Does it make sense having a 10x32 and a 10x42 of the same type? (1 Viewer)

[SanderBird82]

This is a difficult to answer question. It not only involves real life conditions but also psychology. Generally I like to use x10 power to see a big picture but in real world conditions x10 dose not have a big advantage over x8 for detail recognition (for me). So I think my favour for x10 power is mostly psychological.

I usually tend to pick my NL 10x32 over 8x42 because of the small size and the x10 power. It is also newly acquired. For me NL 8x42 has less glare, easy eye box compared to the 10x32. Maybe I was got used to it for a long time. NL 10x32 offers easy handling.

I think in most of the cases having a 8x32 and 10x42 makes sense considering exit pupil sizes. According to my experience 4mm is a good size. For me going from 4mm to 5mm does not give a huge advantage. However with the big FOV and the fore head rest to stabilize NL 10x42 can be the only binoculars for one. It can also be coupled with Curio 7x21 for more versatility.

The reason for me to have NL 8x42 and NL 10x32 purely the circumstances occurred. I wanted to buy an NL 10x42 but at the shop decided to go with NL 8x42 after a comparison with both. That time I thought to have only one pair of binoculars. Since it is my first pair of Alfa binoculars and there is a history associated with it, I didn’t want to sell it and bought NL 10x32 for mag difference and easy handling.

I also think buying an NL 8x32/42 and an NL 12x42 makes more sense. However for the time being I am not convinced to buy an NL 12x42 due to limited budget and having Canon 12x36 IS mitigates the need of an NL12x42 to some extent.

Now in English. Haha sorry (didnt realize i was writing in Dutch)

I understand people go for 8x42 (5.2 ER) and 10x32 when they use it during the day.

I also use 8x42 in forests.
10x32 (if I had) use this during the day in open terrain. So why not x32

I wish a can but a 12x42 NL Pure in future. But I am not sure if I could hold it stady

 

[Trinovid]

I wish a can but a 12x42 NL Pure in future. But I am not sure if I could hold it stady

There's at least one member who would tell you that 12x is impossible to hold steady or even lift up for any period of time, but I'm sure you'd find them pretty enjoyable. Myself and many other members here definitely enjoy the 12x and I'm probably going to get another someday in addition to the one I've already got.

 

[Paultricounty]

I think it makes a lot of sense, and for similar reasons one would have other magnifications with different objective sizes. Speaking for the 10x, the 30/32 would do everything the 40/42 would do in good lighting and, have the benefits of being smaller and lighter. The 40/42 will be superior in lower lighting conditions. I generally chose the binoculars size and magnification based on what I’m going to be observing and the current conditions or the conditions expected by the time I’ll be glassing.

You may favor 10x bins so having two or more makes perfect sense to me, as long as your comfortable with the EP. On beautiful sunny days my choices are usually 7x-10x30/32/35, especially if I’m going to be spending a good amount of time walking or hiking. All that being said 40/42’s are my overall favorite configuration.

 

[LucaPCP]

Hi,

I have the swaro NL 10x32 and love it, but it doesn't shine in lowlight and has glare. So I was wondering how the NL 10x42 would perform and found a really good deal. I bought it and I love the NL 10x42 as well!
But since I am still in love with the NL 10x32, I find it hard to let it go. Actually, I can't decide which one I want to keep. I like 10 power. It's my favourite magnification. So I do not want to swap one for a 8x or 12x either.

Do others have a 10x32 and a 10x42 or a 8x32 and 8x42 of the same type and actually use them both? What are your thoughts?
If I want the best of the best and weight isn't an issue, I will take the 10x42. If I do like to carry a lighter one and I use it in bright daylight, I will take the 10x32. So it makes sense, doesn't it?
My wallet doesn't like this idea, but my heart does.

I have the Leica UVHD+ in both 10x42 and 10x32. I love, love the 10x42. I have a much less comfortable view with the 10x32. So much so that I am considering selling them. They are perfect, crisp, etc, but I just prefer either the 8x32 or the 10x42. Evidently I need 4mm for comfort viewing.

 

[edwincjones]

I think what makes sense depends on your preferences and what works for your observing goals.
I can answer that for me, but I cannot for you.

For me
8x42 is by far my best for all around, but 8x32 better for longer hikes/useage
10x is too much for me to hold steady, 6X better for closed in wooded areas.
A higher mag IS works for distant large birds, my other optics for those specialized nitches .

