what power is good for binoculars??? 10x42?

[backwoods_boy]

Going scouting this weekend and need to get a good pair of binocs.
prolly going to joes cause its close.
can spend about $80-$100$
do you guys think these would be ok.

http://www.gearbuyer.com/products/barska_optics_10x42_blackhawk_waterproof_binocular.html

[bobcat]

No, I don't think those would be ok. I would recommend the Vortex Diamondbacks that www.cameralandny.com has for $129.

You can get them in 8x42's or 10x42's. I'd say if it's your only binocular, you might be better off with the 8x.

[huntnphool]

MBB2, I learned a long time ago that the one thing you dont skimp on is good optics, that being said I seriously doubt you're going to get anything close to "quality" for $100.00. Not trying to rain on your parade or sound negative but its just a fact. You would be better off borrowing a pair for a hunting season and saving your money until you can afford a better set, just if cost is an issue.

My experience has seen lots of friends do the same thing and end up purchasing several different sets over a 10 year period, only to end up getting a good set at the end, and having blown all that money in the mean time.

[snohohunter]

You can also support elknut1, and buy vortex binos from him. You can link to his site from his profile page.  Give him a call...he's great to work with. 
I've bought a bunch of stuff from him.

[bobcat]

Cameraland has a special on the Diamondback right now...it's only $129.99, regular $200, but these have "slight color imperfections."  I have ordered three of them, and the color imperfections are barely noticeable. Great binocular for the money. Even at $200 it would be a good deal. I don't know if elknut has this special and that's why I recommended cameraland. For only $30 more than you wanted to spend, you can get a really good binocular that will last a long time. Vortex has a lifetime warranty.

Try this link: http://www.cameralandny.com/optics/vortex.pl?page=vortexdiamondback8x42

[Bean Counter]

The magic words are "fully multi coated optics."  "Coated optics" or "multi coated optics" are commonplace, but fully multicoated optics means that every piece of glass that touches oxygen receives several treatment coatings to the glass to improve light transmission and image quality. If you can get up to this in your price range you've found yourself a great deal.

I bought Nikon Monarch ATBs (8x42) for $250 through some knife distributor on Froogle.  If you could forgo xxxx vice (beer, three months cable, etc) to go up to there, you wont regret it.  I've had mine for 3 hunting seasons and it will probably be 10+ years before I want to upgrade. 

Time and gas are precious so if it were me I'd buy a $20 throwaway pair and take that for this weekend.  Then I'd buy the above.  Best luck.

[huntnphool]

I bought Nikon Monarch ATBs (8x42) for $250 through some knife distributor on Froogle.  If you could forgo xxxx vice (beer, three months cable, etc) to go up to there, you wont regret it. 

  Good advice right there.

[MountainWalk]

To me, in most cases, ten power is too much. Eights, in my opinion, are perfect all around.

[thinkingman]

agree...8X is a better all-round magnification and $100 will not get you quality binocs.
No experiences with Diamondbacks but Nikon Monarch ATB's are pretty darn good for the price range.
Save your money....$100 'nocs are garbage.

[backwoods_boy]

ok so got some nice ones


Leupold Olympic 10x50mm
$350.00

The Olympic 10x50mm binoculars are powerful, yet lightweight enough to be your full-time optics.
The slim, ergonomic design of the Olympics fits well in any size hand.
Fully multi-coated lenses ensure maximum brightness, clarity, contrast, and color fidelity.
Phase coated prisms work with the lens system to further enhance the sight picture.
Generous eye relief and twist-up eyecups for comfortable extended viewing, even with eyeglasses.
Armor coated, rugged, waterproof, and covered by the Leupold Limited Lifetime Warranty.
Available in natural, black, or Advantage® Timber™ HD™ camouflage finish.

[GoldTip]

You'll like the Olympics, they are a good set of glass for the dollar, to my eye not quite as clear as were the Nikon Monarch ATB's, but a very good glass.

[Bofire]

 :)I have both and prefer the 10X42.
Carl

[ICEMAN]

10x42

[robodad]

I have the 8.5x56 Nikon Monarchs dream season series and really like them but they are too big to be packing all day, My experience has been that as you age your pupil will only be about 5mm and the larger the exit pupil in your binos the better, and what I mean is you take the objective lens size and divide it by the magnification number and that will give you the exit pupil,(i.e. 8.5x56 = 6.5mm) or (10x50 = 5mm) or 10x42 = 4.2mm)and (8x42 = 5.25mm). So with that the larger the exit pupil is the better the binos will preform in low light conditions which means the larger the exit pupil is the more light can enter your eye the better you can see without being uncomfortable.

The Nikon suggestion is very sound advice without costing so much and also by being the very best in optics under $300, you won't go wrong but like I mentioned above look for the largest exit pupil and I suggest the 8x42 over the 10x42 any day.

Good luck !!!

[Ray]

8x and 10x are fine.

[rasbo]

10 x 42 =420

[ZRS-8x42]

Difference between 8x and 10x Binoculars

I am writing this to help explain what to expect when comparing 10x with 8x binoculars. It is applicable to all the binoculars if they belong to the model lines when you put them side by side.

