EL 12x50 renovated model 😬 (4 Viewers)

[Tec.Man]

I bought a relatively inexpensive EL 12x50 from a certified dealer, and it's supposedly a fully refurbished demonstration model with a full warranty.
However, according to the model number, it was built in 2016, making it nine years old. I'm wondering if its age might be a disadvantage 😬

 

[Richard D]

Optically there hasn't been any better 12x50's produced since they were made. I wouldn't worry.

 

[Maljunulo]

I think the key words here are “refurbished” and “full warranty”.

 

[tenex]

EL 12x50 was discontinued last year, and one would expect a refurbished demo model to be five-plus years old anyway. As long as you're OK with visible wear on the hinge, which an exposed bridge would soon acquire, you should be happy with one of the best binoculars on the recent market. Perhaps especially at the price; may we know it?

 

[Tec.Man]

EL 12x50 was discontinued last year, and one would expect a refurbished demo model to be five-plus years old anyway. As long as you're OK with visible wear on the hinge, which an exposed bridge would soon acquire, you should be happy with one of the best binoculars on the recent market. Perhaps especially at the price; may we know it?

I paid 1650€ for it and if Swarovski confirms the guarantee, I'll be happy.

 

[quincy88]

So, that somewhere in the neighborhood of about half full retail price? I wouldn't worry about anything.
12x50s are awesome. I've always wanted a pair of those.

 

[Scott98]

They look good to me! Glass looks beautiful. I'd love to use these for astronomy. I love the comfortable hold of the long barrels of the 50mm EL's.

 

[Tec.Man]

So, that somewhere in the neighborhood of about half full retail price? I wouldn't worry about anything.
12x50s are awesome. I've always wanted a pair of those.

In Europe, the glass costs around €2,400, and right now, if you bargain well, you can get it new for €2,000. I think my price is quite reasonable.

 

[Tec.Man]

They look good to me! Glass looks beautiful. I'd love to use these for astronomy. I love the comfortable hold of the long barrels of the 50mm EL's.

Yes, the glass looks good, and all the accessories are brand new, even the really good case and the armoring of the glass.
Only the paint on the metal is a bit shabby, but the black Edding takes care of that 😉😄

 

[Scott98]

The marks in the paint are there to remind you how much money you saved

 

[quincy88]

In Europe, the glass costs around €2,400, and right now, if you bargain well, you can get it new for €2,000. I think my price is quite reasonable.

Oh sure. That isn't quite as discounted as I thought, but that is still a good deal.
To go back to your original thought, I do not think that age of your ELs is a disadvantage. In my opinion, in many of the ways that matter, binoculars have not improved optically in a long time. ELs are competitive with all of Swarovski's current line up, and I think they will remain competitive with Swarovski's future releases for a long time. The improvements in binoculars are pretty marginal at this point. Absolutely Swarovski is innovative and they continue to improve, but they work hard for those small improvements and we pay a lot for them.

 

[hopster]

If it has been properly refurbished by Swaro and has a warranty I don't think you need to worry at all. Some people believe that this is the best 12x50 roof ever, and for astronomy I would agree. For daylight use it has competition from Leica and Meopta.

 

[Tec.Man]

If it has been properly refurbished by Swaro and has a warranty I don't think you need to worry at all. Some people believe that this is the best 12x50 roof ever, and for astronomy I would agree. For daylight use it has competition from Leica and Meopta.

The warranty was confirmed today by Swarovski Support and for what I paid for the EL (1650€) I have not found a comparable Leica or Meopta 😬

 

[hopster]

The warranty was confirmed today by Swarovski Support and for what I paid for the EL (1650€) I have not found a comparable Leica or Meopta 😬

Excellent, I'm sure it will be a trusted long-term companion!

I find it very useful to have an adjustable walking pole with me when I take the 12x50 - I usually take one with me anyway so this is no inconvenience. I have adapted the top so that the binocular can balance safely on it and so it becomes an effective monopod without any actual attachment, just using gravity and my hands around it. The difference in view if you are looking at something for a long time is greater the more magnification you have - at 12x it's a really big difference. I can only use 12x handheld relatively briefly for watching birds in flight, but with it balanced on the walking pole/monopod I can use it almost indefinitely. Of course for astronomy you are better to mount it on a tripod.