Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics 8x vs 10 binos

Ive only used 10x. ( kahles and cables euro / meopta non hd)

For those that have used both,

Whats the biggest difference?

Field of view or magnification?

I like 8X, for me it’s field of view and “steadiness”, but I “glass” with 12/15.

If I were to have just one binocular, it would probably be 10X.

The biggest difference for me, in open country at least is that with 8X, 8.5X and even 10X sometimes, I could tell I was looking at a deer or elk but I just couldn't quite tell if it was a buck/bull or doe/cow, or if it was worth the time to break out my spotter. 15X largely mitigated that issue but also just extended that uncertainty range somewhat. I have never really had the stability/steadiness issue that others have with higher Xs, for the most part.

In close cover where I suspect you spend most of your time deer hunting and am glassing through trees looking for flicking ears or tails, I totally prefer 8X or 8.5X due to better field of view and normally better brightness. I usually carry 10X for general uses like bird hunting or trapping, which I am guessing that you're not really inquiring about. I have moved almost exclusively to nothing but 15X for big game in anything but tight cover due to the magnification, but that is outside of your question and situation.

For me it's a big FOV difference... also a big difference in brightness. Comparing Swaros, anyway. I've landed on 8x mostly but when I think I might need I also drag along a more powerful optic, 15x binos or a scope.

I’ve used 8x, 8.5x and 10x at different times for all of my hunting including timber hunting, open mountain hunting and open prairie hunting. I usually only have one main pair at a time and to be honest I don’t know if there’s a big enough difference between the three options to stress over. I’ve always thought that a clear image is more important than 8 vs 10 power, so if I might get a clearer image while glassing in cold weather with an 8x vs a 10x then I won’t worry about the 2x difference.
My current pair is an 8x Geovid and the honest reason I went with it is because Doug at CLNY had open box sale on the 8x at the time and not the 10x. So $$$’s made my decision for me and I actually have no idea if the 10x version would have made any difference in my hunting.

Magnification is the biggest factor for me.

I have used 8x, 10x, and 15x binoculars.

10x is my pick. Have never had an issue with them as far as steadiness or FOV.

YMMV so pick what YOU like.

I like 10.5X for general glassing on a tripod. A small spotter comes out if I need to better evaluate a buck/bull. I always have a pair of 8X on my chest for offhand on the move glassing, and the end game.

In the woods, 8 x all day long, Mixed cover to open country 10x.

Nearing 70 I am more steady with my 8x swarovski's than my 10's, being back east now I do not have the need for long range bino's any more.

I have had several sets of Swarovski 8x, 10x and 15x.

The 10's were the most useful and saw the most action. The 15's were ok and the 8's were too small magnification unless you were exclusively in the woods.

I use 8x for deer hunting and 10x for prairie dogs.

IF you have a variable scope you can probably answer this yourself.

I like 10x. I sit in a stand most of the time.

I use a 7x B&L Discoverer. I wear glasses and my binocular has enough eye relief to use it.

For general just walking around like bird watching, I like my 8x32 Leica binos for the weight and larger fov. When I was bird watching with the club, I would take those 8x32’s and my 10x25 Swarovski binos for a closer look. That narrow fov of the 10x25’s took some getting use to for hand eye coordination. Those 10x25’s are great to have on my belt if I don’t plan on glassing, but need binos to see something better. At the cottage it is always the 10x50 Bushnell binos because the weight doesn’t matter. I know those aren’t high end glass, but I do like the fast focus rocker on those instead of the dial type focus adjustment..

I hunt mostly in open and mixed country and prefer a 10x for that. For hunting in wooded areas I like 8x. I use a Swarovski SLC 10x42 most of the time.

I prefer 7x or 8x for elk and deer.

10x for antelope, sheep, mountain goat etc.

I’m a seven power guy, but I do also own 8x42 Ultravids and 10x42 Nikon SEs. I mostly use my 7x35 Trinovid Classics, great Leica optics in a light, compact package.

I like 8 X better. Of course around here views are limited by rolling or dense terrain.

7-8x unless sitting and spotting, then 12-15x. Never really had use for 10s

Where's a good 9x binocular when you "need" one?

I think 7x35 are about as perfect for all I do as one can get. Good FOV, plenty bright (if modern-ish) and easy to tote and hold steady.

I have bought friends the Nikon Porro versions and love almost everything about them. Wish manufacturers would start making some again. It might tempt me out of my 8x32's.

The most important thing is to have a pair of Binos whenever you are hunting. You will see animals you would never see unaided by magnification. 7X,8X or10X. Any of them will make a better hunter.

Like choosing between the .270 and .30-06!

ETA - plagiarism on my part there

If I recall correctly, when Maven started offering binoculars (which was a while back) I requested a 9x45 for a review--which I also recall was for one of the NRA magazines. I was impressed!

Also, 9x binoculars were made fairly often by companies such as the original Bausch & Lomb. Jack O'Connor had one for a while.

It certainly gives us one more nit to pick....

I use a binocular the most for reading ear tags on cows. If I had to choose, 8x for the fov and steadiness. And that is what I carry. But there are times when a little more magnification would be nice.

When I was horseback a lot, the little Leupold gold ring pocket 9x25's were always in the saddlebag....

Back when I was a kid, 1960s, 7x35 was the standard size bin that all our dads had. For me and for most of my uses, a 7x35 Trinovid is the perfect binocular. Very trim and easy to carry, I prefer the feel in hand of the leather over the rubber armor, same Leica view as the Ultravid and vey light around the neck.

I really like my new to me Swarovski 7x42 slc neu and I've got a few high end binos.

Agreed with above. I like 8x but a few of my hunting friends like 10 best. Really very little difference. Guess let easier to look through and better field of view vs slightly better long range detail be your guide. IE archery elk 7 or 8 x for me truck or timberline mule deer maybe 10x.

Always though more was better.
The 'Murican way, right?

Buddy bought a pair of Ziess 7x35 classics.
It was a revelation to a low rent Hillbilly.
I could clearly things in better detail than I ever had with "American" binos.
Magnification is not a crutch for poor quality. It actually showcases the
lack of quality. But that isn't readily apparent due to objects looking bigger.


Lucky for Tightwads (me) there are options now available for a few hundred dollars that would have been top shelf 25 years ago.

My first binocular was a 9X35 B&L. My grandfather bought it 1958. I still have it. When I bought my first Leica, I was very impressed with the detail I could see. What I didn't understand is the role weight plays when using a binocular in the field. If you need to see fine detail at a distance, weight and the steadiest position you can assume is the way to go. E

Good 8X for me. Much easier to hold still and can see more detail than 10x without the image shake. On a tripod is a different story, but that is what the spotter is for.