a good set of 12x42's my first trip and for me it was too much, to hard to distinguish the details without some sort of support. Went to 10x42 for my next trip and was much happier, I've also spent a fair amount of time behind my buddies alpha glass in 8x42 and could be very happy with those.
I think once the replies start rolling in it's going to be apparent that what works best for "you" is going to be best determined by you spending some time behind different sets.

I appreciate all of the comments so far.

In general, I'm more inclined to lower power optics. Question is mainly, am I handicapping myself by using an 8x? Based on the responses so far, it would appear the answer is no.

David

I wouldn't say your necessarily "handicapped", but when I head out to do open country hunting, I immediately reach for 10x42's......and a tripod......and a spotter. That being said, I have fallen in love with the 8x32 Cabelas Euro HD's.

No, not at all...providing that they are really good quality glass. Theres a lot of good stuff out there now. My Swarovskis are 20 years old and they were the bees knees when I bought them. Nowadays some $400 binocs compare favorably to them ( my old ones...not the new ones...)
Also as Im sure you are aware you get into a law of diminishing returns with optics pretty quickly. $400 binocs are 100% better than $150 binocs.
After that $600 binocs are about 10 % better than the $400 pair, and for another 10% it will cost you $1200

I haven't even looked at binocs seriously in 5 years so I can't give a real recommendation . I hope JB chimes in because he's up on the latest and greatest.

You have to remember that "western hunting" covers a lot of different terrain. The ideal for one situation may not be ideal for another. Also there are lots of ways to hunt. If I'm in a vehicle or on horseback the 10x40's are fine. On foot with a long hike, my 8x20's are all I want.
As Ingwe said, optic quality is the trump card, after that your hunting situation will dictate what works best for you.

It's hard to go wrong with 8x. An awful lot of folks like 10x, though some remark about image instability (shaking). Those remarks become more plentiful as you go to 12x and higher, and that's why you hear/read more about tripods with those bins.

I have loved my 8x42 Victory's, but I've also been able to appreciate the view through 10x's, too. If I had it to do all over again, I might well end up with the 10's.

You'd be best served to handle & look through as many pairs as you can, & come up with what works best for you. Size, weight, & ergonomics are awfully important, too.

I'd prioritize "Western Hunt" spending thusly:
1) Boots - you're in 'em all damned day, and maybe the night, too. Bad boots could really screw-up your hunt.
2) Binocs - you'll be glassing more than hiking, eating, maybe sleeping, and certainly shooting. You can't kill what you can't find. Make sure you get a pair that you can be really comfortable looking through all day long.
3) Everything else.

Let us know what you come up with.

FC

I have been using a quality 10x42 for over 20 years, now, and actually feel somewhat handicapped when borrowing my wife's 8x30. However, I use my binocular year round. It goes with me in my truck wherever I go, and I do quite a bit of birding and scouting in the "off seasons". If you only use your binocular sporadically, except while hunting, you will probably be more comfortable with a 6-8 power glass.

That was an awful lot of wind, to say this.......grin

I have and use a set of Conquest HD 8X32's. They work very well, I love the huge field of view and compact size - but I do find times where a 10X might be a little better looking for horns at longer distances. Better yet is a nice spotter to go with the 8X's but a guy can only haul so much stuff up the mountains. Hard to go wrong with a good 10x42, but if you want a deal on a set of 8X32's to try PM me.

I would take two, around 8x30 and 10x40. Both will probably come in useful, but depending on where you're hunting one will probably be more useful than the other.

Years ago I used to hunt with an 8x32 around my neck, and a 12x50 in the daypack for when I sat down and looked over bigger country. (And yes, there was a damn spotting scope and tripod in the pack as well.) But then Leica came out with the 8+12x42 Duovid and my binocular problems were solved. Luckily, I got 'em when they were half the price they are now....

10x42 all the way for me... I have a lot of glass and the 10x42s get almost all the work almost all the time.

Aw, hell, I didn't even get started on underwear�

UnderArmor, by the way�

FC

10x40/42, etc. by a long shot. 8x40/42, etc wouldn't scare me to much. I've used both and powers well below and above the 8/10x realm, but I've never reached over a pair of 10x's for 8's.

Solid advice.

Plenty of 8 vs 10 bantering in this recent thread.

That's important for you old guys....

I like my Leica 10x42 Geovids

My bino of choice generally revolves around Big Muddy.

