kristoffer
Used Register
Today I took some time to compare the FL 8x32, EL 8x32 and Kowa XD 8x33.
I had some time to look through all three and try the ergonomics. First I have to say that all three was very good and based on the view only I can´t really pick a winner, even if I have to say that the Kowa maybe gave me the most "wow" factor, surprisingly enough.
That said I did not test them with rough tests like viewing snow to see CA etc, just looked at some birds outside so I leave the optical testing to you other guys, all three was very very good.
First I tried the FL, I had read about some thinking it was "plastic" so this time I sort of expected it. I don´t think they are that plastic though, but maybe not as solid feel as the FL. I use a open bridge atm (ED2) but they feelt very good in my hands. I also liked the weight, no having them around the neck all day. I really liked the focus wheel and dioptre adjustments, way better then on my ED2. I really feel that it was a bin I could get used to owning
Then I moved on to the Swarovski EL 8x32. Now it was similar size, but open bridge instead. They fit SO good in my hands, way better then the EL 8.5x42, the 8x32 got the perfect fit for me. I did not really fancy the thumb depressions though, bit too deep. The focus wheel was very smooth here too, just like I want it. They also had a less "plastic" feel then the FLs, more metal and rubber and feels very well built.
Last of the three was the Kowa XD 8x33. It has a Swarovski feel and look and like I said, the view through them was very good. They also had a nice size and fit my hands quite good, but maybe not as good as the others. Also the focus knob was a bit too stiff for me, I think my ED2s has made me really sensitive to stiff focus-wheels so maybe other wont find the XDs wheel too stiff.
All three had good eyecup designs and dioptre adjustments.
So results.
Considering view only, all three was very good, maybe with a little edge to the Kowa. Maybe with more time and different objects to study, the FL would show to be the best one, the tests seem to indicate that. But the Kowas image had something special, maybe not "better" but something extra. Hard to pick a winner and I would not select my bin based on this (the image) factor when it was these three bins compared. Other factors is more important since it was so close, imo.
Considering ergonomics the EL 8x32 wins, I liked it best in my hands and it had the best focus wheel. Not by much though, the FL also fit me very good
Considering price, Kowa wins hands down.
Considering warranty, personally I feel safest owning a Swarovski. I know they will give me a replacement bin if I need to service them and "no-questions asked". However Zeiss might be as good, but I have never owned one.
End note. This test did not make me feel that it was tough to return to my ZR ED2, it really has a great image and I would buy a new bin to get a better image, not sure if its a upgrade. However, it is beaten badly when it comes to ergonomics.
Weight:
Swaro EL 8x32 620 gram
Kowa XD 8x33 619 gram
Zeiss FL 8x32 559 gram
I had some time to look through all three and try the ergonomics. First I have to say that all three was very good and based on the view only I can´t really pick a winner, even if I have to say that the Kowa maybe gave me the most "wow" factor, surprisingly enough.
That said I did not test them with rough tests like viewing snow to see CA etc, just looked at some birds outside so I leave the optical testing to you other guys, all three was very very good.
First I tried the FL, I had read about some thinking it was "plastic" so this time I sort of expected it. I don´t think they are that plastic though, but maybe not as solid feel as the FL. I use a open bridge atm (ED2) but they feelt very good in my hands. I also liked the weight, no having them around the neck all day. I really liked the focus wheel and dioptre adjustments, way better then on my ED2. I really feel that it was a bin I could get used to owning
Then I moved on to the Swarovski EL 8x32. Now it was similar size, but open bridge instead. They fit SO good in my hands, way better then the EL 8.5x42, the 8x32 got the perfect fit for me. I did not really fancy the thumb depressions though, bit too deep. The focus wheel was very smooth here too, just like I want it. They also had a less "plastic" feel then the FLs, more metal and rubber and feels very well built.
Last of the three was the Kowa XD 8x33. It has a Swarovski feel and look and like I said, the view through them was very good. They also had a nice size and fit my hands quite good, but maybe not as good as the others. Also the focus knob was a bit too stiff for me, I think my ED2s has made me really sensitive to stiff focus-wheels so maybe other wont find the XDs wheel too stiff.
All three had good eyecup designs and dioptre adjustments.
So results.
Considering view only, all three was very good, maybe with a little edge to the Kowa. Maybe with more time and different objects to study, the FL would show to be the best one, the tests seem to indicate that. But the Kowas image had something special, maybe not "better" but something extra. Hard to pick a winner and I would not select my bin based on this (the image) factor when it was these three bins compared. Other factors is more important since it was so close, imo.
Considering ergonomics the EL 8x32 wins, I liked it best in my hands and it had the best focus wheel. Not by much though, the FL also fit me very good
Considering price, Kowa wins hands down.
Considering warranty, personally I feel safest owning a Swarovski. I know they will give me a replacement bin if I need to service them and "no-questions asked". However Zeiss might be as good, but I have never owned one.
End note. This test did not make me feel that it was tough to return to my ZR ED2, it really has a great image and I would buy a new bin to get a better image, not sure if its a upgrade. However, it is beaten badly when it comes to ergonomics.
Weight:
Swaro EL 8x32 620 gram
Kowa XD 8x33 619 gram
Zeiss FL 8x32 559 gram