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EL 8.5x42 initial impressions (4 Viewers)

phiba

Active member
United States
After looking at other posts in the BF Equipment Review section, it seems more appropriate to post this here.

I just received my new EL 8.5x42 binocs purchased from BH Photo. Here are my initial impressions:
  • They are smaller than I was expecting, 6.3"L, a bit shorter than my old Leitz 7x42 BA.
  • They not as heavy as I was expecting. They do weigh in at 30 oz, but in the hand, feel lighter. For reference, it weighs exactly the same as my 24 oz plastic bottle of water.
  • The eye relief is wonderful, like nothing I've experienced before. I have several mm of play in the eyecup extension before starting to lose FOV.
  • I've only tried them in broad daylight, but the view is fine. I haven't done any critical comparison with my old Leitz binocs, and have nothing modern to compare them to. But my initial reaction is delight and satisfaction.
  • For the first time, I understand what people are talking about when they mention "kidney beaning". Adjusting the eye relief seems to minimize them. Also, holding my head more erect with the binoculars perpendicular seems to help. This will take some practice, and improve my posture!
  • I only notice glare when looking at objects directly toward bright sun, and this can be easily controlled. Wearing my glasses, I get a small arc of glare at the bottom of the view. I think it comes from light reflecting off my cheeks and/or glasses into the viewfinder. Without glasses, adjusting the eye cups, and holding the binoculars perpendicular to my face, any glare is eliminated.
  • I haven’t tried to attach the neck strap yet, but I did see that there are YT videos about this if needed. I also saw that you can buy adapters for a regular strap if desired. I like the neoprene ones like Op/Tech.
On a related note, yesterday I emailed Swarovski NA customer support with questions about the armor degradation. Today, I received a comprehensive and informative reply. They acknowledged the problem, and said that a new armor material is being used on NL Pures, although the transition SNs are not being tracked. The new armor is not yet being produced for EL 42 or SLC 56 models.

They said the degradation is caused by sweat, not DEET. If not cleaned off, the combination of accumulated sweat and heat can degrade the material. The problem can be prevented by regularly washing the binocs with soap and water. Since the binocs are fully waterproof and submersible, this is normally easy to do. But, for a variety of reasons, some users do not or cannot. They said that if I do encounter problems in a few years, the new armoring will be available and fully incorporated into their repair system.

One thing I was not aware of at first was how rebuildable these binoculars are. It seems they can rebuild/ replace just about anything, in or out of warranty. For US customers like me, this can be done at their facility in Rhode Island - no need to ship back to Europe. This is reassuring to me.

I also support that Swarovski Optic is trying to be environmentally responsible and use sustainable materials, even if it results in more frequent maintenance needs. We already have too much "forever plastic" in our water and landfill.

While reading the posts in this forum, I had a few panic attacks that I had made a bad and costly choice, and had thoughts of immediately returning them in exchange for something like the Zeuss SF 8x32, which I could get for a few hundred dollars more. But in the end, I am very happy with my choice, and feel confident that Swarovski Optic NA will take good care of me if I have any problems.
 
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Hi,
  • I only notice glare when looking at objects directly toward bright sun, and this can be easily controlled. Wearing my glasses, I get a small arc of glare at the bottom of the view. I think it comes from light reflecting off my cheeks and/or glasses into the viewfinder. Without glasses, adjusting the eye cups, and holding the binoculars perpendicular to my face, any glare is eliminated.
Unfortunately, there is a persistent rumor that Swarovski binoculars have glare problems. This is true for a few models, but not for the 8.5x42 EL!

I also support that Swarovski Optic is trying to be environmentally responsible and use sustainable materials, even if it results in more frequent maintenance needs. We already have too much "forever plastic" in our water and landfill.
Good intentions are not always good execution!

The problem is that it is of little or no use to the environment if people send their binoculars all over the country. In fact, it uses more resources than if you make a piece of armor that is perhaps a little less environmentally friendly but lasts 30 years.

Otherwise, I am also in favor of protecting the environment as much as possible, but Swarovski has actually made the problem worse with this armor.

Andreas
 
The problem is that it is of little or no use to the environment if people send their binoculars all over the country. In fact, it uses more resources than if you make a piece of armor that is perhaps a little less environmentally friendly but lasts 30 years.
At least they are working to find an environmentally sustainable armoring material that is longer-lasting than the current TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane), which, unlike on some other brands, can be replaced. I think I also read somewhere that they have eliminated PTFE water-shedding coatings. All this is good, in my view. I don’t know if other manufacturers are working on similar improvements to their products and methods, but I sincerely hope so.
 