West of it - 10x
East of it - 8 or 6x.

I like the 7x42 for hunting . If I am hunting for big horns, I will also bring along the spotter.
Easy to look through all day, and even better real early or late.

Good luck finding any consensus on this. Most of the guys preferring a 10X binocular will use a fixed 4 or 6X scope on their rifle. I still prefer the 8X32 EL Swarovision or the 8.5X42 Swarovvision. I haven't felt lacking with either of those and I have hunted my entire life in Montana. I do have a pair of 10X42 Leica HD-B in my backpack, just in case...

Nikon Monarch are just as good and cost a great deal less

I'm kinda with shrapnel, 8x43 Pentax around my wife's neck with a 12-40 Leupold spotter in my pack or in truck w/window mount. 10x50 are to heavy for my wife...LOL

8X for me.

Hold up a minute. If we get to use our wives as sherpas, then that changes EVERYTHING!

I'd go 8x, and 10x, and a spotter + tripod, and an espresso machine�


FC

I'd go 8x. My opinion is this: with 8x or even 7x I can see anything I need to "locate."

If I need more power to really figure out if it's a critter with enough horns to make me want to shoot it, then I don't need more power at all--it's actually a dink and I'm trying to convince myself.

In other words, once I've spotted a buck, I've rarely even needed binos to decide if he was big enough or not. The big ones, are. Even with the naked eye.

Thanks!

David

I just picked up a Leica Duovid 8&12x42. I stole them at the price I paid. I used to use a 10x42 and found them good if I was able to get them on a tripod or rested over a pack or similar, but hand holding them yielded a shaky image for me. I moved over to a mid level 8x42 with HD glass and have been pleased. For my eyes, they are much easier to hold. Then....I got those Duovids. I LOVE them. The glass is stellar and I have found that the 12x is pretty easy to hold steady over my hiking staff. I am really pleased with them.

I hunt a lot of open country with pockets of aspen and pine and long open ridges.

Have fun hunting out here in the West. It gets in the blood and will keep bringing you back.

FH

Nobody said sherpas weren't legal!

10x42 EL range. your going to want an RF might as well get both in one unit.

I use both 8x42 and 10x42 premium binoculars. My 10x is my major use binocular but I like to run a 8x when hunting the timber and less open country. Advantages of the 8x are a larger FOV, brighter and easier to look through and hold steady than a 10x. I will not drop down to a 8x32 class because of loss of brightness in low light.

Most will agree that a 10x42 is better in open country and that is true. The 10x50 class is even better in all aspects but I can't afford the extra weight /bulk when I am also carrying a spotter, tripod and rangefinder.

There is another area the 10x42 had an advantage over the 8x42 and you seldom see it mentioned. The extra resolution of the 10x over the 8x in low light gives the 10x advantages when trying to identify the quality (antlers) of game animals. I learned this the hard way while running a premium 8x42 against my friends premium 10x42 on a trophy deer hunt. This advantage is expressed in the twilight factor. The 8x is brighter but has less resolution / lower twilight factor than the 10x42.

The 10x is also excellent on a tripod for mid range glassing.

For the reasons stated above my 10x is usually my choice for most hunts.

I own both an alpha 8X30 and 10X42. Can't recall a situation where the 8X30 would have been a better choice for the glassing scenario. Sometimes its easier and more convenient to carry, but I prefer glassing with the 10X42 by a significant margin. If both were lost tomorrow morning I'd replace the 10X42 by tomorrow evening. I doubt I'd buy another 8X30 until a particular circumstance would dictate their use.

I use 8.5x42s

And not sure what you mean by western. Are you talking about open terrain on the east side of states like Oregon and Washington? Or the very thick areas in the western half? Broken?

I agree. Our own Mule Deer, with his years of experience with many different brands and configurations of glass, posted virtually the same findings a month or so ago. IIRC the many 24HCF experts chimed in to tell him how much of a dumbazz he was. I'm a dumbazz as well because I agreed with him too.

I will add that the older I get, I don't see that much difference in brightness between 8x42's and 10x42's of the same quality.

The best 10x42 money can buy

JG,

Here I would like to list all the times somebody I'm hunting with or guiding has seen a "deer" a long ways away in their 7x or 8x binocular, which turned out to be a log or rock in my 10x or 12x binocular. But I can't, since I long ago lost count.

