[TallTines]

Hello all,

This is my first post and was referred here by a friend for the pure knowledge of glassing equipment here. After reading some of the posts I can tell I am at the right place.

My question is this..I have been trying to decide between getting the 8X32el's or 8.5X42el's. My hindering in deciding between the two is the low light capability difference between them. This is extremely important to me for bowhunting in the woods in the midwest.

Now obviously the 42 mm lens will possibly have a little more low light capabilities but is it that much better than the 32mm el's?

I like the feel of the 32mm better because they are smaller and lighter but like i said low light is extremely important to me. Is there that much difference and would the difference be worth it?

Thanks in advance,

Tyler

[Pileatus]

Originally Posted by TallTines

Hello all,

This is my first post and was referred here by a friend for the pure knowledge of glassing equipment here. After reading some of the posts I can tell I am at the right place.

My question is this..I have been trying to decide between getting the 8X32el's or 8.5X42el's. My hindering in deciding between the two is the low light capability difference between them. This is extremely important to me for bowhunting in the woods in the midwest.

Now obviously the 42 mm lens will possibly have a little more low light capabilities but is it that much better than the 32mm el's?

I like the feel of the 32mm better because they are smaller and lighter but like i said low light is extremely important to me. Is there that much difference and would the difference be worth it?

Thanks in advance,

Tyler

Tyler,

Read the first paragraph...
http://www.eagleoptics.com/index.asp?pid=887

Good luck!
John

[TallTines]

I see that it says an edge on the 8x32els but that is what I figured being as it is 10mm bigger. But I just wanted to know how much difference? Would I get a extra 2 minutes worth of light or is a huge difference like 10 minutes. Iam looking for some first hand knowledge possibly.

I have looked through them at stores but just not at dusk so I don't know the difference.

Thanks

[doug el10x32]

Hi Tyler,

Although you may get about 10 minutes extra time at low light levels with the 42mm EL's, I doubt that the naked eye view using the bow would then be light enough for a safe shot unless you have a 40mm to 50mm optical sight on your bow.....I think that you would find the 8x32's more than adequate.

Doug........

[dr_david_king]

Originally Posted by TallTines

Hello all,

This is my first post and was referred here by a friend for the pure knowledge of glassing equipment here. After reading some of the posts I can tell I am at the right place.

My question is this..I have been trying to decide between getting the 8X32el's or 8.5X42el's. My hindering in deciding between the two is the low light capability difference between them. This is extremely important to me for bowhunting in the woods in the midwest.

Now obviously the 42 mm lens will possibly have a little more low light capabilities but is it that much better than the 32mm el's?

I like the feel of the 32mm better because they are smaller and lighter but like i said low light is extremely important to me. Is there that much difference and would the difference be worth it?

Thanks in advance,

Tyler

Welcome to Bird Forum. I'm pretty new to this myself.

I have the 8.5 x 42 EL and my wife has the 8 x 32 EL so I have the luxury of being able to compare the two on an ongoing basis; I sympathise with your dilemma.

I chose the 8.5 x 42 as I valued the brightness. I could imagine wanting to point the bins into a darkened shrub to spot an elusive singer. They are heavier, but my muscles have developed considerably and I am now oblivious to the weight and can manage to view with a much steadier hand.

What I like about the 8 x 32s is their size and convenience - and my wife loves them. They are lovely to handle. However, purely for the viewing, I prefer the more brightly lit 8.5 x 42s. I switch between the two from time to time, but I am happy with my choice.

Only disadvantage as I mention is the weight, but if you can get used to them, I'd go for the 42s.

Dave.

[APSmith]

Tyler,

As a traditional bow-hunter (typically in heavy wooded areas and often before the leaves drop)/bird-watcher in search of the best bin within reason, I have spent alot of time evaluating the low-light performance issue myself. In the process, I have compared many bins side by side at dawn and dusk, and completely after nightfall, trying to determine the benefits of larger objectives for hunting situations.

The larger objectives do give a brighter overall image in low light, and, a greater ease of viewing. However, I concluded that (for about 3.5-4mm EP and above), when it is dark enough to actually be able to distinguish any resolvable detail difference, it is well beyond shooting light, and beyond the point when you can really make-out an animal at all with the naked eye. Even then, the amount of extra detail is so slight that it takes a careful test to even see it. (My test was to go to a nearby cemetary at dusk with the units to be compared - and see which names I could make out - my test always ran well into nightfall.) FWIW, I would estimate that, at the level of darkness that the difference is noticeable, there might be a five minute difference (and this varies with the bin quality,etc). BUT, again, this occurs well after shooting light. In fact, if I'm hunting, I never see it because I'm out of my stand and walking out with my flashlight on by that time.

Even for birding (where low light performance is to me a bigger issue), I still find that an EP of around 4mm is plenty, especially when I consider the significant benefits of less weight, less bulk, and typically a larger FOV. In fact, in my experience, FOV is a FAR more significant (and very UNDERrated) issue, for all binocular uses in the woods.

Hope this helps, APS

P.S. Incidentally, as someone else said, "if I could win a binocular", I would choose the 8x32 EL.

[Sancho]

I´m a 8x32EL owner and agree. FOV is paramount in woods, etc. I find them incredibly bright right into twilight. BTW, what´s a "bow-hunter"? (My guess is that it´s a hunter who uses a bow-and-arrow?)

[Robert / Seattle]

Originally Posted by Sancho

I´m a 8x32EL owner and agree. FOV is paramount in woods, etc. I find them incredibly bright right into twilight. BTW, what´s a "bow-hunter"? (My guess is that it´s a hunter who uses a bow-and-arrow?)

Right on all accounts, including suggested definition of "bow-hunter".

[Sancho]

Originally Posted by Robert / Seattle

Right on all accounts, including suggested definition of "bow-hunter".

Thanks, Robert. In retrospect, I really should have known.... (Actually, I don´t think it´s legal here....)

[stbear]

I use 8x30 SLCs for bowhunting and find I do not need anything more. As A P Smith has so well said, it's too dark to shoot safely by the time any extra advantage 8.5x42 would provide.

[Patriot222]

Hello and welcome TallTines. I like your user name

To the folks that mentioned not being able to make a shot after a certain loss of light had occured, remember that being able to see, locate, field judge and pattern game has nothing to do with the actual mechanics of a shot. Binoculars are far more useful and have many purposes. There are times when you are studing the movement and patterns of animals even when you're not shooting. An example would be during scouting before opening day. Another example would be long rang observation during a hunt right up until last light, where time didn't allow for a stalk, but imformation is gathered for the following day's hunt.

I'm a hunter, but primarily archery hunt now. There is very little practical difference between the capability of the two optics that you mentioned. For all practical purposes the 8x32EL should work outstandingly for you. I have 10x42Els and 8x30SLCs but have access to my uncle's 8.5x42 and have used them often. There is probably a difference of 6-8 minutes of view time between the 8x30SLC and the 8.5X42EL and that's about it. If you glass from elevated wide open areas from a tripod while trying to locate game until it's complete dark, then the 42 will be superior. If you're glassing for animal parts and movement in deep woods then the 32 will be really great because of it's field of veiw and lightweight.

I find that the main advantage of the 42 isn't the brightness but more of a veiwing comfort factor because of the large exit pupil. It's not a huge difference and the 32 may work just as well for you. Just take your time and decide if the size and weight are worth the trade off.

[Bill A]

Big dif between the two (aside from the slightly greater brightness of the 42mm model) is the eye relief. If you wear glasses, the 8.5x42 is the way to go.

Bill