8x42 or 10x42(help me decide)

[stanman99]

one of my kids broke my bins,they were 8x42 roof prism,i am borrowing a pair at the moment and am unsure whether to go for 8 or 10 x 42 roof prism? for my next pairall opinions would help .thanks

[Henry B]

Sorry Stan, but you will have to try a side -by-side test and go for what suits yourself,if at all poss,good luck..

[stanman99]

hi henry

thanks,your probably right

[elkhorn98]

I am trying to make the same decision. I have tried both in lots of stores but can't make up my mind. will the 8x42 really be a lot brighter in low light situations?

[Humboldt Jim]

A lot depends on what type of birding you are doing.

My philosophy is that you need to find it first and the wider the field the easier it is. I use 8x42s and "hardly ever" wish I had 10x42s or 10x50s. In areas like the Rio Grande Valley in Texas I was exreemely thankful that I had 8x42s in the bush.

Steadyness is not an issue with me, at least not yeyeyeyet. I just prefer the wider and easier viewing and maybe the opportunity to catch another bird that I would not see with the 10x setup.

However, if you mostly do ducks and raptors, or get paid to differentiate age or subspecies 10x may be your best bet.

Have fun agonizing over the advice!

[iporali]

I am trying to make the same decision. I have tried both in lots of stores but can't make up my mind. will the 8x42 really be a lot brighter in low light situations?
You can probably see the difference, but even in low light the higher magnification of 10x may actually help you to see more details. I think the main advantages of 8x power are viewing comfort and wider fov. IMO people who agonize which size of binoculars to have should just admit that there is no single best model for all purposes (at least it helped me). First buy the one that you simply like the best (be it 7x42 for easy viewing, a compact 8x32 to carry easily, a "general purpose" 8x42, a powerful low-light monster 10x50 or whatever) - AND then you have a good excuse to go shopping for more specialized binos later. I am sure optics companies don't mind. ;)

Best regards,

Ilkka

[Robert Ellis]

one of my kids broke my bins,they were 8x42 roof prism,i am borrowing a pair at the moment and am unsure whether to go for 8 or 10 x 42 roof prism? for my next pairall opinions would help .thanks

You may not notice the steadiness in the shop, but it can creep up on you. After a long hike you may be fatigued and notice, in a cold wind you may notice, at extreme angles (pointing up a tall tree) you may notice, and expecially as distances increase you may notice.

I have always found it odd that folks usually suggest 10x for distance viewing, in theory it would be a good idea to get a closer look, but dstance magnifies the effect of the jiggling image. In fact, it is my belief that neither 8x or 10x bins are ideal for distance, I recommend a small scope.

So, if you prefer the 10x because you are hoping for more reach you will be dissapointed. If you prefer the added detail at all but extreme birding distances, then you have a good reason for choosing 10x.

[Otto McDiesel]

if you mostly do ducks and raptors, or get paid to differentiate age or subspecies 10x may be your best bet.



I was, and shorebirds and sparrows on top, so i always used 10x. I did have a "bipod" for them, just sit down or squat and rest elbows on knees.

It is easier to see with 8x, but you see less at longer distances. How about a compromise, the 8.5x?