Once it even happened when a friend from the East was using my 7x Swarovski, which I'd loaned him because all be brought was a compact "woods binocular" that didn't work a darn. Have also had numerous people borrow my bigger binocular because they couldn't tell much about the size of a buck's antlers.

Yeah, a spotting scope will always tell more, and I always have one or two along when hunting big country mule deer. But I've also found a 10x or 12x binocular in my hand often bypasses getting the scope and tripod out of my pack and setting them up.

On the other hand, in closer country 8x is certainly plenty, and I'd much rather still hunt timber with an 8x30 around my neck than a bigger binocular like a 10x40. Which is exactly why I suggested to the OP that he bring both, since he owns a variety of binoculars. One or the other will be more appropriate, depending on what sort of country he ends up hunting.

Over the decades I have also found a spare binocular on a "big" hunting trip is a very good idea. It doesn't take up much room even if you're flying, and even if not perfect for that kind of hunting, beats the hell out of no binocular at all.

Every one has their particular preferences with their hunting style and how they use their optics. I am on the move quite a bit in thick stuff- so I like a 8x32/30 size around my neck. Have even used my 7x26 B&L Custom during early dry archery season. If I know I am going to be sitting for a while then I will use a spotter and either 8x or 10x40 on a tripod.

One way I have found that works for me when I am on the move and I want more power than what the 8x32 around my neck gives me is- instead of in my pack, I put a Nikon 13-40x ED 50 in the water bottle pocket on my pack instead on inside. It weighs less than a quart of water and is at my reach and I can quickly deploy it to get a 13x or more look at something. Can hand hold the 13x setting for a quick look and then can rest it against a tree for a higher power look. Of course the tripod for it is in the pack for times I want to sit down and glass. I have found this combo when on the move much more useful than just having 10x with me or carrying 10x around my neck all day. Plus the 8x to me is more useful in the setting I am in most of the time.

IMO- for western hunting you are going to want some sort of a spotter with you, or have access to one.

OK, I'm not touting any great experience or superior ability on my part, but I've been using binoculars for nearly 50 years. I probably have 40 different ones to my name now and have cycled more than that. I'm not trying to disagree or agree with any post on the thread.

This is just my own personal perspective in favor of 8x. There are several things and one event in particular that really have helped in shaping that perspective. The event was an optical display (maker irrelevant) at the local big deal "Bald Eagle Conference". This outfit was in the process of introducing a 7x42 and 10x42 binocular model. They had results of their work into the decision in favor of 7x over 8x. They also had a series of different magnifications of this same binocular in 7x, 8x, 9x, and 10x. They had a relatively simple test protocol that they had the mostly quite skeptical audience was asked to fill out. As it happened, when they presented their local results at a last day of the show workshop, the local results paralleled the rest of the research. In short, some 70% selected the 7x. about 20% the 8x and about 10% selected the 10x. This was from starting out not knowing what they had. The unmarked binocular just had a test sample number on it. That outfit sold a PILE of 7x42 binoculars at that show. Predictably, the 7x did not last because consumers not aware of the research just assumed the 7x was too weak and opted for the 10x. Everybody thinks the extra 1x gain of an 8x will show more detail, and the 20% increase of the 10x over the just has to be better still. What everybody thinks rules the world I guess. I'm not going to detail the times I could ID something with an 8x when my partner and his 10x could not. I do not doubt for a nano second that guys with a 7x could not identify what they could with 10x either.

I have a bunch of 7x binoculars and I doubt that much more than 10% of viewers could tell they were 7x and not 8x. I'd venture that those who can are defined by the percentage of the participants who selected 10x from the series of magnifications in the blind test. I've done this some on an informal basis and your average user sure can't tell.

Here is some food for thought with 8x, and why I tend to favor them. Yeah 10x is 20% larger than 8x. Since that is the case your eyes are working harder to process the extra magnification. As magnification increases, depth of focus decreases. Quite a bit between 8x and 10x. So for me I like not having to run the focus as much with 8x vs 10x. I prefer a view with a lot of area in front of and behind whatever buck I'm looking at that is in focus. Image shake has been mentioned, but that is a personal deal. Some shake worse that others. Shake for me is not an issue. Magnification also tends to magnify heat wave distortion. There have been times I was glad to have a 7x that would show something where the 10x had too much mirage effect to be useful, in my experience anyway YMMV.

