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Bought Swarovski EL-8x32 Binoculars

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m1911 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote m1911 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Bought Swarovski EL-8x32 Binoculars
    Posted: July/14/2019 at 07:32
Hi folks,
The only time I considered glass, was the necessity of looking at bullet holes with spotting scopes....
Along the way I bought some Vortex items, which are great.....Razor binoculars and spotting scopes.
Generally I believe there are reasons behind prices and many times you get what you pay for.
I completely understand diminishing returns theory, but simply wanted the best stuff available....at any price....

I thought I was going with the Zeiss Victory SF 8x42's; or Leica Noctivid or Swaro-EL close behind.

As I started researching, I noticed Swarovski seems to offer their best glass in more models/sizes.
Once I figured out the EL-8x32 was available, I figured I'd actually USE them more often.

I don't hunt nor bird watch;
But do Fly-Fish, especially in Montana....and travel a lot on business; mostly in Switzerland.
I've been using an 8-power monocular for that stuff....
I've also found out that glass doesn't work if I don't pack it, or leave it in the car or room.

These are very cool smaller sized binoculars.....I always assumed larger was better and glass didn't matter much....(wrong).

PS:  
I'm also obsessing over a Swaro-ATX-65 or 85 Spotting Scope with a BTX as well....but doubt I'd ever pack and actually USE it.

PSS:  
I'm also wondering if I should also buy the EL-8.5x42 or simply another pair of EL-8x32's....since I like them so much.



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RifleDude View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote RifleDude Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/14/2019 at 17:48
Swarovski ELs across the whole range are superb binoculars. You can never “go wrong” by choosing them. Among the upper echelon of binos, there really is no “best” because they all excel in one or more qualities that a competing top tier bino may not do quite as well and vice-versa. Traditionally, Zeiss’s flagship binos emphasize resolution above all else, at the expense of contrast and greater degree of softness at field edge. Leica tends to have enhanced contrast and richer colors while sacrificing a tiny bit of ultimate resolution, though resolution is still great. Swarovski emphasizes a larger “sweet spot” at the expense of some contrast and some resolution. All have superb optics; it’s just a matter of which sets of optical characteristics agrees with your eyes the best.

Personally, I love the 8X32 config, and I can happily use a good 8X32 for all of my bino needs in every circumstance. I like the smaller, lighter form factor, yet 32mm objectives are not so small that they restrict the usefulness of 8X in dim light, providing a still-useful 4mm exit pupil...as long as the 8X32 in question has high end optics and coatings.

My favorite 8X32 is the Leica Ultravid HD and that is the bino I use most of the time. Before I bought it, I compared it to Zeiss and Swaro. I would have been very happy with any of the 3, but I prefer the contrast and color rendering of the Leica best, and it was the smallest and lightest of the 8X32s I was considering. The Leica also had the best veiling flare control when viewing at small angles toward strong light sources like the early morning and late afternoon sun. As a hunter, this is a very important charactrristic for me, and an area where I found the Zeiss severely lacking in comparison. The Leica very slightly edged out the second place Swaro 8X32 for me. I just though the Leica made colors “pop” a little more and I thought it had just a touch more dynamic range in dark to light tones.
Ted


Money can't buy happiness... but it's much more comfortable to cry in a Porsche than on a bicycle.
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m1911 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote m1911 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/15/2019 at 08:14
Originally posted by RifleDude RifleDude wrote:

Personally, I love the 8X32 config, and I can happily use a good 8X32 for all of my bino needs in every circumstance. 

I'm happy to hear you say this....I can't imagine needing or using the 42's or larger now....
I'll simply buy a second pair in the sand-brown color and will be available for others to use or as a back-up.
Thanks!
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anweis View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote anweis Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/15/2019 at 18:48
You chose very well. I've been using an EL 8x32since 2005. 
As far as spotting scopes, i can tell you that my 50mm Nikon gets used several times per week. The 80mm Swarovski gets used a few times per year. 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Sparky Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/16/2019 at 10:04
Originally posted by anweis anweis wrote:

 
As far as spotting scopes, i can tell you that my 50mm Nikon gets used several times per week. The 80mm Swarovski gets used a few times per year. 

+1, I use my 50mm ED Nikon the vast majority of the time when shooting at 100 to 200yds over my larger Pentax 80EDA.
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BobH View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote BobH Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/03/2019 at 22:15
M1911,I have a pair of the 8x32 EL's as well, they are my favorite binocular.  I liked them so much, I bought the 10x32 EL's as well.  Long story short, I grab the 8x32's every time.  They are my favorites over all the others I have

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote WJC Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/04/2019 at 11:02

When I bought my 8x32 SE, I could have had anything I wanted. As a high-end dealer, I was swimming in the world’s top binoculars. And, not getting caught up in all that “upgrade” madness, wherein observers brag about all the differences in performance that neurological research has proven is largely beyond the human’s physiology to detect, I have what novices started calling an “Alpha.” For me, it was just a logical purchase, where price and performance met, and I know one of my grandkids will also appreciate my purchase.

 

It is NOT waterproof. However, if it is wet enough outside to bother the SE, I don’t need to be out in it, myself.

 

Congrats,

 

Bill

“Water, water everywhere nor any drop to drink.” — Samuel Taylor Coleridge
“Social media everywhere but not a thought to think.” — me

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote CrazyEddie Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/21/2019 at 10:27
Thanks for this post - now I'm totally on the fence as to what to buy!
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