buying decision: Swarovski SLC HD 8x42 or Zeiss Victory 8x42 T*FL (1 Viewer)

M

MeisterE

Member

• Sep 23, 2011

• #1

Hej!
I want wo buy a binocular for hiking, hunting and birding.
After testing many binoculars there are finally two options left.

Zeiss Victory 8x42 T*FL
Swarovski SLC HD 8x42

Which one would you choose and why?
I testet both and it´s really hard for me to make a decision:smoke:

Thank you for your help!
Hej from Austria!
MeisterE

 

Last edited: Sep 23, 2011

C

ceasar

Well-known member

• Sep 23, 2011

• #2

As I said above. Buy the one you are most comfortable using. One of them will feel better to you in use. One you will be able to point to the target more instinctively. One will feel better in your hands. Look for things like that.

Bob

 

M

MeisterE

Member

• Sep 23, 2011

• #3

Thank you, Bob!
On monday i´ll visit a store(once more) and try to make a final decision!

Hej from Austria,
MeisterE

 

FrankD

Well-known member

• Sep 23, 2011

• #4

ceasar said:

As I said above. Buy the one you are most comfortable using. One of them will feel better to you in use. One you will be able to point to the target more instinctively. One will feel better in your hands. Look for things like that.

Bob

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I tend to agree with Bob. I have tried both and it is going to come down to the individual feel of both in your hands, how comfortable the eyecups fit your face, the focusing speed/tension, etc....

We could probably spend the next few days dissecting the minute differences between the two but that won't necessarily help you make your decision. Handle each, look through each and see which you prefer.

 

L

lawnman

Member

• Sep 27, 2011

• #5

I liked the smoother focus on my Zeiss personally

 

mooreorless

Well-known member

• Sep 27, 2011

• #6

The Zeiss is a little lighter and the 8x32 FL is even lighter.
http://www.birdforum.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=109822&d=1192753452

 

D

[email protected]

Well-known member

Supporter

• Sep 29, 2011

• #7

lawnman said:

I liked the smoother focus on my Zeiss personally

Click to expand...

I like the smoother focus of the Zeiss FL over the Swarovision also.

 

J

James Bean

Well-known member

• Oct 2, 2011

• #8

I believe the smooth focus on the Zeiss FL is almost as good as that on the Nikon HG or EDG...? (!)

 

D

[email protected]

Well-known member

Supporter

• Oct 3, 2011

• #9

James Bean said:

I believe the smooth focus on the Zeiss FL is almost as good as that on the Nikon HG or EDG...? (!)

Click to expand...

The Nikon HG is silky smooth whereas the Zeiss FL is German smooth.

 

S

steve@37n84w

Well-known member

• Oct 3, 2011

• #10

James Bean said:

I believe the smooth focus on the Zeiss FL is almost as good as that on the Nikon HG or EDG...? (!)

Click to expand...

I have both models (FL, Edg) and the FL being "almost as good" is about right in my opinion also.

Steve

 

J

James Bean

Well-known member

• Oct 6, 2011

• #11

Well said, Steve... whereas it's 'crystal' clear the Swarovski is Austrian smooth?

 

brocknroller

porromaniac

• Oct 6, 2011

• #12

James Bean said:

Well said, Steve... whereas it's 'crystal' clear the Swarovski is Austrian smooth?

Click to expand...

Nice pun, James, but I think you will find a fair number of people who have either owned or tried Swaros who would dispute that statement.

The smoothness of Swaro focusers is one area where there's still room for improvement in regard to consistency.

Brock

 

J

James Bean

Well-known member

• Oct 8, 2011

• #13

Brock, it wasn't so much a statement of my opinion but a play on words, as you surmise. I do say, with some conviction through experience, that the ultimate smoothie is a Nikon.