10x42 or 10x50

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derekp1999
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10x42 or 10x50

Post by derekp1999 » Tue Aug 09, 2011 11:55 am

Just curious... my next purchase will be new binos and just want to know if I'd get a noticeable increase in image brightness with the 10x50's over 10x42s.
I currently have 16x50s and they are brutal to look thru and hold still (I get motion sick & can't look thru them for more than a minute at a time), plus the low light image is terrible. The last two deer I've taken were 10 minutes after legal shooting light in the morning and 10 minutes to the end of legal shooting light in the evening, so my biggest selling point is going to be the low light image. Any recommendations for a budget under $400 will be greatly appreciated (after reading some other threads I'm leaning towards Vortex Diamondbacks... but I could be swayed).
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MuleyMadness
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Re: 10x42 or 10x50

Post by MuleyMadness » Tue Aug 09, 2011 12:09 pm

Yes I think there is a noticeable difference, but not drastic if that makes sense. I have a pair of 10x42 Razor Vortex and love them. That's a good choice your considering IMO.

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Re: 10x42 or 10x50

Post by waspocrew » Thu Aug 11, 2011 9:25 am

I would say the 50's would let in more light, but that also depends on the quality of the glass. I had a BSA contender with a 50mm bell on the front and it was horrible in low light conditions. I have since upgraded to a Nikon Monarch with a 42mm objective and the difference is like night and day. I would imagine that binos would be the same. Spend some time researching and reading reviews. Don't skimp, buy the best pair that you can afford with your budget.

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TheHardWay
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Re: 10x42 or 10x50

Post by TheHardWay » Sat Aug 13, 2011 7:40 am

I have some Swaro 10x42s and 10x50s. Side by side I can't tell a difference in brightness when the light is good. Just a difference in FOV. In lower light, I can make out a little bit of a difference when comparing them side by side, but it isn't much. Does that little bit of extra light gathering warrant the extra size and weight? To some it does, but it comes down to personal preference.

*edit*
Sorry, didn't see where you stated your price range. However, I think my post still holds true for comparing two sets of binos from the same manufacturer with different objective sizes.

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