[jaymoynihan]

Do you use a 10x42 binocular as your only one, or as your "general purpose one"? If so why that one instead of others?

[BruceH]

Yes!

I have used a Bushnell Elite 10X43 as my primary binocular for about the last 6 years.

Specifically, I like the 10x because the state of Arizona has a lot of wide open spaces, so we can be talking about some long range viewing. The extra power makes it easier to get out there and touch something.

I also like the 10x because I mainly view critters, be it birds, deer, elk, antelope, or an occasional bear. I want to see the detail, such as each line of color in the feather or each individual hair. The 10x provides that little extra. I spend a lot of time "spotting" in order to find the animals, so the ability to see detail is usually more critical to me than the extra field of view.

Although I do hike the countryside, I see 20 times more critters when driving the back roads. So I do much more viewing from the vehicle, which makes it easy to handle the 10 power.

My general rule of thumb is a minimum exit pupil of 4mm, so that means a 42mm class binocular in a 10x. (I would easily make an exception if I had a special purpose in mind such as a compact pocket binocular).

Another reason I used the Elite 10X43 the most is because it was the best binocular I had for most of those years, so it gave me the best view. I have also yet to find a binocular that has a better fit and feel for me. It has been a joy to use.

I also have a 12.5X50 Elite as a secondary truck binocular for those occasions when I am viewing long range or need to really bring out the detail.

Things may change somewhat this year because I recently purchased a Nikon EDG II 8X32 and have a Zen-Ray Prime HD 10X42 on order. (I spent some time last summer using a Swarovision and liked the flat view.) I think when it is all said and done, the 12.5x will continue to be a special purpose binocular, one of the 10X42/43 will be the primary truck binocular and the 8X32 EDG will be my general purpose and walk around binocular. When walking, I am more likely to be viewing short range where the extra field of view is nice and the 8 power is a little easier to hold steady. I see myself still doing most of my viewing from the vehicle, so that means the 10X42/43 will continue to be my primary binocular.

If I lived in a heavy growth area such as northern Minnesota. I suspect my primary glass would be an 8X32 or an 8X42.

Jay ... I am curious as to why you asked the question. Are you thinking of getting a 10X42?

[looksharp65]

It is not only about seeing detail, but also what distance you watch the "critters" from. The longer the distance, the more advantage will you get from more magnification.

http://www.birdforum.net/showthread....46#post2379746
See the latter part of "Part II" (post #2) and "Part III" (post #3)

10x binoculars have their downsides, mainly the shake. If you choose a premium/alpha model the exit pupil size won't present any considerable disadvantage to you.

My choice is the Victory FL 10x32. It is brighter than my Dialyt 10x40 as long as there are any traces of daylight. The FOV is very large.
Functionally, I would call it an 8x32 with 10x magnification, if you understand what I mean.

How much I use it depends on where I am birding at the moment. I live at the coast but do quite a lot of inland birding as well.
For serious birding I think I use my 6.5x32s 60% of the time and the 10x32s 40%.
Then I also use compact binoculars like the Excursion 8x28 and the Nikon Mikron 6x15.

//L

[jaymoynihan]

I use different powers and apertures. That extra bit of detail in the 10x was quite noticable on a recent occassion. That raised the question for me, just curious.

[JabaliHunter]

I do use a 10x42 as my main binocular. Personally, I'm not convinced that x42 is the way to go in a 10x as the relaxed view is just not there when compared to a x50 or x56. I am amazed (perhaps envious?) of those who can use a 10x32 effectively as a general purpose binocular, but for me the 10x50 would seem the best all-round 10x format; bigger even for a specifically low light user.

[lulubelle]

I had been using the Pentax 10x50 DCF SP for everything up until very recently. I don't mind the weight and loved the view, the more detail the better and when switching from woodland to wide open spaces, it made it so much easier. If it weren't for the slow focuser on the Pentax, I would be happy continuing to use them for all of my birding. Having recently acquired the Leupold GR HD 8x32's, I have certainly come to appreiciate the smooth, quick focuser! If I could find a 10x50 that had the smooth quick focuser of the GR HD, I would use it for everything happily.

[lmans66]

Originally Posted by looksharp65

It is not only about seeing detail, but also what distance you watch the "critters" from. The longer the distance, the more advantage will you get from more magnification.



//L

Agreed...period. That is why I use a 10x 42. My goal is detail, looking at the object in mind and not at the overall FOV... I always thought that was the point of bino's! jim

[BruceH]

Originally Posted by looksharp65

It is not only about seeing detail, but also what distance you watch the "critters" from. The longer the distance, the more advantage will you get from more magnification.

http://www.birdforum.net/showthread....46#post2379746
See the latter part of "Part II" (post #2) and "Part III" (post #3)

//L

It is not uncommon for many of the friendly critters that I view to be 1/2 of a mile (806 meters) or in many cases, much more. I believe this is where your comment from the other thread applies: "Thus, at longer distance higher magnification pays off a lot more than it does at short distance."

