Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics One set of bins, or two?

If you had to pick....

Would you go with one set of top quality binos in something like an 8x42 Ultravid?

Or, would you go more to something like a 6.5x-7x30-32ish small bino and a larger set, say 10x-12x50-56ish in the pack?

Why?

Just two??????

Back to the question. "IF" I had to pick I would have one set of 8x42's. Buy the best you can.

Dave

Forgot why..

After owning 6-8 premium bin's it is easily apparent that a fellow could get by with ONE good set.

YMMV

If I were limited as to funds, I'd go with two. That's because I can get virtually the same image quality for less money and something every bit a rugged.
They'd be a Meopta 8X42 because it is heavier than the Pentax DCF ED and probably the 6X30 Leupold Yosemite, or the 6X30 Katami. If I were to add a third, assuming I had the above, I'd probably go with a 12X50 DCF ED Pentax.
If I insisted on a 10X as the top binocular, it would probably be a Pentax DCF ED 10X50. The other would be one of the above 6X30's.
The big advantage to the 6X binoculars is their light weight w/o significant image shake. They apparently excel in close cover scanning. The heavy 8X42 is simply the best compromise as a jack of all trades. It's only real drawback is it's weight. Pretty hard on the user if you insist on something close around your neck. E

E;

Thanks for the comments.

The binos in particular, are a single set of 7x42 or 8x42 Ultravids. Or, something like the 6x30 Yosemites and a set of 10x50 Ultravids, 10x52 Minox HGs, or 13x56 Minox....

I wouldn't buy anything in the 12-13X range until I had and had used the basic 7-8X42 for a while. The big 12's, and presumably the 13X binoculars, really can show you things that you can't see with the lesser binoculars. But... they are highly specialized. You either drag a tripod around with you or you have to put up with some eye strain from the image shake. They can't be used from standing to any degree. In order to really show you much, the subject would have to be literally 3 plus miles out.
I wouldn't do a 10X50 as any kind of primary either. You really do need an 8X for that in my book. I suggest you try out some 10X50's from Doug. And some of the 7-8X42's. Unfortunately, the last heard, he doesn't sell the 8X42 Meopta. Midway does. I don't know if they will let you buy one and return it just becasue you weren't completely satisfied. I think they will, but I'm not sure. You might check with them.
BTW, you might keep your eye peeled for a Leica BN on sale in 7-8X42. Somebody might have them somewhere at a steal. E

When I'm hunting out west I have my 8x32EL's wrapped around my neck and my 15x56's in my backpack.
If/when I spot something with my 8's and need a better/closer look I then grab my 15's outta my pack, set up the tripo and have a look see.
Seems to work very well for me.

I would and do prefer to use a single high quality bino and also a high quality spotter, rather than a very high power bino.

I currently have a Zeiss 8x30 B/GAF Nato glass and a compact Leupy 25x armoured spotter, which have done yeoman service for many moons. I have "replaced" these with a Leica 10x42BN and a Leica 62 16-48 armoured spotter and this combo works very well for me.

I intend on getting a Leica UV 7x42 in due course, mostly for deer/Elk hunting in the lower half of B.C., where ambient conditions make such a glass far superior to my higher power ones.

I can see why some would use a high power bino, but, for my needs, it is not as practical as what I now have, so, in this situation, my choice would be the 8x42 Leica UV.

The higher powered binoculars are specialized, like I said. Their big advantage over a spotting scope is that you can glass with them. Spoting scopes work fine for getting a better look at something you've already seen. But for finding something you can't see at all, nothing beats a binocular.
The other thing I'd point out is that the 12X class don't really come into their own until the range opens up to the 2 miles plus range. That's not to say you can't use them like a spotting scope closer in, but their real advantage, like any binocular, is to help you find something you haven't already seen. E

VA, for me the answer for over twenty years has been ONE quality pair of 8x30/32's... right now that means an 8x32 Ultravid. I've never found the need for more or less in a bin and if I REALLY want to see something on the micro level I pull out the spotter.

I'll just add that second binocular in the 6X range can be had w/o much more expense. I'm really impressed with the little 6X30 Leupold Yosemite. All for $80. What's another $80 bucks when you are spending $1200-$1600. E

Gotta agree E, the 6x30 Yosemite is veddy impressive for the coin.

What are you hunting?

The latter.

The smaller and lighter pair for carrying around my neck, and the heavier pair I'd let the pickup carry most of the time.......


Casey

Eventually? Everything.

Right now, anything I can find in the Southeast.....

Sean...

I can live happy with just my 10X Ziess.

At least until they fog or break.....grins.

I take a spare pair of binocs on the trip, but leave them in camp. Only one pair while I am hunting.

As a rule, I hunt with one binocular, either an 8X32 or a much heavier 8X42. However, if I know I'm going to be working close cover much or I'm glassing at really long ranges much, then, in addition to one of my 8X binos, I'll pack either a 6X30 for close cover work, or my 12X50 for the really wide open stuff. E

I carry one pair. 10+15x50 Leica Duovids.

VA ... I have three, started with 10x40 Classics, added the 7x42 Classics and then added the 6.5x Minox IF's (for archery, if that ever happens again).

In all honesty, I could sell the 6.5x and 10x and live happily ever after with the 7x42's, they are all I ever use now. Wifey loves the 10x Classics, and we loan out the Minox.

Good Luck!

BTW, good thread ... an optix thread which has no sticks being thrown! .... is there hope here yet?