I have always used 10x binoculars for all my hunting but have recently read a few articles of guys switching to 12x for their main binoculars and only carrying those and a spotter. I’m not worried about the little bit of extra weight the 12x will have but maybe a little concerned when using them for archery when under 80 yard if the 12x will be too much?
Any of you have experience with 12x and what’s your thoughts?
No personal experience.
I would think that if you were not carrying a spotter that 12x could be beneficial. But if you are carrying a spotter then I would think 10x would be better. That way you’re covering both ends of the spectrum
I have primarily used vortex viper hd 10x42 binos they are great imo. I just purchased vortex razor hd 12x50 i have no reservation using these as my primary binos I hunt in western washington so dense forests lots of brush. Detail for me at 100 and less was amazing at 30yds i looked at a squirrel the detail was awesome. Im happy with the upgrade
I have a pair of Sig Sauer Zulu 9 15x56. And they are great! I typically carry them and found them, not to over powering and literally could just pull them up and glass free hand for short periods. Currently have them for sale as I bought the Leica Geovid Pros… and need to help recoup my investment in them. These ones are the Japanese made ones If anyone is interested $700
It all depends where you’re hunting. I hunt southern Utah and carry 12s and a spotter. I do all my glassing with the 12s on a tripod and when I find something I want to get a better look at I throw on the spotter to confirm what caliber buck or bull. Where are you hunting?
I also hunt southern utah. I love the idea of them for long glassing my worry is when I get in close if they are too much. How do you like them once you close the distance on game?
I’ve never had an issue or wished I had smaller binos when I’m close.
I started with 12’s, then switched to 10’s, then switched to 8’s and have never looked back. If you dig into the rokslide folks who really know their stuff you’ll find that 100% of them are using 8’s (unless they go for the NL pure, then they go 10’s). The tldr is that binos are for locating game and for locating your FOV is king so less mag and more fov is best. Once you’ve located game then switch to a spotter, or since I don’t want to carry a spotter either, I get closer, digiscope through my binos, or try to look with my rifle scope since it has 15x and good glass. I would fire sure encourage you to go for the 8’s.
I’m torn between 10x and 12x binos. I used to really like 10x but lately I’ve been moving more toward 12. Sometimes there are elk or deer at over a mile and I miss them at 10x but a friend using 12x can spot them easily. But the 12 does require you to get more stable or use stabilization.
How common would it be in western hunting to have two binos? An 8 or 10 x42 and then a 15x56 for glassing off a tripod? Obviously wouldn’t carry both at once but depending on where you’re hunting that day leave one at camp or in the truck…
I know some people, myself included, use 18x instead of a spotting scope. Its a trade off, binos are lighter and cheaper but you can’t zoomie all the way in an count tines like you would with a spotter.
I have been using 12x for all my bino needs for a few years. Even like under 40 yard archery hunting scenarios in tree stands. Love them.
I know lots of people who pack 15s in their pack and wear 10s or 12s on the chest. If you’re trying to glass far during the heat of the day in thick stuff 8s or 10s don’t work like 15s do. Having different ones and knowing where you’ll be glassing makes a big difference what you bring that day. Everyone’s hunting style is different tho.
I had been using 10x42 binos recently purchased Vortex Razor HD 12x50 binos and man they are money. The 10x42’s will be my truck pair and backup. Im in Western Wa btw.
Interesting from my perspective reading this thread, as I guess the US style of hunting is driven by geography too and the kit needed, is determined by that too?
Here in the UK or parts of Europe the binos are a key piece of equipment, as a lot of deer stalking is undertaken on foot and shots are generally well under 300 yards….with that figure usually being mainly reserved for open hillside shooting in Scotland European Highlands in Spain etc.
Due to the limited distances, x8 or x10 magnification is more than enough.
I use Kahles LRF binos in 10x42. Good for the types of stalking I do - mainly in woodland and open farmland. A thermal handheld monocular is also a key part of my kit, and extremely useful to use to identify a potential cull animal ahead of observation with the binos.
Is the use of thermal a common occurrence in the US?
I seen most thermal use for predator hunting like coyotes or hogs, not very much for big game
I carry a Hik Micro 35mm thermal monocular. on every outing. Use it at night for fox and rabbits and day for deer management. Currently, Fallow and Roe Does in season and the UK is coming out of winter and foliage is minimal so really useful at first and last light. Summer its main advantage is spotting Roe Bucks in high grass/crops. Most regular stalkers over here carry a thermal handheld.
It is illegal in most the states in the west and in Utah it is illegal to possess a thermal in the field about a month before the first big game hunt starts and not till the last hunt of the season is over. So you can’t use one from the beginning of Aug to around the end of January. If you’re caught with one you’ll get in a lot of trouble.
Sounds constitutional…