The short story is either one works. That is why the argument exists. The preference of one magnification over the other is a personal preference. I have given up trying to convince anybody to chose one magnification over another. The reason for that is that, in my estimation, the way the binocular fits your face and in particular your eyes, particularly with regard to eye cup shape and eye relief is a hell of a lot more important than whether or not you are gaining or losing anything with a 10x vs and 8x. Contrast and color balance also come in ahead of magnification. So does how the binocular balances. Kinda like a good rifle. Do you want a 30-06 that fits like a glove or a 300 Wby that you have to fiddle with to get behind? Or a rifle scope with an eye box that suits you vs one that doesn't?

So, to the original post, as far as either an 8x or a 10x, like I said, both work. Pick one and go use it. I personally have never felt I have lost anything with an 8x. You are the only one who can decide that and you may have to go through some different ones to figure this out

One seldom mentioned advantage of lower powered binoculars is the increased depth of field. If someone just uses their binocular to evaluate soothing they spotted with their naked eye, depth of field doesn't mean much. However,, to find game I like the extra depth of field when scanning for animals.

Good point Fred, and extra depth of field decreases the chances for eye fatigue/headaches if you spend a lot of time on the glass.

Image shake and depth of field is why my 6x36's are my current favorite. Leaning heavily towards buying a new pair of 8x42's...

I appreciate everyone's input!

David

This

10x42 and a tripod would be my advice

I've boiled my optics down to two three which suit how I hunt regardless of game and terrain. I'm not dogmatic in saying it's THE way but for me it works out well.

I carry a lightweight, compact Leica 8x32 Ultravid for general hunting use where animals don't necessarily have to be sized up or judged. If, as on a trophy mule deer hunt, most of the hunting will be looking or glassing canyons, I use a Leica 15x56 Geovid on a tripod which is so much easier on the eyes than any spotter can ever be.

I do have a Zeiss spotter, a 15-45 x 65, a relatively compact piece that is mostly used for determining if that reddish spot three quarters a mile away is a fox or a bunch of balled up corn leaves.

I have given up the heavier, bulkier 10x bino's for general hunting purposes.

I just got a pair of 8x42mm Vortex Talon HDs from Cameraland's sale. AMAZING. I am admittedly ignorant on optics, but ignorance truly is bliss and after the 8x40mm porros I had previous to these I am blown away.

I like others have a compact spotter (Leupold 15-30x) I keep close by for evaluating game spotted through the 8Xs & it's worked well for me.

In the country I hunt to get the really big bucks a lot of glassing is required. Sometimes I'll spend an entire morning in basically the same spot. My m.o. is to locate animals with my 10x40's then if he/it requires a closer look out comes the spotting scope. If he's worth going after I'll "stay on him" as long as possible. All the while working out in my head how I might approach him. If he beds downs early and I can see where he is I might go after him then. Otherwise, I'll be in on him at shooting light the next day. For me then, a good glass is extremely important. I like 10x40 or 12x40's and a high quality spotter. The 10x glass will often give me a good enough look so I won"t go to the effort of setting up the spotter. I often hunt elk in the timber so I find a smaller lighter glass best for that purpose. It's hard to under state how important good optics are in MY style of hunting. BTW I feel that a high quality spotter is wasted on a flimsy tripod.

In order of most use:
Bushnell Custom Compact 7x26 (Sometimes I get back to camp and forget they're still around my neck--they are that light and compact--and yes they work very well)
Swaro 7x30B SLC
Swaro 8x30WB SLC

Yeah, they don't fit the Campfire blueprint, but they work for me.........

The next time I draw a sheep tag I'll probably be looking at a pair of 10x42's though.........

Casey

Exactly.

Same thing with a big bull--if they're big a guy knows it!

Sheep and pronghorns can be a bit more difficult though.......

Casey

First western hunt ever in a week! Antelope. Bringing my 8x32 Swaro ELs and new Swaro 65mm ATS spotter. Went back and forth between 8x32 8x42 10x42. Size ultimately won.

Maybe I'm shakier than most but it seemed to me that smaller size, light but excellent glass work best for me when I tested out.

Will report back on whether I'm going to switch to 10x42 in the future.

Shooting sticks are the friend of shaky folk. whether as a rifle rest or for glassing....

Evidently many Campfire members fit into the older (and shaky) demographic that supposedly includes most hunters these days.

Maybe I just need to practice glassing more. I've seen a lot of improvement in my shooting from field positions, including off-hand over the last year or so. I brought a cheap pair of 10x40's to the range while I was shooting and found them difficult to use w/o a rest of some sort.

