10 or 12 power binoculars?

[hunter guy]

I went with the 12.5 by 42 Vortex Fury today.  I can't find a whole lot of info on these binos, just what I have heard from word of mouth.  I went with the 12.5 because I hunt mostly open country.  Anyone else tried out the fury?  My google searches on reviews are coming up very small.  I have 30 days to return them if they I'm not satified.

[columbiaman]

to my eyes and hands, 12.5x seems too much for handshaking. The low light might not as good either. I will stick with either 8x or 10x. A friend of mine told me to keep the exit pupil size above 4mm as a rule of thumb for binoculars.

[poohdog]

You also want to be careful because sometimes looking thru 12 power binos for long periods strains the eyes.  Some people even 10 power does this to them. Good luck.

[alecvg]

I think you made a good choice, never used those specific binoculars, but for open country, they will be great.  Personaly, I have 10 power, (Burris Signiture Series 10x50) because I do alot of mixed hunting in timber and open.  But I want to get some high powered for when hunting the sage.

[Intruder]

I went with the 12.5 by 42 Vortex Fury today.  I can't find a whole lot of info on these binos, just what I have heard from word of mouth.  I went with the 12.5 because I hunt mostly open country.  Anyone else tried out the fury?  My google searches on reviews are coming up very small.  I have 30 days to return them if they I'm not satified.

Fury has "OK" glass and optical quality.  IMHO 12.5 x 42 is pretty worthless.  The light gathering potential coupled with medium quality optics is going to make them a challenge to use in any low light conditions.  Additionally, 12.5 power for glassing is going to be a serious work out for your eyes.  Steadiness and overall field of view would be major concern.  8 or 10 power are far more versitile and practical hunting binos.  Would suggest stepping up 1 level and getting the Vipers if you can scrape together the extra $.  For sure go w/ a lower power though. 

[Gobble]

I use 12x and like the extra range. They are a bit heavier though

[wrangler]

i use 8's. good luck in low light conditions, hows the feild of view?  if you're trying to spot and stalk in open country, which means you'll be doing hours of glassing 1. your eyes are gonna hurt like hell, 2. you're gonna miss A LOT of country due the limited feild of view. 3. its gonna be really difficult to look through the shaking, its gonna look like an earthquake is going on the whole time.  unless you got these specifically to count points on a buck 900 yards away (which you'll prolly need a tripod to do) id take em back and get some 8's or 10's. if you need more than 10x get a spotting scope.

[hunter guy]

I have always carried big 10 by 50's since I started hunting at age 11 (32 now).  I carry 4' shooting sticks and use them to steady binocs or guns, so I was hoping those would justify the 12.5 power.  Never thought about the eye strain . More then likely they will be going back...maybe I'll talk to the zen-ray guys and see if they still have any demos available. 
The 12.5 by 42 fury's will be here tomorrow.  Going to do a side by side comparison with 10 by 42 monarchs.  I'll let ya know how it goes and thanks for the replies guys all of it is good info.

[jaredpost]

I was going to buy the 12 x 42 monarchs but then went into cabela's and tried them out next to the 10 X 42 monarchs and found the 12 power was to much for my hands to keep steady and I didn't notice them being that much better than the 10 power ones. The guy at the counter told me that the 12 power ones have made people feel seasick because it bounces the image too much.

[huntnphool]

10X42 EL's and you will never look back.

[longstevo]

Crap!

I just bought a pair of 12X42 Burris Euro Diamonds!

Now I'm starting to have second thoughts...
 

[hunter guy]

The vortex's are gettin shipped back. Just ordered zen ed's, they call it a refurb but then in the description say that the box was messed up.  For 295 shipped I couldn't pass it up and I bet this deal won't last long. 

[Steve C]

The ZR refurb's are probably the ZEN ED 1 and not the newer dielectric coated ED 2.  But for practical field use I would not worry much about the difference.  You really need the two side by side to see what difference there is.  There is not a better binocular out there for the money, and I have no doubt but what you will be pleased.  My current "jack-of-all-binoculars" is the ZEN ED2 7x36.  Next in line is the ZEN ED 2 10x43.  I am sending the 8x43 back to ZR and keeping the 10x.  The 7x36 seems just as good as the 8x and is quite a bit smaller.  Also, in my own opinion, the 12x and greater magnifications need 50-56mm objectives in order to avoid being a bit too dim.  A tripod or other means of solid rest is indicated.

[hunter guy]

Right now I have both the zen ray ed's 10 by 43 and the fury 12.5 by 42.  I don't have alot of time right now to elaborate the differences between the two in dark conditions outside, but the zen's are the clearer of the two hands down.  I get alot of shake out of the fury's and the optics almost seem miss aligned compared to the zen's.  I got to take off to do a little league bowling, so i'll get some pics of the two together before I part with the fury's.

[MtnMuley]

10 power definately.  Way easier to hold still unless you plan using a tripod.  Difference in the higher power is virtually unnoticable.