Binoc magnification 8x vs 10X

[HelmCrusher]

Hey yall I'm getting a new set of binoculars before season starts and need y'alls Pro's and Con's on what magnification to get. I hunt heavy east TX woods and pipe lines. Currently looking a the Vortex Crossfire series.

Thanks

[d_e_smith]

10x

[tommy1005]

I've always had 10x, but my newest are Maven B.2's in 11x45. If you can swing a little extra cash I'd look at the Vortex Talon HD or Viper HD in 10x42.

[Happy Buddah]

10x work great in low light environments.

[tvc184]

Details like points on a deer? 10x or higher.

General viewing where clarity on small items is not important? 8x.

That seems obvious but the higher has a narrower field of view if that is important and harder to hold steady where you notice slight movements of the hand. With a good rest to hold steady, the higher is almost always better in my opinion but if using to scan a general area the lower have their place.

Look at a 50x spotting scope for example. You can probably see the ticks on a deer at 100 yards but if hand held all you would do is make yourself sick. The very slight hand movements would be magnified 50 times and the field of view downrange will jump several inches each second. Put it on a steady tripod and it is awesome.

If merely looking for movement while scanning an area I might tend to use 8x or even smaller. If I wanted to get a great look at a deer on a pipeline or under a feeder where I know that he will show up then I would go higher.

[wsteffen]

I prefer a very clear 8x. Maybe I'm just to old to hold 10x steady enough.