Best 8×42 Binoculars
In this guide you will find what I consider to be the best 8×42 binoculars today, remember that the numbering 8×42 that comes with the binoculars is related to the magnification capacity of the images and the aperture of the objective respectively.
In this case, we are talking about binoculars capable of magnifying up to 8 times the actual size of the objects and with an objective aperture of 42 mm, which allows you to observe images with great clarity and sharpness, without distortion or loss of colour.
Learn how to choose your 8×42 binoculars and experience the high quality of magnification to make hunting observations with a very good image sharpness.
All the binoculars included in this guide have a professional feature that allows you to focus on moving objects or animals and additional features to better capture the view, ensuring you get the best 8×42 binoculars on the market.
8×42 Binoculars Comparison
| Ranking | Name | Best Feature | Current Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nikon BAA811SA 8×42 | Wide field of view | ||
| Bushnell H2O 8×42 | Equipped with an easy-to-use central focusing knob that allows you to adjust the image to the perfect focus for a well-defined image. | ||
| Celestron Outland X 8×42 | Central focusing mechanism and sizing | ||
| Olympus 8x40 DPSI | Ultraviolet rays protection | ||
| Vanguard Endeavor ED 8420 | Reduces eye strain |
8×42 Binoculars Review
To make it easier for you to choose your binoculars among the great variety on the market, here is my recommendation of top 5 of the best 8×42 binoculars on the market today.
1) Nikon BAA811SA 8×42- Top Rated 8×42 Binoculars
User ratings are an important aspect when shopping online, that’s why I decided to start this list with the 8×42 binoculars with the best ratings from the buyers and my most favorite one.
These are the Nikon BAA811SA 8×42, porro-type binoculars with a large objective lens diameter that allows you to get a much wider field of view and better light gathering.
These binoculars are designed with BaK-4 prisms, which guarantee a higher brightness and sharpness, and therefore a much better image quality.
The lenses of the Nikon BAA811SA 8×42 are equipped with multi-layer coating and aspherical objectives, thanks to which you will be able to observe images with greater clarity and very well defined, decreasing the distortions of the edges.
It offers a large, clear, sharp and wide field of view that allows you to see sharp images, with the help of its aspherical lenses coated with multi-coated lenses that reduce distortion, to give you the best view.
It is highly resistant with its rubber finishings that prevent damage from knocks, as well as the comfort it offers for an easy grip. It also gives you the possibility to place it on a fixed point with its tripod adapter.
Features of Nikon BAA811SA 8×42 Binoculars
- They have a rubber coating, which makes them impact and shock resistant, thus providing you with a much more comfortable and secure grip.
- Adjustable rubber eyepiece protectors, making it easier to position your eyes when observing.
- Adaptable to tripod
- Porro type binoculars
- BaK-4 prisms for high brightness
Now let’s take a look at the pros and cons of these binoculars.
This binoculars is definitely a good purchase option that you should consider and I highly recommend.
2) Bushnell H2O 8×42 – Waterproof Binoculars
The second on the list are from the renowned brand Bushnell, these are binoculars with BaK-4 prisms that give you a brighter, sharper and cleaner view.
The Bushnell H2O 8×42 has a multi-coated optic, which facilitates the transmission of light, which therefore improves the quality of the images that you can perceive with these binoculars.
Something that I particularly love about these binoculars is that they are waterproof, this is due to the watertight sealing and nitrogen filling that ensures that no water enters the equipment and prevents fogging of the crystals. In other words, we’re talking about binoculars that are ideal even in wet or rainy weather.
Features of Bushnell H2O 8×42 Binoculars
- The Bushnell H2O 8×42 are equipped with an easy-to-use central focusing knob that allows you to adjust the image to the perfect focus for a well-defined image.
- The minimum distance for good focus is 5.5 metres and they feature a wide 62.5 degree angle of view.
- The housing of these binoculars has a non-slip rubber coating, which gives it the ability to withstand bumps and drops and ensures a better grip.
- If you are going to use them for a long time or for convenience, they can be attached to a tripod.
- This binocular generates bright, crisp, clear views with its multi-coated optics for excellent light transmission.
