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

[Jason Bugay Reyes]

Most of my use involves coastal forest, that that means that sometimes I could be looking at things offshore (whales, seals, birds, nearby islands) but the rest of the time I'm in closer woods with small birds and that's where I've wished for more FOV to spot and track them better. At this point I'm basically torn between an EL 8.5x42 and an NL 8x42 and FOV between the two of a fair bit (399 vs 477). I'm only buying one Swaro so I can't have regrets. I just had spending money - I know, wrong hobby.

Are you happy with the 8x power of your current bino? Do you wished sometimes you have more power than the 8x based on your usage?

If yes, keep the 8x and get the 10x or 12x. With wide fov but you still in 8x, I don't think it will satisfy your needs if you could only keep one bino. With 10x or 12x, at least you have options of what to bring for your birding walk depending with habitats etc.

Or with the 8x, get the Swarovski ATC56 scope and it has 17-40x magnification. It should be able to compliment your 8x and enjoy seeing those distant whales etc

 

[Ouroboros]

Are you happy with the 8x power of your current bino? Do you wished sometimes you have more power than the 8x based on your usage?

If yes, keep the 8x and get the 10x or 12x. With wide fov but you still in 8x, I don't think it will satisfy your needs if you could only keep one bino. With 10x or 12x, at least you have options of what to bring for your birding walk depending with habitats etc.

Or with the 8x, get the Swarovski ATC56 scope and it has 17-40x magnification. It should be able to compliment your 8x and enjoy seeing those distant whales etc

View attachment 1611755

The coast where I live (Eastern Canada) varies enough that I want to carry one pair that maybe isn't perfect at everything but can do anything. More magnification might be nice, but I don't want to sacrifice FOV and I won't be bringing a tripod so after hiking a big elevation change I don't want my heart to make the view shake anymore than it has to so I think 8x makes the most sense.

All that said I value all the suggestions presented as they help me think about what I really want and what suits me best.

 

[Jason Bugay Reyes]

The coast where I live (Eastern Canada) varies enough that I want to carry one pair that maybe isn't perfect at everything but can do anything. More magnification might be nice, but I don't want to sacrifice FOV and I won't be bringing a tripod so after hiking a big elevation change I don't want my heart to make the view shake anymore than it has to so I think 8x makes the most sense.

All that said I value all the suggestions presented as they help me think about what I really want and what suits me best.

Hope you will be able to test the 8.5x42 from fellow birders from your walk next time...

 

[Ouroboros]

Hope you will be able to test the 8.5x42 from fellow birders from your walk next time...

I wish, but doubtful. There's not even an authorized Swarovski retailer here. Pretty much everything you can buy is Bushnell or Vortex, low end Nikon (Prostaff) maybe a Zeiss Terra ED. That's why I'm asking so many questions here 😃

 

[Owlbarred]

Both my ELs (one an SV) and my NL were bought used (in perfect condition and as reliable as an anvil) from reputable individuals at a greatly reduced price. For me, it worked out perfectly.

For you, buying used would allow you to purchase, for example, a well-cared for 8.5x Swaro EL on Bird Forum, and then likely sell it later (in the same condition) for about what you paid for it should you decide a 10x, for example, better suits your needs. Aside from a very rare problem on Bird Forum, you can buy with confidence from a long-time member. There is currently a pair of pair of near-mint 8.5x42 Swarovski SVs (same optics as the Field Pro) at a very good price from a longtime member.


Good luck.

 

[mwhogue]

Most of my use involves coastal forest, that that means that sometimes I could be looking at things offshore (whales, seals, birds, nearby islands) but the rest of the time I'm in closer woods with small birds and that's where I've wished for more FOV to spot and track them better. At this point I'm basically torn between an EL 8.5x42 and an NL 8x42 and FOV between the two of a fair bit (399 vs 477). I'm only buying one Swaro so I can't have regrets. I just had spending money - I know, wrong hobby.

My opinion based on your location and intended uses: since you can't compare them directly but are making a one time / lifetime investment you should try the NL first to see whether it suits you. The 399 versus 477 FOV is actually a huge difference and is likely to be very useful in finding and tracking moving birds in the forest.

That said, as @Maljunulo points out in post #39, FOV isn't everything. At least a few experienced members have reported "love at first sight" in store with the NL only to fall out of love after actually using them for some time. The optical design necessary to achieve 477 may be a factor.

If the NL suits you, you will never have to wonder "what if?". If not you can move on to the EL 8.5 x 42 and never look back.

Mike

 

[Ouroboros]

Both my ELs (one an SV) and my NL were bought used (in perfect condition and as reliable as an anvil) from reputable individuals at a greatly reduced price. For me, it worked out perfectly.

