Hi guys , This as probarbly been asked many times before and I know alot of it is down to personal preference , but what would you say are the best Swarvoski binoculars available at the moment .I already own a Swarvoski HD telescope with zoom lens , for long distance work , but if I am to update my very old binoculars for general field work , what would you suggest ? Thanks Gossypots.
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Best swarvoski binoculars (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter gossypots
- Start date
corax
Active member
Hi,
for me the 8,5x42: it is certainly the more succeeded of the EL series, under all the aspects.
If you prefer 10x, you choose the NewSLC: a bit less ergonomic but has a best optics and... coast less!
I've got the ATS65HD, with the zoom eyepiece and 30Wx: they are a true jewels of optics, mechanics and ergonomics!
Regards.
Alessandro
for me the 8,5x42: it is certainly the more succeeded of the EL series, under all the aspects.
If you prefer 10x, you choose the NewSLC: a bit less ergonomic but has a best optics and... coast less!
I've got the ATS65HD, with the zoom eyepiece and 30Wx: they are a true jewels of optics, mechanics and ergonomics!
Regards.
Alessandro
Alexis Powell
Natural history enthusiast
I'd say the best for overall use is the 8.5x42 EL. It is one of the great birding binos of all time. The 10x50 SLC is a bit of a beast, but for the sort of birding it suits it is among the best 10x birding binos ever. The 8x32 EL distinguishes itself as among the most ergonomically perfect binos of all time, but the Zeiss 8x32 FL and Leica 8x32 Ultravid HD are as good or better optically, and they are both quite a bit more compact. The 7x42 SLC and 10x42 SLC are also excellent and reliable birding binos, but modern alternatives are lighter, more compact, and optically a step up (esp. in the case of the 10x).
--AP
--AP
I have the 8.5's but how annoying are those strap lugs? Everytime you raise these bins your hands will catch on them. They would have been muth better bins with the lugs and straps resting on your chest, and not on the side.
mooreorless
Well-known member
Oh boy you sure can not please everyone. If they would be like you say the top of the binocular would kick out like the Nikon 8x30EII.
Regards,Steve
matt green
Norfolkman gone walkabout
No one going to put in a word for the exquisite 7X42 SLC?
Built like a tank, very generous field of view, depth of focus and probably one of the biggest sweet spots of them all!!!
I don't own a pair myself but wish I did!!!
Matt
Built like a tank, very generous field of view, depth of focus and probably one of the biggest sweet spots of them all!!!
I don't own a pair myself but wish I did!!!
Matt
mooreorless
Well-known member
Oh boy you sure can not please everyone.
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stabor
Well-known member
The U.S.-language Swarovski website (and none of the others) is announcing a 60th-anniversary discount on their binoculars of up to $275.
Alexis Powell
Natural history enthusiast
I'm not sure I follow--are you talking about the eyelets on the bino that the strap feeds through? For me they're perfect (my hands grip the bino farther from my face than where the straps attach. Or maybe it's something about your strap (I don't use the Swaro strap)? I certainly wouldn't want the attachment points to be rotated to the side that lays against my chest--binos designed like that usually "hang" at an angle, not flat against one's chest, and such binos therefore flop back and forth and see-saw when not held in place while walking/hiking.
--AP
Charltonfan
Well-known member
Have owned a pair of 8.5x42 for around a year and to my eyes they are brilliant. The 10x were also good but the bigger depth of field and larger FOV made the 8.5 a clear winner for me.
Timedrifter
Well-known member
I second this absolutely! I have two pairs of these, in case I ever damage or loose a pair. I had a pair of the 8.5x42's and didn't like them at all. Two major reasons; firstly not sufficient eye relief if you wear glasses (you can't see the whole field of view), and secondly, the strap lugs are very badly positioned. If I'm carrying a scope on my shoulder I use my bins one handed, and I found that the strap lug was exactly where the base joint of my index finger rested, making them very uncomfortable to hold.
As Matt implied, these are highly under-rated bins, and to my mind at least, having owned both at the same time and having done very careful testing, they are optically the equal of the EL's.
As always this is a personal opinion which others are bound to disagree with; just my two penneth!
Max
As Matt implied, these are highly under-rated bins, and to my mind at least, having owned both at the same time and having done very careful testing, they are optically the equal of the EL's.
As always this is a personal opinion which others are bound to disagree with; just my two penneth!
Max
Fernando np
Well-known member
The 8.5X42 has been an exit and I consider mines a good choices. But even this doesn't mean all Swaro line is over the rest. If you prefer the 56mm objetives, the Zeiss 8X56FL well deserve to be considered.
falcondude
Well-known member
for me, it is 8.5x42. It is not cheap, but less expensive than few years ago
Since these were 700$ less than a 8.5x42EL
7x42 new
I have the SLCnew 7x42B but without the easy-to-clean-coating.
I want to agree; taking in consider the much lower price than 8,5x42EL I hardly think the better (if it is, have not compared them side-by-side) optical performance of the 8,5x42 is worth that much higher price. (If we are talking strictly about the optical performance)
But of course, the SLC is quite heavy, and the handling of the EL is supreme.
I suppose that 8,5x42EL is the best Swarovski binocular, undependent of the price.
Regards, Patric
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falcondude
Well-known member
I believe my 8.5x42 EL is by far the best.
I knew is was just a matter of time. The original post requested opinions on the best "Swarovski" binocular. It didnt take long (2nd response) for someone to chime in that a particular Leica or Zeiss binocular was as good or a little better, and oh yea, more compact and lighter and therefore it must be considered. And of course they fail to mention in the same breath that it will cost you a mere $800 to $1K more for that comparable Leica (not sure about Zeiss) binocular. I am sure now the responses will be that people feel it is their duty to make sure the original poster has all the pertinent data of optical excellence so that he or she can make an educated decision. Hate to be ugly, but come on people.
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