Help w/Bino Decision!

TrpD345 · October 18, 2005, 05:56 AM

I am in the market for a new pair of binoculars. I am pretty set on the Leupold line. Most likely the Olympic ones. I realize that Swaro or Leica is top of the line, but I can't justify that much money. I have used a pair of Pentax 8X24 for about 12 years and I'm pleased with them. I just want something that is a little brighter and better in low light. I am considering the Leupold Olympics in either 8X42 or 10X50. Most of my hunting is from a stand. Some of the fields that I hunt offer viewing up to 500 yds. with some looking over cut overs. Which power do you recommend? Should I get the 10X since I already have the 8X24's? Which will be brighter in low light, the 10X50 or 8X42 or will they be about the same? Please give me the pro's and con's of each. I am not interested in Nikon's as I had a very bad experiance with their customer service witha Red Dot scope, so they are out of the question!

Foxman · October 18, 2005, 07:53 AM

Nothing wrong with the Olympics, they do fine. Go for the 8x42, they will give a good picture and you can hold them steady. Its generally accepted that for hand holding particularly with out a hand rest that beyond 7-8 power it is very difficult to get a steady clear picture and you dont usually have time to keep guessing when you are looking at a deer. You will like them and they should serve you well. Due to the nature of the optics the 8 power will actually be slightly brighter.

claude783 · October 18, 2005, 10:07 AM

Do a Google search and check out the Russian Binoc's. Bought a pair a couple of years ago and they are great. Got one with the built in rangfinder.

ksstargazer · October 18, 2005, 10:39 PM

The larger the objective, the brighter the image. The 10x50 should give you the brighter image. I have a 20x70 NcStar that on a moonlit night makes the landscape look like daytime. I got the binoculars at the Tulsa gunshow and only paid $70. Excellent optics. Since I am an amateur astronomer, I have a lot of experience locating objects with binoculars and telescopes. The higher powers do take getting used to but once you have experience they are no harder to use than lower power. If you do not use binoculars often then I would suggest keeping the magnification down to around 7 or 8.

Johnny Guest · October 19, 2005, 07:59 PM

This is a good thread, but it properly belongs in the Gear and Accessories forum.

I'll leave a re-direct so it won't get lost.

Best,
Johnny

Foxman · October 20, 2005, 08:01 AM

Ksstargazer "The larger the objective, the brighter the image"
To get an idea of relative brightness between binos or scopes divide the lens dia by magnification and you will see that 10x50 is a factor of 5 whilst 7x42 is 6 ( its effective aperture thats why sailing / hunting exploring organisations recommend 7x 42 as the best compromise between magnification and ability to view things (depth of field decreses with magnification). It isn't just about holding them steady either, it s things like atmospheric haze and the things in the line of sight between you and what your looking at and finally it is down to the quality of lens and mechanism ( between the two sets of lenses too). The russian ones are ok the throw in the back of the SUV for emergencys and not care if they get ruined but not much else.
The Olympic 8x42s will do good for you!

TheOpticZone · October 20, 2005, 11:01 AM

I would go with the 8x42's. As said already, they will be easier to hold steady and are lighter in weight than the 10x50's. Equivalant brands and models the 8x42's are going to give a slightly brighter picture due to the larger exit pupil in the 8x42's (5.25mm) vs the 10x0's (5.0mm). It will not be a tremendous difference with the can of .25mm, but the larger field of view and the lighter weight would be the major decison factors for me.

Pointer · October 20, 2005, 01:41 PM

Get big pupil lenses to improve speed of acquisition, and eye comfort, and brightness.

Straight tubes (BAK-4 is really nice)

Waterproof (Unfortunately, cannot do this with zoomers.)

Armour coated to keep them pretty and improve your grip.

Under $200... or over $350 to get the best bang for the buck.

Nikon and Bushnell are the most "straight up" and they sell binoculars... not name brands.

Leupold's are really great optics and the best price of the best brands.