David

Crap, I'm only 46!

Starting to be able to hit a 8x10" steel plate off hand at 300yds, but still find the 10x bino's difficult.

David

Thattsa why I never leave home with a set of sticks. It is almost like cheating......

I cannot underestimate the need of a tripod when western hunting. If you are exclusively hunting in thick, dark timber forests or something where tripods are useless, you will need a tripod for the usual western mule deer hunting. Been all over the west, been hunting for over 35 years out here, and I am telling you you will need it if you want to be effective. Sure, you can by chance encounter a mule deer buck while driving or walking or something and the use of optics wasn't necessary, but to get a quality buck, you are gonna have to see him before he sees you. That means using optics. That means spending hours with optics on the side of some hill. That means you cannot hand hold optics for hours. And do it for days. And don't forget, often, the distances can be well over a mile. I have hunted with guys who didn't use optics and tripods, and, well, let's just say the people who use them tend to be more successful.

My advice is 10x42 and a tripod. And bring a spotting scope if you can.

Wow! Is your name Quigley?

Dude... I can do that on a 12 inch plate with regularity and Im 62....

The 8 inch plate...not quite so regular...but often enough!

I hope you kill something soon because you are really starting to act like a prick. Maybe if you spent more time shooting and less time running your mouth you would understand. Being able to accurately hit kill zones to 500 from field positions and even 300 from off hand is something most anybody can do if they want to put the time and effort into it. It's similar to juggling - most people try 3 or 4 times then get tired of picking up the balls and quit.

Looking forward to your next post where you come up with some ridiculous challenge that's orders of magnitude more difficult than what I said I'm beginning to be able to do and then crow about how much more you know about it than I do.

David

Flagstaff,

Comments much appreciated. I understand the need for a spotter and a tripod. I can certainly see the effectiveness of 10x on a tripod. some of the comments from Mule Deer and others lead me to believe that they are effectively using 10x bino's unsupported off-hand to effectively see things that can't be adequately resolved with lower magnification bino's. Right now, trying the limited bino's that I have in the field, I can't hold 10x steady enough to do that.

David

Damn. I'm a member of that demographic.



If I use a stick, when I close my eyes and jerk the trigger, I don't miss near as much.

I have 8x30 and 10x42 premium glass......
If I was going to put on lots of miles and just wanted a "rack"......8's would do.
If I was going looking for only a big rack? 10's would be the minimum..... and a spotter. YMMV.

'slave,

How are you using your 10x's? Can you effectivelly glass off hand or are you mostly mounting them on a tripod?

David

That pretty well covers it.

A tripod is not needed for 10x binos. Something I've noticed about folks who see too much wobble in 10xs is they don't get themselves stable. They just stand there wobbling around in the wind trying to glass.

Lean on a tree. Hold the rim of your ball cap with both index fingers. Adjust the bino straps to provide some tension at viewing height. Sit down. Simple little techniques that work, which apply whether one is using 10x or 6x binos.

David,
I sit.

David,

I use a 10x42 exclusively, and while glassing can be done effectively from field positions for a while, eventually the minor shaking and vibrations start to tire the eyes. It's amazing how much more detail you can see with the bino mounted on a tripod, simply due to the elimination of the vibrations. Try it. You'll like it, especially for prolonged glassing sessions.

prairie_goat,

Quick question- have you tried using a 10x bino mounted on a tripod?

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.

It is tough to agree with you for several reasons, you are considered more of a Northern hunter rather than a Western hunter, most of the time you are either wrong or overly bias. on this topic I must agree with you 100%, only problem is most of the time my 15x56's are already on the tripod(-:

Yes. It works, but if I�m going to the trouble of carrying a tripod, it�s attached to a spotting scope or set of Big Eyes.

yup...

It was a joke David. Sorry it came across wrong.

Just finished Washington state elk season with a friend of mine and he had a pair of 8x32 swaros and I had my 12x50 swaros. When we were glassing he would see an elk at about 800 yards and then I would burst his bubble and tell him it was a rock or butt of a fallen tree. And even in the trees I can focus past the close stuff and focus on an object through the trees to see if it is hair or wood. Don't like packing a spotting scope where we hunt to much up and down and weight, which my friend learned this year can be your worst enemy.

David,

Don't know why you inferred I was glassing "offhand" with 10-powers all the time. I don't, any more than the rest of the hunters who've suggested at least 10x. Though I don't find them a handicap at shorter ranges when glassing without a rest, either.

