Are 10 x 42 or 8 x 42 binoculars better?
There are advantages and disadvantages to both 10 x 42 and 8 x 42 binoculars. You may ultimately gravitate towards the larger number but you don’t need to do that.
An 8x binocular can actually give a slightly larger field of view, a better stability in the image and it can also give a bigger exit pupil than you may find in a 10x. An 8x binocular is often much cheaper than 10 x binoculars, they’re high powered, and they’re good for close distance glassing. With that being said, they’re not as practical for open fieldglassing and they’re slightly lower powered, so you may not see all of those intricate details that you may see with a 10x binocular.
Alternatively, a 10 x 42 is much higher powered, and they tend to have better quality in the image they produce. They tend to perform better in the twilight than 8×42 binoculars do, and they can reach a much further distance. They do, however, have a narrower field of view and a slightly smaller exit pupil.
Each pair of binoculars will have their own strengths in certain scenarios. 10×42 binoculars are useful in:
- Rifle Hunting
- Birding
- Safari
Meanwhile, 8×42 binoculars are better for:
- Bow hunting
- Birding
- Event observations
It will ultimately depend on what you intend to use the binoculars for, so consider this before making a selection.
Are 10×42 binoculars good for bird watching?
Generally, 7x and 8x binoculars tend to be recommended for bird watching, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that other binoculars are bad for bird watching. 10×42 binoculars can work very well for bird watching.
One of the main reasons that people tend to recommend using binoculars with lower power for bird watching is because most of the time, 7x and 8x binoculars tend to have wider fields of view. This can help you to be able to easily scan over a large area to look for something instead of moving to see more at once. It’s also important when you’re observing smaller, faster birds. However if you’re out in the open this isn’t so important, and it also doesn’t matter as much if the birds you’re watching are larger and move more slowly.
Also, the 10×42 binoculars are fantastic for nighttime use, so if the birds you’re watching come out at night this is a better choice. You’ll also get better image quality with 10x magnification when zooming in.
To summarise, you should choose a smaller number if you prioritise things like image stability, field of view, eye relief and low light performance, and if you want a smaller binocular. If these things are not important to you, then go for a 10×42.
Are 10×42 binoculars good for hunting?
10×42 binoculars are ideal for hunting! To start with, they provide the perfect amount of magnification and a great lens size, ideal for the majority of purposes and for most hunters. They provide a lot of magnification so you can see a target even from far away and sitting still. If you’re hunting in a really wide open area then 10×42 binoculars are ideal, because the magnification can help you to pinpoint any subtle textures in the environment, and this can help you to pinpoint where an animal is.
Are 10×50 binoculars good for hunting?
Much like 10×42 binoculars, 10×50 are also great for hunting due to their magnification. 10×50 binoculars have a similar field of view to 10×42 binoculars so if you’re looking to upgrade for that reason, you probably shouldn’t. However, 50mm binoculars will give you a little bit of extra time in low light conditions as they will let a little bit of extra light into them.
For large game, 10x binoculars are ideal as they give you a good enough range to view your target, but they can be harder to keep steady as they are quite large.
Are 8x or 10x binoculars better?
This can largely come down to preference and what activity you’re using them for. Obviously, the first number in binocular categorization is the amount of magnification that the binoculars have. Now, different amounts of magnification work for different purposes, which we’ve discussed above. Naturally, a 10x pair of binoculars will be able to magnify much further than 8x as it’s a larger amount of magnification. You may think this is ideal, but not necessarily.
A 10x pair of binoculars is also going to be a lot larger than an 8x pair of binoculars, which means it can become difficult to keep your hands steady and so it can also cause issues with keeping a stable image. 10x binoculars are also generally more expensive than 8x binoculars.
Alternatively, with a pair of 8x binoculars, you likely won’t get as much of a bright image as you would get with a 10x pair of binoculars. Mostly, hunters tend to prefer 8x binoculars to 10x, as they’re more suited to hunting in narrower spaces such as forests, whereas 10x binoculars are better for wide terrains, or for observing from larger distances.
Are binoculars necessary for hunting?
There are arguments to suggest that the answer to this question is no, but honestly? Your hunting is going to be far less fruitful and a lot less enjoyable without a pair of decent binoculars. You could argue that rifle scopes are more than enough, but binoculars will provide a lot more magnification power so that you can see images that are much sharper, more precise and more accurate.
