Binocular comparison: What is the Best Selling One? How to choose binoculars for hunting, bird watching, events, nature, animal observations, safaris

 

In my research I’m going to compare the following configurations: 10×42 vs 8×42 and 10×42 vs 10×50. 8×21, 8×25, 8×32 vs 10×42 and 12×50.

I’ve tried many different types of binoculars and over time changed my opinion several times.

Now, after trying binoculars I want to share some of my thoughts to help you make better decision.

There is an opinion going around that 10×42 binocular configuration is the most selling one. Why most people choose this configuration?

There are many other configurations, such as 8×42, 10×50 or even 12×50. Is 10×42 really the most selling one?

Let’s do some research and start with statistics. This will give us a better insight.

The best and the most popular commerce site on the internet is Amazon.com.

I decided to check best selling binoculars (19 different models) and here is what I’ve found:

 

 

1. Bushnell Powerview Compact Folding Roof Prism Binocular, 8×21 and 10×25 – 2856 customer reviews

2. Bushnell H20 Waterproof Roof prism – 8×42 and 10×42 – 1097 customer reviews

3. Bushnell Falcon 10×50 – 1410 customer reviews

4. Bushnell Powerview, 10×50 – 1148 customer reviews

5. Bushnell Green Roof Trophy Binoculars, 10×42 – 344 customer reviews

6. Aurosports 10×25 Folding High Powered Binoculars – 1039 customer reviews

7. Wingspan Optics Spectator 8X32 Compact Binoculars – 1627 customer reviews

8. Skygenius 8×21 Small Compact Lightweight Binoculars – 864 customer reviews

9. Bushnell PermaFocus Porro Prism Binocular, 10×50 – 710 customer reviews

10. Nikon Aculon A211 10×42 Binoculars – 216 customer reviews

11. Nikon 7576 MONARCH 5 10×42 and 8×42 – 610 customer reviews

12. Wingspan Optics Skyview Ultra HD, 8×42 – 542 customer reviews

13. Celestron 71346 Outland X 8×42 – 665 customer reviews

14. SkyGenius 10×50 Powerful Full-Size Binoculars – 968 customer reviews

15. Gosky 10×42 Roof Prism Binoculars for Adults – 325 customer reviews

16. Wingspan Optics EagleScout 10X42 High Powered Binoculars – 1,627 customer reviews

17. Usogood 12X50 Binoculars for Adults – 140 customer reviews

18. BFULL Binoculars 12×50 Binoculars – 366 customer reviews

19. Nikon 7246 Action 12×50 EX Extreme All-Terrain – 71 customer reviews

 

 

Most selling binoculars are the following configurations:

 

8×21 – Total customer reviews: 2,292

8×32 – Total customer reviews: 1,627

8×42 – Total customer reviews: 2,005

10×42 – Total customer reviews: 3,365

10×25 – Total customer reviews: 2,467

10×50 – Total customer reviews: 4,236

12×50 – Total customer reviews: 577

 

 

Winners are these models:

10×50 – Total customer reviews: 4,236

10×42 – Total customer reviews: 3,365

10×25 – Total customer reviews: 2,467

8×21 – Total customer reviews: 2,292

8×42 – Total customer reviews: 2,005

8×32 – Total customer reviews: 1,627

 

I can’t say these statistics are 100% true but they are very close to real numbers. Because I did this research based on the numbers from Amazon.com.

Now we see most selling binoculars and let’s do some more research. Also, keep in mind that most selling binoculars on Amazon are cheap binoculars.

For most people it’s their first purchase. My opinion is different because I see binoculars from a different angle. I see them as a real user.

If I give recommendations it means they come from my experience with binoculars.

 

10×50

According to these numbers it looks like 10×50 configuration is the most selling one. But does it really mean most people prefer this model to other models?

I don’t think so. These numbers only prove that people buy this binocular configuration but we don’t know how they change their opinion after their purchase.

The only reason why most people prefer to buy 10×50 binoculars is because of larger lens that theoretically transmits more light and you get brighter image when looking through binoculars.

Binoculars with 50mm lens are a little heavier than 10×42 binoculars.

And there is no huge difference in the image quality compared to 10×42 model. 10×50 is definitely an excellent optical instrument but it’s not in my top list.