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Whenever I use my brother's I can't help but think what a truly superb binocular it is. Even after having tried the NL, SF and Noctivid (decent trial of a friend's example too, not just at Birdfair), it still impresses. As I've said before - the 8.5x42 in particular is a true modern day classic, fully worthy of inheriting the mantle of the great classics of the past like the 7x42 Dialyt. My brother pretty much uses only this for his birding despite having the choice of 10x56 SLC and 10x50 WX (!!!) - and as the hunters say, beware the man with only one gun. Whenever I use it I have to fight off the urge to sell off my entire collection and buy one.

PXL_20240407_112911319.jpg
 
Phiba you have done great by opening a new thread and not continuing the "initial" one, Alpha class binocs to describe your ELs experience. Also by reading how you express yourself I believe you will be a great asset to BF.
Regarding the armour, do not worry at all. Have my ELs 4 years already and so far nothing wrong about the armour. And if there was, Swarovski will take care of it at least during 6 more years (Damn European guarantee, we Europeans might be more clumsy since our guarantee covers less time, WHO KNOWS WHY). By the way Phiba regarding cleaning, try not to clean the lenses too often, this means to try not to get them dirty. (y)
 
Whenever I use my brother's I can't help but think what a truly superb binocular it is. Even after having tried the NL, SF and Noctivid (decent trial of a friend's example too, not just at Birdfair), it still impresses. As I've said before - the 8.5x42 in particular is a true modern day classic, fully worthy of inheriting the mantle of the great classics of the past like the 7x42 Dialyt. My brother pretty much uses only this for his birding despite having the choice of 10x56 SLC and 10x50 WX (!!!) - and as the hunters say, beware the man with only one gun. Whenever I use it I have to fight off the urge to sell off my entire collection and buy one.

View attachment 1623352
Hear hear! The eight and a half is a terrific binocular. (I also think the 8 & 10 x42 SLCs are brilliant too.)
 
By the way Phiba regarding cleaning, try not to clean the lenses too often, this means to try not to get them dirty. (y)
Having worn glasses for decades with plastic lenses and expensive coatings, I have learned to avoid cleaning them by rubbing with any kind of cloth, instead washing them with a a drop of dish soap and lots of water, then blotting them dry with a clean tissue or paper towel. I am planning do do likewise with these binoculars, unless anyone recommends not to.
 
After looking at other posts in the BF Equipment Review section, it seems more appropriate to post this here.

I just received my new EL 8.5x42 binocs purchased from BH Photo. Here are my initial impressions:
  • They are smaller than I was expecting, 6.3"L, a bit shorter than my old Leitz 7x42 BA.
  • They not as heavy as I was expecting. They do weigh in at 30 oz, but in the hand, feel lighter. For reference, it weighs exactly the same as my 24 oz plastic bottle of water.
  • The eye relief is wonderful, like nothing I've experienced before. I have several mm of play in the eyecup extension before starting to lose FOV.
  • I've only tried them in broad daylight, but the view is fine. I haven't done any critical comparison with my old Leitz binocs, and have nothing modern to compare them to. But my initial reaction is delight and satisfaction.
  • For the first time, I understand what people are talking about when they mention "kidney beaning". Adjusting the eye relief seems to minimize them. Also, holding my head more erect with the binoculars perpendicular seems to help. This will take some practice, and improve my posture!
  • I only notice glare when looking at objects directly toward bright sun, and this can be easily controlled. Wearing my glasses, I get a small arc of glare at the bottom of the view. I think it comes from light reflecting off my cheeks and/or glasses into the viewfinder. Without glasses, adjusting the eye cups, and holding the binoculars perpendicular to my face, any glare is eliminated.
  • I haven’t tried to attach the neck strap yet, but I did see that there are YT videos about this if needed. I also saw that you can buy adapters for a regular strap if desired. I like the neoprene ones like Op/Tech.
On a related note, yesterday I emailed Swarovski NA customer support with questions about the armor degradation. Today, I received a comprehensive and informative reply. They acknowledged the problem, and said that a new armor material is being used on NL Pures, although the transition SNs are not being tracked. The new armor is not yet being produced for EL 42 or SLC 56 models.

They said the degradation is caused by sweat, not DEET. If not cleaned off, the combination of accumulated sweat and heat can degrade the material. The problem can be prevented by regularly washing the binocs with soap and water. Since the binocs are fully waterproof and submersible, this is normally easy to do. But, for a variety of reasons, some users do not or cannot. They said that if I do encounter problems in a few years, the new armoring will be available and fully incorporated into their repair system.

One thing I was not aware of at first was how rebuildable these binoculars are. It seems they can rebuild/ replace just about anything, in or out of warranty. For US customers like me, this can be done at their facility in Rhode Island - no need to ship back to Europe. This is reassuring to me.

I also support that Swarovski Optic is trying to be environmentally responsible and use sustainable materials, even if it results in more frequent maintenance needs. We already have too much "forever plastic" in our water and landfill.

