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Message: <blockquote data-quote="aCuria" data-source="post: 3808232" data-attributes="member: 146239">Congrats! I had a hard time deciding between the SV8x32 and SF8x42 myself. The SV8.5x42 was not really a contender for me because I felt the FOV was too small. I chose the SF in the end because it had the largest FOV.It's interesting that you found the SV8x32 to give a more stable view, I found the SF better in this regard because somehow it balanced better in my hands.If i am not wrong the brightness difference between a 8x32 and 8x42 comes from the size of the exit pupil:<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"> (8x32 = 32mm/8 = 4.0mm) (4.0^2 = 16mm^2) (8x42 = 42mm/8 = 5.25mm) (5.25^2 = 27.6mm^2)</li> </ul>A 8x42 therefore can theoretically be 72% brighter than a 8x32:((27.6 - 16) / 16) * 100%However, to -see- the brightness difference, your eyes would have to open up to > 4mm, otherwise you wont see any difference as long as the transmission % of both bins is the same! Not everyone can open their pupils to 5.25mm, and for these people the brightness advantage is wasted.I did not see much brightness difference between the two bins in normal lighting conditions, however in indoor dark conditions the difference was quite apparent.After using the SF for awhile, in my experience it can be abit heavy for use when hiking, which is probably its primary disadvantage over the SV.</blockquote>