Author Topic: 8x42's or 10x42's  (Read 948 times)

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Offline bb122

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8x42's or 10x42's
« on: October 05, 2004, 02:39:17 PM »
Which one would be better for hunting in the eastern US?

Offline Dave in WV

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8x42's or 10x42's
« Reply #1 on: October 05, 2004, 03:23:40 PM »
IMHO the 8x42s would be the best all around glass. 10x is the most magnification most folks can hold steady enough to use well. The 8x models would probably give less eye strain with all things equal. I use 7x42 binoculars and really like them.
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Offline TheOpticZone

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8x42's or 10x42's
« Reply #2 on: October 05, 2004, 03:25:58 PM »
First thing I would do it take a look at the terrain that you will be hunting.  If you are hunting in areas where it is mostly wooded with a few smaller openings, than I would go with the 8x.  If you are hunting more open terrain with longer shots, than the 10x will give you a little more distance.  One thing to remember, the higher the power the harder it is to hold the binoculars steady when looking thru them.
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Offline bb122

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8x42's or 10x42's
« Reply #3 on: October 05, 2004, 03:49:50 PM »
I hunt a wide variety of terrain so I guess that it is 50/50 between heavy woods and open fields.  I will probably go with 8x42's.

Now the next question .............  what to get?  I have been looking at Kahles and Nikon LX's.  Which is the better choice?  What would some good alternatives be?

Thanks in advance.

Offline goose7856

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8x42's or 10x42's
« Reply #4 on: October 05, 2004, 04:20:42 PM »
Nikon ATB's have had a good rep......ive heard they are just as good, but cost alot less.......try Zeiss also if you want an expensive brand!!
Good Hunting and Straight Shooting

Offline jackfish

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8x42's or 10x42's
« Reply #5 on: October 05, 2004, 04:54:40 PM »
8x42mm

If you have the money for the Nikon Premier LXs, get 'em.  They are about as good a view as you will find.
You learn something new everyday whether you want to or not.

Offline DIVR6347

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8x42 or 10x42
« Reply #6 on: October 05, 2004, 05:56:37 PM »
hey
i went thru this same delima a few months back
i did a LOT of research and lots of reading up on the different brands
models and sizes  
after a few weeks i decided on the kahles 8x42   i love them   they are worth the money for a great hunting bino and the customer service i recieved from them was top notch  when i called to get a warranty card
from them they were very polite and answered all my questions without a hitch  great product from a superb company!!  
my next pair came as a once in a lifetime purchase   i ended up with the leica 8x42 trinovid bn  
yes they were 1k  and yes they are some of the awesomest binos i have ever looked thru absolutly superb!! i first tried the 10x42 leicas and could not hold them steady for extended viewing so i returned them for the 8x
and they will be with me thru eternity
if your budget allows either of these will treat you right and you might check out samplelist.com for a good price on them
hope this helps
divr6347  :D

Offline Redhawk1

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8x42's or 10x42's
« Reply #7 on: October 06, 2004, 01:22:08 AM »
I had to make the same decision and went with the Zeiss 8X30. I looked at a lot of binos and found the Zeiss 8X30 to fit my needs the best. I took them to Alaska for my Caribou hunt and they worked great. The 10 power was a little harder to hold steady. Also I decided in the 30mm for the weight.  :D
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Offline Grubbs

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8x42's or 10x42's
« Reply #8 on: October 06, 2004, 05:58:36 AM »
I think if you have the money you should definitely buy the Niikon LX, and definitely not buy the Nikon ATB's if you have the extra money.  I got a pair of Pentax 10x43 SP's recently and they are superb.  THey would be worth checking out too.  From everything I hear the Nikon Monarch binos aren't near the quality of the Nikon Monarch scopes.

Offline bb122

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8x42's or 10x42's
« Reply #9 on: October 06, 2004, 04:42:59 PM »
I found a great deal on Leica Trinovid BN 8x50 and I don't know if I can pass it up.  At 2 1/2 lbs, are these too heavy for hunting?  What do you guys think?

Offline Redhawk1

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8x42's or 10x42's
« Reply #10 on: October 06, 2004, 05:39:20 PM »
Quote from: bb122
I found a great deal on Leica Trinovid BN 8x50 and I don't know if I can pass it up.  At 2 1/2 lbs, are these too heavy for hunting?  What do you guys think?


My Zeiss 8X30 is under 1.5 pounds. I think you are going to carry a lot more weight than you want at 2.5 pounds. JMHO.  :D
If  you're going to make a hole, make it a big one.
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Offline DIVR6347

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leica 8x50
« Reply #11 on: October 07, 2004, 02:36:48 AM »
hey
i have the 8x42 trinovids
they weigh aprox 30-31 oz  they are a little heavy but when i hunt with them i use a binocular harness and can barely tell i have them on
mine is made by crooked horn outfitters and cost is around  $20
if you end up with something over about 28 oz the harness might be the way to go  
as for the leica trinovids well there wont be any dissapointment there
they are as fine a glass as they come  i really enjoy my 8x42 s

divr6347  :D  :D

Offline jackfish

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8x42's or 10x42's
« Reply #12 on: October 07, 2004, 05:22:03 AM »
You can even get the new lightweight Nikon Premier LXs 8x42mm (28 oz.) with USA warranty for $900.  They are about as good a view as you will find at any price.  You could save some weight and/or a couple hundred bucks with them over any comparable Leica BN.
You learn something new everyday whether you want to or not.

Offline Somerled

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8x42's or 10x42's
« Reply #13 on: October 07, 2004, 06:02:37 AM »
I'd go with the lower magnification (8x42) with the widest field of view. It works better in wooded areas. I wouldn't discount 7x either. BH Photo & Video is a good place to go and compare specifications. They offer a wide selection of binoculars at pretty good prices. Sometimes you can find a better price on a particular set elsewhere.
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Offline bb122

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8x42's or 10x42's
« Reply #14 on: November 13, 2004, 04:10:49 PM »
When it was all said and done, I bought Nikon LX 8x42's.  I could not be happier.  I think that they are as good as Leica and Swarovski's.