First of all, a pair of hunting binoculars help you to be able to easily identify your prey. This is especially important for beginners who don’t necessarily have the natural instincts of seasoned hunters. Prey are good at blending into nature as part of their survival tactics, so having a good pair of binoculars will help you to pinpoint the prey even when they’re hidden.
Binoculars can also help to give you more time for your strategic planning as the target won’t know you’re there but you will know where it is. You have no need to rush so you can carefully plan out your next move. It will allow you to be able to pinpoint any possible escape routes and to check their movements as you move closer.
Binoculars are also a good safety precaution so you don’t hunt down the wrong target or hit an actual human being when you’re hunting.
Even if you’re not going hunting, you can use binoculars on a day to day basis too for other activities like nature watching or going to stadiums to watch a soccer match. They also help you to be able to stay away from any predators that are in the hunting area. Better safe than sorry!
How do I choose long distance binoculars?
It may seem a little bit scary to try and pick out a good pair of long distance binoculars, but it can be simplified. Of course, if you’re looking to see things from far away, you’ll need a pair of binoculars with good, high magnification. Generally, the go to choice tends to be 10x but you could even go for 20 or 30x, though these will be more expensive and more magnification means that your image won’t be as bright. A pair of binoculars that have good performance in low light is especially important.
You should also select a pair of binoculars that feature high quality glass, even if you’re on a budget. Fully coated and fully multi coated optics are definitely a good choice too.If you do have a little extra money, then ED, or Extra Low Dispersion Lenses can be useful as you’ll get an extra boost in low light performance.
Naturally, you should also try to look for binoculars with larger objective lenses. With that being said though, if you’re carrying the binoculars in the field or holding them with you, an aperture of below 60mm is something you should covet.
Finally, your binoculars should be quite sturdy. They need to be able to resist anything that’s thrown at them, such as having waterproofing capabilities and rubber armoring to protect them from any bumps and drops. It’s also good to choose binoculars that are fog proof so your vision isn’t negatively impacted by weather issues.
How do I choose the right binoculars for hunting?
There are a few different things to consider when looking for the right pair of binoculars for hunting. First of all, consider the durability. We touched on this above, but you need a hard wearing pair of binoculars that are going to last you a long time, regardless of how many drops it takes. They need to also be waterproof.
Also consider your budget. Naturally, there are some things that are just going to be out of your price range and that’s okay, as long as you select a pair of binoculars that possess the kind of features that you need.
You should also consider your eye relief. How close can you get to the binoculars, and can you see through them when your eye isn’t directly on the eyepiece? This is particularly important if you wear glasses. You’ll need to be able to see through them, so if your binoculars don’t have the right eye relief and you wear glasses, they aren’t going to work very well for you.
Also consider what kind of game you’re going to be hunting, or what kind of birds if that’s the kind of hunting you’re going to be doing. The type of things you hunt will determine what sort of binoculars you need to be trying to go for.
You may want to also think about the size of the binoculars. Of course, a lot of hunters also like to use their binoculars for other purposes, like spectator sports, or viewing wildlife on a hike. If you have extremely heavy binoculars, they’re going to be very difficult to carry around with you, so if you’re going on a hike then they can become quite cumbersome. Simultaneously, you may simply be standing still so a large pair of binoculars may not be too much of a concern for you.
How do you tell how far you can see with binoculars?
This is a little like asking ‘how long is a piece of string.’ All binoculars have different specifications and so not all of them are going to be able to see the same amount of distance away. There are also a number of things that can affect the amount that you can see.
First of all, it’s important to understand binocular specifications. Binoculars will be characterised by a set of numbers, like 8×42 for example. The first number of this pair is the amount of magnification power that the binoculars possess, and the second number is the diameter of the objective lens. Of course, your binoculars are going to be a lot bigger if the objective front lens diameter is large. At the same time, the 8 here would also mean that you can see 8 times further away than you could with the human eye. Of course, this means that you can see further away with a larger number, such as 10x
An example of this would be if your binoculars do have 10x magnification, then something like a bird from far away will appear 10 times bigger than normal.
Another thing to consider is that things like the weather can change how much you will be able to see. You’re not going to see as much if it’s raining and your lens gets wet for example, or if it’s foggy, so there are a lot of variables that go into it.
How far can I see with 10×25 binoculars?
As we’ve previously covered, the specifications for binoculars cover 2 numbers, in this case 10 x 25. The 10 stands for the magnification, whereas the 25 stands for the objective lens diameter. This means that you can see ten times farther away than you would be able to see with just the naked eye. A larger objective lens diameter means you can see things better in lower light. If you’re observing wildlife, you will need a larger objective lens.
