Hi All, getting back to the original question I asked at the start of this thread

- just wanted to write a quick update here after I have actually tested the binos in the field (and arrived at the results that i did not expect). Caveat - I only express my opinion as a birder and not as an optics specialist - hence these just my personal impressions.
So I contacted the local Swarovski representative and asked him whether I could test the EL 8.5x42 in field conditions. He said that I could, but he also suggested that I have a look at the NL Pure model (he had 8x32 available). I was a bit skeptical (thinking he might be just pitching a pricier model), but why not give it a try?
So we went out and tested 3 bino models: my current Nikon Monarch 7 (I have the older, recently discontinued model), Swarovski EL 8.5x42 and Swarovski NL Pure 8x32. We tested in a city park, viewing distance of 50-100m, sunshine with scattered clouds.
My impressions were as follows:
1. The difference between NL Pure 8x32 and EL 8.5x42 turned out to be MUCH bigger than i had expected. NL Pure model was much brighter, offered a wider field of view (which i didn't think i really needed - but when you try it is really nice) and overall viewing experience was considerably more comfortable;
2. EL 8.5x42 had this "rolling ball effect" what you scan the area at mid-long-distance. This was not really comfortable (although I guess this is something one could get used to);
3. Amazingly, the difference between EL 8.5x42 vs my current Nikon Monarch 7 appeared to be not as big - and definitely not as noticeable as between the two Swarovski model. Yes, the Swarovski EL model did "perform" a bit better - but, in my humble view, not good enough to justify the 4-times price difference (I bought my Nikon Monarch 7 for about USD 450 in the USA back in 2017).
Takeaway from the above - I am now considering two alternatives:
1. Buy the NL Pure 8x42 model (despite it being really expensive, in my view);
2. Stick to my current Nikon Monarch 7 binos - which, I have to give it to them, are a truly high-quality product for their price!
The option I will not be considering any longer is buying EL 8.5x42 model. I just do not see much sense in paying a really big amount of money for binoculars that are so obviously inferior to the other model from the same manufacturer.