- It’s also waterproof to make sure you can use it in any weather, as well as anti-fogging.
- This binocular comes in different sizes.
- It is rubber lined to prevent knocks and bumps from damaging the binocular, which means durability and comfort of use, as well as the tripod adapter so you can place it on a fixed point when camping, with a central focusing system.
Let’s look at the pros and cons of this model:
3) Celestron Outland X 8×42 – Cheap 8×42 Binoculars
Although in general, the 8×42 binoculars belonging to this list of the best, have a fairly affordable price, there is always one that stands out for being the lowest priced, this is the case of the Celestron Outland X 8×42, which are the cheapest on this list.
These roof prism BaK-4 binoculars are designed to meet the needs of those who enjoy outdoor observation.
These binoculars feature multi-coated optics, which give you excellent quality images and are able to faithfully reproduce their true colour.
One thing I can’t stop myself from mentioning is that despite their low price, the Celestron Outland X 8×42 are waterproof, so you can use them in wet weather with complete confidence that they won’t suffer any damage.
For focusing, they feature an easy-to-use mechanism that allows you to adjust the focus of the image, as well as retractable eyepiece tubes that allow you to position them in the most comfortable way for you, even if you are wearing glasses.
Finally, to ensure the durability of the equipment, the Celestron Outland X 8×42 features a waterproof and shockproof rubber-coated housing.
Here is a small summary of the features this binoculars offer:
Features of Celestron Outland X 8×42 Binoculars
- Binocular type: roof
- Minimum focusing distance: 6m
- Magnification: x8
- Angular field of view: 6.8°.
- Weight: 907 g
- BaK-4 Prisms: Yes
- Central focusing mechanism and sizing
Let’s look at the pros and cons of this affordable binocular
4) Olympus 8×40 DPSI
Contains a high quality rugged exterior for outdoor activities with a 65-degree wide-angle field of view that allows you to observe nature with precision, with which you also see with 8X magnification.
It protects your vision from ultraviolet rays produced by the sun, making it a great ally for observing at any time of the day.
Thanks to its image brightness, you can see moving targets without any problems.
Check out the offers on this binoculars on Amazon, using the link below.
5) Vanguard Endeavor ED 8420
Anti-reflective coating allows you to use this 8×42 binocular in full sunlight without affecting image quality and reduces eye strain for greater comfort.
Within its ergonomic design it offers greater sharpness and clarity with optimum light transmission with a large central focusing wheel and is waterproof and resistant to any shocks.
Check the price and availability of these binoculars on Amazon, using the link below.
What To Consider Before Buying 8×42 Binoculars?
Before you make your binocular purchase, there are some things you should not forget to consider to make sure you make a wise purchase, here are some of them:
- First of all, the use you are going to give to the binoculars, this way you will know which ones have the right features for you.
- The type of prisms, to make sure that the images you get are of the level of quality you are looking for.
- The coating of the lenses, as this will guarantee you a better image quality.
- The size and weight, which goes hand in hand with how you want to use your binoculars.
- The budget, one of the most important aspects because having it defined will help you to know in advance which binoculars will be affordable.
What Is the Price of an 8×42 Binocular?
To buy an 8×42 binoculars, as you can imagine there is a great variety of prices, depending on the features and the brand of the equipment, this price can be higher or cheaper.
But the best thing to do is to see for yourself, you can visit the Amazon link at the end of each binocular i reviewed in this guide, so you know their price and decide which one you will buy.
Tips for Choosing the Right Size Binoculars for Your Needs
To know which 8×42 binocular to buy you should take into account some recommendations, such as the different models and features of each one:
Materials
To have very good image quality, you should opt for binoculars that have glass mineral optics, which we can get two types: BK-17 borosilicate and BAK-4 barium, the latter is the highest quality that gives sharper and more contrasted images.
Optics
This is about lens coatings and premium anti-reflective coatings can have different treatments: partial coating with low quality, full coating with 80% light transmission, several layers of coatings with acceptable results and multi-layer coating with 90-95% light transmission.
Field of View
This is the determined area covered by our vision, being the width of the visible area per 1000m, the larger the field of view the easier it will be to locate objects and the more useful it will be to focus on moving objects, it is also related to the level of magnification.
