This is helpful. How would you rank the three optically? The size of the el doesn’t bother much (yet).
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EL 8.5x42 vs. NL 8x32 - only pair (2 Viewers)
- Thread starter HenChamp
- Start date
The NL view was the most amazing view but I did also have more trouble with glare, I had almost forgotten about that part. The EL did have the brighter view for low light as it should, but for typical use the weight trade wasn’t worth it for me. The SF (I have tried 4 samples) has a great picture but the complete package (not just image quality) is what sold me. I really wanted to like the binocular with the superior image (NL definitely had more wow over the SF) but if it fogged up and glare was an issue for me I might be missing things I am trying to look at. I’ll be honest though, I’m still tempted to get an NL again (not as my primary though) just for that view. The EL was great (I had a late pre legacy model) but too big/heavy for my casual viewing. It took me about a year to feel the EL was too heavy for me.
Ah! Cool John thanks.
Im surely guilty, having read these back then when posted, and retained only snippets.... or that you even had done this! Seems I'm not alone though as BF conversations wander away from the info as well. Obviously many members have joined after, so don't know these exist. Wonder if there's anything to be done to keep these sort of facts current, top of mind?? Stickies maybe?
In the material composition article one quibble, EL eyecups are aluminum with a rubber rim at the top.
The discussion of TPU for the EL, NL and SLC covers in the "SLC Rubber Casing Fault" #6 seems to clear up the confusion above, and mitigates Swarovski's thinking.
What would we do without you?
Tom
HenChamp,
As your process continues, hopefully its OK if I go back to my #8 to clarify this line: "If I could have just one? Prolly take the EL 1042. Your 8.5 to me is a trickier choice vis a vis the EL/NL debate." The point I was trying to make relates to birdcat and to what I already own - my starting point. My EL is a 10. I'm a 10 fan. It works for where I bird. Im used to it. If birding without the scope, something I actually prefer season and location depending, I want the 10s. With scope its NL 832. Im very glad I own both. As a recovering gearhead, its amazing how buying the NL has shut down my lusting... Your decision between EL8.542 and NL832 is different. Glad I don't have to make it. If I were at the starting gate, the NL 10/12 42s would be in the chase though to.
One cautionary point. You wrote, "Going on a trip and need to make a decision by tomorrow in order to receive the binoculars in time." I spent 3 months to bond with the NLs. It took being out and about to different venues, in different weather, light to learn glare management, eye placement and appreciate the benefit of the larger AFOV. Sorry... Ha!
Tom
I like this idea, but worry I won't have that Swaro 'wow' factor. Which for me makes this hobby that much more enjoyable.
Paultricounty
Well-known member
If you like EL , most will like NL. Optics are extremely close with some modifications to FOV, edges, panning personality and improved silky smooth focuser. I’m with you , love spending money on my hobbies and blessed that I can, I’d ad single malt scotch to the hobby group. To me these things have always been a passion, some call it an addiction, maybe the difference is that it’s an addiction if you can’t afford it and/or it effects the people around you in a negative way.
Spent about 4 hours today with my Swarovski 8.5EL’s at Green Cay nature preserve in south Florida. I have absolutely no complaints with the focuser on this EL, very smooth in both directions , very intuitive and precise, a joy to use.
Paul
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Paultricounty
Well-known member
I hear that. SFL very nice glass, but not on the level of EL, NL, SF and Noctivids, just doesn’t have the snap, crackle and pop (wow factor) like the latter, in my experience. But the SFL brings something else to the table.
Paul
Any No -See-Ums, grasshopper?
Paultricounty
Well-known member
Lots ! And a whole bunch of other nasty biting critters. Some were landing on my EL’s 😲.
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Good thing you had your EL's. By the looks of the size of some of those mosquitoes, they would have cracked the armour on the NL's. Those No -See-Ums in Florida are amazing. You can't see them, but you know they are there because they are biting the crap out of you.
Redneckbmxer24
Well-known member
I have EL 8.5x42 SV that I bought at the end of last year and I regret not getting the NL's. They are superior binoculars in every way. Amazing immersive view, 6 position eye cups, dioptor focus lever, and the outdoorsman stud can be user installed. I have had several pair of EL's and they are great binoculars and what you can get them for used is in excellent value and I'd buy them all day over anything new at that price point, but if you're talking new EL vs new NL buy the NL's, it's well worth the price difference. I have the 12x42's and it's really all I use.
As to the armor on the NL's and EL's, if you're buying a new pair of binos or anything made in like the last 5 years its the same exact stuff on both. I know some people have had the armor fail but it's not a common problem at all and probably likely its more due to bad batches of the rubber or being exposed to chemicals that has caused it. Regardless, it's an armor. It's designed to be a sacrificial skin to protect the body of the binoculars and its designed to be replaced too. So if you've gotta spend $200 to replace the armor after 10-20 years of bumps and bruises so what? Don't buy a watch that needs servicing if that's an issue, you don't want to know what it costs to to service and replace wear items on something like a Rolex, Omega, Breitling, Etc.
As to the armor on the NL's and EL's, if you're buying a new pair of binos or anything made in like the last 5 years its the same exact stuff on both. I know some people have had the armor fail but it's not a common problem at all and probably likely its more due to bad batches of the rubber or being exposed to chemicals that has caused it. Regardless, it's an armor. It's designed to be a sacrificial skin to protect the body of the binoculars and its designed to be replaced too. So if you've gotta spend $200 to replace the armor after 10-20 years of bumps and bruises so what? Don't buy a watch that needs servicing if that's an issue, you don't want to know what it costs to to service and replace wear items on something like a Rolex, Omega, Breitling, Etc.
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Redneckbmxer24
Well-known member
I would absolutely buy the NL 8x32 over the EL 8.5x42, everything else you get more than makes up for the smaller exit pupil which is the main advantage to the EL IMO, but 4mm exit pupil is plenty. If you're going to do a lot of low light viewing the 8.5x42 will be a little better in that regard too, but if that's something you want I would really encourage you to spend the extra money for the NL 8x42's. Plenty of people use 8x25/30's, and 10-32's and such all of which have smaller exit pupils.
I've been in the market for 8x32's for something smaller on occasion but mostly for the lady to use and really wanted the NL's but came across a deal I couldn't pass up on Ultravid HD+ 8x32's and went that route instead. The NL's would be nice but they aren't going to see enough use justify the cost difference since I always grab my NL 12's and she usually doesn't carry binos and will just get a look through mine. I'm hoping smaller binos that are easier for her to manage will encourage her to carry them and enjoy more views.
An update. Got the NL pure 8x32 and then had some trouble with my glasses (just slight trouble with eye strain / and very particular placement needed). My wife loved them though, and declared them hers, so I bought NL pure 8x42s used here. They’re fantastic. I also had the SFL 8x40 to try, optics were great, but it didn’t have the wow factor of the NL for me. I also didn’t love the objective covers. Swarovski as a package is just really, really nice. Of course, you pay for it.
The EL is great, and the NL optics are barely better, but they are, and the handling / feeling is easily worth the price difference to me. So I am finally happy and we’re going birding tomorrow morning.
The EL is great, and the NL optics are barely better, but they are, and the handling / feeling is easily worth the price difference to me. So I am finally happy and we’re going birding tomorrow morning.
