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

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.