Image Quality
This aspect is the one that is in charge of giving you the sharpness that you need to be able to observe in a complete way, besides it goes together with the level of magnification and the size of the lens, the bigger the contrast, the better you will visualize the image.
Minimum Focus Distance
This point is important and the shorter the focus distance the more field of view it offers, however if you need a longer view then you should opt for longer distances, this depends on the use you want to make of it.
How Much Money Should I Spend on My Binoculars?
Knowing how much money you should spend is important because it determines the durability of the product and ensures you can buy the best value for money 8×42 binoculars.
Cheapest 8×42 Binoculars (less than $100) – These are the most basic binoculars with little potential and low image quality, not bad, but more limited uses, especially for beginners in the field.
Better quality 8×42 binoculars (over $100) – These offer better image resolution as well as uses and image quality, in addition to being durable they have the highest level of magnification and provide different potentialities to improve performance.
What Sizes of Binoculars Can You Find?
With binoculars it all depends on what you need and these standards depend on the diameter of the optics and the magnification level, which can vary and knowing which ones you can find can help you know how to choose the right binoculars for you.
7×50 Binoculars: Wide and stable image, works for tracking boats, buoys and bridges etc, especially for nautical uses, they are usually waterproof for safety.
8×42 Binoculars: Perfect for hunters who need to be able to see long distances and sometimes use rangefinders for distance and night vision.
10×50 Binoculars: A long range and also provides a sharp, bright image and good contrast, often at night and especially for long distance viewing such as landscapes or even astronomy basics.
20×50 Binoculars: The image is very sharp but you will be able to see even more, with its great definition in different fields but especially for astronomy because it allows you to see in depth.
Conclusions and Which 8×42 Binoculars To Buy?
If you’ve made it this far, you probably already know which of the best 8×42 binoculars you want to have with you, but if you don’t, don’t worry, let’s go over a bit of what stands out about each of them, so you can decide on the ideal ones for you.
For the Outdoors
If you want 8×42 binoculars that can withstand adverse weather conditions, I would recommend the Bushnell H2O 8×42 Binoculars which besides being from one of the most popular brands, they are waterproof, which guarantees you good observation in rainy weather without running the risk of getting damaged.
The Best Brand
In case you prefer to have the most popular 8×42 binoculars, then you should get the Nikon BAA811SA 8×42 Binoculars, which have very good features, are also from a prestigious brand as far as optical equipment is concerned and are the best rated by users.
The Cheapest
If you are looking for cheap 8×42 binoculars, then you should buy the Celestron Outland X 8×42 Binoculars, which are the cheapest of the guide, but still maintain good quality standards, which guarantees you to have good binoculars in your hands.
Hopefully with all this you are already sure about which 8×42 binoculars to buy, but if you still don’t feel totally sure don’t worry, check out the other guides on our website https://lensreviewed.com, where you will find the perfect binoculars for you.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What Does 8×42 Mean in Binoculars?
In any binocular 8×42 represents size. The first number, before X, represents the magnification of the lens whereas, the second number represents the size of the objective lens in millimeters.
What Is Better 8×42 or 10×42 Binoculars?
8×42 binoculars give a brighter image when compared to 10×42 equivalent binoculars. Whereas 10x offers better image detail so it’s up to you which one better suits your needs.
Are 8X42 Binoculars Good for Bird Watching?
For bird watching it is important for your image to be brighter. So, keeping this in view, 8×42 binoculars are better for birds watching because they give a bright image and have a wide field of view.
Should I Buy 8X42 or 10X42 Binoculars?
As mentioned above 8X42 binoculars tend to give better low-light performance. 8X42 binoculars also have a larger field of view when compared to 10X42 binoculars, whereas 10xX42 binoculars offer better image detail. So, we recommend deciding according to your requirements and needs.
References:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Binoculars
https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/the-best-binoculars/
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Michal Ford
Michal is an outdoor enthusiast who love optical gadgets. He got almost 100 binoculars, more than 50 telescopes and microscopes, 80 different cameras and other optical Instruments in his personal collection. He loves giving his unbiased reviews about these products after testing them in detail.
