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(4) Quality 8x32 Binoculars- Swarovski EL, SV and Nikon EDG II, SE~ My Impressions (2 Viewers)
- Thread starter stephen b
- Start date
I am sure there is a better focus, higher resolution swarovision 8x32 out there. Just gotta find it.
It's just that it would be nice if the Swarovski Quality Control person would do that for you (especially for $2,100).
Most of the comments on the new 32mm SV has reported no focus problems so Dennis may have found the exception. Good to hear Cabela's now has them in stock. Time to head back out there and see (feel) for myself.
I am all for trying out any binoculars for yourself before purchasing them.
That is what I was doing here- for myself; and since I had all of these together I thought it may be ( or may not) helpful to post some of MY impressions on them. I certainly was not trying to steer anyone toward, or away from any one of these fine binoculars. That was certainly not my intent, and to be a bit blunt- I really do not care in the least what binocular someone else chooses to buy or use. Not my business, and not my worry.
As far as which one of these is best for someone to buy and use- they would have to decide for themselves as to their desires and needs for what they want in a binocular.
As to all of the (4) above binoculars when it comes to optical qualities, a number of characteristics optically is really splitting hairs between them. As to focus- I really did like the SE- of course I was testing it 65-99 deg. F- not 15 deg F. The focus on my Swaro 8x32 SV was very good though. And I like the diopter adj. on the SV much better.
As far as apparent resolution/ contrast ( my applied terminology for ability to discern details) for all of these binoculars- it is very good. I personally thought the Swaro SV and the Nikon SE were for me the best of the (4). Deciding which one was the best for me was tough. In fact, I think if you had 10 people and the best possible equipment set up, with rock solid tripods and a variety of booster magnifications under the strictest of testing- all of these would come very close in results of that testing.
For my eyes what separated the SV from the SE as far as apparent resolution of details was in the distance testing of that and the low light testing of their respective resolution. To me the SV did slightly better ( and to my eyes slightly) with some significant distance ( 500-2500 yards). I think I saw Sancho comment when comparing the 8x32 SV with his Nikon EII, that the SV did a bit better with picking up details when looking out 1 kilometer to 1.5 kilometer. I know that the SE may be different than the EII, but I found the same thing with the SV, vs the SE. And this was even more apparent in the last 60 minutes of light in the day ( 15 minutes before sunset and the twilight of 3/4 hour after sunset). The SV was both brighter and resolved detail better- again, especially with distance. Not by much- but it was there.
And for me and my uses with a binocular- that distance detail ability and that low light ability to discern detail is very important. Especially when using them in most hunting situations. Although in really deep thick woodland hunting- I may possibly choose my 7x30 Swaro. SLC or my 6x30 Yosemite over the 8x32 SV- because of the former ones increased depth performance. But I will have to test that out this fall.
That is what I was doing here- for myself; and since I had all of these together I thought it may be ( or may not) helpful to post some of MY impressions on them. I certainly was not trying to steer anyone toward, or away from any one of these fine binoculars. That was certainly not my intent, and to be a bit blunt- I really do not care in the least what binocular someone else chooses to buy or use. Not my business, and not my worry.
As far as which one of these is best for someone to buy and use- they would have to decide for themselves as to their desires and needs for what they want in a binocular.
As to all of the (4) above binoculars when it comes to optical qualities, a number of characteristics optically is really splitting hairs between them. As to focus- I really did like the SE- of course I was testing it 65-99 deg. F- not 15 deg F. The focus on my Swaro 8x32 SV was very good though. And I like the diopter adj. on the SV much better.
As far as apparent resolution/ contrast ( my applied terminology for ability to discern details) for all of these binoculars- it is very good. I personally thought the Swaro SV and the Nikon SE were for me the best of the (4). Deciding which one was the best for me was tough. In fact, I think if you had 10 people and the best possible equipment set up, with rock solid tripods and a variety of booster magnifications under the strictest of testing- all of these would come very close in results of that testing.
For my eyes what separated the SV from the SE as far as apparent resolution of details was in the distance testing of that and the low light testing of their respective resolution. To me the SV did slightly better ( and to my eyes slightly) with some significant distance ( 500-2500 yards). I think I saw Sancho comment when comparing the 8x32 SV with his Nikon EII, that the SV did a bit better with picking up details when looking out 1 kilometer to 1.5 kilometer. I know that the SE may be different than the EII, but I found the same thing with the SV, vs the SE. And this was even more apparent in the last 60 minutes of light in the day ( 15 minutes before sunset and the twilight of 3/4 hour after sunset). The SV was both brighter and resolved detail better- again, especially with distance. Not by much- but it was there.
And for me and my uses with a binocular- that distance detail ability and that low light ability to discern detail is very important. Especially when using them in most hunting situations. Although in really deep thick woodland hunting- I may possibly choose my 7x30 Swaro. SLC or my 6x30 Yosemite over the 8x32 SV- because of the former ones increased depth performance. But I will have to test that out this fall.