How far can I see with 10×42 binoculars?
You can see 10 times further away than you could with the naked eye with 10 x 42 binoculars. More light will be allowed in as the objective lens is 42, so you’ll have a clearer image and you’ll be able to see in darker light better.
How far can you see with 10×50 binoculars?
A pair of binoculars with 10 x 50 specification will allow you to see 10 times further away than you could with the naked eye, with a 50mm objective lens diameter. An object 12 miles away will appear 10 times bigger than it would without binoculars. These binoculars will let a decent amount of light in.
How far can you see with 12×25 binoculars?
12 x 25 binoculars will allow you to be able to see 12 times further away with an objective lens diameter of 25mm. This will let a little bit of light in and allow you to see further away than you would be able to see with a 10 x 50 pair of binoculars.
How far can you see with 20×50 binoculars?
With 20 x 50 binoculars you can see 20 times further away than you would be able to see with the naked eye. There is also a 50mm objective lens, allowing a lot of light in for a clear image. These are very powerful binoculars that will allow you to see very far away.
How much are a good pair of binoculars?
You may be surprised to hear this, but it’s actually possible to get a good pair of binoculars for less than $100. Of course, the less money you pay, the less features you’re going to get. You’ll also be likely to get less magnification and objective lens diameter in a cheaper pair of binoculars.
There are a number of differences between expensive and cheap binoculars. To start with, a cheap pair of binoculars will also incorporate cheaper materials. They’re generally made with a plastic chassis, and overall the majority of the construction consists of plastic. This can also make them less robust so that if you drop them they’re less likely to survive the fall. They also don’t tend to be fully waterproof and fog proof and don’t have a lens quality and image quality that is as good as more expensive models. With that being said, there are some good options. Try to choose binoculars that are porro prism, especially if you’re not too concerned about the size.
On the other hand, expensive binoculars tend to be made of much higher quality materials and are usually more robust. They tend to have better optics and usually more magnification and objective lens diameter. It’s also worth considering brands too. Consider a brand’s reputation, if it’s overall quite positive then you’re likely to get a good pair of binoculars.
The other thing to consider is that higher prices binoculars often come with extra accessories, such as a lens cap, neck straps, a carry case and a couple of extra goodies.
How much should you spend on hunting binoculars?
This can largely depend on a number of factors. What kind of things are you going to be hunting for example? There are a range of differently priced binoculars on the market, ranging anywhere from $20 to $2000.
You don’t necessarily need to spend too much money on a pair of binoculars unless you really want to. You need to ensure that the binoculars that you buy do have the kinds of features that you personally need. How much zoom do you need for example? That’s something that you need to ask yourself. Also consider the optical quality of the binoculars, as the more you pay in most cases the better image quality you’re going to get. It’s best not to buy something too cheap as the chances are that you’re not going to get the right amount of quality. You could even get some good binoculars for even as little as $200!
How powerful are 10×50 binoculars?
10×50 binoculars have a zoom capability of 10 times more than you’d be able to see with the naked eye, and the 50mm lens diameter is decent because it lets a lot of light in. In comparison to an 8×42 pair of binoculars, the 10×50 would be more powerful as far as zoom and objective lens diameter is concerned.
What are the best 10×50 binoculars?
It depends a little on what you use them for, but some examples include:
- Olympus Trooper 10×50 DPS I Binocular
- SkyGenius 10×50 Powerful Binoculars
- Nikon 10×50 All-Terrain Binocular
What are the best binoculars for elk hunting?
The Nikon 7577 Monarch 5 is a fantastic choice for Elk hunting. This is a seriously impressive pair of binoculars for a number of reasons.
To start with, these binoculars are ridiculously affordable, even for its impressive 10×42 specifications. The lenses work really well in low lighting conditions as they’re quite large. They’re also waterproof so you’re safe in the event that it ends up raining. They have the chassis filled with nitrogen so the lenses also don’t fog either, making them perfect for those particularly damp mornings when the elk are moving around. They’re also very durable so that if you’re moving around a lot and you drop them you don’t need to worry about breakages.
What are the best binoculars for long distance viewing?
We really like the Pentax SP 20 x 60 Binoculars! These are durable binoculars that are made with fantastic materials and have great optical properties.
The binoculars come with fully multi coated optics,and they’re lightweight so you can take them around with you wherever you want to go. They’re waterproof and fog proof too, so they can really withstand the weather.
They offer 21mm eye relief, and adjustable eye cups. Even if you do wear glasses you can use these without needing them as the magnification will make them work to a good effect. The binoculars can be adapted to a tripod if you want to set it up somewhere.
