Finally made the decision to get the EL 8x32 Field Pros (1 Viewer)

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StressBaller

Price is what you pay, Value is what you get - War

• Apr 27, 2018

• #1

After months of trial and error with every 32 and 42mm Swarovski, I went with the 8x32. I was on the hunt for THE ONE binocular for me. All in, this was the one. Size, FOV, ergonomics, magnification. 8x vs 10x I didn’t notice any pro inside 200yds.
Ranking them would be:
8x32
8.5x42
10x32
10x42

Link below is a crisp image of me digiscoping with my iPhone 8 and 8x32. Hand held with nothing to lean on. https://imgur.com/gallery/7WrDcaZ

 

Samolot

Well-known member

• Apr 27, 2018

• #2

That is a beautiful picture! Congrats!

 

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black crow

Well-known member

• Apr 27, 2018

• #3

I just bought the same pair of 8x32 yesterday. A friend told me that for some reason LLBean had them on their 25% off sale although all the other Swaros were not. The sale ended last night. It might have been an error in their system or they were discontinuing that size for some reason but they charged me $1649.25 on my credit card. I'm still waiting for my tracking number but it looks like I just saved $549.75.

 

S

StressBaller

Price is what you pay, Value is what you get - War

• Apr 27, 2018

• #4

Black Crow- Are you sure these are Field Pros? I’ve been to LL Bean many times and haven’t seen any new models. Either way it’s a great deal and if you got the FPs, sweet! I went to a tax free gun fair and got a great deal as well.

 

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black crow

Well-known member

• Apr 27, 2018

• #5

Don't know. It just said Swarovski EL binocular 8x32. Someone just emailed me about that and said the models are optically the same. I didn't know there was a difference. So what is the difference?

I do know that when I looked on their website they don't have 8x32s now. Whatever it is it looks like I got the very last one.

 

Last edited: Apr 27, 2018

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black crow

Well-known member

• Apr 27, 2018

• #6

Just checked. Looks like it's the new model.:t:

 

Rathaus

Well-known member

• Apr 28, 2018

• #7

Excellent optics and specifications aside - I find the EL 8x32 format to be as close as it gets to the perfectly sized, weight and shaped binocular. Swarovski hit a home run with this one. It’s an absolute delight to handle.

Enjoy!

 

chill6x6

Registered User

Supporter

• Apr 28, 2018

• #8

That image is about as good as it gets!

I think you made a great decision! It should serve you well for many years!

 

Jason Bugay Reyes

Well-known member

• Apr 28, 2018

• #9

I have the 8x32 EL then 8x32 EL Field Pro. Both are good but the ergonomic on the newer model is better IMO. Still 8x32 is the best for me too as it compliment the 65mm and 95mm Swarovski Optik scopes hehehe

 

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dmcharg

Well-known member

• Apr 29, 2018

• #10

Good choice. I made the same choice after deliberating for many months and trying all of the field pro models. In the end the 8x32 ergonomics won. They are all excellent but the smaller form factor of the 8x32 made them much easier to hand hold i felt.

 

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black crow

Well-known member

• May 1, 2018

• #11

I got them today and spent about 4 1/2 hours birding with them this afternoon. Everything I'd hoped they would be. I've not met an easier binocular to look through. I can't get over how bright and sharp they are. Slight rolling ball but nothing that bothers. I'm satisfied. Highlights were a Green Heron and Bullocks Oriole and a River Otter. Tomorrow more of the same. One of the advantages to being retired.

 

Theo98

Eurasian Goldfinch

• May 1, 2018

• #12

black crow said:

I got them today and spent about 4 1/2 hours birding with them this afternoon. Everything I'd hoped they would be. I've not met an easier binocular to look through. I can't get over how bright and sharp they are. Slight rolling ball but nothing that bothers. I'm satisfied. Highlights were a Green Heron and Bullocks Oriole and a River Otter. Tomorrow more of the same. One of the advantages to being retired.

Click to expand...

Congrats BC (and to others)! My better half (and I) really enjoy their traveling virtues...lightweight, compact, big "crystalline" FOV! :king:

Ted

 

chill6x6

Registered User

Supporter

• May 1, 2018

• #13

black crow said:

I got them today and spent about 4 1/2 hours birding with them this afternoon. Everything I'd hoped they would be. I've not met an easier binocular to look through. I can't get over how bright and sharp they are. Slight rolling ball but nothing that bothers. I'm satisfied. Highlights were a Green Heron and Bullocks Oriole and a River Otter. Tomorrow more of the same. One of the advantages to being retired.

Click to expand...

Great! Love Green Herons! I need to see a Bullocks Oriole!

Congrats on the new SV! I'm glad you find it to be everything that I do! :t:

 

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black crow

Well-known member

• May 1, 2018

• #14

The Bullocks may be our most colorful bird here along with the Western Tanager. The guy there at the pond with the big camera got a magazine cover shot of that Oriole. He sat there for at least two hours waiting for it so he said. I hung with him for at least a half hour waiting for another. He said it's how he makes his living. Now that sounds like a good life but he told me ever since digital cameras came in the prices on great shots have dropped dramatically. He said in the past he might have gotten a grand for that shot. Now $350 if he finds a buyer. I don't know if any of that is true.

 

tenex

reality-based

• May 1, 2018

• #15

black crow said:

Everything I'd hoped they would be. I've not met an easier binocular to look through. I can't get over how bright and sharp they are. Slight rolling ball but nothing that bothers.

Click to expand...

I'll be interested to hear how the 32mm Ultravid compares for you. They're definitely different flavors.

 

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black crow

Well-known member

• May 2, 2018

• #16

I spent 5 hours with the Leica 10x32 today. I like it every bit as much as the Swarovski. Very rich vibrant colors and beautifully sharp. Eye placement is much more critical in the Leica but it was easy to get the hang of in a short while. It took awhile to be able to hold them steady also but once done the views were pristine IMO. The Swarovski is better at the very edge but other than that they are equals. I'm surely keeping both binoculars.