Swaro 10x40 Habicht vs 10x42 EL (2 Viewers)

[teamgs]

Greetings,
This is a relative binocular noob's review of the two bins. My father in law has both, the Habicht from the '80's, and the EL's from the early 00's.

I decided to play around with them as I await my Nikon 8x32 SE's arrival next week.

Briefly, both are outstanding examples of binocular performance.

The EL's are a little brighter (due to slightly larger aperture and better coatings?), a little sharper, and a little more comfortable.

The Habicht's give a little better "3D feel". The eyecups are pretty stiff, but not unbearable. Unless you looked at the two bins side by side, I would never have noticed it, but the Habicht does impart a subtle yellow hue to the images, that the EL does not.

Bottom line, for me, between an older Habicht and a newer EL, I would choose the EL.

I will be interested to compare the EL to my new SE's when they arrive, even though the magnification is different.

Regards,

Gary

 

[Tero]

Compare the two porros too, they will have somthing similar in them as well.

 

[teamgs]

I still think that if I can find porros that match the quality of roofs, that I prefer the better 3D view.

Gary

 

[Sollas]

So what made you opt for the 8x32 SE's? Considering going down the same route myself.

I have a bit of a traditional tendancy and just like the look of the Habicht's and the SE's. Having said that I've still to try them both.

 

[teamgs]

Hi Sollas,
Actually, the glowing reviews on this site, coupled with an excellent price ($400) on Ebay.

I do still like the views from my SE's over both Swaro's, though the EL's are very close. I think that the color saturation/rendition seems nicer to me, as well as the 3D view from the Porros.

Regards,

Gary

 

[Sollas]

Ok for you guys that live in the tropics. Not sure how the stiff focus wheel would stand up in our harsh climate, currently minus seven and dropping. More layers and Fwisky required.

 

[Viraj]

I found that 14-year-old thread that compared the old models of EL and Habicht. At that time Habicht had a yellow tint and seemed to have an inferior optical quality to EL. However, it seems the coatings have developed over the years and Habicht got some of the best coatings which increase the quality of the view. I am curious whether anyone compared the recent production of EL (Legend) and Habicht (x10). If so what are the differences found in their optical quality?

 

[Richard D]

I found that 14-year-old thread that compared the old models of EL and Habicht. At that time Habicht had a yellow tint and seemed to have an inferior optical quality to EL. However, it seems the coatings have developed over the years and Habicht got some of the best coatings which increase the quality of the view. I am curious whether anyone compared the recent production of EL (Legend) and Habicht (x10). If so what are the differences found in their optical quality?

I can't do a direct comparison between the 10x40/2s, but own the 10x40 Habichts and the 10x32 ELs.

Note: My observations are based on birdwatching in the field, handheld and not looking at test charts with a camera and tripod. I think I've got reasonably steady hands and decent acuity, but...

Central sharpness of the Habichts is close to the ELs, but probably marginally behind when comparing them back to back. The Habichts obviously show quite a lot of edge drop off - I don't really notice it that much when I've been using them for a while, but switching straight from the ELs, the difference is very obvious. The sweet spot of the Habichts isn't that small but it doesn't have the width and near edge to edge sharpness.

The combination of the extra objective size and the Habicht's outstanding transmission does make them noticeably brighter than the ELs even just on a dull afternoon, come evening the Habichts win easily. It's not that the EL's are dull but the Habichts do give a very bright image in unfavourable lighting. They also have slightly more 'pop' to the image at mid difference, which I think is a combination of porro stereopsis and possibly slightly more contrast.

I'm pretty sensitive to lateral CA and both are very good in this respect, with the EL perhaps having a tiny edge, but effectively CA isn't an issue.

Beyond optics, clearly the eyecups of the EL are better, although not being a glasses wearer I don't have a problem with Habichts (mine are the rubber armoured model). Yes the focuser on the Habichts does have mre resistance than the ELs, but it's legendary stiffness is to my mind exaggerrated and it does loosen a bit after a few weeks regular use. Both do have the typical long but very precise focus travel of Swarovski - going from close range to infinity takes a bit more turning than with some brands - no fast and sloppy here. The GA Habichts give the impression of being tougher, but neither feel delicate and I don't swing binoculars into rocks (well not yet..).

I like both - I probably use the ELs more, but as with all binoculars there's swings and roundabouts.

 

[Paultricounty]

I can't do a direct comparison between the 10x40/2s, but own the 10x40 Habichts and the 10x32 ELs.

