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Swarovski EL Revision History?

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climb.on View Drop Down
Optics GrassHopper
Optics GrassHopper


Joined: December/26/2014
Location: United States
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote climb.on Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Swarovski EL Revision History?
    Posted: December/26/2014 at 10:24
New member here.  I've been using the site for a while as I research new binos - lots of great info!  

I've pretty well settled on a set of Swarovski EL 8.5x42's (non SV versions) for my hunting needs and price range.  I've got a line on 2 different sets of EL's I'm trying to decide on.  One set has serial #L72.... and the other is #L69....  If I understand correctly, these are 2002 and 1999 model years, respectively. I think 1999 was the first year for the EL's.  Please correct me if I am wrong on any of this. 

My question is are there any differences in coatings or anything else in the pre-Swarovision EL binos?
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anweis View Drop Down
Optics Master
Optics Master


Joined: January/29/2006
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote anweis Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/26/2014 at 13:18
For the first 2 years of production, the EL 8.5x42 had a slower focuser. That is, deemed too slow by bird watchers. I have used it as a birder, and it was too slow for birding in forest where birds hop and jump around. It made no difference whatsoever in the open fields. This focuser would make no difference whatsoever for a hunter.  
As far as coatings, they changed slightly and improved about 3 or 4 times, every few years. I have owned and used various models of Swarovski binoculars over the past 20 years. It would take a serious gear head and two hours of side by side comparison to detect the improved coatings from one generation to the next. 
Now, 20 years difference, yes, i can see a big difference, but just a coating update, no, not really obvious. 
To be sure, the manufacturer did no advertise or claim improved coatings or anything. 
You will not see a difference between optics of 2002 and 1999  models. The 1999 had the  slightly slower focusing ratio in the gears of the focuser. 
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climb.on View Drop Down
Optics GrassHopper
Optics GrassHopper


Joined: December/26/2014
Location: United States
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote climb.on Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/27/2014 at 08:35
Perfect.  That's just what I was looking for.  Much appreciated!
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timberbuck View Drop Down
Optics Apprentice
Optics Apprentice


Joined: August/13/2012
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote timberbuck Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/01/2015 at 12:54
I would advise you to hold out of a 2008-2009 EL.

They have the most recent coatings.
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