Bowhunting Binoculars 10x42 or 8x42 What is Better

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Whats better for your hunting style? 8 power or 10 power binoculars?
lets look at some great bow hunting binoculars 10x42 or 8x42 to see whats better for you.

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[TineyGrouse]

This guy always cuts the bs an I dig how to the point he is an I actually understand what hes putting down. Truly appreciate his efforts

[fmbga]

5 decades ago, the standard all-purpose bino was 8x30, and even back then they had known for a long time that 8x was what gave you the best results if you did a lot of serious observing. Nowadays we have lighter materials like magnesium and high-strength plastic, and better types of glass that allow us to make thinner and lighter lenses and prisms (not to speak of MUCH better lens coatings), so the standard is 40-42 mm objective lenses because that size bino is now light enough to hold up and not have your arms get wobbly after a minute. It collects more light, so it's better in low light or at night.
But we also have a choice: 8 times or 10 times (and some other choices if you want to be extra special). 10x proved profitable for the manufacturers of binoculars, because which read-blooded American doesn't want just a little more size? Well, the optics firms are ready to sell it to you, and the 10x is most likely the exact same binocular as the 8x except for the ocular assembly.
Let's compare: With the 10x your target appears 25% bigger, and the apparent area it covers is even 56% bigger. All your arm shakes also appear 25% larger, and as he said so well in the video, because of that it's pretty much a wash for how much you can discern. So your target appears 56% bigger, but the same amount of light makes that bigger image, so the image's surface brightness is only 64% of the surface brightness of the seemingly smaller image you get with an 8x optic - not so good if you don't have much light. Your field of view also gets 20% narrower with the 10x, allowing you to see only 64% of the area you can see with the 8x binos. And another little quirk of the laws of optics, the higher your magnification, the shallower your depth of field, so you will be doing more frequent focus adjustments.
Other than image size, the 8x has nothing but advantages, but the urge to have more magnification is strong even when you know better. You will need to do some observing before you realize that the size of your image is not the all-deciding factor for how much you can see. Most important are two other things: one, the quality of the optical system - does it give you a SHARP image with tons of contrast and color definition and an almost 3-D effect? How small a detail can you see? Two, how well does it handle - can you grab it comfortably, is the focus wheel where your hands expect it, and how lightweight does it appear? How long can you look through it and keep your image steady, and how easily and precisely can you adjust the focus, diopter, eyecups and hinge? Only after those two points are checked off should you consider magnification.
One problem: unless you have a lot of experience with various binoculars, you cannot judge those things very well. Every view through a binocular will initially look good! That's why you need a situation where you can compare them side by side on the same target under the same lighting conditions (and you should select some dim lighting because that is where the wheat really separates from the chaff). Chances are the binoculars you know have been fine for years, and you were 99% happy with them. Then you look through a really good pair, and suddenly you realize that your old binos were pretty bad in comparison. Comparison really is the name of the game if you are in the market for new binoculars. But ideally, before you even start comparing binocular models, do some serious observing with the old ones you likely have available. Try to get the absolute maximum of detail, contrast and color out of the objects you observe. Train your eyes, and train your brain to wring all the possible information out of the image you see. Become a trained observer who does not only look at an image but who is able to wring the maximum amount of detail out of that same image!
And just as said in the video: start with a regular old entry-level binocular, which you may already have or can easily afford. Learn to use that really well, and start saving while you train yourself in this way. Only when you have gone as far as you can possibly go with the entry-level ones and you know you will continue to use binoculars - then you may go and hunt for the best, and you will be able to tell which one is the best for you!
And a pro tip: when you find the one binocular that is the very best for you and outperforms everything else, make sure you buy that very unit! Manufacturers make them to more or less stringent specifications (the more pricey, the more stringent), but even for high-grade optics, here and there the god of optics Ernst Abbe blesses a particular instrument, and it ends up performing significantly better than even other units of the very same model. Heads up, and good luck!