Originally Posted by looksharp65

..............
10x binoculars have their downsides, mainly the shake.
..........//L

I am fortunate that I can use higher powers and control the shake. For me, the issue is viewing time. The higher the power, the shorter the viewing interval. Actually, I can use the 12x and still get an acceptable viewing interval. The 10x is my truck binocular so that means my body is usually well braced, which minimizes shake.

Originally Posted by jaymoynihan

I use different powers and apertures. That extra bit of detail in the 10x was quite noticeable on a recent occasion. That raised the question for me, just curious.

I concluded the same thing. For me, I think this relates to the point made by Looksharp65 that greater magnification comes into play at the longer viewing distances. My primary binocular used to be a latter version 8X42 Bausch & Lomb Elite. It is an excellent binocular, but I kept thinking it was lacking in power for the things I was viewing. The 10X43 Bushnell Elite turned out to be the better choice for my type of viewing.

Originally Posted by lmans66

Agreed...period. That is why I use a 10x 42. My goal is detail, looking at the object in mind and not at the overall FOV... I always thought that was the point of bino's! jim

The key word here is goals. The majority of my viewing is looking at detail or spotting and this is where the 10x excels. However, a lower power with a wide field of view is great for picking up birds in flight or viewing the interaction of a flock. My 12x presents exquisite detail, but I miss out on much of the interaction between the other birds outside of the field of view. The 12x is like concentrating on one ring of a three ring circus whereas the 7x allows me to take in the chaos of all three rings! I see different binoculars for different purposes.


In the spirit of Jay's original question, the 10X42 class binocular is the primary choice for the majority of my viewing, but that is not to say it would meet the primary needs of others who have different viewing requirements.

[BruceH]

Originally Posted by BruceH

..........
My general rule of thumb is a minimum exit pupil of 4mm, so that means a 42mm class binocular in a 10x.........

Originally Posted by looksharp65

.............. If you choose a premium/alpha model the exit pupil size won't present any considerable disadvantage to you.

My choice is the Victory FL 10x32. .......... //L

Originally Posted by JabaliHunter

..............
but for me the 10x50 would seem the best all-round 10x format;

To paraphrase Goldilocks: The 10X50 is too big and heavy, the 10X32 is to dim and hard to use, but the 10X43 is just right!

I found it amusing how we are all talking about the same thing, but each reached different conclusions. In many cases, it comes down to personal preference.

[looksharp65]

Originally Posted by BruceH

the 10X32 is to dim and hard to use

One would think so before actually having tried the FL. Neither of those two statements correspond to the actual reality of this binocular, which seems to defy the laws of Nature. It may be redundant to repeat this, but it has to be seen to be believed. Did you ever look through it?
Judging from my experience with it, the 10x42 FL should make any 10x50 unnecessary.

Are there no downsides with the 10x32 FL? Yes, three that I can recall at the moment:
1) It is so bright that the colors can seem somewhat washed-out
2) Its sweet spot is moderately wide, or maybe one should say modest.
2) The straylight control is not perfect - when viewing towards the direction of the Sun it benefits to shade with a hand because the contrast improves significantly.

//L

Edit: I have to point out that I originally was looking for a 10x50 in order to get a similar experience as with the Fury 6.5x32.
Then, I thought I needed a 5 mm exit pupil.
Long time ago, I started a thread about this, named "End of list?" The closest I came to a 10x50 was the Monarch X 10.5x45 but I never bound with it, for reasons.

[etudiant]

The Canon 10x42 is my all purpose glass.
It replaced a Docter 12x50 BGA, offers a wider field and IS ( a huge plus), at about the same weight, but I'd buy a 12x50 IS in a heartbeat if Canon would offer it.
The increased magnification really helps see the bird, rather than just its jizz, at least imho. A wide field of view is nice but not essential, as the bird is usually located with the naked eye and pointing a glass appears to be instinctive.

For business travel or when out running, a smaller glass is needed, so there is room for an 8x30 and an 8x20 as well.

[ceasar]

The Canon 10 x 42IS impressed me when I had a chance to use one at Cape May a couple of weeks ago. The effect of the IS was obvious when I pushed the button and I confess I liked the result. While there we compared it to my Nikon 10 x 32 EDG. Without the IS operating I preferred my Nikon over it and perhaps even when IS was on. I like the Nikon so much that I don't think I would replace it with a Canon 10x but I am tempted to get a 12 x 36IS or more likely a 15 x 50IS.

This particular 10 x 42IS was brand new and the gentleman who had it wore glasses and wasn't aware that the eye cups extended. After that was resolved his wife liked it better!

Bob