Binocular Magnification

[losdaddy7]

I'm up for a new set of binocs this year and have narrowed my selection down to the Vortex Viper HD's in 8X42 and 10X42.  I've read a bit about the better field of view in the 8X and also the better low light transmission in the 10X's.  I've also heard the 10X's are more difficult to hold steady.  Any feedback from those of you who have used both?  Which do you prefer for a good all around binoc?  These will be my only binocs and used for both open county sage and east slope timber country.
I'll be heading up to Cabelas this weekend to check out both in the store but wanted to get your thoughts first....  Thanks!

[scottcrb]

Eastside I'd stick with 10x maybe an 8x on te Westside. Too open and lots if big country.on Eastside. If you get an 8x you'll want a spotter too.although.I have a 10x and want a spotter.

[grundy53]

I have the 10x42's and love them!

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[Huntboy]

I have the 10x42's and love them!

 

[huntnphool]

I'll be heading up to Cabelas this weekend to check out both in the store

 You won't notice much difference besides FOV inside the store, best to take them outside and look at distance. I'd also do it after sun down.

[huntandjeep]

 

I have the 10x42's and love them!

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[The scout]

I've been using the 10 power in the past plus a spotter this year I'm going to the 12 by 50 razor hd and no spotter. love them so far during the scouting I have done. I am keeping my 10 power's for now though

[dscubame]

I have the 10x42's and love them!

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[RadSav]

I keep spending big bucks on quality glass.  Yet I usually find myself going back to an old pair of B&L 7X35's (The old ones when B&L meant something).  Unless I'm hunting goats and need some long range evaluation of size I have no use for 10X.  Though it is getting harder and harder to find 7 or 8 power quality glass anymore.

Bought the wife some Swaro 8X last year.  The breakdown in quality from last year to this year is astonishing.  At this rate they will be as good as a pair of $200 Bushnell's in another two years.  Maybe Hoover or Dyson needs to start making binoculars as the newer glass seems to last about as long as a modern vacuum    I just continue growing more and more disgusted with all the binocular manufacturers.  Paying down payment on a house type of money and getting vacuum cleaner quality and longevity really chaps my ^$$!

I've got a new pair of Ultravid's on the way.  If they wear out in a year or two I expect I'm done buying new glass.  The old B&L will probably last until I'm too broken to hunt anyway.

[et1702]

Check out Zen Ray 9x36 ED2 glasses.  I love mine!

ET

[jjhunter]

I keep spending big bucks on quality glass.  Yet I usually find myself going back to an old pair of B&L 7X35's (The old ones when B&L meant something).  Unless I'm hunting goats and need some long range evaluation of size I have no use for 10X.  Though it is getting harder and harder to find 7 or 8 power quality glass anymore.

Bought the wife some Swaro 8X last year.  The breakdown in quality from last year to this year is astonishing.  At this rate they will be as good as a pair of $200 Bushnell's in another two years.  Maybe Hoover or Dyson needs to start making binoculars as the newer glass seems to last about as long as a modern vacuum    I just continue growing more and more disgusted with all the binocular manufacturers.  Paying down payment on a house type of money and getting vacuum cleaner quality and longevity really chaps my ^$$!

I've got a new pair of Ultravid's on the way.  If they wear out in a year or two I expect I'm done buying new glass.  The old B&L will probably last until I'm too broken to hunt anyway.

I've never heard anyone say that about Swarovski glass?   I've still got my first pair from 2001 (10x50 SLC) and they are still amazing.   I've owned 10 pair including the pair that I received today and they have all been incredible pieces of glass.   I just got done playing with my 15x56 HD and there is nothing in that power range that compares - WOW! is all I have to say.

[Bob33]

I keep spending big bucks on quality glass.  Yet I usually find myself going back to an old pair of B&L 7X35's (The old ones when B&L meant something).  Unless I'm hunting goats and need some long range evaluation of size I have no use for 10X.  Though it is getting harder and harder to find 7 or 8 power quality glass anymore.

Bought the wife some Swaro 8X last year.  The breakdown in quality from last year to this year is astonishing.  At this rate they will be as good as a pair of $200 Bushnell's in another two years.  Maybe Hoover or Dyson needs to start making binoculars as the newer glass seems to last about as long as a modern vacuum    I just continue growing more and more disgusted with all the binocular manufacturers.  Paying down payment on a house type of money and getting vacuum cleaner quality and longevity really chaps my ^$$!

I've got a new pair of Ultravid's on the way.  If they wear out in a year or two I expect I'm done buying new glass.  The old B&L will probably last until I'm too broken to hunt anyway.

I've never heard anyone say that about Swarovski glass?   I've still got my first pair from 2001 (10x50 SLC) and they are still amazing.   I've owned 10 pair including the pair that I received today and they have all been incredible pieces of glass.   I just got done playing with my 15x56 HD and there is nothing in that power range that compares - WOW! is all I have to say.

Likewise. I've looked through 10 and 20 year old Swaros that look as good as they did new. Sure, the newer glass may be a bit better than the older glass (better coatings, etc.) but I've never seen a pair degrade with age. What is the science behind this degradation?

[Bean Counter]

It's as you said. Nothing is wrong with your ten year old binos, but new R&D has made cheaper glass into better quality.

Then again if you're stupid the optics might go bad. An example Would be using an ammonia based glass cleaner (Windex) and eroding all those multicoats.  but otherwise, multicoats are very hard and durable.

[RadSav]

I had a pair of the old Swaro porro prism and the coating wore like iron.  Just too heavy and big for me so I finally gave them away.  We do not baby our binos but we do not abuse them much either.  Not sure if the coating is thinner than it used to be or if it is a different composition.  Not sure if it is UV breakdown or friction break down.  All I know is the recent stuff isn't anywhere near as durable as the stuff you got from Swaro ten plus years ago.  Same can be said for the coating on Zeiss too.  We'll see if the Leica coating is what it used to be when they were Leitz.  The Trinovid was the most insane fabulous bino I've ever owned.  Unfortunately they do not survive an 800' free fall.

My antelope guide gets a new pair of Swarovski binos for each of his guides about every three years due to the coating breakdown.  Last year he had a new pair of 8.5X with about a months worth of use and my 20 year old 7X B&L were already superior in clarity.  Most Canadian guides I know are all using Leica due to similar issues with Swaro of late.  So I don't think my experience is that uncommon.  But, then again we use them A LOT!

[jjhunter]

Its funny that you say that about Leica....  I baby my stuff and have to send my Leica Geovid HDs in to have the objective lenses replaced from numerous cleaning scratches.  I have never scratched the lense of a Swaro.

The toughest lense coating that I have ever encountered were on my Zeiss RF 10x45.  They were very easy to clean and the coatings were slick and tough - I don't really know how to explain it, they just seemed hardy and were absolutely perfect after 2 years of use and over 100 days afield.