8 or 10 Power Binoculars for Hunting

[9.3x64]

Ok, if one was to purchase a new pair of high end binoculars which power would you choose?
Looking for input from people who have owned both magnification and hunted a variety of country.

I have a pair of Zeiss HT 8x42 binos and absolutely love them. By far the best pair of binos I have looked through.
I usually hunt with my brother and he is looking at buying a pair as well because he loves mine so much.
Which power would you buy in the HT's for a variety of country and why??

[Pigeon]

Well, 8,5x !!!

http://www.titanium-gunworks.de/swarovs ... -5x42.html

Check the Swarovski EL8,5x42 first before buying anything - it is by far the most incredible optics ever seen. The briliance, clarity and sharpness is the highest on the market (not only what I say, a lot of customers says the same if they have compared them!) And the 8,5x42 is very light, good compromise between 8 and 10x and the best of all: I could easily use this binoculars during my night hunts as well - I have compared it with a bunch of 8x56 during night and it is in the lowest light equal with them, but being much lighter and when You add a bit more of light, You will have the more brilliant optic compared to the others!

[SPEEDY]

I actually like the 10-20x zoom binos, not that I ever use binoculars but when I have they were the best.

But something low end to scan and upper power to identify.
Saves carrying binos and a spotting scope, a mate has been using a set for years and I'm always impressed by them.

[9.3x64]

Thankyou both.
But we are settled on the HT's without any doubt.
We have both looked through that many binoculars only to come back to the HT's everytime.
To my eyes it is obvious, but I guess maybe different people see differently.

I am more interested in the two power options in the field.
Is 10 power difficult to hold steady and tiring when glassing for hours etc?

[SPEEDY]

I'd get the 10x then, I doubt that a tiny little bit of extra weight would effect you that much.

[Pigeon]

if You are hunting in low light situations: take definetly the 8x ! Check out the sharpness of the HT at the rim of the image! There have been a lot of customers selling their Zeiss because of this reason!

[mchughcb]

8x. Need more? Get a spotting scope.

[9.3x64]

if You are hunting in low light situations: take definetly the 8x ! Check out the sharpness of the HT at the rim of the image! There have been a lot of customers selling their Zeiss because of this reason!

Thankyou Klaus, I will check it out next time I use them.
I have never noticed it so far.

[9.3x64]

I'd get the 10x then, I doubt that a tiny little bit of extra weight would effect you that much.

Yes they are obly 20 grams heavier and exactly the same dimensions in size.

[9.3x64]

8x. Need more? Get a spotting scope.

I just spoke to my brother and he is swaying to the 8 power considerably.
He main reason is he just finds mine so relaxing to use.

[mchughcb]

I find 8x good for a relaxed use without strain and goid fov at 100m when trying to detect movement not count the number of points.

[9.3x64]

I find 8x good for a relaxed use without strain and goid fov at 100m when trying to detect movement not count the number of points.

Yeah well we do carry a spotter when hunting stags.....

[Devon Deer]

8x power, i have Minox HG's, at last light there isn't much difference between them and the Swaro's, i used both side by side to compare them both.
Cheers
Richard

[secondtry]

I have the 8x42 HTs. I have used 8x42 and 10x42 FLs.

I prefer the 8x. The larger exit pupil makes them easier and more comfortable to use, and from sunset on they will be much better than 10x. After dark 10x42 is pretty useless. 8x has a noticeably wider field of view,which IME also helps to make it quicker and easier to pick up the target animal.

BUT - In NZ, I have been caught short with my 8x when compared to others using 10x (all 42mm obj). In these alpine conditions, the 10x gave just a whisker better definition at long range, and most importantly, glassing could almost always be carried out seated, resting on our knees, or prone; letting the user hold steady enough to use the extra 2x.

If I did a lot of this sort of hunting, I would opt for 10x - if I could afford it, as a second pair.

8x is more versatile and more user friendly.

[mchughcb]

There's always Duovids for those that can't make up their mind.