Vortex binos
 

I'm shopping out options for a pair. Reviews are so mixed. Is it sufficient to go with a light pair of 8x32? or is it beneficial to upgrade to 8x42? 10x42? What's everyone using for hunting in Alberta?

I have a set of Vortex Razor 8x42 love em. Easy on the eyes,after hrs of use no eye strain.

Depends on use.

If you are doing some low light glassing you will benefit from 8x42 binos. They will seem much brighter than 8x32 in low light do to exit pupil size.

8x42 seems to be the Goldilocks zone. Good low light use, still fairly compact, and will be much steadier in the hand than a 10x42 or a 10x50

Here is a great website to show the description of why that is.

https://www.bestbinocularsreviews.co...exit-pupil-06/

Like poster above says, depends on use.

I have 10x42 Razors but I run them off a tripod and hunt mountains a lot with hours behind the glass each day.

If you're hunting bush and closer ranges, 8x42 are probably plenty. I don't like the 32s because of light transmission

I prefer 10x42 over the 8. Just makes it a little easier counting points.

10x42 viper hd are great value

I have a pair of 10x50 all the magnification you will ever want and just as bright in low light as a 8x42. They are a little heavier but its unnoticeable.

10x42 Razors LOVE them. I use them in the bush, cut lines, pipe lines, fields and cut blocks. Did I mention that I love them? I like the extra magnification of a 10x over a 8x.

If you are already looking at the 10x50 why not just step up to the 12x50?
The 12x50 weigh one ounce less but you lose 44' of FOV over the 10x50. This is referencing the diamondbacks spec info.
Thoughts?

Would recommend
 

I have a pair of Vortex Viper HD 8x32 that are the best pair I have ever owned. I believe the model is discontinued, but I would expect the same from other Viper models. I have no experience with their less expensive lines.

Have used 8x42 in the past and have used 10x42 the last few years currently with a set vortex diamondback and they are great for the price. prefer the 10x42 and clarity is great even with a fairly cheap set of vortex

I was reading that Vortex moved all binocular manufacturing to China (not that there is anything wrong with that) and some are speculating major price reductions on some of the top end optics.

Don't know for sure and really don't care as I am not a Vortex fan however one might want to see what is coming out of the same factories before dropping big bucks for a name.

I am choosing to go with Vortex mainly because of the warranty they offer. I read that the 10x zoom is a little too much zoom. Probably be mostly using it in public land where there are lots of trees. Thanks for the input

10x42s. Best all purpose option.

For my hunting I prefer the 10x50's. I think it really only depends on what terrain you are hunting. I do a lot of early morning walking in with the bow along ag fields to the transition zones between beds/fields so seeing something in the dark at distance gives me a huge leg up in being in position for daylight. I also use them in mountains and have never felt I was too much zoom to feel comfortable. My rangefinder also has a slight zoom so if need be I just pop that up in close quarters.

10x42 it is. Thanks for the feedback everyone! If it is any less zoom the range finder will be perfect. I didn’t even think of that

I had 10x42 viper hd’s And I lost them last year chasing elk in some thick bush.. I wasn’t real happy.. anyways I loved them but I decided to get viper HD 12x50..so far they are unreal .. a lot of zoom but .. for me they are perfect

Another vote for the 10x42's.
So much more versatile in Alberta, IMO.
Make sure to take them outside of the store and sample a bunch.

270 elk
 

Have a pair of 10x42 VIPER HD great binos :thinking-006:

I use a 10x26 Vanquish model. They are clear as crystal and are really light.
Personally, I love them!

I have the diamond back 10x42s. Nice binos but I find they fog up a LOT. Like every time I need them to not fog up to be more precise.

If I was buying again I’d probably look at higher end Vortex or another brand.

I bought a set 9f 10x42 diamond backs this past season when my other Burris ones fogged up.
The Diamond Backs are clear and seem to work well. My friends have run Vortex binoculars for the past few years with no issues.

Although I don't recommend their scopes, I do recommend their binos and range finders.

10x42

8x42 diamondbacks...compact/light enough, clear enough, priced right

I went through the same situation and ended up reading through a lot of BIRDING reviews, as they really spend a lot of time behind good glass.

Ended up with a set of Nikon Monarchs in 8x42, as their price point was much better for a set of mid-high end ED Glass.

They are fantastic for me, but every eye is different

I have 10x42 Meopta Meostar pro hd binos. They are excellent glass. A bit heavier, but right up there with swaro for less than half the price.

This is what I use:

http://amzn.to/2HM70vs

They are amazing! So clear, rugged enough to handle being dropped and being through bush, Waterproof, fogproof and excellent eye relief. My eyes dont pull at all after a long day of glassing.