If you are comparing two binoculars from the same model line, the difference between 8x and 10x lies within the eyepiece.  They both share exactly the same objective lens groups, roofprism, and internal focusing lens group (in most cases).  The magnification power of a binocular is deduced by the ratio of objective focal length to the eyepiece focal length.  Given the same objective lens, it is the eyepiece design that defines the magnification.  Shorter focal length gives 10x power, while longer focal length provides 8x power.


The first thing you notice is the higher magnification power with 10x, of course.  However, 10x binoculars tend to have narrower field of view than 8x power. That’s easy to understand since 10x brings the objects closer to our eyes.  I spent a lot of time in the wooded area and found a large FOV is better for me to scan the area.  If I am out on the open field, I would prefer 10x to look for distant critters.

Another important factor is exit pupil.  If you hold your binoculars one foot from your eye and look through the eyepiece toward a bright light source, you will notice a bright circle in the middle. The diameter of that circle is called exit pupil size.  It is determined by the ratio of objective lens diameter over magnification. So, a 10x42 has an exit pupil of 4.2mm and 8x42 will have an exit pupil of 5.3mm.  Under bright daylight, our pupils tend to shrink to below 4mm, so either 10x42 and 8x42 will provide enough brightness. But at dawn or dusk, our pupils dilate, the exit pupil size might become a factor in determining the brightness when you look through the binoculars.  Many amature astronomers like 7x50 format since it gathers a lot of light with 7mm exit pupil, which matches with a fully dilated eyes at dark.

All the binoculars have certain degree of edge distortion, which is actually helpful to prevent eye fatigue from scanning the field if it is not too excessive. Typically 8x has less distortion than 10x.  In addition, 8x tends to perform better when it comes to overall image resolution across the viewing field.

I agree with Ray that both 10x and 8x are excellent all around formats.  It really depends what your priority or preference is.

[Intruder]

ok so got some nice ones


Leupold Olympic 10x50mm
$350.00

The Olympic 10x50mm binoculars are powerful, yet lightweight enough to be your full-time optics.
The slim, ergonomic design of the Olympics fits well in any size hand.
Fully multi-coated lenses ensure maximum brightness, clarity, contrast, and color fidelity.
Phase coated prisms work with the lens system to further enhance the sight picture.
Generous eye relief and twist-up eyecups for comfortable extended viewing, even with eyeglasses.
Armor coated, rugged, waterproof, and covered by the Leupold Limited Lifetime Warranty.
Available in natural, black, or Advantage® Timber™ HD™ camouflage finish.

If these are the ones I'm thinking of they're pretty nices binos.  I was real impressed w/ my buddy's pair.  As far as power goes 8 or 10 is where you want to be.  Although I use 10 myself there are times I'd prefer 8.  To some degree it's a personal prefrence but there are surely some differences.  When in doubt I'd probably recommend 8's 55/45 over 10s. 

[nw_bowhunter]

I use the 10x50 Windriver Olympics by Leopold and I'm very happy with them for the money. Been using them for the last 4yrs! With some binos straps they rest nicely and the little extra weight doesn't bother me. The eye cups work with well with my eyeglasses.

[boneaddict]

I prefer 10x

[SilkWWU]

I just bought 40.00 Bushnells.  Best bino's I've ever owned.  Clearer then my 2300.00 Zeiss'.  I leave them at home.

[rjm5]

Trav you're full crap. I have a pair of 10x40 zeiss classics which are nice. For backpack hunting I use 10x32 swaros. Don't skimp on optics save as much as you can and buy the best pair you can afford.

[SilkWWU]

Trav you're full crap. I have a pair of 10x40 zeiss classics which are nice. For backpack hunting I use 10x32 swaros. Don't skimp on optics save as much as you can and buy the best pair you can afford.

My friend Rob here "RJM5" is a retard.  He is probably the LOUDEST hunter I've ever met.  Not only that, but he pays to go to "farms" to get his animals.  Worthless, and your Zeiss' suck.

FYI:  I went to high school with RJM5, and am on the phone with him right now.  He is making me make it CLEAR that the above statement is false....kind of 

[boneaddict]

I wonder how much more wildlife I'd see if I used better binoculars..........

[Bofire]

  wanna sell those POS Zeiss??? for a POS price??
Carl

[columbiaman]

After having used my 8 x power zen-ray vista binoculars, I found I am more comfortable with 8x. The other day, I took both binocs (with monarch 10x42) and watch some boats coming out of Columbia. I was surprised to see equally clear and sharp between 8x and 10x.  The wide angle with 8x also eliminates some tunnel vision effect I experienced sometimes.

[jake]

10x42 swaro's best investment ive made in hunting gear not one complaint

[wrangler]

8's.

[270Shooter]

8x30 Ziess conquests nothin better for the money .

[alecvg]

ok so got some nice ones


Leupold Olympic 10x50mm
$350.00

The Olympic 10x50mm binoculars are powerful, yet lightweight enough to be your full-time optics.
The slim, ergonomic design of the Olympics fits well in any size hand.
Fully multi-coated lenses ensure maximum brightness, clarity, contrast, and color fidelity.
Phase coated prisms work with the lens system to further enhance the sight picture.
Generous eye relief and twist-up eyecups for comfortable extended viewing, even with eyeglasses.
Armor coated, rugged, waterproof, and covered by the Leupold Limited Lifetime Warranty.
Available in natural, black, or Advantage® Timber™ HD™ camouflage finish.

thats exactly what I am going to get