8x25 CL vs 8x32 EL Field Pro Review/Comparison
Thought i would share some thoughts regarding the Swarovski 8x25 pocket CL and Swarovski 8x32 EL Field Pro.
I have owned the 8x25 for over a year. Overall these little binoculars have really impressed me. I have already posted a short review on here so will not repeat. I purchased these for long hikes and mountain biking when portability is critical and carrying anything larger just isn’t possible, for this purpose these little binoculars are perfect. When i first got these i was surprised how bright they were and the eye relief is excellent which is good as i wear glasses.
Initially i was considering buying the Swarovski 10x50 EL Field pro but before making the purchase i decided to try out all EL field pro models - 8x32, 10x32, 8.5x42, 10x42 and 10x50. It was certainly an interesting experience, quite simply they are all fantastic but then given the price i would certainly hope so. As much as i love higher power i.e 10x i simply can’t hold them steady enough to really get the benefit so that immediately ruled out the 10x models. The other factor is size, weight and how the binoculars feel in my hand, in this regard having tried all of them i just kept coming back to the smaller form factor of the 8x32, they just felt perfect in my hands, well balanced, not too heavy or big. In terms of eye relief i found the 8x32,8.5x42 and 10x50 to be the most comfortable when wearing glasses but the pocket CL is still very good.
Compared to the 8x25 pocket CL the 8x32 is certainly a good bit bigger and its not something i am ever likely to put in my pack when doing a very long hike or mountain biking. The 8x32 are definitely brighter and for sure they offer a more immersive/brighter view. The focus on the 8x32 has a little more friction than the 8x25 which is butter smooth and i have kind of got used to its small size, the focus wheel on the 8x32 by contrast is much bigger but still excellent. One of the big benefits of the 8x32 is that i don’t need to keep adjusting the inter pupil distance something which i have got used to with the pocket CL.
The pictures don't really fully convey the difference in feel of both of these binoculars when in your hands, the 8x25 feels much smaller. The 8x25 have no eyepiece or objective covers and the strap is considerable lighter/smaller making the 8x25 feel more portable and compact.
The new strap and covers on the 8x32 are definitely better than the pocket CL’s which has none :-( but i tend to keep them in the small pouch so its not a big issue for the pocket CL. I found it a little awkward to fit the strap on the 8x32. I thought the objective covers would annoy me flapping around but they work perfectly.
The rubber eyecup covers on the 8x32 are a little tight fitting but i am sure over time they will loosen up.
In terms of image quality, all of the models are really excellent and i couldn't tell any difference in terms of pure IQ, other factors i feel were far more important i.e size, weight, magnification, field of view. I didn’t experience any rolling ball effect with any of the models. When you switch back and forth between both binoculars you can definitely notice the difference in field of view and brightness.
On my first outing with the 8x32 i was lucky enough to come across some deer and it was such an immersive view, boy do deer have good hearing, even the slightest movement they spot you and you really notice they pick up every sound. I also wandered into some woods were it was a little darker and i could certainly notice the difference in brightness between the two.
In summary, if portability and small size is the absolute most important thing then the 8x25 are considerably smaller and fit easily in a jacket pocket. There is no doubt about it the 8x32 offer a more immersive view, the additional brightness and fov definitely have more of a wow factor. In the end i didn't feel like i was giving up anything with the 8x32 compared to bigger models but of all the models it just felt the most comfortable for me. For shorter hikes/walks where i won't be carrying anything else and i want to do some bird watching etc i will take the 8x32, for extended hikes or mountain biking i will always put the little 8x25 in my pack. The brightness of the view in the 8x32 really is quite remarkable and i can't imagine how swarovski can make them any better.
Thought i would share some thoughts regarding the Swarovski 8x25 pocket CL and Swarovski 8x32 EL Field Pro.
I have owned the 8x25 for over a year. Overall these little binoculars have really impressed me. I have already posted a short review on here so will not repeat. I purchased these for long hikes and mountain biking when portability is critical and carrying anything larger just isn’t possible, for this purpose these little binoculars are perfect. When i first got these i was surprised how bright they were and the eye relief is excellent which is good as i wear glasses.
Initially i was considering buying the Swarovski 10x50 EL Field pro but before making the purchase i decided to try out all EL field pro models - 8x32, 10x32, 8.5x42, 10x42 and 10x50. It was certainly an interesting experience, quite simply they are all fantastic but then given the price i would certainly hope so. As much as i love higher power i.e 10x i simply can’t hold them steady enough to really get the benefit so that immediately ruled out the 10x models. The other factor is size, weight and how the binoculars feel in my hand, in this regard having tried all of them i just kept coming back to the smaller form factor of the 8x32, they just felt perfect in my hands, well balanced, not too heavy or big. In terms of eye relief i found the 8x32,8.5x42 and 10x50 to be the most comfortable when wearing glasses but the pocket CL is still very good.
Compared to the 8x25 pocket CL the 8x32 is certainly a good bit bigger and its not something i am ever likely to put in my pack when doing a very long hike or mountain biking. The 8x32 are definitely brighter and for sure they offer a more immersive/brighter view. The focus on the 8x32 has a little more friction than the 8x25 which is butter smooth and i have kind of got used to its small size, the focus wheel on the 8x32 by contrast is much bigger but still excellent. One of the big benefits of the 8x32 is that i don’t need to keep adjusting the inter pupil distance something which i have got used to with the pocket CL.
The pictures don't really fully convey the difference in feel of both of these binoculars when in your hands, the 8x25 feels much smaller. The 8x25 have no eyepiece or objective covers and the strap is considerable lighter/smaller making the 8x25 feel more portable and compact.
The new strap and covers on the 8x32 are definitely better than the pocket CL’s which has none :-( but i tend to keep them in the small pouch so its not a big issue for the pocket CL. I found it a little awkward to fit the strap on the 8x32. I thought the objective covers would annoy me flapping around but they work perfectly.
The rubber eyecup covers on the 8x32 are a little tight fitting but i am sure over time they will loosen up.
In terms of image quality, all of the models are really excellent and i couldn't tell any difference in terms of pure IQ, other factors i feel were far more important i.e size, weight, magnification, field of view. I didn’t experience any rolling ball effect with any of the models. When you switch back and forth between both binoculars you can definitely notice the difference in field of view and brightness.
On my first outing with the 8x32 i was lucky enough to come across some deer and it was such an immersive view, boy do deer have good hearing, even the slightest movement they spot you and you really notice they pick up every sound. I also wandered into some woods were it was a little darker and i could certainly notice the difference in brightness between the two.
In summary, if portability and small size is the absolute most important thing then the 8x25 are considerably smaller and fit easily in a jacket pocket. There is no doubt about it the 8x32 offer a more immersive view, the additional brightness and fov definitely have more of a wow factor. In the end i didn't feel like i was giving up anything with the 8x32 compared to bigger models but of all the models it just felt the most comfortable for me. For shorter hikes/walks where i won't be carrying anything else and i want to do some bird watching etc i will take the 8x32, for extended hikes or mountain biking i will always put the little 8x25 in my pack. The brightness of the view in the 8x32 really is quite remarkable and i can't imagine how swarovski can make them any better.
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