Binocular numbers, explained
What 8x42 and 10x42 actually tell you.
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The two numbers
Audubon explains that binoculars are described by two numbers, such as 8x42. The first is the magnification, how many times the view is enlarged. The second is the diameter of the objective lens, the lens at the wide end, in millimeters.
More power is not always better
Audubon says binoculars that magnify eight times also magnify the small movements of your hands eight times, and ten-power binoculars magnify them ten times. It says higher power also narrows the field of view and makes heat shimmer worse.
8x42 vs 10x42
Both have the same 42 mm objective lens. The 10x enlarges the view more. Per Audubon, higher power also magnifies hand movement and narrows the field of view.
Size and weight
Audubon says objectives larger than 42 mm get too big and heavy for most people to carry all day, and objectives under 30 mm are light but not bright enough in poor light.
FAQ
General information only. Hunting laws, seasons, licenses, and hunter orange rules are set by each state; check your state wildlife agency's current regulations before you hunt, and take the hunter education course your state offers. If you hunt from a tree stand, wear a full-body fall arrest harness system every time you leave the ground, including while climbing up and down, follow the Treestand Manufacturers Association's Treestand Safety Guidelines and the maker's instructions, and have a plan for rescue. Tell someone where you will be and when you will return. In an emergency, call 911.
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