FOV 8x vs 10x (1 Viewer)

Hi,

Decided to upgrade binoculars. Ordered pair of NOS Japan made Razor HD 10x42. Meanwhile stumbled upon a NOS Japan made Viper 8x42. Bought both figuring they'd be different enough.

Finally had both side by side and was surprised to find the have an almost exact FOV.
10x Razors 362' at 1000' 6.9°
8x Vipers 347' at 1000' 6.6°

So I'm confused. I'm looking at a circle that is 10x closer and it 362' diameter and one that is 8x closer 347' diameter...

Usually as power increases FOV gets smaller all things being equal.

Here is actually seems like the 8x are reaching farther...

Confused in AZ....

Thanks!

AZtex

Those numbers should not mean much to you, as often the usable FOV is important.

The usable FOV is the sweet spot, the best view without blur in your eyes.

That means you are the best one to choose which one fits you better. I don't have much
experience with Vortex.

Good luck.

Jerry

Aztex said:

Hi,

Decided to upgrade binoculars. Ordered pair of NOS Japan made Razor HD 10x42. Meanwhile stumbled upon a NOS Japan made Viper 8x42. Bought both figuring they'd be different enough.

Finally had both side by side and was surprised to find the have an almost exact FOV.
10x Razors 362' at 1000' 6.9°
8x Vipers 347' at 1000' 6.6°

So I'm confused. I'm looking at a circle that is 10x closer and it 362' diameter and one that is 8x closer 347' diameter...

Usually as power increases FOV gets smaller all things being equal.

Here is actually seems like the 8x are reaching farther...

Confused in AZ....

Thanks!

AZtex

Click to expand...

Hi AZtex,

Welcome to Bird Forum!:hi:

Vortex's top of the line binoculars are the Razors. The Vipers are Vortex's mid range binoculars and they cost about $700.00 less than the equivalent Razors do.

One of the things that makes the Razors costlier are the wide field eye-pieces they have and the 10x42 Razor has a really wide FOV for a 10x42 binocular. It also has rather long 17mm of eye relief which is nice if you wear glasses.

Eye-pieces with a wide field design are expensive to make especially if you want to keep their eye relief long so you can also use them while wearing glasses.

The 10x42 Viper has a rather small FOV for an 8x42 binocular but it comes with a very long ER of 20mm.

Bob