reposting from optics for additional thoughts--

Heading to wyoming for elk, mulie in fall. have pair of nikon monarch 8x42 love them. need another pair, as my son will be joining me-- thinking about going bigger, nikon 10x56-- a lot heavier, but want some advise onweather the extrapower and lightisworth the extra size,weight? We;ll be on horseback, buthiking quite a bit too. Glassing appears to be much more important in the woods here in new england-- already have a leupold sequoiaspotting scope, so we'recovered there.

Would welcome any advice, suggestions-- I hear Minox may be a step up, but not put me over $1K. trying to figure out the who 10x 42, vs 10x 56, etc. thx.

You might want to call Doug or Joel at www.cameralandny.com real good guys to deal with and they are sponsers on several hunt sitesalso Minox dealers.
I have a pair of Swaovski 8.5x42 EL because the 10 x 42 were hard to hold steady and if you have to really take a good look at something 500 to 1000 yards off you really need the spotting scope IMO.

A good set of 10x42's have always been about right for me.

The Brunton Eterna's have good glass and won't break the bank.

I have a set up 8X30 Swarovskis for sale or trade.

+1 ... Doug at cameralandny fixed me up w/ a pair of Minox 10x52 HGs that I love. He had them on sale / demo units so I saved a bunch on them as well. I'm very pleased with the bins and the service from cameralandby.

That said, my expectations are higher now so I'm saving up for a pair of 10x42 or 8.5x42 ELs!

I use Swarovski 10x42's here in Wyoming. IMHO the 10x42's are the perfect combonation. I think you would regreat buying a bino with the 56mm objective? I have looked at & used binos with a 50mm objective & found them to be too big & bulky.

good luck hunting,

wk