Bino's what power?

[rudy]

I'm in the market for a new set of bino's and i was wondering what power everyone else is using and what you think of them?At the moment i'm thinking about getting a pair of Vortex 8x32"s, they seem like good value for money.

Thanks for your time.

Dowse

[Dale Furze]

I have had smaller bino's in the past and have now gone to some 8x42 Bushnells. They are a little bulkier to carry but in the darker valleys looking for Sambar they let a lot of light in through the 42mm objective lenses.

The 8x magnification is easily enough power for what I want without reducing the field of view too much.

If you get some bigger bino's invest in a shoulder harness, best thing since sliced bread.

Dale.

P.S. If you want some good info, read Watchmakers posts in the review section, he has spent a lot of time doing his homework.

[Antarcher]

I originally had a pair of 8x42 Vortex and have since changed to 10x42 Vortex Razor's. These are awesome binos and the clarity has to be seen. With these binos they have a very good filed of view for the 10 power. I had a pair before that were 10x42 that had a very narrow field of view. Must have been something in the design of the prisms or something, but the razor's definitely are good. I find that the 10 power just gives me more of an insight into what I am looking at and with the higher end glass there is heaps of light gathering ability. 8 power was good in tight situations but for me 10's just have the edge when making out animals at greater distances.

[woodstoka]

at the moment im using a small compact pare of 10x25 for thick bush hunting and find them great for glassing gullys and thick scrub
not to bulky either

jesse

[snowy1]

i use these

http://www.meopta.com/index.php?id=159&lang=en

i havefound them fantastic ,during low light conditons ,last light or early morning is where GOOD binoculars really shine ,
i have used several differnt brands over the years ,
140,280,350 price range and then ended up buying meoptas.
yes they are expensive
($1200-she dont tell my missus i told her they were 300:P )

but if you add up the price of all the other stuff you are going to by,then stop and look at the top shelf.

a mate just brought leicas ($2600)and side by side the leica's may have it over the meopta's marginally :rolleyes:,
im biased due to what i brought ,
try differnt binnos out dont buy the first pair

they are slung on an "allen "bino strap as dale mentions,
they are great and prevent your binos moving from your chest as you duck and weave under scrub and foliage during a stalk ,

http://americanesuperstore.stores.yahoo.net/gs47490.html

dont by small compacts ie 8 or 10 x 25 or 30 ,they are not clear enough and you will end up getting eye strain after prolonged periods of stationary glassing

my opinon

snowy

[mick]

i use the bushnell excursion 8x40,great in low light,reasonably priced

[johnno]

I had a look at a LOT of binos, and finally settled on the Vortex 8x 42 Diamondbacks. For the money they are hard to beat plus the Vortex "liftetime" warranty. When considering the "best" for you decide if its light gathering ability or long range field of view. With the 42 objective lens and the 8x magnification that's 5x the amount of light gathering..perfect for early morning, late evening or looking into areas in shadow...cheers..;)

[special]

I use an old pair (pre 1961)...Ross 16 x 50 ...field 3.5 degrees...61m at 1000m...they work for me

[rudy]

Thanks for your replies fella's all your comments will be taken into account.

[GOLDGT]

I agree with most here and would say you are better off with at least a 40mm outer lens as most game is out around dawn and dask when light isnt always the best the larger outer lens catch's a lot more light that is around making them heaps more effective. As Dale said read Watchmakers post's on them well worth a read.

Hamish

[excelpoint]

I've got a set of 8X42 vortex Vipers coming. Cant wait to give them a try in sambar country

[DavidJHardy]

i just got a pair of tasco sonoma 8x40 there awesome... really light and clear and really wide field of view and there pretty compact

[lurch]

Mate i have a set of BARSKA'S in 12x32 and there brilliant but a bit too powerful so when looking thru them all is a bit shaky lol. but id recommend something with a fairly open end as they let more light in in a low light situation and you only need a 32 or a 42 and maybe 8-10x magnification and you will spot anything mate good luck.

cheers lurch

[Jason1]

I just got a pair of bushnell 10 x 42 binoculars. Paid $86 on ebay what a bargain. They arrived in 4 days.

[Rock Steady]

I don't muck around with those little ones anymore, 10X42 or 12x50's. Why strain your eyes? My mate looks at something through small bino's and says "I think its a Boar" I look and say "it's a 3 yo boar, 24points, slight limp and he had roots for breakfast". :D:P:D

[Clemo]

Does that meen if I get Bigger bino's I will see bigger boars?:P

[Rock Steady]

Does that meen if I get Bigger bino's I will see bigger boars?:P

Off coarse , thats how they work.:P:D:P.

Another mate carries a large spotting scope everywhere he goes.

[excelpoint]

Tried out my Vortex Viper 8X42 on the weekend. They were really good with excellent low light capabilities and clarity. I also bought a Vortex harness for them which worked a treat, couldnt even really tell they were there.

[Puk]

I agree with getting a big objective lens - to a point. I think you would be better off getting a smaller objective lens from a better quality brand, than you would getting a cheap one with big objective lenses. ALL Binos work at noon when it's dry. At dawn or dusk in the rain is when the good ones stand out, and the good ones have more to do with nitrogen purging, quality of lenses and lens coating, than they do simply with size. I worked that out when using a big cheap pair during 6 rainy days west of Charter's Towers. they became useless on the first day.

As to magnification, i personally wouldn't go over 8x. (notice i said personally, so no flaming please) Anything more than this and you have to start finding somewhere to put your bow so you can put the binos in both hands, as the shake of holding them in one hand (while puffed from the long haul up the hill, with the adrenaline of looking at that 12 pointer) will make them impractical.

I have Leupold Yosemite 8x 32's, and i love them. They don't weigh me down, and bring everything up close. I wear a shoulder harness and a backpack at the same time, and find them no hassle at all, and right where i need them.

Puk

[HOOD]

I'm currently considering a set of Vortex Vultures in either 10x50 or 12x50.
Can anyone see any andvantages/disadvantages of one over the other?

[Friar Tuck]

Hi Hood,

My personal opinion for power wise hunting is 8 or 10x unless you have a real steady hand and good eyes already.

The field of view is reduced on the higher power binos and you can miss detail if you can't hold them steady.

There is also a 8.5x50 Vulture but bear in mind they are a larger chassis binocular with the 50mm objective lens.

[rudy]

Thanks for all the comments fella's, i've just purchased a pair off 8x42 vortex diamond backs, so far they are brilliant.

[HOOD]

Hi Hood,

My personal opinion for power wise hunting is 8 or 10x unless you have a real steady hand and good eyes already.

The field of view is reduced on the higher power binos and you can miss detail if you can't hold them steady.

There is also a 8.5x50 Vulture but bear in mind they are a larger chassis binocular with the 50mm objective lens.

Thanks for the tech info Ant. Cheers