For you
if 10x32 and 10x42 works-great

edj

 

[GrampaTom]

Me to. My 2 cents. No. Can only practically carry/use one bino at a time. Hard to predict which one works here or there in this place, this day. For me without scope on board its a 10. As my one and only for the day, thats a 1042. I use RYO, that minimizes carry issue. A wee bit more light gathering may help with light conditions that vary that day. With scope, the 832 is preferred and its not just a weight thing. Its smaller bulk and again the RYO help keep it out of the way and secure from scope. The 8x mag is no issue as the scope takes up the slack. The wider FOV helps to find targets and provides context to help locate in scope with its much narrower FOV, when switching over. 1032 AND 1042 seems redundant. Money tied up for what advantage?

 

[edwincjones]

1032 AND 1042 seems redundant. Money tied up for what advantage?

??? 1042 his ideal optic, but sometimes they get heavy on the neck
and would like to protect neck with something lighter ???

How many of us have 8x42s and also 8x32s?
edj

 

[GrampaTom]

??? 1042 his ideal optic, but sometimes they get heavy on the neck
and would like to protect neck with something lighter ???

How many of us have 8x42s and also 8x32s?
edj

Why not protect neck with a different approach to how one carries? RYO for instance. My 5'3" birding partner acknowledges 1042s are heavier than 832s, but also says not a big problem, (with RYO on either).

Not sure importance of how many of us have 842s and 832s. Many here are bino collectors. If OP is one then heck yes, go ahead buy em all.

No doubt a 1032 will be easier on neck even with a harness. If one can choose weather and time of day so that EP is no issue and for most it prolly isn't, why buy a 1042 as well though?

 

[GrampaTom]

If you bird mostly in the daytime, the 10x32 would be preferred because it is lighter and smaller, and you won't notice a difference in brightness. The 10x42 will only give you about 10 more minutes of time to bird at dawn and dusk, and there is not a huge difference in eye placement comfort between the two. If you had to pick one, I would without a doubt get the 10x32 for it's lighter weight and compactness unless you are doing a lot of low light birding and under canopy in a rain forest.

Even then, there will not a lot of difference in performance between the two. For a birder, there is actually very little reason to buy a 10x42 if you have a 10x32. Hunting would be different because that 15 minutes at dawn and dusk can be an important time to spot game and often times a hunter uses a tripod to glass for game anyway and weight wouldn't be a consideration.

An often stated opinion Dennis. I wonder what you see, when the weather is iffy, clouds rolling in and out, things in shadow and NOT the last 10- 20 mins of the day? Or what happens when you're trying to catch the Ridgway Rail scurrying along under a marsh grass over hang, at mid tide against a mud flat? My 42s are better than my 25s in those circumstances. For Kicks and giggles, (maybe because of the opinions Ive often read here) Ive looked out from my apartment, which is down in a bit of a hollow with the 5 story Kaiser wall 40 yards away and compared what I saw as the sun moved about throughout the day. In dim light, shadows, 42s have the edge. Its not just 10 mins on either end of the day.

 

[Patudo]

I'm not such a fan of 10x32 and don't own that format, but do have 10x40/42 and 10x50 for similar reasons - 10x40/42 more portable, easier to handle; 10x50 offers greater viewing comfort and in general just a nicer viewing experience, but at the cost of greater weight and size. 10x50 is more of a luxury, if I had to choose one it would definitely be the 10x42. But I'm glad to have the choice.

I have 8x42 and 8x32 but find myself much preferring the former these days (when using 8x). I probably should sell the 8x32 FL, but whenever I use it I just think it's so handy, as well as being really sharp and bright. It's a brilliant 8x32, I just use it so little. It wasn't always so (in the past I had a great viewpoint where the birds often came closer), but I think probably 75% of my viewing now is with 10x40/42, 10% to maybe 15% with 12x50 and the remaining 5-10% split up amongst all the rest.

 

[GrampaTom]

You're comparing a 25mm to a 42mm. Big difference there. There is very little difference in optical performance between a 8x32 and a 8x42 or a 10x32 and 10x42 even in low light, especially an alpha level binocular with high transmission like the NL.

Agree 3.125 vs 4.2 is different than 32 vs 42. Still conditions right(or maybe one thinks wrong), bet there’s a diff. Since the extra EP is along for the ride, (yes I get we’re talking 4 possibilities), the last argument becomes along for the ride at what price. A half pound extra carried with factory supplied strap around neck is an issue. With A good harness the free ride for EP, in my case extra 2X and ease of getting on view is just that.