Note: My observations are based on birdwatching in the field, handheld and not looking at test charts with a camera and tripod. I think I've got reasonably steady hands and decent acuity, but...

Central sharpness of the Habichts is close to the ELs, but probably marginally behind when comparing them back to back. The Habichts obviously show quite a lot of edge drop off - I don't really notice it that much when I've been using them for a while, but switching straight from the ELs, the difference is very obvious. The sweet spot of the Habichts isn't that small but it doesn't have the width and near edge to edge sharpness.

The combination of the extra objective size and the Habicht's outstanding transmission does make them noticeably brighter than the ELs even just on a dull afternoon, come evening the Habichts win easily. It's not that the EL's are dull but the Habichts do give a very bright image in unfavourable lighting. They also have slightly more 'pop' to the image at mid difference, which I think is a combination of porro stereopsis and possibly slightly more contrast.

I'm pretty sensitive to lateral CA and both are very good in this respect, with the EL perhaps having a tiny edge, but effectively CA isn't an issue.

Beyond optics, clearly the eyecups of the EL are better, although not being a glasses wearer I don't have a problem with Habichts (mine are the rubber armoured model). Yes the focuser on the Habichts does have mre resistance than the ELs, but it's legendary stiffness is to my mind exaggerrated and it does loosen a bit after a few weeks regular use. Both do have the typical long but very precise focus travel of Swarovski - going from close range to infinity takes a bit more turning than with some brands - no fast and sloppy here. The GA Habichts give the impression of being tougher, but neither feel delicate and I don't swing binoculars into rocks (well not yet..).

I like both - I probably use the ELs more, but as with all binoculars there's swings and roundabouts.

I’ve tested 8x32EL and Habicht 8x30 as well as 7x42 UVHD+ and Habicht 7x42.
On the 8’s the the center image are very close, edges not so much, of course. When it’s get cloudy or late afternoon early evening the Habicht’s are a better optical tool with all its aberrations and design faults.

The 7x42’s comparison are a little different because of the differences in Leica and swarovski approach to color sway and light transmission, But again when the lights go out, the Habicht’s turn on.
Paul

 

[Viraj]

Thank you very much @Richard D and @Paultricounty for sharing your experience with Habichts and other binoculars in detail. Test results are important however, for me the hands-on experience from an experienced person is more important. However, unfortunately, Habichts doesn't work for me. I experienced intolerable reflections in and out of the FOV. Probably I am the only one who had that issue with them. I couldn't avoid those reflections when I was birding in a dense forest. I had high hope for them and It is so unfortunate they didn't work out for me.

 

[Paultricounty]

Thank you very much @Richard D and @Paultricounty for sharing your experience with Habichts and other binoculars in detail. Test results are important however, for me the hands-on experience from an experienced person is more important. However, unfortunately, Habichts doesn't work for me. I experienced intolerable reflections in and out of the FOV. Probably I am the only one who had that issue with them. I couldn't avoid those reflections when I was birding in a dense forest. I had high hope for them and It is so unfortunate they didn't work out for me.

Hmmm, doesn’t sound like you ruled out the issue. Could it be a bad banged around bino, out of collimation, worn or defective coatings, an older one not used and stored correctly etc. etc. Or can it be that the Habicht doesn’t work for you and how your eyes take in the image. The latter is only one possibility.

I have not spent much time with the 1040, but never had any of those issues with the 742. The 830 at certain lighting angles have caused more glare than some (as do many top roofs) others. I’ve had numerous issues with specific optics and many have found out it wasn’t me or the specific model , it was the specific specimen. I had a feeling that NL was going to grow on you.

Good luck.

 

[Thotmosis]

Hmmm, doesn’t sound like you ruled out the issue. Could it be a bad banged around bino, out of collimation, worn or defective coatings, an older one not used and stored correctly etc. etc. Or can it be that the Habicht doesn’t work for you and how your eyes take in the image. The latter is only one possibility.

I have not spent much time with the 1040, but never had any of those issues with the 742. The 830 at certain lighting angles have caused more glare than some (as do many top roofs) others. I’ve had numerous issues with specific optics and many have found out it wasn’t me or the specific model , it was the specific specimen. I had a feeling that NL was going to grow on you.

Good luck.

As I said before the Habicht is clearly not everybody’s cup of tea. I find them awesome and also very useable for everyday use but others find them not useful so that’s that. Hopefully Viraj will find his peace with the beautiful Leica’s, they are great binoculars with very sharp and beautiful colors. Like a fairytale 🌞

 

[Viraj]

@Paultricounty I bought them new and made in 2022. I think the issue is with my eye positioning.

