Review Swarovski EL 8x32 Swarovison binoculars (1 Viewer)

[IanF]

I've posted in the equipment reviews section but figured I'd share my thoughts here as well.

For me the EL 8x32 Swarovision are a delight to use. I’ve been using a pair for around eight weeks now. They’re small lightweight, well balanced and well designed with incredible optics. They have narrow barrels with well placed thumb shaped indents below. They comfortably fit my large hands thanks to the wrap around grip design.

There’s a large grooved central focus wheel. Focus is light but positive and very smooth enabling fingertip control even whilst wearing gloves. To adjust the dioptre, focus with the left eye then pull up the focus knob, focus with the right eye and push down the knob to lock in place.

The ergonomically balanced magnesium housing with non-slip rubber armouring makes them ideal for long periods of observation and extremely comfortable to hold – even using only one hand. Screw down eye cups with click stops give a positive feel to the setting, though being a spectacle wearer I never have need to raise them.

Being so light to carry I keep checking I’ve got them around my neck still!

Optically I cannot fault them. There’s no hint of ‘rolling ball’ that I can see. Nor any blacking out whatsoever. Very natural colours with no discernable CA or flare in the pair that I have. The optics are clear and bright with edge to edge sharpness whatever the light levels. Having been used to using EL 8.5 x42’s for several years I thought the 8x32’s maybe be left wanting but in reality they’re pretty comparable for quality of view, if not a little better though that may be due to the newer coatings.

I find the close focus of around 6’ very useful for viewing insects such as butterflies and dragonflies.

Minor niggles – I much prefer soft rubber eyecup covers to the solid plastic one supplied which whilst well made are a little heavy and clunky for such a lightweight pair of binoculars. The case is well made and well padded but is perhaps overkill for such a compact pair of binoculars. When off the neck the strap is perhaps a little heavy for such a small pair of binoculars but that’s not noticeable when they’re around your neck.

Overall though I’d have to say that I really like the EL 32’s and they tend to be my first choice to take when I go out birding.



Pros –

Ergonomic design
Bright contrasty very sharp edge to edge view
Good colour fidelity
Good field of view even for spectacle wearers
Smooth precise focus
Close focus
Lightweight compact housing
No fogging – air tight and dust proof nitrogen purged
Padded case & strap

Cons –

None really. They may be pricey but there’s no question about the high quality.

 

[Torview]

I feel they`re the finest 8x32 out there at present.

 

[14Goudvink]

I feel they`re the finest 8x32 out there at present.

+1

Even better than ... oops, Don't mention the war!

 

[barshnik]

Good observations - I agree on most every count, although mine are the 10x32 SV Traveler version. I can make mine 'black out' by moving eyeballs back and forth, but is not an issue under normal use. I weighed the smaller exit pupil effects vs. my want for a more powerful glass out here in the desert (and the fact I've already got a perfectly nice 8x30 SLC for 8x use.)

CA bothers me like rolling ball seems to bother other folks, and these exhibit no CA to speak of, or rolling ball either.

Between the super optics and the ergonomics that are second to none (IMO) it is pretty tough to beat this model.

The 10x's seem to get no love here, I sometimes feel I'm the only one in the world who choose them over the 8x's. Oh well, I like them.

John F
LV NV

 

[newfie ghost]

+1

Even better than ... oops, Don't mention the war!

:-O

Nice to see another good review of a swaro.

 

[Sancho]

Couldn't agree more, Ian. I posted a review in the equipment review section in July, and came to exactly the same conclusions. Even the observation about the case and neckstrap being too much for such a dainty and compact binocular. I'm wondering will I still like it so much in the winter, when conditions are dull and cloudy, but it handles twilight very well. I replaced the rainguard with a soft rubber one, the neckstrap with a very thin leather one from an old pair of porros, and the case with a cheap thin neoprene bag from a pair of Bressers.

 

[IanF]

I find they perform very well in dull conditions, we've had plenty of wet overcast days in the last few weeks so I'm not too concerned about the dull winter weather. I have the soft rubber rain guard on my 8.5x42's and will likely get some for the 8x32's as well.

 

[[email protected]]

I feel they`re the finest 8x32 out there at present.