The binoculars are a good choice if you’re looking for something that can hold their own when you’re viewing things from a distance and still provide a good image.
What does 20×50 mean on binoculars?
To understand this, you need to understand what the numbers on binoculars mean. Firstly, the first number means the amount of magnification the binoculars have. The second number signifies the objective lens diameter. In this case, 20 would mean you can see 20 times further with the binoculars than you would be able to see with just the naked eye. The 50 means that the binoculars have an objective lens diameter of 50mm.
What does 30×60 mean in binoculars?
Similar to the above answer, the two numbers signify the magnification and the objective lens diameter, respectively. Here, you have a magnification of 30 times more than the naked eye and an objective lens diameter of 60mm.
What is a good binocular strength?
The answer to this question largely depends on what you’re going to be using the binoculars for. Different strengths work better for different types of activities. You also need to ask yourself if you need your binoculars to be compact or if you’re okay with something a little heavier.
To start with, binoculars with a strength of 7x to 10x are quite good for general use. This includes activities like hiking, outdoors or stadium sports. They’re also compact but they do the job.
If you’re going bird watching, opt for 8×42 binoculars. You could also use 10x or 12x magnification with a 42 or a 50mm objective lens. Alternatively if you’re going hunting, the best strength is 7x to 10x, with a 12x to 16x for shooting long range. You will likely need a tripod or some way to stabilize the binoculars.
For boating or marine activities, 7x binoculars are commonly used, though you could get away with 8x or 10x too. For diameter, 42 or 50 millimeter objective lenses are sufficient.
If you’re a theater goer, compact binoculars will work a treat. Binoculars such as 4×30, 5×25, 8×25 and 7×18 or 7×21 work well for venues like the theater, opera and music concerts.
What is a good magnification for binoculars for hunting?
If you’re buying your binoculars for hunting alone then 7x to 10x binoculars will be sufficient. If it’s long range shooting, such as for hunting varmint then you would be better off choosing a 12x to 16x.
What is the best magnification for binoculars?
There is no simple answer to this question as the amount of magnification you choose will depend on the activity you’re planning on using them for. An 8×42 pair of binoculars may be perfect for bird watching, but they may not be ideal for hunting for example. They all have their best uses in different situations.
What is better 10×50 or 12×50?
The difference between the 10×50 and 12×50 is somewhat small in theory, but there are some key differences. For example, a 10×50 pair of binoculars may have a larger exit pupil and are slightly steadier, whereas of course the 12×50 then has a larger magnification.
Interestingly, you may not be able to see as much out of a 12×50 pair of binoculars if you hold them in your hand as you would be able to see out of a 10×50 pair as your hand is more likely to shake, distorting the image. The 12×50 does tend to perform letter when there is a lot of light in the sky and if you are in a very light polluted area then it’s worth going with the 12×50, whereas if it’s handheld and your sky quality has less light pollution then it may be better to go with 10×50.
What is the difference between 8×42 and 10×42 binoculars?
The main difference between 8×42 and 10×42 binoculars is the amount of zoom they have. Both binoculars have the same objective lens diameter of 42mm.
The zoom, represented by the first number in the specification is 8x and 10x, respectively. This essentially means that with the first set of binoculars with a specification of 8×42, you will be able to see 8 times further than you would be able to see with just the naked eye.
The 10x binoculars would allow you to be able to see 10 times further than you would be able to see with just the naked eye. Both sets of binoculars have their own unique properties to make them suitable for different activities so you should consider what you will be using them for before you make your purchase.
What is the strongest magnification for binoculars?
The binoculars that are considered the strongest of all time are the Sunagor 30-160x70s, with a magnification starting point of 30x magnification. With a magnification of this degree you should be able to watch the stars and the planets with no problem at all, so it’s an astronomers dream. It’s worth remembering though that these binoculars are likely to be quite large, so you may need to get a tripod or something to rest them on so your hands don’t feel weighed down under the weight and so you can keep the image steady.
A high powered pair of binoculars can be critical for some activities, but you don’t need to buy the strongest magnification binoculars just for the sake of it. Try to ensure the binoculars that you buy will fit with things like the activity you’ll be using them for, your budget and also consider the objective lens diameter as well as the magnification as this is just as important.
More often than not, the most commonly found high powered binoculars you will find on the market have a magnification of 20x, so 20 times further away than you’d be able to see with the naked eye. You’re also somewhat likely to find 30x and 25x binoculars.