 

   Bushnell Powerview Falcon 10×50 Wide Angle Binoculars
– Wide field of view
– Magnification power 10x
– BK-7 prism
– 73% Customer satisfaction
– Price: $54.94

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Leupold BX-1 McKenzie 10×50 Binoculars
– Wide field of view
– Magnification power 10x
– BaK-4 prism
– 100% Customer satisfaction
– Price: $159.49

 

 

 

 

 

 

          Alpen Pro 10×50 Porro prism binocular is an excellent choice 

• Wide Angle (6.4 degrees field of view)
• BAK-4 Optics
• Long Eye Relief
• Fully Multi-Coated
• Price: $92,95

 

 

 

 

 

          Alpen Apex XP 10×50

• Waterproof
• Magnification power 10x
• High quality optics BAK-4
• PXA Phase Coating
• Customer satisfaction: Yes
• Price: $384,95

 

 

 

 

 

10×42

Next selling one is 10×42 configuration that comes after 10×50. From my experience I can tell I believe this configuration is the most selling one because it combines three main features:

• It is powerful
• It is lightweight
• It has a bright image

What else you need as a user? These features are the main decision making features in my opinion.

10×42 binoculars can be used almost everywhere. 10×42 can be used for hunting due to its powerful magnification.

It is good for bird watching due to its wide field of view, it is good for safari, for nature and animal observation.

But it is not the best configuration for theatre events. It is too big for that. For sporting events it is too big though.

 

  Carson 3D Series High Definition Binoculars 10×42
– Wide field of view
– Waterproof/Fogproof
– Magnification power 10x
– High quality optics BAK-4, ED glass roof prism
– 100% customer satisfaction
– Price: $256.91

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Carson VP Series Compact High Definition Binoculars 10×42
– Wide field of view
– Magnification power 10x
– BaK-4 prism
– Waterproof and Fogproof
– 92% Customer satisfaction
– Price: $155

 

 

 

 

 

  Vanguard Spirit ED Binocular 10×42
– Wide field of view
– Waterproof/Fogproof
– Magnification power 10x
– High quality optics BAK-4, ED glass roof prism
– 92% customer satisfaction
– Price: $159.95

 

 

 

 

10×25

Next selling one is 10×25 binocular that is high selling configuration and combines a number of features, such as:

• Powerful magnification
• Wide field of view
• Bright image
• Lightweight

This configuration has smaller lens which makes this set of binoculars very lightweight. Field of view is almost up to 6.5 degrees like most 10×42 binoculars.

This binocular can be very well used for sporting events, travel purposes, hiking, nature observation, for marine purposes, for general purposes.

 

  Carson VP Series Compact High Definition Binoculars 10×25
– Wide field of view
– Waterproof/Fogproof
– Magnification power 10x
– High quality optics BAK-4
– 82% customer satisfaction
– Price: $165

 

 

 

 

 

  Bushnell H2O Waterproof Compact Roof Prism Binocular 10×25
– Wide field of view
– Magnification power 10x
– Prism type: BAK4
– Waterproof and Fogproof
– Customer satisfaction: 76%
– Price: $56.89

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Vortex Optics Vanquish Reverse Porro Prism Binoculars 10×26
– Wide field of view
– Magnification power 10x
– High quality optics, porro prism
– 95% customer satisfaction
– Price: $129

 

 

 

8×21

Next selling one is 8×21 which is one of the very popular configurations. Due to lens size being only 21mm these binoculars are super compact.

You can use them for sporting events, bird watching, hiking, travel purposes, for theatre events, stadiums.

They are very lightweight and easy to carry and hold when looking through them.

Binoculars with magnification 8x have wider field of view than binoculars with magnification 10x.

 

  POLDR 8×21 Small Compact Lightweight Binoculars
– Wide field of view
– Magnification power 8x
– BaK-4 prism
– 82% of customers are happy with the quality of the product
– Price: $14.99

 

 

 

 

 

  Stinger HW-8×22 – BK-7 prism

– Wide field of view
– Magnification power 8x
– Customer satisfaction: Yes
– Price: $50

 

 

 

 

 

  Tracker TZ-8×21 – BK-7 prism

– Wide field of view
– Magnification power 8x
– Customer satisfaction: Yes
– Price: $30

 

 

 

 

8×42

Next selling configuration is 8×42. It has a number of advantageous over 10×42. It’s cheaper, gives better image stability, powerful and has wider field of view.

Due to lens size it may not be suitable for theatre or stadiums but excellent for bird watching, hiking, travel or marine purposes and nature observation.