While reading the posts in this forum, I had a few panic attacks that I had made a bad and costly choice, and had thoughts of immediately returning them in exchange for something like the Zeuss SF 8x32, which I could get for a few hundred dollars more. But in the end, I am very happy with my choice, and feel confident that Swarovski Optic NA will take good care of me if I have any problems.
This shows how easy it is for Swarovski to rebuild a binocular. They can do it very quickly quite easily.

 
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While reading the posts in this forum, I had a few panic attacks that I had made a bad and costly choice, and had thoughts of immediately returning them in exchange for something like the Zeuss SF 8x32, which I could get for a few hundred dollars more. But in the end, I am very happy with my choice, and feel confident that Swarovski Optic NA will take good care of me if I have any problems.
You absolutely have not made "a bad and costly mistake".

You have purchased a superb optical instrument, which will bring you many, many hours of contented use.

Use it often, and in all places. You'll be surprised by all that you see that you would never have known was there.
 
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I have one more data point to report:

My eyeglass correction is -3.75 in my left eye, -4.25 in my right (nearsighted). After using the diopter compensation to correct the difference, without wearing my glasses, infinity distance focus is reached with about 32 degrees (2.5/28 ridges on the knob) remaining on the focus knob. Total travel of the focus knob is about 2.2 turns (i.e., pretty slow), so this is probably near the limit of its correctible range.

Reviewing the product literature, I see now that "Diopter correction at infinity" is 6 dpt for the EL 8.5x42. This seems about right based on my own measurements.
 
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I have one more data point to report:

My eyeglass correction is -3.75 in my left eye, -4.25 in my right (nearsighted). After using the diopter compensation to correct the difference, without wearing my glasses, infinity distance focus is reached with about 32 degrees (2.5/28 ridges on the knob) remaining on the focus knob. Total travel of the focus knob is about 2.2 turns (i.e., pretty slow), so this is probably near the limit of its correctible range.

Reviewing the product literature, I see now that "Diopter correction at infinity" is 6 dpt for the EL 8.5x42. This seems about right based on my own measurements.
Although it takes approximately 2.2 turns from close focus to infinity, that seems slow, but what you will notice is that it takes about 1.5 turns to go from close focus to about 40 feet, then only about .75 turns from 40 feet to infinity. In actual use, you'll find they're not slow at all on the most common observing we do with binoculars like these.
 
Phiba, you did well surviving the gauntlet of BF naysayers. I'd like to say you are now in the clear, (of that), but alas prolly not... You made a great choice. Your initial impression speaks to my own experience after 4 years. Enjoy your new 8.5s and dont look back.

Re this
I haven’t tried to attach the neck strap yet, but I did see that there are YT videos about this if needed. I also saw that you can buy adapters for a regular strap if desired. I like the neoprene ones like Op/Tech.
There should be regular strap adapter in the accessory box. Mine had one. If not call SwaroNA Rhode Island.
 
There should be regular strap adapter in the accessory box. Mine had one. If not call SwaroNA Rhode Island.
Good to know. To be honest, I haven’t even opened any of the included packages. I just lifted out the binocs and jumped right in, thinking there was a good possibility of sending them back.

But I’ve now concluded these are keepers, so that will be tomorrow’s activity.

I’d like to thank everyone who chimed in with comments. It has been very entertaining, educational, and heartwarming. I look forward to being a useful contributor to the forum, “useful” being the operative word ;-)
 
This shows how easy it is for Swarovski to rebuild a binocular. They can do it in a matter of minutes quite easily.
That video is one of the reasons I went ahead with my purchase. I like that Swarovski provides this level of support. I had no idea that the EL was so rebuildable. I’m pretty sure that isn’t the case for my old Leitz and Nikon binocs.
 
For the first time, I understand what people are talking about when they mention "kidney beaning". Adjusting the eye relief seems to minimize them.
This is a sign of being too close to the eyepiece. You want to be sure that the eyecups do get deep enough for you, to fully eliminate them. If not, alternate ones might solve the problem. (I've had to do that more than once.)
Also, holding my head more erect with the binoculars perpendicular seems to help. This will take some practice, and improve my posture!
Excellent observation. My wife had the same issue and it took some time to figure out. You're a quick study. Enjoy your EL! And Birdforum.
 
Whenever I use my brother's I can't help but think what a truly superb binocular it is. Even after having tried the NL, SF and Noctivid (decent trial of a friend's example too, not just at Birdfair), it still impresses. As I've said before - the 8.5x42 in particular is a true modern day classic, fully worthy of inheriting the mantle of the great classics of the past like the 7x42 Dialyt. My brother pretty much uses only this for his birding despite having the choice of 10x56 SLC and 10x50 WX (!!!) -
Like everyone else, your brother doesn't want to carry big heavy binoculars for birding. WX?? This site is so weird!
 

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