8X or 10X BINOS for Hogs and Other Woods Hunting....What's Your Preference?

[Nala]

Hey all,

I have a set of great 10X Pentax DCF HRII binos that I have barely used.  They are a bit too heavy for my neck and upper back due to a medical condition I inherited.

So...I have been toying with the idea of selling mine and getting a new set of nice BINOS.  I would not want to spend more than $250-300 or so.

Here's one of the things I need to figure out before I embark on anything about getting new or a good USED set of Binos......I need to figure out what power to get, 8X or 10X like I have now.

I normally like to have more magnification, but as you know, there is no free lunch.  With more magnification it cuts down on your field of view and you notice the shakes more.  A light set of good 10X binos cost BIG money, like the Leica, Zeiss, Steiner and some of the Nikon binos do.  I can't spend that much on BINOS.

Now for the immediate future I am going to be hunting hogs in east Texas, likely in Sam Houston National Forest or other public lands.  Most of these lands are heavily forested and lots of undergrowth.  I can definitely see the benefits of going down to 8X in that kind of environment.

If I did go to an 8X, I would likely also drop down in the objective lens as well to cut the weight and bulk.

I'd like to know what you all think about what the best magnification is for a hunting binocular.  What do you use when you hunt in the woods?  Also, if you want to mention some brnads or models of BINOS that you have had great results with, feel free.  I haven't looked at BINOS for a long time so I am rusty as to what makes up good sets these days, phase coating, BAK4, and so on is what I am talking about.

Any info you care to share would be appreciated.

Thanks for your time and help.
Larry

[Crittergetter]

8x,  10 can be a little to much for hunting in the timber imo

[Longtoke]

hmm for that price range I would go with  vortex 8x42

[Fletcher]

10's are ok if you are sitting and spotting, but for a carry glass, 8 would be my max.  I have 7x and it has always been enough for me.

[ChuckC]

In the eastern woods, don't discount even 6x.  I think Vortex makes a great 6x 32 or 36.

[Friend]

8X has been more than I have required.

[achigan]

Thom from Wild Things uses 6x for the thick stuff in South Carolina. I just bought the 8x42 Nikons. I hunt open woodlands mainly and hope they aren't too much for my trip to WT next year.

8X for me, but i use them more for 3D shoots than hunting.

Bisch

[smokin joe]

I like the 6x Leupold Yosemite. In the thick eastern country the binocs are rarely needed for long distance, rather they are needed for figuring out what I think I am seeing or looking at over shorter distances.

[Ryan Rothhaar]

Do yourself a favor and take a look at Bushnell Elite Custom Compacts in the 7X26 size - often sold as the "birding series".  Dad has used the old school custom compacts for 50 years, and I'm going on 30 years total with mine, across 2 pairs - one old school, and one "elite" birding series that I've had for close to 20 yrs.  I've tried a few others over the years and keep coming back to the CC's.  I've outglassed guys several times with some really high dollar glass (a couple of the real top end brands you mentioned) - even on longer range glassing - these aren't what you are thinking of as "Bushnell".  They are small enough to be where you need them too - not in the truck console or wearing out your neck.  I carry mine on a longer string, over one shoulder and under my right arm, so they are out of the way...you don't even know they are there.

I've used these all over the US and up North and haven't found a need for more for me.  I'm not trying to score a caribou 2 miles away to within 5 inches...I want to know "big enough" or "not"    .

I bought a backup pair a couple years ago in case my old ones get broken - I think I paid around 280 online - shop around.

R

[Dan bree]

Check out the vortex glasses. Love mine

[Bob B.]

I guess I am like lots of the other posters, I utilize my Vortex (Viper) 6 X 32 in the woods for deer - would be great for hogs - wide view, great in the timber and super for low light conditions.  I have never felt "under glassed" with the 6 power.  If I were out west, I would use something else.  Seriously, the 6 power 32 mm objective is a lot of glass for using in the woods.  Vortex is outstanding for clarity, definition, field of view and low light use.

Bob.

[GRAYBEARD]

For woods and swamp, like others, I go with 6x. Field of view suffers with higher magnification. Vortex is a good value for the money.

[Sam McMichael]

In most of the eastern woodland area, I think 4X or at most 6X would be good. I can think of a few places more power might be useful but not many. Personally, I usually don't use them at all, as most of my stands are very short range affairs in some thick places.

[ron w]

I have 8X40 Steiners.......they have been excellent from the high country of Colorado to wood lots in the northeast to the swamps with Ray Hammond in South Carolina.

[elkken]

If you are truly hunting " the woods " 6X should be more than enough. This year I bought a pair of Nikon Monarch 8x36's in the classifieds and found them to be great little bino's ... very light weight compared to my 8x42 Vortex and I was amazed at their field of view. You can wear them around your neck and not even notice them.

Very affordable, even brand new ones. I was very pleasantly surprised.

[Terry Green]

8 is a great all-around choice east ...west....and in Texas ....it will cover them all

[Yellow Dog]

Get your hands on a used set of Steiner 6X30. You won't be disappointed.

[Brock]

dont discount the Vortex brand...I got my first pair and have not missed my Leupolds yet.  

[ISP 5353]

8X Steiners have worked well for me for almost 20 years of woodland hunting.