10-42 or 10-50 binos

[burger]

Been searching here for as much info as I could on the subject and just want to know what you all think about these two power binos.

Which ones would you go with and why?

[Krico]

Assuming you are looking at these sizes in the same make/model, they are the same power, with different objective lens sizes. The 10x42 will be smaller and lighter if that affects your decision. The 10x50 will have a larger exit pupil, and will look "brighter" under low light conditions, also will be easier on the eyes for longer glassing periods.

[todbartell]

I'd go 10x42 for the reason mentioned above by Krico - smaller and lighter, nicer to pack around while still providing good vision (assuming they're decent glass)

[Avalanche123]

I'd go 10x42 for the reason mentioned above by Krico - smaller and lighter, nicer to pack around while still providing good vision (assuming they're decent glass)

Ditto on that.

I have the Swaro 10x50's and I wish I had the 10x42. I did try and sell the 10x50's but had no takers.

I am just having a hard time rationalizing buying the 10x42 now as that will mean I have two pair of swarovski binos and a spotting scope by them as well.

Might as well as get a swaro tattoo too! LOL

[Mr. Friendly]

10x50's are quite a bit heavier, so I would opt for good 10x42's.

[burger]

The 10x42 are what I was leaning towards but wanted to hear what you all thought about the light gathering ability of the 10x50. In low light conditions when alot of hunting is done I wondered if the difference was massive or just marginally better.

I guess that the weight savings (about 7 ounces)is quite important as you eluded too.

[hunter1947]

I picked up a set of 10x42 cascade Leopold's on E bay last fall ,they are brand new and never been out of the box.

I got them for $280.00 total.

[moosinaround]

I sure like my 10x50's, A little heavier, but let in more light in dawn and dusk situations. Good for elk hunting! Moosin

[Steeleco]

I have 10x42 Nikons and think some days they are big! If the power isn't your first concern, then maybe look at the 8x42 version in the brand you like. That will give you the brightness of the 10x50's and the size of the 10x42's

Like all good things there really is no "perfect" unit

[Mr. Friendly]

I meant to mention it, but light gathering power and weight are two concerns. being I'm an amateur astronomer, scopes and binoculars are two things I'm well versed on (cept rifle scopes...still adapting to the new learning curve). bino's are my favorite tool to use and one thing I'm not sure about is how power/resolution/light gathering power from stars to terrestrial viewing is converted and/or adapted to.

anyhow, enough blabbering. at 10x, there's often a fair bit of shake when you're looking and that causes problems. in astronomy, the Canon Image Stabilized bino's are a wunderkind! the stabilization of the 10x42's often let's them outdo regular 10x50's simply because the image is still. that may translate into something useful for terrestrial viewing in the field. granted there are some caveats....the biggest being the IS feature requires batteries. on the other hand, they're light. unbelievably light...even if you add the batteries, they're light. second to that, the optics are first class. I've mentioned it before on here, but I'm actually seriously considering the 10x30's because they're inexpensive. you can get them for just over $300 in the US vs the $500-$600 they retail for in Canada. for a couple hundred more, you can get the 12x36. they also come in a 10x42, but they're quite a bit more, as in $1000 or so.

I encourage you to go to www.cloudynights.com and check out the binocular forum there and look through the 350+ reviews and read through the one's that are bino's of power/size you'd consider. you'd be surprised to see how popular the 8x40/42 are because they're small and light. :)

[burger]

I hear you Mr friendly. I already have a set of nikon travellite 8x25 binocs and am very happy with them but I am always thinking when glassing that I wish I had a little more magnification.

How many of you have bought optics off of e-bay? I am always weary of stuff like that as there is way too many scammers out there. Once the product is in your hands then there is very little recourse in the event of a problem.

[Avalanche123]

Great post Mr. Friendly! Lots of good info there.

[Steeleco]

check out binocularscanada, I bought mine there and had excellent service, that is after you check our site sponsors first :wink::wink:

[martyonthewater]

I carry a pair in 10 x 50 - magnesium housings make a huge difference in weight , they're lighter than a pair of bushnell 12x32 i have as well, try as I might I just can't leave em in the truck when i take to the trail

[Poguebilt]

I have a 10x50 monocular... stupid eyes won't let me use bino's!

im happy with the 50 for the lil extra benifit I get from it!

[troutseeker]

I have some Leupold's in 10X32. If I need better the spotting scope comes out!

[Mr. Friendly]

I have a 10x50 monocular... stupid eyes won't let me use bino's!

im happy with the 50 for the lil extra benifit I get from it!
well, in your case having the single optical tube assembly, it will be as light as some of the smallest bino's you can get on the market. what do you have/use?

[BCRiverBoater]

My 10-42 Swars do the trick. They gather more than enough light for me and they are lighter than the 50's. I would say 90% of people I know run 10 by 42's.

[Bow Walker]

Very generally speaking - 10 x's are heavier and/or bulkier. x 42's obviously let in less light in certain situations. x 50's let in more light, but coupled with the 10x's can be hard to hold steady and fairly heavy to pack around.

This leads me to my choice, both in brand name and in size. Vortex 8.5x50's. These puppies are amazing. Plenty of clarity. Easy to hold steady, not a strain to carry all day, and one of the best guarantees on the market.

[6616]

High quality 10x40's or 10x42's seem to be the standard for sheep/goat hunters, etc, who are primarily backpack hunters and are very fussy about weight and size of equipment and also demand the highest optical preformance from binos and spotting scopes. High quality 10x42 often will actually gather more light then lesser quality 10x50 just due to the better lens coatings and overall glass quality. The quality binos sheep hunters would all use if all could afford them are made by Swarovski, Lieca, and Ziess, etc, and can run up to or more than $1000.00 for a set.

[Bow Walker]

......which is exactly why I went for the biggest/best bang for my buck that I could find. After a lot of research and trying out, I picked the ones that I now use and am very happy.




Caveat: Of course....I don't run up and down mountains any more and I am on a very tight budget...sorta like when a woman is trying on shoes.

[alpinetreker]

10-42 for me