Six Point Five
Well-known member
I wanted to love the Svarovision EL 8x32, i really did. I anxiously expected their release on the market and was one of the first to purchase them when they were available. I took them for walks in the park and hikes in the mountains and was patient and i tried for two years. I compared back and forth for two years between the SV 8x32 and older Zeiss FL 8x32 and EL 8x32.
I could not love the SV EL.
Yes, they are a tiny bit brighter and the colors are a bit more vivid than in the 8x32 EL predecessor. Merely, the SV achieved what my Zeiss FL 8x32 was already doing without fuss. The SV actually seems too bright at times, on sunny days. Also, the SV 8x32 shows me much too often a bit of glare in the bottom 1/3 of the field of view. My FL and EL veterans never do that.
The SV is slightly slimmer and lighter than the EL brethren. It also is a bit easier to grip, due to improved rubber. So what? I actually like the fatter heavier 8x32 EL better, because of added comfort in the hand and stability of view.
The SV has the same abysmal accessories as the EL. Plasticky ocular cups, objective cups that won't stay put, etc. This is not a glass that i could take kayaking or crawling and protect at the same time.
The focus wheel takes twice the effort to turn counterclockwise as it does to turn clockwise. It is not smoother that the old EL 8x32 and not even in the same league with the Zeiss FL 8x32. I told myself that i would get used to it. I never did.
The Swarovision effect does nothing for me. I don't see any advantage at the edge of the field of view, when comparing to my older models. I actually prefer the sedate view through the older EL. Also, scanning the horizon or a wide lake with the SV brings forth an unpleasant distortion at the edge of the field of view. Some sort of bending that i don't care for.
I give up.
I could not love the SV EL.
Yes, they are a tiny bit brighter and the colors are a bit more vivid than in the 8x32 EL predecessor. Merely, the SV achieved what my Zeiss FL 8x32 was already doing without fuss. The SV actually seems too bright at times, on sunny days. Also, the SV 8x32 shows me much too often a bit of glare in the bottom 1/3 of the field of view. My FL and EL veterans never do that.
The SV is slightly slimmer and lighter than the EL brethren. It also is a bit easier to grip, due to improved rubber. So what? I actually like the fatter heavier 8x32 EL better, because of added comfort in the hand and stability of view.
The SV has the same abysmal accessories as the EL. Plasticky ocular cups, objective cups that won't stay put, etc. This is not a glass that i could take kayaking or crawling and protect at the same time.
The focus wheel takes twice the effort to turn counterclockwise as it does to turn clockwise. It is not smoother that the old EL 8x32 and not even in the same league with the Zeiss FL 8x32. I told myself that i would get used to it. I never did.
The Swarovision effect does nothing for me. I don't see any advantage at the edge of the field of view, when comparing to my older models. I actually prefer the sedate view through the older EL. Also, scanning the horizon or a wide lake with the SV brings forth an unpleasant distortion at the edge of the field of view. Some sort of bending that i don't care for.
I give up.
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