Is it worth it to upgrade from a GPO Passion HD to an EL? (1 Viewer)

[Ouroboros]

I've currently got a GPO Passion HD 8x42 that I've been quite happy with but I've been thinking about treating myself for Christmas with an EL 8.5x42. The EL has a little more magnification (8.5 vs 8), a little more FOV (399 vs 375) but are the optics that much better in a Swarovski? I know, loaded question.

This would be my first Swaro and based on cost maybe my last so I want to be sure (as possible). I'm also unable to try before buying.

I'm a generalist when it comes to use - mostly hiking in coastal and wooded areas, casual birding, whale watching, and etcetera.

I'm also slightly limited on options due to my glasses so I require usable eye relief of around 15 mm which in practice means 19 mm plus true eye relief (the GPO has 19.5 mm, the EL has 20 mm).

Thanks in advance for any advice or opinions.

 

[Dennis Mau]

Yes, without a doubt. The EL 8.5x42 is one of the best birding binoculars available, and they are a bargain now at their price point. But if you can afford it, and it will be your last binocular, I would get an NL 8x32 for the much bigger FOV, smoother focuser, lighter weight, smaller size and better ergonomics. It isn't that much more expensive than the EL, maybe a few hundred dollars more, but you are already spending almost $2000 and IMO it is probably the very best birding you can buy. Unless you do a lot of low light birding, you don't need a 42mm, and a 32mm is a lot nicer to carry and handle. Here is a like new NL 8x32 for $2100 or a like new EL 8.5x42 for $1700 at B&H, and they ship to Canada.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/used/1634818/?smpm=bu_uar&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw-JG5BhBZEiwAt7JR60gq-f4fT9T0E5bml3qgwo3cKtzBcgpEDD9mqqB4ZcKREXwGkKTRmhoCR4sQAvD_BwE

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/803064464-USE/swarovski_37008_8_5x42_el_binoculars.html

 

[Ouroboros]

Yes, without a doubt. The EL 8.5x42 is one of the best birding binoculars available, and they are a bargain now at their price point. But if you can afford it, and it will be your last binocular, I would get an NL 8x32 for the much bigger FOV, smoother focuser, lighter weight, smaller size and better ergonomics. It isn't that much more expensive than the EL, maybe a few hundred dollars more, but you are already spending almost $2000 and IMO it is probably the very best birding you can buy. Unless you do a lot of low light birding, you don't need a 42mm, and a 32mm is a lot nicer to carry and handle.

Thank you for the suggestion, I never really considered the NL 8x32 and you are right in that I don't really need low light the majority of the time.

There are two potential concerns though, the 18 mm eye relief may not be enough for me - I have yet to find binoculars with 18 mm that I can use with my glasses. That said, with a 450' FOV I could probably lose a bit and not notice. The second is price. For me in Canada an EL 8.5x42 all in is about $2875, the NL 8x32 would be about $3450 so that's $575 more. Yes, I'm already looking at expensive glass but now my "buy once cry once" approach may require more crying 🤣

 

[Dennis Mau]

Thank you for the suggestion, I never really considered the NL 8x32 and you are right in that I don't really need low light the majority of the time.

There are two potential concerns though, the 18 mm eye relief may not be enough for me - I have yet to find binoculars with 18 mm that I can use with my glasses. That said, with a 450' FOV I could probably lose a bit and not notice. The second is price. For me in Canada an EL 8.5x42 all in is about $2875, the NL 8x32 would be about $3450 so that's $575 more. Yes, I'm already looking at expensive glass but now my "buy once cry once" approach may require more crying 🤣

If you order from B&H do you have to pay customs or taxes when shipping to Canada? Canada seems really expensive when buying binoculars.

 

[Ouroboros]

If you order from B&H do you have to pay customs or taxes when shipping to Canada? Canada seems really expensive when buying binoculars.

Yes I used to buy photo gear from B&H years ago and I'd get hit with customs and duties. Also the Canadian dollar is garbage compared to the US dollar right now. List price for an NL 8x32 is $2499 US an $2999 CAD but the US prices equates to $3480 CAD before taxes and duties. So buying outside of Canada isn't an option and yes, it's expensive here 😃

 

[NDhunter]

I've currently got a GPO Passion HD 8x42 that I've been quite happy with but I've been thinking about treating myself for Christmas with an EL 8.5x42. The EL has a little more magnification (8.5 vs 8), a little more FOV (399 vs 375) but are the optics that much better in a Swarovski? I know, loaded question.

This would be my first Swaro and based on cost maybe my last so I want to be sure (as possible). I'm also unable to try before buying.

I'm a generalist when it comes to use - mostly hiking in coastal and wooded areas, casual birding, whale watching, and etcetera.

I'm also slightly limited on options due to my glasses so I require usable eye relief of around 15 mm which in practice means 19 mm plus true eye relief (the GPO has 19.5 mm, the EL has 20 mm).

