10x vs 12x binos, is the extra magnification worth it?

[7mmfan]

I use my binos in timber a lot, especially for blacktail. In that case I would definitely not be using 12x, I'll stick with my 10x.

I guess what I'm really trying to fish out is for guys that made the switch from 10 to 12, was there a significant difference? Like WOW what I have been missing?! Or was it a little more magnification but didn't significantly change your ability to find game? 2x on paper sure doesn't seem like much, but in real world environment, is it quite significant?

[Karl Blanchard]

As I stated before, without a tripod no. With a tripod absolutely.

[KFhunter]

Clear 10x for 90 percent of hunting. 12x is way to much for timber and other close situations. And let's face it, you have to get closer to kill it anyway, so seeing it with 10x or 12x doesn't make much of a difference at a mile.
Big country that requires antler I'd I'll bring a spotter to save boot leather. And if necessary my rifle scope hits 16x if I need to study an animal during rifle season.

Clarity will outperform magnification and is more important. Imo

If I'm in "timber or other close situations" I probably won't be looking through an optic LOL

Well I'm a born and raised blacktail hunter so Im stuck looking for part's of deer, an eye, ear, etc....

But even in elk country I end up in big timber...so I'm constantly picking apart the country with my binos.

In brush, timber, at close ranges, a 7x range finder turns antlers into sticks, eyes into moss, ears into leaves pretty quickly 

[b23]

I agree, no tripod or window mount on anything 12X or above and to me it's like I'm losing clarity.  I have a pair 15x56's and hand holding them versus using them on a tripod or window mount it's like you're looking through two different sets of binos.  Maybe this isn't the best way of describing it but to me when my 15x56's are on a stable mount the clarity seems soooo much better.

My go to binos is 8.5x42 Swaro EL's and they've been excellent but I've been considering getting the new Swaro 10x42NL Pure. 

[phildobaggins]

I agree, no tripod or window mount on anything 12X or above and to me it's like I'm losing clarity.  I have a pair 15x56's and hand holding them versus using them on a tripod or window mount it's like you're looking through two different sets of binos.  Maybe this isn't the best way of describing it but to me when my 15x56's are on a stable mount the clarity seems soooo much better.

My go to binos is 8.5x42 Swaro EL's and they've been excellent but I've been considering getting the new Swaro 10x42NL Pure.

Ya'll drinking too much coffee if you're struggling with the 12x's Use the hat method if you don't have a tripod! 

[Karl Blanchard]

Yeah one day I'll hopefully figure out how to glass effectively 

[Buckjunkie]

I’m with Karl. Get a tripod and use it. It’s personal preference, but my go to are 8x42 EL Range Binos and I always pack a tripod and either a spotter or 15’s. I use the 8’s on a tripod constantly. The giant field of view and amazing clarity helps you catch color and movement at amazing distances. They are also good at close range off hand.

I personally don’t know why people want more power hanging around their neck which are hard to keep steady and have a small field of view. If I could pick one combo it would be quality 8x binos and a good spotter with a tripod.

[ASHQUACK]

I have the 8x, 10x and 12x all in leupold. The 8x are used for hiking, still hunting and in the boat. The 10's go absolutely everywhere the truck goes I use them for almost everything except glossing big cuts and desert landscape that's where the 12x come in handy. I use trekking poles to steady them as they need it. I also have a pair of Steiner 15x80 military marines and those are dedicated to a tripod or window mount.

[Magnum_Willys]

2 years ago was in Utah on son’s bull elk hunt.  I had swarovski 10x42’s.  Son had Meopta 12x.   I ended up borrowing his hundreds of times to get a better look at animals we spotted.  Got home, sold the 10x and bought 12x Pures.   They are not needed to spot game.  They are sooo much better to see what the horns look like.
The ONLY reason I don’t use ranging binos is that they don’t come in 12x.  Its that important to me. 

That said if I am hiking and have my spotter handy then 10x plus spotter is better. 

Westside under 500 yards? Not needed at all.

[7mmfan]

Well you guys did absolutely nothing to make up my mind.

[fishngamereaper]

Well you guys did absolutely nothing to make up my mind.

Apparently your expectations where to high...

[pickardjw]

Quality may be a factor in my experience with the 10x Diamondbacks vs 12x Vipers. Yeah, everything was a bit closer in the 12's but maybe it was the clarity difference that was most noticeable...I just didn't notice it!

I need better quality glass I think...my wallet ---> 

[blackveltbowhunter]

7mm..... it depends on what you want from the glass and budget. If your intent is to run often without a decent tripod dont do the 12s imho, even the 12 pures were a bit shaky for me without a tripod.  With a tripod the 12s are significantly better than a 10. But if your going to be a slave to a tripod go 15x56 and glass for days.

[Magnum_Willys]

Fyi - 12x pures were better at 1.5 mile horn ID than 15x vortex binos to my eyes..

[wallab]

I went through this a few years ago.  Almost bought Maven 11 x 45 just so I didn't have to decide between 10's and 12's.  After testing a bunch I went with Tract Toric 10 x 50's and I really like them with or without a tripod.  It almost seems like having a little bigger FOV on 10x makes up for the slightly less magnification.