October 18, 2005, 05:56 AM	#1
TrpD345 Junior Member Join Date: September 12, 2005 Posts: 4	Help w/Bino Decision! I am in the market for a new pair of binoculars. I am pretty set on the Leupold line. Most likely the Olympic ones. I realize that Swaro or Leica is top of the line, but I can't justify that much money. I have used a pair of Pentax 8X24 for about 12 years and I'm pleased with them. I just want something that is a little brighter and better in low light. I am considering the Leupold Olympics in either 8X42 or 10X50. Most of my hunting is from a stand. Some of the fields that I hunt offer viewing up to 500 yds. with some looking over cut overs. Which power do you recommend? Should I get the 10X since I already have the 8X24's? Which will be brighter in low light, the 10X50 or 8X42 or will they be about the same? Please give me the pro's and con's of each. I am not interested in Nikon's as I had a very bad experiance with their customer service witha Red Dot scope, so they are out of the question!

October 18, 2005, 10:39 PM	#4
ksstargazer Senior Member Join Date: December 28, 2004 Location: Flint Hills of Kansas Posts: 316	binoculars The larger the objective, the brighter the image. The 10x50 should give you the brighter image. I have a 20x70 NcStar that on a moonlit night makes the landscape look like daytime. I got the binoculars at the Tulsa gunshow and only paid $70. Excellent optics. Since I am an amateur astronomer, I have a lot of experience locating objects with binoculars and telescopes. The higher powers do take getting used to but once you have experience they are no harder to use than lower power. If you do not use binoculars often then I would suggest keeping the magnification down to around 7 or 8.

October 19, 2005, 07:59 PM	#5
Johnny Guest Moderator in Memoriam Join Date: August 28, 1999 Location: North Texas Posts: 4,123	Changing forums This is a good thread, but it properly belongs in the Gear and Accessories forum. I'll leave a re-direct so it won't get lost. Best, Johnny

October 20, 2005, 11:01 AM	#7
TheOpticZone Member Join Date: October 7, 2005 Posts: 21	I would go with the 8x42's. As said already, they will be easier to hold steady and are lighter in weight than the 10x50's. Equivalant brands and models the 8x42's are going to give a slightly brighter picture due to the larger exit pupil in the 8x42's (5.25mm) vs the 10x0's (5.0mm). It will not be a tremendous difference with the can of .25mm, but the larger field of view and the lighter weight would be the major decison factors for me. __________________ Jon Jackoviak The Optic Zone www.theopticzone.com [email protected]

October 20, 2005, 01:41 PM	#8
Pointer Senior Member Join Date: April 8, 2005 Location: Utah Posts: 2,559	Get big pupil lenses to improve speed of acquisition, and eye comfort, and brightness. Straight tubes (BAK-4 is really nice) Waterproof (Unfortunately, cannot do this with zoomers.) Armour coated to keep them pretty and improve your grip. Under $200... or over $350 to get the best bang for the buck. Nikon and Bushnell are the most "straight up" and they sell binoculars... not name brands. Leupold's are really great optics and the best price of the best brands. Last edited by Pointer; October 21, 2005 at 01:04 AM.

October 18, 2005, 07:53 AM	#2
Foxman Senior Member Join Date: August 13, 2005 Posts: 466	Nothing wrong with the Olympics, they do fine. Go for the 8x42, they will give a good picture and you can hold them steady. Its generally accepted that for hand holding particularly with out a hand rest that beyond 7-8 power it is very difficult to get a steady clear picture and you dont usually have time to keep guessing when you are looking at a deer. You will like them and they should serve you well. Due to the nature of the optics the 8 power will actually be slightly brighter.

October 18, 2005, 10:07 AM	#3
claude783 Senior Member Join Date: August 21, 2004 Location: people's republic of California Posts: 386	Do a Google search and check out the Russian Binoc's. Bought a pair a couple of years ago and they are great. Got one with the built in rangfinder.

October 20, 2005, 08:01 AM	#6
Foxman Senior Member Join Date: August 13, 2005 Posts: 466	Ksstargazer "The larger the objective, the brighter the image" To get an idea of relative brightness between binos or scopes divide the lens dia by magnification and you will see that 10x50 is a factor of 5 whilst 7x42 is 6 ( its effective aperture thats why sailing / hunting exploring organisations recommend 7x 42 as the best compromise between magnification and ability to view things (depth of field decreses with magnification). It isn't just about holding them steady either, it s things like atmospheric haze and the things in the line of sight between you and what your looking at and finally it is down to the quality of lens and mechanism ( between the two sets of lenses too). The russian ones are ok the throw in the back of the SUV for emergencys and not care if they get ruined but not much else. The Olympic 8x42s will do good for you!