Have you tried the Nikon 8x32 SE?

 

[[email protected]]

I've posted in the equipments reviews section but figured I'd share my thoughts here as well.

For me the EL 8x32 Swarovision are a delight to use. I’ve been using a pair for around eight weeks now. They’re small lightweight, well balanced and well designed with incredible optics. They have narrow barrels with well placed thumb shaped indents below. They comfortably fit my large hands thanks to the wrap around grip design.

There’s a large grooved central focus wheel. Focus is light but positive and very smooth enabling fingertip control even whilst wearing gloves. To adjust the dioptre, focus with the left eye then pull up the focus knob, focus with the right eye and push down the knob to lock in place.

The ergonomically balanced magnesium housing with non-slip rubber armouring makes them ideal for long periods of observation and extremely comfortable to hold – even using only one hand. Screw down eye cups with click stops give a positive feel to the setting, though being a spectacle wearer I never have need to raise them.

Being so light to carry I keep checking I’ve got them around my neck still!

Optically I cannot fault them. There’s no hint of ‘rolling ball’ that I can see. Nor any blacking out whatsoever. Very natural colours with no discernable CA or flare in the pair that I have. The optics are clear and bright with edge to edge sharpness whatever the light levels. Having been used to using EL 8.5 x42’s for several years I thought the 8x32’s maybe be left wanting but in reality they’re pretty comparable for quality of view, if not a little better though that may be due to the newer coatings.

I find the close focus of around 6’ very useful for viewing insects such as butterflies and dragonflies.

Minor niggles – I much prefer soft rubber eyecup covers to the solid plastic one supplied which whilst well made are a little heavy and clunky for such a lightweight pair of binoculars. The case is well made and well padded but is perhaps overkill for such a compact pair of binoculars. When off the neck the strap is perhaps a little heavy for such a small pair of binoculars but that’s not noticeable when they’re around your neck.

Overall though I’d have to say that I really like the EL 32’s and they tend to be my first choice to take when I go out birding.



Pros –

Ergonomic design
Bright contrasty very sharp edge to edge view
Good colour fidelity
Good field of view even for spectacle wearers
Smooth precise focus
Close focus
Lightweight compact housing
No fogging – air tight and dust proof nitrogen purged
Padded case & strap

Cons –

None really. They may be pricey but there’s no question about the high quality.

Compare them to an SE at 10 feet with a DVD case. It will make you cry.

 

[barshnik]

Compare them to an SE at 10 feet with a DVD case. It will make you cry.

** Sigh **

I don't often look at DVD cases at 10 feet, but, just for you, I tried it. I found that I can see it better at arm's length and reading glasses than with any of my binoculars. Of course, I don't have the SE's so I'm obviously lacking in serious equipment.

You and your SE's are getting kind of annoying, Dennis. Can you not let anyone post anything about any glass, even in the Swaro section, without your stupid 10 foot DVD test? Even if true, all it would tell me is that the SE's are very good at a 10 foot distance, not a distance I normally use binoculars at.

** Sigh **

John F
LV, NV

 

[[email protected]]

** Sigh **

I don't often look at DVD cases at 10 feet, but, just for you, I tried it. I found that I can see it better at arm's length and reading glasses than with any of my binoculars. Of course, I don't have the SE's so I'm obviously lacking in serious equipment.

You and your SE's are getting kind of annoying, Dennis. Can you not let anyone post anything about any glass, even in the Swaro section, without your stupid 10 foot DVD test? Even if true, all it would tell me is that the SE's are very good at a 10 foot distance, not a distance I normally use binoculars at.

** Sigh **

John F
LV, NV

Just trying to open your eyes. It's annoying to continually hear that the SV is the best binocular blah blah blah when it isn't. You have probably never tried a good porro. The 10 foot test is an indicator of sharpness at distance. The SE is sharper at a distance also.

 

[ceasar]

Just trying to open your eyes. It's annoying to continually hear that the SV is the best binocular blah blah blah when it isn't. You have probably never tried a good porro. The 10 foot test is an indicator of sharpness at distance. The SE is sharper at a distance also.

You don't have to sell me, or lots of other people here, on the SE Dennis. We have owned them since before you knew they existed.