What power binoculars do I need for hunting?
As we’ve already mentioned, binoculars are imperative for hunting. You need them to be able to properly identify the animal that you’re hunting, and in order to keep you safe from any potential predators. But how much power do you really need?
To start with, it’s not as simple as just saying ‘use x binoculars for all styles of hunting’ as you’ll need different power for different types of game. Of course you can choose a pair for all types of hunting and they should be able to serve you well when you’re out in the field, but some simply work better than others.
For deer hunting, there are two main places you’ll hunt them. The forest and the field. Ultimately what binocular power you choose to hunt deer will depend where you are. If you’re hunting deer in the forest then you should opt for a pair of 8x binoculars. The same goes for woody terrain. If you’re hunting in the field with more flat ground over longer ranges then a 10×42 pair of binoculars should serve you just fine.
We covered this earlier, but Elk tend to be found on mountains and so long range hunting is king when it comes to hunting elk. You’ll need to be able to see far away, so a pair of 10×42 binoculars would work quite well here. The same goes for goats.
If you’re hunting black bears, they’ll usually be in the woods so you’ll need a good, high contrast but not too much magnification, so it’s worth going with a pair of 8×42 binoculars.
If you’re hunting moose and brown bears, you can hunt from a longer range away, so opt for 10x magnification. Sometimes you’ll also find them in places where the weather is perilous.
What binoculars are better 10×42 or 10×50?
This can depend on a number of different factors. To start with, the primary difference between these binoculars is that the 10×50 binoculars have a larger objective lens diameter than the 10×42 binoculars. To start with, this means that because the objective lens is larger, then the 10×50 binoculars are going to have larger barrels. As a result, 10×50 binoculars are much larger than 10×42 binoculars in most cases.
50mm lenses are roughly 8mm bigger in diameter than 42mm lenses are, and so the ends of the binoculars will have about an 8mm difference between them. They get smaller as they go down towards the ocular lenses, and they generally tend to have the same eyepieces.
10×50 binoculars also tend to be longer than 42mm binoculars, though this is a fairly small difference.
They also slightly differ in weight. Glass is quite heavy so as 10×50 binoculars need more glass then they are slightly larger than 10×42 binoculars.
Another difference is how they perform optically. Imagine how much light a medium window and a large window would let in. Of course, as the 50mm objective lens binoculars are larger it means they also bring in more light than 42mm binoculars do. You should make sure that you remember that much like windows, if you use glass of a low quality then they’re not going to perform as well as those made with higher quality optics and coatings.
The more light the binoculars can let in then the more information it lets in, so you’re more likely to get a better, brighter image through the 10×50 binoculars.
Another big difference is price. 10×50 binoculars tend to be more expensive than their 10×42 counterparts. You could be spending 5 – 20% more for 10×50 binoculars.
So which one is better? It depends largely on your preferences. Do you need something more compact? If not, then there’s not really a massive difference other than the fact that 10×50 binoculars can gather a little more light, but you can’t notice much of a difference between the two unless you’re using them in low light.
What’s better 8x or 10x binoculars?
Neither is theoretically better than the other as a whole, they both have their own uses. You also need to consider objective lens diameter and not just the magnification.
As a quick recap, the 8x and 10x are the numbers that signify the amount of magnification that the binoculars provide. In this case, with the former you can see 8 times further away than you could see with the naked eye. With the latter you would be able to see 10 times further away than you would be able to see with the naked eye.
For argument’s sake, as far as the amount you can zoom goes, a 10x is better as you can see further, but sometimes it’s not necessary to be able to see that far away. For some activities you would be better suited to 8x binoculars. For example, a lot of people think that 8x binoculars are the superior option for birdwatching, and they’re also much lighter to carry as the specifications are lower.
There is no single answer to this question, as you’ll find certain activities are better conducted with a pair of 10x binoculars, but they’re also heavier so they can be cumbersome to carry.
As a rule of thumb, if you’re going to be looking further away, then a 10x pair of binoculars may be better, whereas if you’re likely to be moving around a lot you may be better suited to an 8x pair as they’ll be easier for you to carry. For example, if you’re going hiking.
Who makes the best binoculars for the money?
Brands all have their own products that range in price, with some more expensive options and some more budget friendly choices. Some options from brands that provide good value for money are:
- Nikon 8252 ACULON A211 10x22x50 Zoom Binocular
- Celestron 71345 Outland X 10×42 Binocular
- Bushnell H2O Waterproof/Fogproof Roof Prism Binocular
