In all frankness, I would recommend doing a careful side to side comparison between your old EDG and a current Monarch HG before dismissing the latter out of hand - you might be surprised. There are some very formidable products in that class these days.
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Zeiss Victory SF V2 - 8x or 10x? (2 Viewers)
- Thread starter The Kingfisher
- Start date
Unless you are getting a stabilized binocular like a Canon, Sig Sauer or Nikon, I would stay with a 8x42 instead of 10x42. Yes, a 8x42 has a bigger FOV, better DOF, and it is brighter than a 10x42, but the BIGGEST difference is in how much steadier you can hold a 8x versus a 10x. I don't use a 10x unless they have IS because I have seen how much I am shaking at 10x when I use an IS binocular and try to use it hand held without the IS engaged and then handheld with the IS engaged.
The difference in steadiness is HUGE. A lot of the detail and resolution you gain with 10x over 8x is equalized by the fact you are shaking a lot more. A 10x binocular with IS has at least 30% higher resolution than one without IS handheld. Everybody is different in how steady you can hold a binocular, but I suggest you try an IS binocular like the Canon 10x42 IS-L and see what a huge difference IS makes in resolution and seeing detail when you turn the IS on and off. It will change your mind about 8x versus 10x.
Ah... Phooey. All humans may be created equal. They are not the same. Ive used 10s for 40+ years. If I could have only one, it'd prolly be a 10. The couple serious birders who lead Golden Gate (aka Audubon) Bird Sanctuary groups, Ive met use 10. And none have visited Birdforum that I know of.
IS is no doubt a thing. Its coming. Soon these will look more like the binos we think cool to have and hold. Soon they will put the good glass in them. Soon we will want them. Now? A work in progress.
For many most, using more mag is a learnable, trainable thing. We go to the gym to get strong at some activity... right? If you shake too much with a 10 now, why walk away from the benefit - it is there - just train bit. Maybe just go out and use them for awhile. we adapt. By the way, while the convo re wrists, hands, arms is interesting. Pronate and supinate? Had to look it up, thought that was foot thing, shaking starts at the ankles.
I own 3x8, 2x10. Thinking about a 12. Have no idea why a 7 or 6. My worst shaker? 8x25. Why? Its light. Hmm mebbe with 10 the weight of a 42 is a plus... Maybe. Too heavy? Really? The diff between 832 and 1042 is what 8 oz, a half pound? A half pound.
I get its about where and how one birds. At least that ought to be the context we use in these conversations. Of course if someone birds in the back yard from the kitchen window less mag is fine. Here in mostly open terrain over water, cant beat a scope. Yikes. But 12s, 10s offer something over 8, thats worth trying to learn or train to make work.
$.02
IS is no doubt a thing. Its coming. Soon these will look more like the binos we think cool to have and hold. Soon they will put the good glass in them. Soon we will want them. Now? A work in progress.
For many most, using more mag is a learnable, trainable thing. We go to the gym to get strong at some activity... right? If you shake too much with a 10 now, why walk away from the benefit - it is there - just train bit. Maybe just go out and use them for awhile. we adapt. By the way, while the convo re wrists, hands, arms is interesting. Pronate and supinate? Had to look it up, thought that was foot thing, shaking starts at the ankles.
I own 3x8, 2x10. Thinking about a 12. Have no idea why a 7 or 6. My worst shaker? 8x25. Why? Its light. Hmm mebbe with 10 the weight of a 42 is a plus... Maybe. Too heavy? Really? The diff between 832 and 1042 is what 8 oz, a half pound? A half pound.
I get its about where and how one birds. At least that ought to be the context we use in these conversations. Of course if someone birds in the back yard from the kitchen window less mag is fine. Here in mostly open terrain over water, cant beat a scope. Yikes. But 12s, 10s offer something over 8, thats worth trying to learn or train to make work.
$.02