But I will grant you one thing. When it comes to the subject of "annoying" you are the expert here.

 

[stephen b]

You don't have to sell me, or lots of other people here, on the SE Dennis. We have owned them since before you knew they existed.

But I will grant you one thing. When it comes to the subject of "annoying" you are the expert here.

Touche!

I am now thinking about not posting anything about my own impressions of the 8x32 Swaros ( EL and SV) and the 8x32 Nikon's ( SE and EDG II) that I have recently compared. Not that it would really be anyone's loss. I really only got them to compare for myself and decide which quality 8x32 I was going to buy for an upgrade.

But I may not post the impressions ( personal observations) I have just about finished with just because I do not want to see him jumping in all over it ( the thread). He tends to jump in and dominate a thread like he always does and like he did last year when I did a review of the 30/32 Swaro's. And now it is just an endless stream of quote replies and comments by him. Even to the point where he replies with his own quotes and then answers them with his own response. It goes on AD nauseam.

He is one of the main reasons why I often stay away from here for long periods of time. Life is too short to look at childish rubbish, and taunting and boasting commentary.

 

[newfie ghost]

Nikon SE is putting the SV's out of production. How dare the swaro owners post a positive review in the swaro forum. Shame on you!

 

[Odradek]

I am really interested in buying maybe a SV 8x32 or a SV 8,5x42 and i am glad to find some reviews here. But, (i dont know if i really should say this??) PLEASE dont make this thread to another pro/con list of watching a DVD case. It seems everyone in this forum is knowing your point of view now. And for me, it is fine - think or like whatever you want (absolute no bad intention or critic in these words!!)

I am pretty sure there are a lot of people now or in the future who want to find some helpful informations and no bashing. Please no 4 or 5 pages of bashing again like in the past SV 8x32 review thread!!


IanF, Thank you for your review!! Can you tell me a bit more about low light watching? If i understand you corret you can compare the Sv 8x32 with the SV 8,5x42 - is there a significant difference in brightness? Have you used the 8x32 in the twilight?

 

[Chosun Juan]

.....And now it is just an endless stream of quote replies and comments by him. Even to the point where he replies with his own quotes and then answers them with his own response. It goes on AD nauseam.

:t: :-O :-O :t:


Stephen, please do not be discouraged, many here would appreciate you posting.
Some actual resolution tests (outside! at least 20ft - 200ft+, of charts, or newsprint, etc), and your thoughts on contrast, colour, CA, dof, focus 'snap', and general 'image crispness', 'wow' and 'pop' (or lack thereof) would be very welcome.
Ergonomics, pricing, etc. - that's all stuff that anyone can work out for themselves; it's the optical performance, and ranking, which everyone has a hankering for!


Chosun :gh:

 

[Torview]

:t: :-O :-O :t:


Stephen, please do not be discouraged, many here would appreciate you posting.
Some actual resolution tests (outside! at least 20ft - 200ft+, of charts, or newsprint, etc), and your thoughts on contrast, colour, CA, dof, focus 'snap', and general 'image crispness', 'wow' and 'pop' (or lack thereof) would be very welcome.
Ergonomics, pricing, etc. - that's all stuff that anyone can work out for themselves; it's the optical performance, and ranking, which everyone has a hankering for!


Chosun :gh:

Seconded. :t:

 

[stephen b]

To Dennis- ( my added in intro)

............PLEASE dont make this thread to another pro/con list of watching a DVD case. It seems everyone in this forum is knowing your point of view now. And for me, it is fine - think or like whatever you want (absolute no bad intention or critic in these words!!)

I am pretty sure there are a lot of people now or in the future who want to find some helpful informations and no bashing. Please no 4 or 5 pages of bashing again like in the past SV 8x32 review thread!!


IanF, Thank you for your review!! Can you tell me a bit more about low light watching? If i understand you corret you can compare the Sv 8x32 with the SV 8,5x42 - is there a significant difference in brightness? Have you used the 8x32 in the twilight?

I just went through that previous 8x32 SV thread and did a quick count for Dennis's (the Menace) post count; and it was 24 posts. This on a thread that talks about a binocular that he does not own, has not looked at and also does not now own a Swarovski binocular.

