If you were limited to one full size hunting binocular would you go with an 8x42 or 10x50 model? I know that 10x42 are very popular but I prefer a 5mm exit pupil, for the more relaxed view. 7x42 have an even larger 6mm exit pupil but I do not hear much about them any more.

Preferably, an 8x32 for the size. Otherwise, limiting it to the x42 size, easily the 7 or 8 over anything 10, with the Zeiss Classic 10x40s being an exception to that.

Power, don't mean dick; when compared to quality and resolution.

Limited to one, only, I'd be happy with an 8x32, 7x42, or 8x42 from any of the "Big Three".

Of the two you mention, I'd go w/ the 8x42. That said, I'd be much happier w/ a 10 power, but 42 is max on the objective as I don't want the weight and bulk.

For me a 8x32 or 8x42 as I cant hold a 10x steady anymore

I went with 8x42 after having used 10x for several years. the 8x provides a clear, bright image, basically wobble free. I've not regretted having the 8x42.

8x42 without a second thought.

7x42

+1 yup. No brainer.

I grab my 8x32's most of the time, but also have an 8x42, a 10x42 and a 12x50 I use on a tripod. Of the ones you mention, 8x42 by a mile.

8x42's and if you hunt in the timber 7 or even 6 power. I have a pair of 6x32 Vortex Viper's and you can't beat them in the heavy stuff here in the Northeast part of Pa.

Kicking and screaming I would take an 8x42;but never had an 8X in the West when I didn't want a 10X of high quality with great glass.I would carry the 8X for one day and then want my 10's back again......and if there is a 15X in the truck, even better

I've never seen, or played with, a 10X50 that I could carry with comfort around my neck all day. Anything over 25 ozs. is really too heavy for me. Using that as a yardstick, it would have to be an 8X42.
I own lots of binoculars. I joke that when I go on a hunting trip, I take more binoculars than rifles. The ones I carry the most are my lighter 8X32's or my 6-6.5X stuff. The heavier 8-12X ones usually ride in the pack while a lighter model rides around my neck. E

I hunt with 7's and 10's. Prefer the 7's as an all rounder. Would think an 8x would be right there.

I don't think I have ever found something with 10X that I wouldn't have been able to find with 8X and I think the 8X are easier to hold stable. That being said the easiest glass to glass with that I have used is the 7X42 Swaro.

I think a better title to this one, could be which is better
the 8x42 or 10x42. I own or have owned most of the sizes mentioned here, and my favorite is the 8.5x42. But, if you
check with Cabelas, and many large sporting goods stores, the
10x42 easily outsells the 8x42. If fact they don't always stock
the 8x42. 10x50 is more specialty glass, great for low light
but heavy.

More is better right? if 8x is good then 10x MUST be better. This makes sense until you've put in some real ass time on a mountain.

Much would depend on what 90% of my hunting consisted.
If the answer is "mostly in Indiana", the answer is NOT 10x50. *grins*

No brainer for me, 8x42. Id look at a 10x42 if I needed 10x. A 10x50 is too big and will have less fov.

High quality 7x42 is the best all around IMO, but you can get a heck of an 8x42 now starting at $200 with the zen ray dielectrics that 8x42 has become the standard. All things considered you could start with the 7x36 Swift Eaglets. They are so small they fit in a jacket pocket and the newest ones are awfully good. Personally, I like 10x50's and use them a lot. Unless I know I'm going to be in the woods all day I say 10x50. My Eagle Ranger Platinums are no heavier and not much bigger than a lot of 8x42's. Most of the guys I hunt with who hunt mostly open spaces have 10x binoculars. Don't know about everyone else, but I've never found myself wishing for less magnification in the field. I have many times wished I had something more than the 6-8x I was carrying.

If I need more magnification than 8x a spotting scope is the next step

7-8.5x for general use. Looking long, there doesn't seem to be much difference and up close I really prefer the lower power. When glassing for extended periods, a ten power wears me out faster and takes a little longer to cover the ground thoroughly.

I carry my 8x43 ZEN ED all the time for general purpose. Occasionally, I use a pair of 8x25 pentax for hiking.

I use Leica Trinovid 10x50's, and I love em!

I hunt fairly open country. It's common for me to be glassing across canyons at long distances. 10x50's are great for my use, and 15x56's would be the cats ass at times!

I had a pair of those and I also loved them...just to heavy to pack all day so I went to a pair of the Ultravid 8x32's. But I do wish I could have afforded to keep them as well...I miss them at times when hunting mule deer in the open country.

Of the two choices, 8x42 all day any day.

I'd prefer 7x42 or 6x32 though.

And I live on the treeless prairie so long glassing is all we do.

Bingo.....I've tried, and tried to warm up to 8x in the country I hunt. While they can get the job done, they don't cut it against a good 10x42. I'm talking about serious glassing, not standing there looking through them without any support.

I love my 8x42 porros and prefer them to my far more expensive 8x42 roofs but they are a touch big and heavy. I bought 6x30 yosemites for easier carrying and a bigger field of view but they definitely give up something to the 8x's. I think the perfect all around hunting size is a 7x35 and wish someone made something, in a porro, similar to the Nikon Action Extreme's but a little more modern and compact. Closest thing is likely the Vortex or Eagle Optic 6.5x32.

How about at home or in Maine?

Bob, I respect you a lot, but I think you are making a way bigger difference between eight and ten than there really is. I live out west, hunt rather tight forest for Whitetail, more open mountains for Elk and the way open plains for Antelope and Mule Deer. I own a 6x30 Yosemite, 8x32 Nikon SE, 8x42 Ultravid and 10x42 SE. I thought I would use the 6x30 in the woods, 8x32 in the mountains, 8x42 in bad weather and 10x42 Antelope hunting. I have found that I use the 8x32 SE's 90% of the time with the 8x42 Ultravids coming out in the rain. I just don't see that much if any difference going up to ten power.

For what it's worth, that's my experience. On the other hand, my optics nut buddy manager of our local sprting goods store says they sell ten power two to one over eight power, even though he tries to talk them out of it.

John

I have a pair of Zeiss 8x42 which I have had about 15 years and a pair of Zeiss 10x50's for double that, and more.

I cannot like the smaller glass no matter how I compare them. A pair of 10x50's provides everything I want in a glass and after all these years, they just feel right.

JW

Yep. 10x is the answer.......until you hunt this. And even this is looking a country mile in much of the areas in WI.

I've compiled a pretty good batch of bino's, as of right now, the highest X I have is 8X and no plans of going higher. I've spent much good money on 10X bino's just to see them sit...No plans for 10X in the future...

laffin. Very important to have lots of X's and a small FOV..

I prefer 10X here in NW Montana. Have tried 8X plenty and always go back to 10X.It has made a difference for me when looking at detail like counting point's etc. John are you talking about Dennis? Grin Small town, description fits too well.LOL

HR,

Yep, that'd be Dennis. Great guy and really knows his optics.

I think an individual's preference for power is similar to ergonomics, some people just value different things in optics. I like a fair amount of FOV, so looking through most ten power bins is like looking down a straw to me. I also see very little additional detail with my 10x42 SEs versus my 8x42 Ultravids. I can certainly see antlers with both, but I guess there would be some hypothetical distance where horns would show up on the ten but not the eight. Like I said previously, I really thought I'd use the 10s all the time in Eastern Montana's open country, but the lighter weight, easier carrying larger field of view of the little 8x32SEs trump the little extra power. Obviously there are many experienced hunters who feel the opposite.

I hope you got a nice deer or Elk, hunting conditions were just perfect the last week of the season, were'nt they.

John