8.5 x 42 EL Swarovski Questions. (1 Viewer)

[j_2112]

Hey all, first post here. I've read many of your posts and learned a lot from you all, thank you.

My question today is regarding the Swarovski 8.5 x 42 EL. I have not tried them yet but really want to. My only concerns are:

1) Are these too heavy for EDC

2) Is the FOV good for birding? Can't afford the NL pure

3) Is Swarovision worth the chance of Rolling Ball issue I've read about?

Alright hope that's not too much. Can't wait to hear what y'all have to say.

Kind regards,
Jason

 

[Maljunulo]

You need to also try the Zeiss 8X42 SF and compare them directly with the Swarovski before you plunk down your money, otherwise you may make a purchase which you will regret.

 

[j_2112]

You need to also try the Zeiss 8X42 SF and compare them directly with the Swarovski before you plunk down your money, otherwise you may make a purchase which you will regret.

Researching it now. Looks amazing. Still kinda had my heart set on being a Swarovski owner. I suppose I just need to let the glass speak for itself. Thanks Maljunulo

 

[BlackadderBird]

Just do a side by side test at a dealership. Maybe you will like another brand better, its all up to preference. Swarovski is still top of the top offcourse so almost cant go wrong.

 

[j_2112]

Just do a side by side test at a dealership. Maybe you will like another brand better, its all up to preference. Swarovski is still top of the top offcourse so almost cant go wrong.

I have no dealerships close however I did just learn bird watching dot com has no sales tax for my state. Saves $163 right away.

 

[Maljunulo]

I have no dealerships close however I did just learn bird watching dot com has no sales tax for my state. Saves $163 right away.

Check their return policy carefully, and don't get so caught up in the "Swarovski owner" thing that you pass up a glass which may suit your needs better.

 

[GrampaTom]

1. EDC.. ? Hmm, I know the term but not so much applied to binos. The EL 42s are totally fine weight-wise for birdin or critter watching.
2. yes
3. Ive never seen rolling balls, roller balls or for that matter ball point pens, just gorgeous crystal clear images. Some will say YMMV

 

[j_2112]

1. EDC.. ? Hmm, I know the term but not so much applied to binos. The EL 42s are totally fine weight-wise for birdin or critter watching.
2. yes
3. Ive never seen rolling balls, roller balls or for that matter ball point pens, just gorgeous crystal clear images. Some will say YMMV

Haha yeah. If I'm spending $2200 I had better have them on me. Thanks!

 

[AlphaFan]

Best advise is to try before buying, or to have a specific agreement to demo and return if not satisfied.

The 8.5x42 EL SV is certainly a quality binocular and has great reviews, but will you like it more than others available in the same price range??? A premium binocular purchase is a very personal choice and always a compromise of features to some degree. Only you will be able to determine the features liked and disliked (other than overall quality).

Personally prefer some other binoculars that directly compete with the EL SV, but to answer your questions:

1. The EL SV’s weight is average for a 42mm premium binocular, but handling characteristics are critically important as well, and must be experienced first hand.
2. FOV is very good for an 8.5x binocular
3. “Rolling Ball Effect” - I am sensitive to RBE and most definitively experience it when panning with this particular binocular, although more with 10x

If already dead-set on owning an SW and cannot afford the NL Pure, input in this thread is for historical reference only.

BTW - are you 100% certain there are none in your area? The the EL SV 42mm is an extremely popular binocular carried by most premium birding and sporting goods stores.

 

[j_2112]

Best advise is to try before buying, or to have a specific agreement to demo and return if not satisfied.

The 8.5x42 EL SV is certainly a quality binocular and has great reviews, but will you like it more than others available in the same price range??? A premium binocular purchase is a very personal choice and always a compromise of features to some degree. Only you will be able to determine the features liked and disliked (other than overall quality).

Personally prefer some other binoculars that directly compete with the EL SV, but to answer your questions:

1. The EL SV’s weight is average for a 42mm premium binocular, but handling characteristics are critically important as well, and must be experienced first hand.
2. FOV is very good for an 8.5x binocular
3. “Rolling Ball Effect” - I am sensitive to RBE and most definitively experience it when panning with this particular binocular, although more with 10x

If already dead-set on owning an SW and cannot afford the NL Pure, input in this thread is for historical reference only.

BTW - are you 100% certain there are none in your area? The the EL SV 42mm is an extremely popular binocular carried by most premium birding and sporting goods stores.

