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Message: <blockquote data-quote="BruceH" data-source="post: 3320537" data-attributes="member: 106398">There are a lot of good choices mentioned, but my recommendation would be either the Zeiss 10X42 HT or the Swaro 10X50 EL SV to be used primarily for game spotting.  The Razor 10X50 has a great view, but a 315 ft FOV from an almost $1,300 binocular just does not make sense compared to what is out there today.  I used a Bushell Elite 10X43 with a 315 ft FOV as my primarily binocular for years. then moved on to a Nikon EDG-II 10X42 at 340 ft and now a Zeiss SF 10X42 at 360 ft FOV as my primary binocular.  I have zero desire to go back to a 10X with a 315 ft FOV, for either game spotting or birding.  There are may quality binoculars from $400 on up with a 340 ft or more FOV.  A couple of examples are the Zen-Ray 10X43 for around $430 and the Vanguard Endevor 10X42 EDII for $500 or less.  Although a larger FOV is more beneficial in birding than game spotting, it does play a roll in spotting game.  It may allow the user to spot an animal stepping out from behind a tree off to the side or stand up from bedding down in the grass.  It also makes it easier to locate a target after spotting it first with the naked eye. The Zeiss 10X42 HT has a 330 ft FOV and the Swaro 10X50 is 345 ft, both acceptable for game spotting. Twliight factor is an interesting spec and as Lee pointed out, it can be misleading.  However I do give it some consideration when every thing else is equivalent, and combine it with many other factors.  Twilight factor does not say one binocular is brighter than another but instead indicates one will display more detail.  Basically it states the obvious that more magnification allows for more detail.  I was spotting elk last year just at dark using a Nikon EDG-II 7X42.  While looking at one herd, I decided to swap and try the Nikon EDG-II 10X42 that I had in the truck.  My expectation was that the 7X would blow away the 10X but that was not the case.  I could see the elk just as well, if not better with the 10X.  I suspect that was the twilight factor or additional magnification coming into play.  If I were younger I may have been more impressed with the 7X and the 6mm exit pupil vs 4.2mm for the 10X.  You mentioned above wanting an 8X but if I were given a choice between a Zeiss 8X42 HT and a 10X42 HT for game spotting, I would go with the 10X.  You may want to reconsider the 10X if you can hold the additional magnification.  It is s trade-off between the larger exit pupil of the 8X vs the additional magnification of the 10X.  It would be an interesting test comparing the two at dark.  Based on my Nikon experience, I suspect the 10X would do quite well at displaying the detail.  A couple of weeks ago I was at the Bosque Del Apache in New Mexico watching the fly-in of the snow geese just at dark.  I was with one of the guys from the Widllife Service and we were both stuggling to spot the flights out of the dark sky to the north with our naked vision.  He was a young guy and I handed him the Zeiss SF 10X42 to look and his immediate comment was "Wow, this thing lights up the sky".  I suspect the HT with it's 95% light transmission and being intended for hunters, would have done slightly better.  I wonder how much better detail viewing would be (if any) at dark with the Swaro 10X50 with a 5.0 mm exit pupil and 90% transmission compared to the Zeiss HT 10X42 with 4.2 mm exit pupil and 95% light transmission.  I think the Swaro would be slightly better, but there are so many factors (coatngs, color balance, glare handling, etc) that come into play, it would be an interesting side by side test.  I've compared the Swaro 10X50 with my Zeis SF 10X42 in the store and have used my bother's 12X50 Swaro EL SV and Zeiss 8X42 HT on multiple occasions.  They are all excellent optically.  Each have their qualities and I could not say one is better optically than the other.  It all depends on personal preferences and objectives as to which is the best for a person. The excellence of the Swaro 10X50 does come at a price and that is weight and bulk.  There is no getting around it.  The 10X50 (and 12X50) have excellent balance for a 50mm glass (although still front heavy)  but it is still 35 oz.  The bulk comes more from the diameter of the barrels for a 50mm objective lens.  It does not point as easy as the Swaro 10X42 or especially the Swaro 8X32.  I found it to be a handful.  There are several members who own the 10X50 and have no problem handing it.  Everyone has there own do not exceed redline for what is to big and heavy.  For me, the 10X50 exceeds that redline for a general purpose carry around binocular.  I consider it a special purpose binocular and am getting a Saro EL 12X50 for viewing primarily out of the truck when I want to see more detail and I can brace myself when viewing. If you can handle the weight and size,  I suspect the Swaro 10X50 will give you the brightest view.  (The 8X56 SLC is not offered in the USA).  Otherwise I think the Zeiss HT 10X42 would also be an excellent choice and you would give up little if anything.  One thing to keep in mind is that some folks have experienced "rolling ball" with the Swaro 10X50, but I had no problem with it.  Steve C has some posts on the subject.  Be sure and buy from a vendor with a good return policy, even if bought locally from a brick store.  It takes a while to figure out what you have.  Swaro discontinued the EL line with conventional lug strap attachments a couple of weeks ago, so all Swaro price restrictions have been removed on these models.  Euro Optics was selling the 10X50 for under $2K but are now sold out.  I have not seen any that low elsewhere, but shop around.  You may still find some in the $2,200 range which is well below the original price $2,800.  The biggest change with the new FieldPro line (at $2,800) is a switch to a proprietary strap attachment.  A Swaro rep told me last week that they are the same optically.  I prefer the prior non proprietary model so that is an excellent buy if found on sale.  Optics Planet has a Cyber Monday 15% off coupon code of 15BFRDY that appers to work on the Zeiss HT 10X42.  That drops the price from $2,249 to $1,911.65.  The bad news is the coupon code expires tonight!Both are excellent and I doubt you could go wrong with either one.  It comes down to possibly slightly more brightness vs less weight and bulk.  For my personal needs, it would be the Zeiss HT 10X42 as my ulatimate general purpose game spotting binocular.Note:  UPS delivered my Swaro 12X50 EL SV as I was finishing this post so even though I would go with the Zeiss for primarily spotting game, I still think highly of the Swaro EL 50mm line.</blockquote>

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