Thanks in advance for any advice or opinions.

Well, it would not be an upgrade, maybe you can consider it a change, or probably a downgrade.
Jerry

 

[Ouroboros]

Well, it would not be an upgrade, maybe you can consider it a change, or probably a downgrade.
Jerry

You don't think the EL would be an upgrade to the GPO? That would save me money. You didn't find any real world differences?

 

[NDhunter]

I think the Swarovski EL is a better binocular than what you have. So, changing for you would be a downgrade.
The words upgrade and downgrade have meaning. Up means better, down means lesser.
It is a Swarovski of course. That being said, I have not tried a GPO.
Jerry

 

[Allen]

I think the Swarovski EL is a better binocular than what you have. So, changing for you would be a downgrade.

If it's better then it's an upgrade. I think you are contradicting yourself!

 

[Jinac]

My english level is weak but I hope that Allen is right and so NDhunter is mistaking because if it's the contrary, I've misunderstood lots of things 😅

 

[Canip]

I have both the Passion HD and the EL SV. Whether the upgrade would be worth for you I can‘t say, but it‘s clearly an upgrade.

 

[Ouroboros]

I have both the Passion HD and the EL SV. Whether the upgrade would be worth for you I can‘t say, but it‘s clearly an upgrade.

Do you notice much difference in FOV or clarity between the two? My GPOs were $1600 CAD all in, the ELs will run me $2800 CAD so that's a significant financial jump.

 

[Canip]

For me yes, difference in clarity, difference in FOV (and the EL is 8.5x, not 8x like GPO!), difference in ease of rapidly finding good focus.

But don‘t rely on my opinion. You have to test for yourself how much of an upgrade it is and what you are willing to pay for it

 

[Ouroboros]

For me yes, difference in clarity, difference in FOV (and the EL is 8.5x, not 8x like GPO!), difference in ease of rapidly finding good focus. How much that’s worth in money terms I can‘t decide for you.

Thanks for input, it's helpful. My binocular choices are limited by my need for good eye relief (I have a strong prescription) so the EL is my best option in a high end glass. The NL 8x32 was suggested to me and while about $600 more than the ELs they would give a huge FOV but I don't know about the 18 mm eye relief or the drop to 32 from 42 in practical terms (eye strain more than anything with a smaller exit pupil).

 

[Maljunulo]

The only way to tell is to look through one, and if you can’t do that, I have no idea what to tell you

 

[mwhogue]

I've currently got a GPO Passion HD 8x42 that I've been quite happy with but I've been thinking about treating myself for Christmas with an EL 8.5x42. The EL has a little more magnification (8.5 vs 8), a little more FOV (399 vs 375) but are the optics that much better in a Swarovski? I know, loaded question.

This would be my first Swaro and based on cost maybe my last so I want to be sure (as possible). I'm also unable to try before buying.

I'm a generalist when it comes to use - mostly hiking in coastal and wooded areas, casual birding, whale watching, and etcetera.

I'm also slightly limited on options due to my glasses so I require usable eye relief of around 15 mm which in practice means 19 mm plus true eye relief (the GPO has 19.5 mm, the EL has 20 mm).

Thanks in advance for any advice or opinions.

@Ouroboros,

My opinion / advice: Since you can't "try before you buy"in store, you could order both and return one after a direct comparison trial. If you can't or prefer not to do that, I vote you buy and try the NL 8x32 first as suggested by @[email protected]. But if you go that way, concentrate in testing on whether any loss of FOV is a distraction for you. Just me but regardless of a larger FOV, I find it too distracting and much less enjoyable to use a bin that has insufficient eye relief for use with glasses because I obsessively try to get a full FOV rather than enjoying the image. Others don't have that issue.

I have a late pre FP 8.5 SW 8.5x42 and the 20 mm listed eye relief (same as the most recent model I think) is way more than sufficient for me. Maybe subjective but I find the extra .5 magnification noticeable and enjoyable in comparing with a straight 8x.

Good luck with the Quest.

Mike

 

[Ouroboros]

@Ouroboros,

My opinion / advice: Since you can't "try before you buy"in store, you could order both and return one after a direct comparison trial. If you can't or prefer not to do that, I vote you buy and try the NL 8x32 first as suggested by @[email protected]. But if you go that way, concentrate in testing on whether any loss of FOV is a distraction for you. Just me but regardless of a larger FOV, I find it too distracting and much less enjoyable to use a bin that has insufficient eye relief for use with glasses because I obsessively try to get a full FOV rather than enjoying the image. Others don't have that issue.

I have a late pre FP 8.5 SW 8.5x42 and the 20 mm listed eye relief (same as the most recent model I think) is way more than sufficient for me. Maybe subjective but I find the extra .5 magnification noticeable and enjoyable in comparing with a straight 8x.

