Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics 10x or 8x binos?

I hunt South Georgia and West Virginia don’t have much knowledge on binos far as which would be better most of what I hunt will be thick’s and shooting lanes occasionally a field or two maybe some woods or even pine thicks which is better suited 8x or 10x binos?

8x32

X2

I will agree with the 8’s , but I prefer 8x42’s.
Out west 10’s shine .

I agree with the 8x42 binos. . I have hunted out west in Colorado and extensive hunting in Michigan, and I found the 8x42 the best choice for handheld and low light conditions. Quality Bino with phase coated lens.
I have tested 10x42 in the exact same bino in real hunting conditions here in Michigan and am glad I selected the 8x42 .

300 Savage

Not to me.

I prefer 7X and 8X binoculars and would add a hearty +3 to the 8x32 suggestion.

I'm a 10x man myself. Not sure whether it's because my eyes ain't as good or because I'm generally shooting at smaller deer, but for stand hunting I prefer a 10x50 with a range finder.
Since that thing, a Zeiss Victory, weighs about as much as a boat anchor, though, I generally have an old 10x40 Zeiss around my neck when I'm walking around.

Firefighten Cowboy,

Totally agree with 300Savage. If you don't have one of John Barsness' books that talk about optics, you'll benefit from getting one. 8x42 is the best all-around binocular, and pretty much perfect for your scenarios. 10x is too much magnification for what you've described, and an 8x42 is easier to hold for a steadier image than a 10x. An older person might not benefit from the 5+ exit pupil of an 8x42 and might choose an 8x32 even for low light conditions like you hunt in, but you might consider a 6x32 or 7x32 class binoc if you want a lighter binoc than an 8x42. However, I don't think binoc weight is probably much of a consideration for a firefighter with the weight of the gear you wear for work. At any rate, you wouldn't go wrong with an 8x42/8x43.

A lot of people have never used a good quality 8x32 bino and have no idea what they are missing

X4.....

8X will give you a much wider field of view, larger exit pupil and be much easier to hold steady.
Compared 8X32 and 8x42 for physical size, weight, field of view, exit pupil and $ spent...then decide..

Binos are one place to truly "buy once, cry once"

Can't defy physics, or any of the other laws of nature, so all else equal, an 8x42 will always provide more light than a comparable 8x32. The question then is whether an individual's eyes can use more light than a quality 8x32 can provide.

One thing you will learn here is that if you don't have a $2K or up bino, you are helpless armature.

I prefer 10x if it’s over 300 yds. If you’re closer, 8x will be better. If you’re in the woods, 10x is really annoying.

You'll never regret going with the 8X. Ease of steadying and wider field of view with 8X trumps 10X in eastern woods hunting.

I use a good quality 10x for everything and it works perfectly, especially when elk hunting and glassing for long periods. I 'm 71 and don't have the shakes yet. If I develop them I may try an 8x.

^^^^^ This is my preference as most glassing is at fairly long distance. (with a spotting scope).

For the OP though & where he is hunting, in those kind of conditions, I like an 8x of the 42mm objective variety. Or even a 7x.

Personal preference & you have to try some different glass in different situations to really know what works best for you.

MM

For hand holding, I’ll take 8’s every time.

Yessir brother man. 👍

Absolutely love my little 8x32 meostars

Always though more was better.
Not much of a bino user, but 10x was it.

Then, a friend let me look through his 7x35 Ziess Classics.
Glass is more important than x's.

Never bought a pair, I'm too tight and don't use them enough.

8x for me