[Kammerdiner]

I just got an LL Bean hunting catalog which shows what is supposedly a 10x42 SV, but it looks different. The frame is different, with the arcs between the bridges straightened out. The focus knob is black. There are two black knurled rings on the eyepieces, looking like diopters but I suspect they have to do with adjusting the cups. Even the bridges look different, flatter. What's up?

I can't find anything like it online, and I don't have a scanner handy, so I can't direct anyone to an image. Looks to me though, that Swaro has updated things a little bit.

Mark

Please IGNORE the above: it's the rangefinder version that's pictured.

[newfie ghost]

That is interesting. Their web site shows the "normal" version. I wonder what is up?

[dipped]

Originally Posted by Kammerdiner

I can't find anything like it online, and I don't have a scanner handy, so I can't direct anyone to an image. Looks to me though, that Swaro has updated things a little bit.

Mark

Take a picture with phone/camera?

[Kammerdiner]

Geez, nevermind. Should have read the fine print: that's the rangefinder version. Sorry for the intrusion.

Mark

[DocSarvis]

The L.L. Bean Fall 2012 Hunting Catalog page 52, item A identifies these as the new "EL Range"; the model with the built-in rangefinder.

[Dixie07]

Is the new 10x42 EL rangefinding bins Swarovision? Is that something new for this year?

[Gijs van Ginkel]

Dear all,
The new Swarovski EL range, a binocular with built-in rangefinder, is already on the market for some time (designed mainly for hunters) and it must be on the Swarovski WEB-site. I have investigated its optical qualities and its user comfort and on both aspects they outperform the Leica Geovid HD and the Zeiss Victory RF, also binoculars with built-in rangefinders. The EL range binulars do not have the Swarovision technology, but the optical construction is closer to that of the SLC-HD.

[proudpapa56]

They are also on very long backorder in the States. If a dealer were to order one today, the estimated delivery is now a year out.

[temmie]

Originally Posted by Gijs van Ginkel

... I have investigated its optical qualities and its user comfort

You have any link to the test?

[ceasar]

Originally Posted by proudpapa56

They are also on very long backorder in the States. If a dealer were to order one today, the estimated delivery is now a year out.

This seems to be an indication of how much control Swarovski keeps over it's inventory of binoculars worldwide.

I imagine the same thing takes place with Leica, Zeiss and Nikon with it's EDGs, Premiers, SEs and EIIs.

Bob

[Gijs van Ginkel]

Temmie and Cesar,
The test is published in Dutch on the web-site of House of Outdoor and Optics in The Netherlands. The amount of sales was so big upon introduction of the EL Range, that Swarovski hardly can produce enough instruments especially since the quality standard must be kept high as Swarovski usually does.

[brocknroller]

Originally Posted by Gijs van Ginkel

Temmie and Cesar,
The test is published in Dutch on the web-site of House of Outdoor and Optics in The Netherlands. The amount of sales was so big upon introduction of the EL Range, that Swarovski hardly can produce enough instruments especially since the quality standard must be kept high as Swarovski usually does.

Gijs,

The prospect of SLC-HD optics in an EL body is intriguing. I assumed the Range had the same optics as the SV EL. Very expensive when they add the rangefinder, but still intriguing none-the-less.

I don't see any listing coming up for "House of Outdoor and Optics in The Netherlands." Even if I found it, I'm not sure the article would be available online or if it could be translated. Could you give us a brief summary of your review?

I'm particularly interested in how close the optical design of the Range is to the SLC-HD, and if there is a blue tint to the image as there is in the Geovid? From what I've read, the tint is from tuning the coatings to optimize the transmission of the laser beam. Not sure if the FL rangefinder also has this tint or if there's some other way of overcoming the issue.

Brock

[temmie]

@ Brock and others:
http://www.houseofoutdoor.com/testra...Fdec2011-1.pdf

Thanks Gijs!

[brocknroller]

Originally Posted by temmie

@ Brock and others:
http://www.houseofoutdoor.com/testra...Fdec2011-1.pdf

Thanks Gijs!

Thanks! Google Translate has Dutch. Can't read it with Mozilla, overlapping lettering, but the translation is clean with IE.

Brock

[ceasar]

Cabelas shows it on their website. The link is too long to post here. Their price is just under $3000.00.

Bob

[brocknroller]

Originally Posted by ceasar

Cabelas shows it on their website. The link is too long to post here. Their price is just under $3000.00.

Bob

Like someone on here keeps saying, you have to amortize the cost so it doesn't feel so painful. Think of it this way, in 5.7 years, the EL Range will only have cost you $10 a week! Now that's not so bad, is it?

From Gijs' review, the EL Range sounded really good, the best of both worlds, the non-RB optics of the SLC-HD and the hand hugging ergonomics of the EL. I like the comments about "whites being white" rather than the blue tint of the Leica, and also the EL Range being brighter than either the Leica or the FL (what? brighter than the 45mm FL? Yep.).

Maybe I can find someone who will go in on one 60/40. That makes my cost only $1,200. I could do that, particularly at $10 per week.

A hunter could have it from the start of deer archery season on Sept. 15 until May 11, the end of Spring Gobbler season. Then I'd have it from May 12- Sept 14.

If they have time share condos, what not time share binos?

<B>

[etudiant]

Originally Posted by temmie

@ Brock and others:
http://www.houseofoutdoor.com/testra...Fdec2011-1.pdf

Thanks Gijs!

The transmission curves shown in this test are very impressive. They really put the competition in the shade. Clearly the customers for these kind of binocs have noticed.

[brocknroller]

Originally Posted by etudiant

The transmission curves shown in this test are very impressive. They really put the competition in the shade. Clearly the customers for these kind of binocs have noticed.

Do you hunt?

<B>

[etudiant]

Originally Posted by brocknroller

Do you hunt?

<B>

Well, my last rangefinder got lost in a canoe mishap, so the idea of a built in has appeal. However, this model is the first I've seen that also seems to be optically excellent, even though they note that it lacks the latest coatings.
Meanwhile, my hunting is optical, not mineral.