@Thotmosis I found a simple way to reduce the FOV of NL by fully extending the eyecups. I don't know why I didn't think about that earlier. For now, I will stick with NL. Anyway, tomorrow I will give Habichts another try. Hopefully one day I will own a Leica. I am really looking forward to it 🙂

 

[Viraj]

Yesterday I gave another try with Habichts. I was using in an open area near to a man made reservoir and in a small forest area. It is so sharp in the center field and FOV is sufficient for me. Now I can hold it steadily and I really like the extra magnification gain over x8. I could see birds closely and able to resolve more details of them. I have to say this is the only x10 I have except my old Habichts with a yello tint. I feel the image of Habichts is very comfortable to NL except the FOV and flat field. However I didn’t see a big advantage of 3D in Habichts over NLs.
In the forest patch again I see those bad reflections. I think winged eye shields would resolve this problem. Yesterday the temperature was 36 and the forcuser was very smooth. The one more advantage of Habichts is their tough construction and I don’t want to worry about biodegradable armor of NL with this. And I like the feeling of using REAL pair of binoculars with Habichts. So finally I decided to keep this because I would not find a better x10 binoculars in this price point. Additionally, I would like to buy one more NL, 10x42 or 10x32 (not sure of 12x42) and of course a UV or NV.

 

[Paultricounty]

Yesterday I gave another try with Habichts. I was using in an open area near to a man made reservoir and in a small forest area. It is so sharp in the center field and FOV is sufficient for me. Now I can hold it steadily and I really like the extra magnification gain over x8. I could see birds closely and able to resolve more details of them. I have to say this is the only x10 I have except my old Habichts with a yello tint. I feel the image of Habichts is very comfortable to NL except the FOV and flat field. However I didn’t see a big advantage of 3D in Habichts over NLs.
In the forest patch again I see those bad reflections. I think winged eye shields would resolve this problem. Yesterday the temperature was 36 and the forcuser was very smooth. The one more advantage of Habichts is their tough construction and I don’t want to worry about biodegradable armor of NL with this. And I like the feeling of using REAL pair of binoculars with Habichts. So finally I decided to keep this because I would not find a better x10 binoculars in this price point. Additionally, I would like to buy one more NL, 10x42 or 10x32 (not sure of 12x42) and of course a UV or NV.

Hi Varaj,

Like the feeling of using REAL binoculars? OUCH 😟.

Depending on what and where the glare is coming from you could try a bino bandit. Some say these work good.

I agree with you on the similarities of the image (center only) between the Habicht’s and the NL’s. Although the NL’s are a little less neutral in color, the Habicht’s are closer to the EL’s in that area.

Paul

 

[Viraj]

Hi Varaj,

Like the feeling of using REAL binoculars? OUCH 😟.

Depending on what and where the glare is coming from you could try a bino bandit. Some say these work good.

I agree with you on the similarities of the image (center only) between the Habicht’s and the NL’s. Although the NL’s are a little less neutral in color, the Habicht’s are closer to the EL’s in that area.

Paul

Thank you for the suggestion @Paultricounty. I think too a bino bandit will work. I had similar reflection experience with Diamondback HD 8x32 and both having shorter eye relief. It mean more chances for light to come through the space between the eye sockets and eye cups and incident upon the ocular surface. However I did not find such problem when using it in open area. I am happy about the increase mag too 🙂

 

[Thotmosis]

In the forest patch again I see those bad reflections. I think winged eye shields would resolve this problem.

Not sure if the winged eye shields or bino bandit wil solve all the problems of the reflections. Depends also of the source of the reflections. I have the bino bandits and i use them a lot on all my binoculars. Sometimes they “fog up” though, when my face or the weather is warm. Highly recommended anyway!

 

[Viraj]

I tried winged eyecups which I bought with NL on Habichts. Woww. I am impressed. They improved the quality of the image and eye comfort a lot. I think it reduced some reflection issues however need to check in the field. Still, I see some of the reflections though. The only problem now I have is I can't use the case provided with winged eyecups.

 

[Brummie]

The smaller Eyeshields work well with the Habichts.

 

[Viraj]

The smaller Eyeshields work well with the Habichts.

I am not sure what you mean by "smaller eyeshields". I know only one size of eyeshields made by Swaro. 🤔🤔