Right now, however, I am guessing from various comments that some of the people who are strong proponents of 8x do a lot of their glassing unsupported, and at relatively close distances. (I may be wrong, but that's my guess.) One reason is the comments on the greater depth of field of 8x binoculars. This is true, but only to a limited extent. At any distance where you really need to sit down and glass the landscape, the depth of field of either 8x or 10x binoculars is infinite.

In addition, many years ago the late John Wootters said he actually preferred higher-magnification binoculars for hunting in the thick brush of his native Texas. The reason? Their shallower depth of field. He found he could "fuzz out" intervening brush, and often find bucks he couldn't have seen in lower-X binoculars because too much brush both in front and behind the deer remained in focus. I tried it, and as with most things having to do with deer hunting, John was absolutely right.

MD,

I know that's not the only way you use your bino's, I'm focusing on it because that's what I'm most concerned with - maybe I shouldn't be. A large part of the problem maybe my lack of experience in open country hunting.

I have done quite a bit of what I call stalk hunting. I walk very slowly and quietly 5 or 10 yards, stop scan 270deg with my eyes, then again with a more detailed scan with my Bino's. Repeat. Hunting like this I find the 10x significantly less useful than 6x, a large part of the reason is image shake. From a stand where I can prop up, it's not hard to use 10x, and on some of the more open stands I've had where I could see a long way, the 10x's are an advantage.

I assumed that most open country hunting is a blend of the above. Perhaps walking faster/further without stopping, but still periodic glassing, until a likely vantage point is reached for a more detailed search. I was assuming the detailed search meant a spotting scope.

Dacid

Darn. Now I'm going to have to throw out my 8x32 EL Swaros ;-)

It's a good thing I'm addicted to good optics as I don't see any problem with getting all of; a pair of 8x32's if you need to be nice and light, a pair of 10x42s and a spotter. I've found with optics as with many other things, until you try them for yourself, by buying them and spending time with them (not just looking through), you really don't know what works for you.

My philosophy which I would recommend to the OP is pick something in high quality glass, for the features important to you (e.g. lightweight = 8x32, more mag 10x42). Get something that will have great resale if you sell eventually. I like to buy for life but often you found something that just does not work for you.

You guys have me convinced to buy a pair of 10x42 ELs. I'm afraid if I do I will love then and will come up with reasons to hang on to both the 8x32 and 10x42 :-(

My current philosophy is 8x32 ELs + ATS 65mm spotter. Going to try it out real soon and report back on how it worked for me.

David,

Some hunters do indeed use a spotting scope for a detailed search, especially at longer distances. But searching for long periods is much more comfortable with binoculars than a scope, because your eyes are much more relaxed when both can remain open and looking. (I do sometimes use a scope for long-distance searching, but leave a piece of tape on the scope, which I place across the left lens of my glasses when glassing for long periods. This allows me to leave both eyes open, rather than squinting with my left eye, but it's still not as comfortable as using a binocular.)

Normally, if I find deer with at least a 10x binocular, and if I can't tell exactly how big it is, or the deer I find is a doe and a buck might be nearby but semi-hidden, I then use the spotter. (It would be nice to always hunt country where it's always immediately apparent exactly how big a buck is in 8x binoculars, or where big bucks always are out in the open where both antlers are totally visible, but for some reason that doesn't always happen to me.)

There are many areas where your "stalk" hunting works very well for mule deer, but in more open areas it's not as effective. This is why my 8-12x Leica Duovid is my favorite all-around big country binocular. It might seem a little heavy to people used to light 6x to 8x binoculars, but evidently I long ago became immune to those thoughts, because I've found a slightly "too heavy" binocular far more effective than a too light binocular.

But it's also why I suggested in two of my previous posts that you bring both a smaller binocular and a big one on your hunt. One or the other will probably be more useful in whatever country you're hunting. If you can only afford one really good glass, I'd suggest you make it the more powerful one, and bring one of the smaller binoculars you already own for the other--probably the one you already prefer for your stalk hunting.

canoetrpr,

Some people think I have too many binoculars, but among them are both 8x32 and 10x42 EL's. I love them both--and find uses for both!

But if I could only own one it would be the 10x42, because there are many times when I can see stuff clearly through it that I wouldn't see as clearly with the 8x32. Sometimes that's because the object is farther away, sometimes it's because the light is dim, and sometimes it's because of both.

