Most popular
Minox X-lite 10x34
- Most popular of the 5 compared
- 15.9 oz, lighter than the typical 17.2 oz
- Waterproof
10x34 binoculars: 5 models compared
Five 10x34 models share a calculated exit pupil of 3.4 mm, and their fields of view run from 314 to 351 ft. The median weight is 17.2 oz.
Top picks
Lightest
Hawke Vantage HD 10x34
- Lightest of the 5: 14.6 oz
- 16 mm eye relief, enough for glasses
- Waterproof
Widest view
Hawke Frontier ED X Gen 2 10x34
- Widest view of the 5: 351 ft
- 16 mm eye relief, enough for glasses
- Focuses as close as 6.6 ft
- Exit pupil
- 3.4 mmcalculated
- Twilight factor
- 18.4calculated
- Median field of view
- 315 ftat 1,000 yd
- Median weight
- 17.2 oz
Every 10x34 binocular in the chart
5 10x34 models, most popular first, with the best figure in each column in bold.
| Model | Maker list price | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minox X-lite 10x34 | 315 ft | 9.8 ft | 15.9 oz | ||
| GPO Passion SD 10x34 | 314 ft | 16 mm | 9.8 ft | 17.2 oz | $200 to $500 |
| Hawke Frontier ED X Gen 2 10x34 Widest field of view | 351 ft | 16 mm | 6.6 ft | 18.5 oz | $500 to $1,000 |
| Hawke Vantage HD 10x34 Lightest | 314 ft | 16 mm | 9.8 ft | 14.6 oz | $100 to $200 |
| Minox X-TOUR 10x34 Longest eye relief | 339 ft | 16.4 mm | 6.6 ft | 17.6 oz |
10x34 by the numbers
- Binoculars compared
- 5
- Median field of view
- 315 ft
- Field of view range
- 314 to 351 ft
- Median weight
- 17.2 oz
- Median eye relief
- 16 mm
- With 16 mm eye relief or more
- 4 of 4
- With an Amazon listing
- 0 of 5
What a 10x34 is used for
A 10x34 magnifies ten times through 34 mm lenses. Nikon defines exit pupil as the objective diameter divided by magnification, so the exit pupil works out to 3.4 mm. The twilight factor works out to 18.4 and the relative brightness to 11.6.
Nikon says the eye's pupil opens about 2 mm in daylight and 7 mm in the dark. A 3.4 mm exit pupil covers the daylight case. ZEISS asks for at least 4 mm at dawn, so this size sits under that figure.
The RSPB shop suggests 10x for open country or large expanses of water. ZEISS puts free-hand binoculars at 7 to 10x, which makes 10x the top of the hand-held range. For a wider lens at the same power, see 10x42 binoculars.
How the five models differ
The Hawke Frontier ED X has the widest view at 351 ft and a close focus of 6.6 ft. It is the only model of the five with ED glass. It weighs 18.5 oz, and its maker list price band is $500 to $1,000.
The Hawke Vantage HD 10x34 is the lightest at 14.6 oz, with a 314 ft field and a band of $100 to $200. The Minox X-TOUR 10x34 has the longest eye relief at 16.4 mm, a 339 ft field and a weight of 17.6 oz.
The GPO Passion SD 10x34 matches the size median at 17.2 oz and 9.8 ft close focus, with a 314 ft field and a band of $200 to $500. The Minox X-lite 10x34 weighs 15.9 oz and prints no eye relief figure.
Every model that prints an eye relief reaches 16 mm or more, the least the RSPB shop gives for eyeglass wearers. Close focus runs from 6.6 ft to a median of 9.8 ft.
Other sizes and how 10x34 compares
- 10x42 binoculars
- 8x42 binoculars
- 10x50 binoculars
- 12x50 binoculars
- 8x32 binoculars
- 10x32 binoculars
- 10x25 binoculars
- 7x50 binoculars
- 8x25 binoculars
- 15x56 binoculars
- 8x30 binoculars
- 10x30 binoculars
- 8x56 binoculars
- 10x26 binoculars
- 8x40 binoculars
- 10x28 binoculars
- 18x56 binoculars
- 12x25 binoculars
- 8x34 binoculars
- Binocular size chart
- Best binoculars of every size
10x34 questions
What does 10x34 mean on binoculars?
10x34 means the binocular magnifies 10 times and each front lens is 34 mm across, so a subject looks 10 times closer than with the bare eye.
How bright is a 10x34 binocular?
10x34 gives an exit pupil of 3.4 mm and a twilight factor of 18.4. Nikon puts the eye's pupil at about 2 mm in daylight and 7 mm in the dark, so a larger exit pupil matters most at dusk and at night.
Which 10x34 binoculars work with glasses?
4 of the 4 10x34 models with a printed figure have 16 mm of eye relief or more, the minimum the RSPB advises for people who wear glasses. The median for the size is 16 mm.
Is a 10x34 bright enough at dusk?
Its exit pupil works out to 3.4 mm, under the 4 mm that ZEISS gives as the minimum for dawn. In daylight Nikon says the eye's pupil opens about 2 mm, so the view stays bright.
Does a 10x34 suit eyeglass wearers?
Yes, on the printed figures. The median eye relief is 16 mm, and the RSPB shop says eyeglass wearers should look for at least 16 mm. The Minox X-lite prints no eye relief figure.
How heavy is a 10x34?
The median is 17.2 oz. The Hawke Vantage HD 10x34 is lightest at 14.6 oz, and the Hawke Frontier ED X is heaviest at 18.5 oz.