 

  Vortex Optics Crossfire Roof Prism Binoculars, 8×42
– Wide field of view
– Magnification power 8x
– Fully multi-coated high quality optics
– 91% Customer satisfaction
– Price: $139

 

 

 

 

 

  Nikon Prostaff 3s Binocular 8×42
– Wide field of view
– Magnification power 8x
– Prism type: Lead and arsenic-free Eco-glass
– Customer satisfaction: 94%
– Price: $116.95

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Wingspan Optics Thunderbird Ultra HD – 8X42 Binoculars

– Wide field of view (Field of View: 420 feet at 1,000 yards, 8 degrees angle of view)
– Waterproof/Fogproof
– Magnification power 8x
– ED Glass
– 91% customer satisfaction
– Price: $249.92

 

 

 

8×32

Next one is 8×32 configuration. This one is comparatively compact and like 8×42 can be used at stadiums, for hiking, traveling, nature observation, animal observation, for bird watching.

It has a powerful magnification and wide field of view, wider than in 10x magnification binoculars.

 

 

  Wingspan Optics Willow UltraHD 8X32
– Wide field of view
– Magnification power 8x
– Extra-Low Dispersion ED Glass
– Waterproof, Fogproof
– 94% customer satisfaction
– Price: $97.92

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Vortex Optics Diamondback Roof Prism Binoculars 8×32
– Wide field of view
– Magnification power 8x
– High quality optics
– 93% of customers are happy with the quality of the product
– Price: $188.99

 

 

 

12×50

The last selling one is 12×50 which is not a winner but still one that is in demand. It’s good only for those that are looking for a powerful magnification.

This binocular is suitable for hiking, traveling, nature observation for short viewing sessions.

Because due to its lens size it’s a little heavier than binoculars with lens size up to 42. It’s a very specific configuration that is not suitable for everyone.

 

   Carson VP Series Compact High Definition Binoculars 12×50
– Wide field of view
– Magnification power 12x
– BaK-4 prism
– Waterproof and Fogproof
– 92% Customer satisfaction
– Price: $145.52

 

 

 

 

Levenhuk Karma PRO 12×50. High quality image. Waterproof/fogproof binoculars. Bak-4 roof prism optics. Fully multi coated lenses. Field of view, °: 4.7, Field of view, yds/1000 ft: 246

 

 

 

 

 

Final verdict on binocular configurations

Now I want to give my final verdict on different binocular configurations. It may be slightly different from what I’ve said above though.

For example, I said that 10×42 can used for animal observation or bird watching due its powerful magnification. It’s true for many bird watchers.

But if you plan to watch animals or birds for a long period of time then this configuration may not be the best choice due to its lens size.

That’s why my final verdict for binoculars is this:

 

8×21, 8×25, 8×32, 10×25, 10×32 Binoculars

8×21, 8×25, 8×32, 10×25 is the ideal choice for stadiums, sporting events, bird watching, animal observation.

Because for this purpose binoculars must be lightweight and easy to use for long viewing sessions.

These binoculars have an optimal lens size that makes them lightweight, they are powerful and have wide field of view.

 

8×40, 8×42 Binoculars

8×40, 8×42 binoculars have bigger lens size and suitable for hiking and traveling purposes. It doesn’t require long viewing at objects.

The main feature of magnification 8x binoculars is that they have a wider field of view than 10x binoculars.

 

10×42, 10×50, 12×50 Binoculars

10×42, 10×50, 12×50 is the ideal choice for hiking, traveling, marine purposes, nature observation.

These binoculars have more power and bring objects closer to you than 8x binoculars. They have narrower field of view than 8x binoculars.

They are recommended only if your main focus is magnification, not field of view.

If you plan to use binoculars during daytime then your main focus must be on binoculars with smaller lens size.

If you plan to use binoculars during evening time your main focus must be on binoculars with bigger lens size.

Smaller lens size means binoculars are lightweight. Bigger lens size means heavier binoculars.

 

Rule 1: If you plan to use binoculars during evening time then choose binoculars with lens size of 40mm, 42mm, 50mm. They transmit more light and image is brighter as a result.

Rule 2: If you plan to use binoculars during daytime then choose binoculars with lens size of 21mm, 25mm, 32mm.

 

Binoculars with lens size up to 32mm (21mm, 25mm, 32mm) and magnification 8x:

• 8×21
• 8×25
• 8×32
• 10×25
• 10×32

 

They are:

• Cheaper
• Have a wide field of view
• Have better image stability

 

 

Binoculars with lens size up to 50mm (40mm, 42mm, 50mm) and magnification 10x:

• 10×40
• 10×42
• 10×50
• 12×50

 

They are:

• More expensive
• Have narrower field of view
• Have less image stability

 

If you still not sure which one to choose send me a message and I will be happy to help you choose the right binoculars.

Otherwise leave your comment below and I will respond shortly.