Binoculars.....what size ?

[varmint223]

Hello All ,Anyone want to put suggestions for which size of Binoculars are better suited to field work...ie 8x42 , 10x50 etc....don't need makes because I will be on a tight budget.......Thanks Tommy

 

[paul walker]

Hello i use 8x42, they have good enough mag for my needs and fit in my pocket. I am also on a budget and use helios binos, they give good first and last light vision and cost about £70. I have heard they are made at the minox factory, whether this is true or not i dont know.

 

[simon1979]

8x42
atb
simon

 

[the scudd]

another vote for 8.5x42

 

[bobjs]

I read some where that the human eye can only use 7 mag or something like that ?

so i went for 7x42, but having glasses is a pain in the first place.

so i went with 7x42's

bob.

 

[pip]

I use 10x42. 10 mag can be too much sometimes and not enough at other times but I'm happy with what I have (Leica). My only advice is spend the most you can afford as quality counts especially at first and last light.

 

[redlab]

I read some where that the human eye can only use 7 mag or something like that ?

so i went for 7x42, but having glasses is a pain in the first place.

so i went with 7x42's

bob.

i think that's more to do with max pupil size (7mm) i was told if you take the aperture of the lens divide by magnification leads to this figure. Mind you that was many years ago in school I may be wrong!!!!

 

[stag1933]

i think that's more to do with max pupil size (7mm) i was told if you take the aperture of the lens divide by magnification leads to this figure. Mind you that was many years ago in school I may be wrong!!!!

Correct Sir !
Objective lense diameter divided by magnification is `exit pupil` diameter.

HWH.

 

[Willie]

I have 10x42 Swaros and now wished I bought the 8x42 version as I find the higher mag just a little shaky for glassing the forestry where I do most of my stalking.

willie

 

[2130martin]

Correct Sir !
Objective lense diameter divided by magnification is `exit pupil` diameter.

HWH.

The optimum is 8x56...........

 

[Klenchblaize]

The rule I'd apply is the less you have to spend the less magnification you should seek to aquire. That and get a larger than small objective.

K

 

[bobjs]

i think that's more to do with max pupil size (7mm) i was told if you take the aperture of the lens divide by magnification leads to this figure. Mind you that was many years ago in school I may be wrong!!!!

cheers bud

I knew someone would have done the sums.

bob.

 

[Bavarianbrit]

If you are younger than 30 go for 7x50s otherwise go for an 8x56 (mortgage the wife to get the money for the best pair possible then you will only buy binos once instead of 7 time like I did, and what is that added up as a sum of dosh?) now I must off-load all the 2nd rate stuff.
Martin

 

[2130martin]

If you are younger than 30 go for 7x50s otherwise go for an 8x56 (mortgage the wife to get the money for the best pair possible then you will only buy binos once instead of 7 time like I did, and what is that added up as a sum of dosh?) now I must off-load all the 2nd rate stuff.
Martin

+1...........

 

[Hales Smut]

Try to get something good second hand or save your money. Many years ago I bought a pair of Pentax DCF 10x42 bino's and still regret it. You can as well throw your money away.

 

[varmint223]

Once again lads great advice and a few have mentioned the 8x56 which I was thinking about , I know I should save and buy Swaro's or similar but I am kidding myself to think I could ever afford them (even secondhand ones) ........nearly fainted having to buy my Meindle boots this week never mind new Bino's ! but how I long for dry feet when out in the field......hope the opinions and hype are worth it...lol

 

[dvbookshop]

Hi. If using them in dim light you need the biggest exit pupil (up to 7mm) you can get (objective lens diameter divided by magnification). Big objectives are both heavy and expensive, so the cheaper way is to go with less magnification and correspondingly smaller objectives. For e.g. a 6x30 glass gathers more light than an 8x30, all other factors being equal) and weighs less into the bargain. For woodland stalking, less is more where magnification is concerned. The best way to get quality without having to pay too much is to go for used military optics such as Hensoldt. You can have the laser filters removed from these and gain up to 10% more light. Don't turn up your nose at Russian military optics either; some are superb. Finally, go for individual eyepiece focus especially at the cheaper end, otherwise they won't be reliably waterproof and fogproof. Military bins fit the bill here too.

 

[Erik Hamburger]

Remember the higher the magnification, the more you also magnify any shaking...
The lower the magnification, the wider the field of view.
The larger the objective lens the better the low-light experience will be.
Note that quite a few Brands package the same spec of Bino's for different markets: Wildlife watching, bird watching, marine, hunting... do your research and you may find a 'marine' branded binocular is perfectly fine for Stalking - and possibly much cheaper.
You can't really go wrong providing the are Water-proof and have Multi-coated lenses - these models are available for around £200-£300.
Have a look at some USA online sites specialising in optics - after P&P and Import Duty you can still save 25-30% on the UK retail prices.

Don't be seduced by the marketing-men, you don't need to fork out £1,500 for premium branded bino's to enjoy your stalking.

 

[Blackrider]

Been debating the same issue for some months and decided after much sampling, discussion and field use through friends and contacts optics in varying light levels to go for 8x42's.
Not certain what make though ?
I dont fancy carting heavy bins up and down the hill all day and the "eight mags" I've used and looked through appear just fine to my me !

Brider.