[browsman]

I’m not a hunter but I am an avid day hiker in Northern California so I just bought a Vortex Diamondback 8x32 based mostly on your vid. I love them. I only hand hold them sometimes with one hand so I’m glad I went with 8 power instead of 10 power per your recommendation. Thanks, they are always in my daypack.

[seasterl]

This is exactly what I needed to hear. I bought a 12x42 and immediately returned it, then was on the fence between 8x42 and 10x42. Not wanting to risk shake from hand-holding, I’m going for the 8x42. Thanks!

[notalagerboy]

At least someone talks sense and I can order binos without worrying that I have to return 4 out of 5 pairs ordered. Thanks for your help. You can talk & you know your stuff comprehensively. Lovely review. Much appreciated.

[redpillnibbler]

Thanks, I was on the fence now I’ve decided — 8x42 it is 👍

[BonaFideWildLife]

👍I love your channel because you are able to be empathetic and explain little nuances that no one else talks about! Lol, I thought I was developing Parkinsons because my view was shaking so bad! I feel so much better that this is normal operation. Thanks and good luck this season!

That was so informative. I'm a photographer so I understood your explanation perfectly. Loss of light and lack of stability steered me to the 8 instead of the 10.

[marjanexclusive]

straight to the point not like others rivew. i learned more about binocular from this straight point guy from others. easy explanation and very easy to understand. the point i got from him very simple. just buy swaroski binocular. if you dont have money right now, wait until you get money. if you buy cheaper bino you will buy one buy one and still not satisfied. when you look back, you will regret because cheap binos you already bought take your money from you pocket more than single swaroski and you cant sell it with good price cause its cheaper andnot have any value compare with swaroski binocular. that it. like what this straight to the point gu alread said....YOU BUY SWAROSKI BINOCULAR AND YOU DONT NEED TO BUY ANY BINOCULAR ANYMORE. VERY VERY STRAIGHT TO THE POINT. THANKS

[strat]

The other downfall of 10x vs 8x is also less field of view as well. I agree that 10x is more of a specialty glass and frankly people would be better off stepping up to a 12x or spotting scope if 6-8x isn’t enough. Anything over 8x needs to be stabilized

[markrswright]

Thank you for this review. Personally, I found the 12x50 was zoom and shake at the expense of field of view, 8x42 was mostly field of view at the expense of getting in close enough. However, 10x42 is the Goldilocks one for me: it gets me in closer whilst also having a decent field of view, without the shaking I got with 12x50.

[magnas]

After thinking long and hard, just order 8x42. Good video thanks brother.

[mdp]

Couldn't agree more with this video. I bought the vortex viper hd 10x42 2 years ago since it was a big upgrade from my cheap Bushnell 10x42. I hunted with the 8x42 viper hd last year and was surprised by how much better the 8x42 was suited for bowhunting in Minnesota. I use the 10 powers from the truck or for late season hunts but carry the 8 powers much more often when actually hunting. Thanks for the useful info.

[bobmarley]

Fantastic review.... I'm looking to buy some binoculars while I'm out hiking I was thinking the higher the power the better.. This cleared it up for me I think the 8x are perfect for me... Thanks for helping me not buy the wrong binoculars

[RonTruocchio]

I love my 7x42 canons. quick to focus on target and the dept of field helps me stay on target if its moving.

[polymathematics]

I own a pair of 12x36 Canon image stabilized binoculars and wouldn't trade them in for anything. They provide plenty of light in almost every situation with a slight disadvantage during twilight hours, provide way better magnification and are rock steady without the need of a tripod or having to lock arms in an awkward posture. The only improvement I'd wish for is for better close focus.

[tubeysr]

Lovely balanced review.
Also, 10 and higher power is used for initial astronomy also.

[purplegrace]

THANK YOU FOR HONESTY. I THOUGHT THE HIGHER THE BETTER. IM GOING WITH 8X

[huntinglife]

10x42 for me. Great vid Im glad i came upon your channel thank you brother.

[drewfliesbikes]

Thank you. This is the most helpful video out there on binoculars