• Welcome to BirdForum, the internet's largest birding community with thousands of members from all over the world. The forums are dedicated to wild birds, birding, binoculars and equipment and all that goes with it.

    Please register for an account to take part in the discussions in the forum, post your pictures in the gallery and more.
ZEISS DTI thermal imaging cameras. For more discoveries at night, and during the day.

10x42 EL

Binoculars, 10x42, Swarovski
Manufacturer
Swarovski

Reviews summary

5
 
83%
1
 
17%
0
 
0%
0
 
0%
0
 
0%
Overall rating
4.83 star(s) 6 ratings
Recommended
Yes
Price
0$
Pros
  • build quality, natural image color
Cons
  • CA, "too ordinary" performance for alpha class binocular
perfect natural image...no color shift or color bias...

but CA level is too high for my taste..
Recommended
Yes
Price
0$
Pros
  • Depth of field, Brightness of image, ease of handling
Cons
  • useless soft case
I bought this having for many years used a pair of Russian 12x50 Iin fact made in East Germany by Zeiss). The brightness of image is remarkable compared to others I tried (Opticron, Nikon - though I use Nikon scopes). Likewise, there is excellent depth of field and I have never experienced any real difficulty with focusing. The ergonic grip is also excellent, making it possible even to use such powerful bins one-handed (e.g. when caught suddenly on a bicycle). I have had excellent after sales service (e.g. free replacement rubber lense covers when I had lost one, arrived within 48 hours). Also, I wear glasses and the eye-relief is really fine and sturdy. (My wife does not and if we share the pare, it is also easy to move from one to the other.) Strongly recommended, whatever the price
Recommended
Yes
Price
0$
Pros
  • Optics, build quality, "open barrels"
Cons
  • Price!
Love the "open barrel" design. Makes handling very easy compared to the opposition.
Recommended
Yes
Price
1850$
Pros
  • Great handling, top of the line!
Cons
  • Very expensive.
I owned a pair of the SLC 8x30\'s and they were excellent. I traded them in on the EL 10x42\'s as I wanted the best of the best. The ELs are light weight and very easy to handle and hold steady. The first time I handled a pair of the 10x42s, I thought I was viewing thru the 8.5s. I was amazed at how steady they were for a 10 power binocular. I\'ve tried all of the major brands, but the Swarovskis fit me the best.
Recommended
Yes
Price
1400$
Pros
  • bright, clear, sharp, handy
Cons
  • daft useless soft case
Love these. 10x suits my eyes (or brain wiring) better. Compared them to 8.5x ELs, 8x30 ELs, and Leica 8x32BRs. All wonderful, but when I tried the 10x42 ELs, it was my eyes made the choice. Easy handling, focusing is fine on my pair, incredible DOF, eyecups steady, neckstrap comfortable. Light for 10x, folded fit in pocket of my Barbour or Bodywarmer jacket. Soft case is an insult to the consumer, but my daughter uses it for her doll\'s hairbrushes.
Recommended
Yes
Price
0$
Pros
  • grip, true color, balance
Cons
  • focus, case with no strap
Hard to believe no other reviews! Have both 10x and 8.5x (have to wrangle with wife for the 10\'s...) and both are great. The fine focus is still not to my liking after a year\'s use but is getting a little looser. Both came with a great hard case that I will never use, but I sure wish the soft case had a strap on it as it tends to slip out of your hands. I like the rigid eye cover as it\'s easier to manipulate with gloves than a soft one. Helps that with two pair I don\'t have to adjust often I guess. Deep inset on lenses seems to keep more dust out then my older Bushnell. Looked hard at Zeiss Victory II before buying these, but after holding there was no comparison for my wife!
Back
Top