Hey thanks for the info. I think I can track down a 10x42 SV in an upcoming trip, mostly to check for RBE and ergonomic / build quality as you mentioned.

 

[GrampaTom]

Before you go looking too hard for... er stuff.

Do you know Holger Merltiz? http://www.holgermerlitz.de/binoculars_english.html

Go to third section, check out the articles in 1, 2, 6, 8.

 

[Conndomat]

Hello Jason,

that 8.5x42 has an AFOV of 60° degrees, I never had the feeling that the field of vision was too small, 60°degrees already correspond to a "moderate wide field".

The rolling-ball effect is often overrated, I think Zeiss once did a survey, so only a few percent of users perceive it as very disturbing,around 40% perceive it but do not find it annoying, over 50% do not even know what a rolling ball effect is.
I myself have to concentrate very much on the rolling ball effect, I don't even notice it when I watch it normally.
Incidentally, in the Zeiss SF 8x42 I perceive the rolling ball a bit more clearly than in the Swarovski 8,5x42, but here again not as annoying and completely irrelevant for normal observation.

Andreas

 

[BabyDov]

I tried the 8.5x42 FP. The optics, of course, were great. I couldn't appreciated rolling ball effect. However, after extended use, something I could not appreciate in a few minutes at a dealer, I found them bulky and tiresome to hold. I am 77 years old, so you might have a different experience. Just be sure you can return them if they don't feel comfortable to use over extended time.

 

[leonardo_simon]

I just bought my 8.5 x 42 FP without testing any others.
I am extremely happy with them. They are great.

Too much guff spouted about minor details between different instruments for the average person to worry about

 

[CSG]

Researching it now. Looks amazing. Still kinda had my heart set on being a Swarovski owner. I suppose I just need to let the glass speak for itself. Thanks Maljunulo

Swaro has the best marketing but the best binoculars? NIMO.

 

[CSG]

I just bought my 8.5 x 42 FP without testing any others.
I am extremely happy with them. They are great.

Too much guff spouted about minor details between different instruments for the average person to worry about

The "average" person does not buy alpha binoculars. Rolling ball effect is not a minor detail to those of us who passed on Swaros that exhibit it.

 

[etc]

You can get pre-SV and pre-RB effect 8.5x42 EL.


The extra 0.5 power gives you, or doesn't give you an advantage over 8x42.

Nothing wrong at all with EL. I upgraded my 2008 EL to 2016 vintage SF and could not detect any noticeable optical improvement at all. If anything, EL was sharper solely due to the slightly more power.
But I specifically wanted a 10x and 8x so SF works for me.

 

[j_2112]

After way too much research I decided against the 8.5 x 42 EL and just purchased the Swaro 8 x 32 EL Field Pro, mostly due to weight, size, and savings of $500.

Will be comparing the directly to my 8 x 30 Maven B3 when they arrived. How exciting, but I'm ready to be done buying glass that's for sure, it's driving me insane! Haha.

Thanks all again, lots of interesting comments and good suggestions all around.

 

[chill6x6]

After way too much research I decided against the 8.5 x 42 EL and just purchased the Swaro 8 x 32 EL Field Pro, mostly due to weight, size, and savings of $500.

Will be comparing the directly to my 8 x 30 Maven B3 when they arrived. How exciting, but I'm ready to be done buying glass that's for sure, it's driving me insane! Haha.

Thanks all again, lots of interesting comments and good suggestions all around.

I was going to recommend exactly that! Perfect choice! For the price a new one can be bought currently it's almost a no-brainer.

As far as rolling ball goes.... I've let a pile of folks borrow and or use various EL SV binoculars....those mentioning seeing "rolling ball" is exactly zero.

 

[j_2112]

I was going to recommend exactly that! Perfect choice! For the price a new one can be bought currently it's almost a no-brainer.

As far as rolling ball goes.... I've let a pile of folks borrow and or use various EL SV binoculars....those mentioning seeing "rolling ball" is exactly zero.

Hey, thanks a lot! Some of your other posts help push me a bit in that direction. With the 8 x 32 SV EL now discontinued should be an easy resale if needed. I just hope the voices in my head in the evening / morning light won't be telling me I should have gone with the 8.5 x 42 SV. I also hope I don't want that extra .5 power as well.

In the meantime we'll keep saving for the NL 42's.

Jason