 

[GrampaTom]

I’m hiking. Thinking though. I believe it’s the case of the “big 4”, aka 1042, 842, 832, 1032, the 1032 is least popular. Back to your last, the 825’s EP is indeed 3.125, but that 1032, your flavor of the day, has an EP of 3.2. That’s a difference that prolly doesn’t matter much. But does suggest my experience with 825 vs 1042 does in the conditions described.

 

[Viraj]

I believe it’s the case of the “big 4”, aka 1042, 842, 832, 1032, the 1032 is least popular.

I am afraid this is not always the case. Personally I prefer my 10x32s over other three formats you mentioned for most of the times. I know a few here in BF dose the same. As far as I remember, @jackjack mentioned NL 10x32 is the most popular choice among birders in South Korea.

Back to your last, the 825’s EP is indeed 3.125, but that 1032, your flavor of the day, has an EP of 3.2. That’s a difference that prolly doesn’t matter much.

Unfortunately, there is a difference in the power between VP 8x25 and NL 10x32. So it is not only the EP.

I don’t have experience about EL 10x42, but NL 10x32 doesn’t loose so much low light performance to Habicht 10x40 or SFL 10x40. However this is only my experience.

 

[SanderBird82]

Is it useful to get a 10x32 if i already have an 8x42 NL Pure and a Zeiss Victory Pocket 8x25

Or maybe too close for the money?

 

[SanderBird82]

Unless you want to see a little more detail, I would stick with your 8x's. A 8x has a bigger FOV, better DOF, they are brighter, and they are steadier which actually makes your resolution almost equal to a 10x. You have a good combination there with the NL and the Victory. If you were going to try a 10x, I would buy a Zeiss Victory 10x25 or Zeiss Conquest HD 10x32 and if you didn't like it you could return it. I prefer 8x unless the 10x is stabilized. I shake too much with 10x, but others are different.

I agree to stick with the 8x

Or maybe try 12x42 NL Pure. But i dont know of i could hold it stady. And if i really need it.

I tried a 10x42 once ( a cheap one). And i could not see much difference in magnification.
I and didnt like the shaking.

 

[Maljunulo]

I dumped a 10X42 EL SV (2014) to take up with an 8X32 SF. (2020)

The SF beats the EL SV at most everything. Without getting dragged into endless circular discussion of what "better" means, the SF shows me a much better image by far than the EL did.

 

[oldfortyfive]

I have both an EL 8x and 10x 32. Seemed like a good idea at the time . Both get used, but mostly the 8x.

 

[edwincjones]

Seemed like a good idea at the time

I have had that thought many a time

edj

 

[GrampaTom]

I dumped a 10X42 EL SV (2014) to take up with an 8X32 SF. (2020)

The SF beats the EL SV at most everything. Without getting dragged into endless circular discussion of what "better" means, the SF shows me a much better image by far than the EL did.

MMDV
I bought my EL, short focus 1042, summer of 2020, apparently just as you were dumping yours. I then 2 years later, after spending a year doing my usual over the top shopping (something I enjoy), comparing the SF and NL 832s, bought an NL. I bought it specifically after buying a scope as a better compliment to it. Yes its smaller, but the spectacular more open views, helps find targets for the scope. As well it takes care of the stuff in close that hides in cattails, etc. too close for the scope. For places where scope is essential, the 832 is its lovely compliment. When no scope is needed, I grab the EL 1042s and go. These serve two different purposes. The extra 2X is highly appreciated for me for those days. Central optical quality is awesome and similar. The narrower FOV of the 10s has never been an issue in those places. Re your choice and mine, I preferred the NL over the SF 832. I would not though then say the NL is better than EL at most everything.

Suspect this comes down to how and where we bird. Would love to know more about that for you Richard, might help us understand your choice?

 

[Jason Bugay Reyes]

Hi,

I have the swaro NL 10x32 and love it, but it doesn't shine in lowlight and has glare. So I was wondering how the NL 10x42 would perform and found a really good deal. I bought it and I love the NL 10x42 as well!
But since I am still in love with the NL 10x32, I find it hard to let it go. Actually, I can't decide which one I want to keep. I like 10 power. It's my favourite magnification. So I do not want to swap one for a 8x or 12x either.

Do others have a 10x32 and a 10x42 or a 8x32 and 8x42 of the same type and actually use them both? What are your thoughts?
If I want the best of the best and weight isn't an issue, I will take the 10x42. If I do like to carry a lighter one and I use it in bright daylight, I will take the 10x32. So it makes sense, doesn't it?
My wallet doesn't like this idea, but my heart does.

Why not try the NL 12x42?