So Bud- we all know your stance here, it is no secret what you like. So please do me and others here a huge favor- when or if I post a review (impression) of the (4) Swaro's and Nikon's, why don't you stay away! Because I know and others know what you like and what your flavor of the month is ( for now) and you may think you make things interesting and add something to these threads; but for me, you do not bring anything of real substance to the table with your comments in others threads. To me it is like a big nagging, whining, background white ( or black) noise.

And your 10' DVD case test?? come on. I may not be a binocular scientific expert (by no means)- but even I know that is just bunk! Show us just one reference of anyone using that test of yours for any real valid testing.

Odradek- As far as twilight low light testing- I did review that fairly extensively and will post finding concerning the 8x32 SV. I do not have a 8.5x42 SV to test against, put I did test the little SV against a 8x42 Leupold Porro binocular that is very good in low light for comparison purposes. And I compared the 8x32 SV against the 8x32 Swaro EL ( which I had previously noted that it did very well in low light) to compare for any difference in the SV.

:t: :-O :-O :t:


Stephen, please do not be discouraged, many here would appreciate you posting.
Some actual resolution tests (outside! at least 20ft - 200ft+, of charts, or newsprint, etc), and your thoughts on contrast, colour, CA, dof, focus 'snap', and general 'image crispness', 'wow' and 'pop' (or lack thereof) would be very welcome.
Ergonomics, pricing, etc. - that's all stuff that anyone can work out for themselves; it's the optical performance, and ranking, which everyone has a hankering for!


Chosun :gh:

To "Chosun"

I will go ahead and do it- hopefully by end of weekend. I will try and include all the pertinent info that I can. Again this will be my personal observations on these fine bino's, as I am not a scientist and I did not do a bunch of measuring. I did do some resolution chart testing ( as an amateur and had to do with out a booster mag. because I do not have one) last night and will do some more in the nest few days. Unfortunately I did not get a chance to do this with the Nikon EDG II 8x32, because I sold that pair and mailed them off on Tuesday. It is my opinion that all of these binoculars would do very well in more stringent resolution testing than I can do. IMO all of these (4) bino's are in the very top sphere of the current 8x32 offerings.

In fact all of them are like going to 4 of the very finest restaurants in the country and ordering different dishes. All will probably be very good when you receive them, but... what you think of them when you taste them can be very different depending on how you like your seasoning and your own personal food tastes and your own personal palate, etc..

 

[IanF]

..............................................

IanF, Thank you for your review!! Can you tell me a bit more about low light watching? If i understand you corret you can compare the Sv 8x32 with the SV 8,5x42 - is there a significant difference in brightness? Have you used the 8x32 in the twilight?

I have to point out that mine are the Swarovski EL 8.5x42 Mk11 I believe they were called rather than the newer Swarovision model so coatings are different. The optics are spot on but I must admit that I think the newer Swarovision model is a definite improvement even over them.

I have used both 8x32 and 8.5x42 in low light conditions, both on very dull wet days and in twilight conditions. Both pairs perform equally well under these conditions. I cannot honestly separate them for brightness of view/resolving detail.

My first impression when I picked them up was that the 8x32 appeared brighter in low light, but when it comes down to picking out a subject, the detail resolved is pretty much equal between them. I think the 8x32 are helped by the newer rose pink coloured coatings over the bluey coatings on the 8.5 x42.

It may well be that there is a more noticeable difference between the Swarovision 8x32 and 8.5x42. When I've compared them at optics stands the newer Swarovision models appear brighter than my older pair.

 

[Sancho]

.....If i understand you corret you can compare the Sv 8x32 with the SV 8,5x42 - is there a significant difference in brightness? Have you used the 8x32 in the twilight?

Odradek - I have the SV 8x32 and the SV 8.5x42. The latter is a bit brighter at all times of day, to my eyes. Perhaps not to everyone's. It's not a great deal of difference, the smaller SV 8x32 is sufficiently bright, and the really noticeable difference only happens at dusk, for a few minutes. The downside of the 42mm bino is that it's a 42mm bino - therefore heavier and harder to hold steady.