Good luck with the Quest.

Mike

This is great information/advice. As I said I wear glasses (-9 with astigmatism and multi focal - yay me) so being able to use binoculars that give me a full and comfortable FOV while wearing glassing is paramount and it sounds like you understand the struggle. I do wear contacts when I'm hiking and that alleviates most of the ER and FOV issues, but I don't want to invest in bins that I can ONLY take full advantage of while wearing contacts. I want to be able to just pick them up in the living room and look out at the woods in the backyard without worry as I wear glasses 90% of the time.

The EL seemed like the best Swaro for me - enough ER for glasses and a bit more magnification and FOV and the price wasn't insane. Full disclosure, whatever Swaro I buy will probably the one and only for me. BUT the NL 8x32 was suggested and that has the FOV but gives me concern about ER and exit pupil size. EP size not so much for light (most of my viewing is during the day albeit cloudy and foggy is common) but for eye comfort. Then a little voice in my head said "you're in this deep, maybe NL 8x42?". That's a big jump in price for me from the EL, but it does give more FOV, a good EP size, but a questionable 18 mm eye relief for those of us with glasses.

This is definitely a quest, I hope my marriage can survive a Swaro purchase

 

[Dennis Mau]

This is great information/advice. As I said I wear glasses (-9 with astigmatism and multi focal - yay me) so being able to use binoculars that give me a full and comfortable FOV while wearing glassing is paramount and it sounds like you understand the struggle. I do wear contacts when I'm hiking and that alleviates most of the ER and FOV issues, but I don't want to invest in bins that I can ONLY take full advantage of while wearing contacts. I want to be able to just pick them up in the living room and look out at the woods in the backyard without worry as I wear glasses 90% of the time.

The EL seemed like the best Swaro for me - enough ER for glasses and a bit more magnification and FOV and the price wasn't insane. Full disclosure, whatever Swaro I buy will probably the one and only for me. BUT the NL 8x32 was suggested and that has the FOV but gives me concern about ER and exit pupil size. EP size not so much for light (most of my viewing is during the day albeit cloudy and foggy is common) but for eye comfort. Then a little voice in my head said "you're in this deep, maybe NL 8x42?". That's a big jump in price for me from the EL, but it does give more FOV, a good EP size, but a questionable 18 mm eye relief for those of us with glasses.

This is definitely a quest, I hope my marriage can survive a Swaro purchase

You won't notice much difference in eye placement comfort between the NL 8x32 and the NL 8x42. The NL's have a very comfortable eye box, and for most people the NL 8x32 will work fine. You will notice the big difference in weight and size though because the NL 8x32 is about 23 oz. and the NL 8x42 is almost 32 oz. and considerably bigger and bulkier. I also experienced more glare with the NL 8x42 than I did with the NL 8x32, which may or may not be due to the bigger FOV of the NL 8x42.

This is not to say you will experience the same glare with the Nl 8x42 I did because I do not wear glasses. I think down the road you will be very happy with the NL 8x32 because it is one of the best birding binoculars around, and you won't be itching to upgrade because there isn't anything much better right now. My marriage has survived several Swaro purchases. I recommend you delete all the shipping tracking numbers once the binoculars ship. Out of sight is out of mind. And wait for the UPS truck on the porch so they don't ring the doorbell.

 

[Ouroboros]

You won't notice much difference in eye placement comfort between the NL 8x32 and the NL 8x42. The NL's have a very comfortable eye box, and for most people the NL 8x32 will work fine. You will notice the big difference in weight and size though because the NL 8x32 is about 23 oz. and the NL 8x42 is almost 32 oz. and considerably bigger and bulkier. I also experienced more glare with the NL 8x42 than I did with the NL 8x32, which may or may not be due to the bigger FOV of the NL 8x42.

This is not to say you will experience the same glare because I do not wear glasses. I think down the road you will be very happy with the NL 8x32 because it is one of the best birding binoculars around, and you won't be itching to upgrade because there isn't anything much better right now. My marriage has survived several Swaro purchases. I recommend you delete all the shipping tracking numbers once the binoculars ship. Out of sight is out of mind.

Thanks for additional info, and you're right I don't want to be craving another upgrade. Whatever I get in the end, I suspect I'll be a one Swaro man. My use case is too casual to justify more than one, have to get it right the first time. Definitely thinking hard between the EL and NL with eye relief being the biggest factor right now.

 

[Viraj]

Whatever I get in the end, I suspect I'll be a one Swaro man.

I wish you all the best to keep your decision going. I had the same thought two-three years ago and ended up with 6 Swarovs 😉

By the way, I don’t think there is a big difference between eye relief of NL and EL. Even though the stated eye relief has 2 mm difference NLs have better usable eye relief. Anyway it is best if you can test them both side by side. If you have enough money buy one of each same time and return the one you don’t like.