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Author Topic: Minimum Binocular power question.. is 7x too small?  (Read 8579 times)

Offline Armadillo

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Re: Minimum Binocular power question.. is 7x too small?
« Reply #15 on: February 22, 2011, 06:35:38 PM »
yeah the 50x is a pig when it swings around your neck, I bought a cheap shoulder harness a couple years ago and now they all feel the same  8)


http://www.amazon.com/Butler-Creek-Bino-Caddy-Strap/dp/B001AEAN2A/ref=sr_1_14?ie=UTF8&qid=1298428486&sr=8-14

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Offline Steve C

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Re: Minimum Binocular power question.. is 7x too small?
« Reply #16 on: February 22, 2011, 07:06:49 PM »
Lots of people get into too much magnification because, like most of us, at one time or another, have gotten sucked up the "more is better" pipe.  Magnification choice is largely personal and you will see two very definite camps for the 7-8x and another for the 10-12x.  Personally I have a 7x and 10x combo I use, so there is room for both.  If the gods decreed I could only have one, I'd take the 7x36 (mine's a ZEN ED 2).

There's a couple of things that happen with lower magnification.  One is that the shake is minimized with decrease in magnification.  You will see a LOT more with a clear, steady 7x image than a 10-12x wobbling around a lot.  You won't get as tired either, and you will have a lot less eye strain at the end of the day.  Then there is the issue of heat mirage.  The effects are magnified with magnification and times out in the Eastern Oregon Desert, I have been able to use the 7's and the 10's got left in the truck.  Image quality is usually easier to get right with lesser magnification (but higher ranges are getting batter, especially in the lower price ranges).  Another thing about a 7x binocular is that the depth of focus is another thing that increases with DECREASE in magnification.  Just means there is a lot more field in focus for and aft of the target and depth perception can increase dramatically in a 7x.  Personally I could not tell you if a binocular was 7x or 8x if it was not marked.  Just not enough difference to tell about, this is for me anyway, the side effect of depth perception (I think).

On the other hand 10x is 20% more magnification than 8x.  There are lots of people who can take full advantage of that and they should stick with what works.

Basically, don't worry much about loosing too much magnification at 7x.
Steve

Theodore Roosevelt:  "Do what you can where you are with what you have."

Offline Maligator

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Re: Minimum Binocular power question.. is 7x too small?
« Reply #17 on: March 11, 2011, 10:03:51 PM »
Get out there and try a few out. Place them around your neck and let them hang there, look at different objects in the store, see what feels and looks right to you. I went with 8X and haven't looked back. Very happy with my purchase.
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Offline ZRS-8x42

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Re: Minimum Binocular power question.. is 7x too small?
« Reply #18 on: March 11, 2011, 10:22:00 PM »
REALLY trying to dive into Binoculars for a new buy..

I wonder if anyone here uses 7x or 8x as a standard magnification?

Right now I have 12x.. and they are too much shake.. I think even 10x might be a bit too much, unless you are constantly in a stand.

I am thinking about the Steiner Commander XP 7x50.. but wonder if 7x is just too far down as well.

... Seem like AWESOME binos though..

Thoughts?

Although you will lose some magnfication power with 7x, comparing to 10x, the image quality and usability is much better with 7x binoculars due to stable image, wide FOV and deeper depth of field.  A lot of our customers have been very happy with our ZEN ED2 7x36

There are several lengthy reviews on 7x36 ED2 on our website.

http://www.zen-ray.com/shop/usersreview

I think Steve C also wrote an excellent review on this particular model, but I couldn't find the link any more.

Thanks

Offline MDGrand

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Re: Minimum Binocular power question.. is 7x too small?
« Reply #19 on: March 14, 2011, 01:17:26 PM »
Went with the Steiner Peregrine XP:

Offline GlennGTR

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Re: Minimum Binocular power question.. is 7x too small?
« Reply #20 on: March 25, 2011, 07:13:17 PM »
Meopta 6.5x35, fantastic hunting glasses for near, mid range and far. Then carry a spare in a 15x56 for spoting at long range or just get a spoting scope.
You don't need a flatter shooting rifle or a larger caliber.What you need is good field marksmanship. Jeff Cooper.

Offline huntnfmly

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Re: Minimum Binocular power question.. is 7x too small?
« Reply #21 on: March 25, 2011, 07:43:16 PM »
nikon 10x56 for me they gather great light and good fov a little bulky but do-able i use a good harness and have no problems
I'm your dam tour guide Arnie please don’t wonder off the dam tour.
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