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Torview
Well-known member
I thoroughly enjoyed reading your feelings on these fine optics Stephen, I don`t have any of them, I liked the 8x32 Zeiss fl more, does that mean its better or worse ?, NO !, I do wish people would`nt get the hump because someone else choose`s another path.
They`re all fabulous.
They`re all fabulous.
Absolutely spot on, Stephen, exactly what I found with SV v. EII. At regular close to medium distances, I couldn't decide which (SV or EII) had better "resolution" (by which I mean, I could see stuff clearly) centre-field, and after a few hours testing and changing my mind again and again, I decided that it must be a tie, or so close as to be irrelevant. (Of course the outer FOV of the SV is a different, sharper story to the EII). However, at long-distance, the SV was clearly, to my eyes, sharper.
And like you, Stephen, I've no interest in the "My Bins are Better than Your Bins" contest, otherwise known as "You Must Be Blind if You Don't Agree With Me". I can only tell it like I see it, and these are my eyeballs talkin' here.
It is a good and well written review and I didn't trash it. I just don't agree with it.
Just reporting what I saw in the store. It is the Swarovision 8x32 at the Cabella's in Grand Junction,Colorado. If there is any Bird Forum members up near there go in and try it. The focus has more resistance in the counterclockwise direction and has gritty spots.I am sure there is a better focus, higher resolution swarovision 8x32 out there. Just gotta find it.
I didn't say the SV wasn't a great binocular. I just pointed out my observations and I think it is a fact there should not be these QA issues on a $2200.00 binocular. They should each be inspected and they should not be released for sales. Maybe if you used it for six months the focus would smooth out but in reality it should be smooth and consistent in tension when you purchase them. Swarovski has a problem here and they won't address it!
I can't for the life of me figure out how a binocular could be sharper at longer distances than short. I wish somebody could explain that to me. Weird! Too my eyes the SE's are sharper at close distances and it translates to being sharper at long distances also because I pick up more small detail and variation in colors an shadings even at distances. The SE's also help me "pop" birds out of bushes easier because of their good DOF. I guess not unlike a 7X would.
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No-one said the SV is sharper at longer at "longer distances than short". I said that at close to medium distances, I find the differences in sharpness between the SV and the EII, in the centre of the FOV, to be so close as to be difficult to decide upon, but that at longer distances, the SV appears to my eyes to be sharper. I don't demand for a moment that anyone agree with me - as Brian said, "You've all got to work it out for yourselves!".
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mooreorless
Well-known member
Dennis, What I would like to know is why you felt the need to quote Stephen B's excellent first post on this thread that he started with one of your replies?
http://www.birdforum.net/showpost.php?p=2510335&postcount=19
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Torview
Well-known member
How can you disagree with his findings on the four together, unless you also have the four together ?
Not stirring just curious.
I recently compared the EL, SV, and SE at Cabellas. I didn't have my EDG with me but I compare it all the time to my SE at home. The SE is a little sharper than my EDG and all the other roofs. I think the 8x32 SV has the same optics as the 8.5 SV because I compared them side by side. In my opinion the 8.5 is a little more impressive optically. In my eyes they both have rolling ball with the 8x showing it a little less.
jaymoynihan
Corvus brachyrhynchos watcher
Very interesting and informative read there Stephen. I think you should keep 2 of the binoculars. That SV for hunting (waterproof and all). Keep the SE for "Sunday strolls" so to speak. :t:
normjackson
Well-known member
Guess we now eagerly await what is de rigeur for "Monday's trolls" |:d|
14Goudvink
Well-known member
What would someone who ownes a 8x32 SV want a 8x32 SE for?
A sharper view , increased 3D effect, no rolling ball, better glare control, and a smoother focus.
jaymoynihan
Corvus brachyrhynchos watcher
Have you used one (the SE)?
I was seriously thinking of doing just that. In an ideal and perfect world I would have ( and in one where $$ is no object). And I almost did right up until the last minute when time was running out for me to make a decision in regards to the time frame for returning the SE's to the optics dealer.
But... for me, I live in a place where for 3/4 of the year (or more) the weather is not ideal for non H2O proof bin's. And I just decided I could not justify the cost of more than $600 for binoculars that would in all practical purposes be relegated to house bins and fair weather bins. I use my binoculars most of the time in some pretty rough and unpredictable weather conditions, and I did not want to have to have a set that I would have to babysit that much. Maybe someday when I have $600 that I do not know what to do with- I may get another pair of 8x32 SE's. But for now- what I have will work well for me.
Plus- there was the very real recent financial costs of spending quite a bit more than what the SE's cost for the short notice airfare and car rental to attend my Mothers service last month. And this was after the SE's and the others were ordered and in transit.
For me- ending up keeping the the Swaro SV's was certainly a bit of a stretch, and keeping the SE's on top of those was going to stretch me too much.
So.... I guess for now the 8x32 SV's will have to make do as my go to 8x32 bin's. Even though some here may think I have settled on an "inferior" bin. 8-P