Been there and bought the t-shirt. I won't be without both from here on out.
And, you need a 6x too.

I haven't had a problem with 10x42s yet but maybe I'm doing something wrong.

Tanner

heck with the 6x's. You really need to round out yer spotter collection to match the binoc's.

Think Big and Little.....

grab the 80mm spotter to go along with the 65.

I have experienced a similar circumstance between lightweight bins/rifle and a heavier bins/rifle. While lightweights are easier to carry, I have found them to be harder to hold steady, especially for long range work in the wind.

Conversely heavier "tools" were easier to "hold" because the weight helped steady
the item. So there is a benefit to having a little more weight. There are always trade-offs to consider. Good luck.

huntsman is a man after my own heart :-)

Yep!

It always amazes me when hunters who may own over a dozen big game rifles that all do basically the same thing, want to get by with ONE all-around binocular, and perhaps don't even own one spotting scope.

Optics are what find the animal. All the rifle does is kill it.

When are you getting the 15X to finish off the family?

I joined this site in 2008 at the beginning of my binocular quest. Well that quest turned into an addiction and after a year or two of obsessing over optics, where you are never happy with what you have and always looking for that next almost perfect thing, I just relaxed and used what I had rather than over analyze everything.

I ended up with 6 pair of binos:

1) 6x30 Yosemite
2) 7x50 Fujinon
3) 8x32 Nikon SE
4) 8x42 Leica Ultravid
5) 8x42 Pentax DCF
6) 10x42 Nikon SE
For those that don't know, the Nikon SEs are Nikon's no holds barred porro design that hold their own optically against any alpha roof prism out there.

Anyway after just relaxing and using my binos these past four or five years I found that I use my wonderful 10x42s less than 10% of the time. I use my 6x30 Yosemite's when I'm backpacking in the mountains and a more specialized use on "water blinds" when I'm running my retrievers in field trials.

Most of my hunting is in the timbered mountains of western Montana, for that 90% of the time I either carry the 8x32 SE's or the larger, more durable 8x42 Ultravids. The one place I use my 10x42s is eastern Montana antelope and mule deer hunting.

Not that I want to obsess again, but I'm thinking about selling my 8x42s and buying a new pair of 8x32 Swarovski EL SV's.

Don't waste any more time contemplating this maneuver, you won't be sorry...

I don't know how to read that comment; are you saying I should or should not make that switch? I seriously would like you opinion as I'm heading down to the store tomorrow.

I actually do all of my glassing from a solid, supported rest. I also do some glassing from opportunity more or less impromptu as the situation presents itself. The latter really does not count as glassing in my book. Glassing is taking the time to dissect the scenery and look for what is there. I prefer 8x for that. However, I own several 10x glass and actually use it perhaps more than I maybe inferred I do. I find that Personally, I can't see what I can't see with 8x with 10x either. Personally, it is a different thing altogether at 12-15x. If I ever spring for an alpha glass, it'll be a Leica Duovid 8-12x42, simply for me, while 10x is not enough increase over 8x, 12x is.

However I have recently been using a 10x glass that I really like. It is the Option HR WP porro prism 10x42. Kind of narrow fov, but it has superior depth of field for a 10x. Worth a look.

I always thought that increased magnification and its increase in detail was a lot more apparent at close range than long.

Actually, I think a person could get along with one rifle (if it was a 270, of course),easier than they could get along with one binocular or one spotting scope. I have 6X, 8X, 10X and 12X binoculars and four spotting scopes, use them all frequently and still need a few more of each.

After reading all the post, I'm going with 9x42 binos!!

I haven't had a problem with 7x30' or 8x30's......maybe I'm doing something wrong........

Casey

Get the EL 8X32 Swarovision. I have all the stuff that has been talked about, I have had the 8X32 for awhile now and have even thought about selling the HD-B 10X42 and get another Swarovski LRF and use separate optics again...

Well I just have one high power rifle (a M70 30Gov't06 w/ Vari X II 3x9) and one bino (a Zeiss Conquest HD 8X32) and no spotter. I tend to get my share of the critters. I find more important than either is to get out of the truck, off the road and hike a bit. Simply amazes me the amount of people that never get out of site of a road.

I want all these guys to continue sitting on the hillside playing with their alpha glass--leaves more critters for me............


Casey

Nearest road is 2 hours by air from here...

Nearest road 34 miles by boat...