For you, buying used would allow you to purchase, for example, a well-cared for 8.5x Swaro EL on Bird Forum, and then likely sell it later (in the same condition) for about what you paid for it should you decide a 10x, for example, better suits your needs. Aside from a very rare problem on Bird Forum, you can buy with confidence from a long-time member. There is currently a pair of pair of near-mint 8.5x42 Swarovski SVs (same optics as the Field Pro) at a very good price from a longtime member.


Good luck.

Thanks for the advice - would you mind giving me a few of your real world thoughts on the EL vs NL as you have/had both?

I'm aware of the EL for sale, unfortunately the Canadian dollar is garbage right now. BEFORE customs and duties that EL would only be a few hundred cheaper than brand new if bought here. Also in Canada you can't get direct from Swaro, has to be through distributer, same with Meopta. There are some interesting rules in place when it comes to optics being imported here. None of them are fun.

 

[Ouroboros]

My opinion based on your location and intended uses: since you can't compare them directly but are making a one time / lifetime investment you should try the NL first to see whether it suits you. The 399 versus 477 FOV is actually a huge difference and is likely to be very useful in finding and tracking moving birds in the forest.

That said, as @Maljunulo points out in post #39, FOV isn't everything. At least a few experienced members have reported "love at first sight" in store with the NL only to fall out of love after actually using them for some time. The optical design necessary to achieve 477 may be a factor.

If the NL suits you, you will never have to wonder "what if?". If not you can move on to the EL 8.5 x 42 and never look back.

Mike

Thanks very much, that's my current thought - try the NL first, if it doesn't suit go EL. If I went EL first my worry is that I'd forever wonder about the NL. I like the IDEA of so much FOV, but wonder about the wasp waist and if the cost truly is worth the improvement. The EL has less FOV, but I (rightly or wrongly) view it like a 911 - being around for ages without too many changes means it's been dialed in pretty well. Why are these decisions never easy unless you've won the lotto? : )

 

[Dennis Mau]

Thanks very much, that's my current thought - try the NL first, if it doesn't suit go EL. If I went EL first my worry is that I'd forever wonder about the NL. I like the IDEA of so much FOV, but wonder about the wasp waist and if the cost truly is worth the improvement. The EL has less FOV, but I (rightly or wrongly) view it like a 911 - being around for ages without too many changes means it's been dialed in pretty well. Why are these decisions never easy unless you've won the lotto? : )

The wasp waist on the NL is very nice and most people like it because it conforms to your hands. Once you get used to the bigger FOV of the NL, the EL will seem tunnel like to you. A bigger FOV is almost always advantageous especially when following birds from tree to tree or trying to find a bird.

 

[Ouroboros]

The wasp waist on the NL is very nice and most people like it because it conforms to your hands. Once you get used to the bigger FOV of the NL, the EL will seem tunnel like to you. A bigger FOV is almost always advantageous especially when following birds from tree to tree or trying to find a bird.

Yes that's been my limited experience thus far. FOV on distance doesn't make that much of a difference but 50' in front of you every bit of FOV matters. And again, I'm a generalist so the NL 8x42 seems to cover all my bases.

 

[Owlbarred]

Thanks for the advice - would you mind giving me a few of your real world thoughts on the EL vs NL as you have/had both?

I'm aware of the EL for sale, unfortunately the Canadian dollar is garbage right now. BEFORE customs and duties that EL would only be a few hundred cheaper than brand new if bought here. Also in Canada you can't get direct from Swaro, has to be through distributer, same with Meopta. There are some interesting rules in place when it comes to optics being imported here. None of them are fun.

My typical regimen: hike about 4 miles each day on various preserves, birding opportunistically.

After a year, as much as I love my 8x42 NL -- it is, indeed, optically wonderful and remains inspirational to use with its huge FOV -- I still find myself using an 8x32 far more often. I've owned an EL 8x32 for more than 20 years (stored in my car 24 hrs./day and still use it on certain hiking trips), but the EL SV is my preferred 'weapon' because of its formidable optics, light weight, and small size.

Silly me: after a year's ownership, the NL 8x42, still seems "big" and a bit cumbersome on hikes, despite it wondrously comfortable shape and smooth focusing. I doubt you would find them big or heavy.

Don't fall into the trap of thinking that buying an alpha is a one-time unbreakable bond. Over time, you will find what works best for you, not from a short-term evaluation.

Know that NLs are truly seductive, like chasing the Holy Grail, but the much cheaper EL SVs (Field Pros), too, are truly optically formidable. Regardless, I'd buy used from a reputable source so that should you decide to switch to a different model, you don't suffer the large depreciation attendant with selling one you bought new.

 

[Paultricounty]

I still got a like brand new 8.5EL at a great used price 😜

 

[CharleyBird]

My typical regimen: hike about 4 miles each day on various preserves

Strawberry Fields?

 

[Ouroboros]

I still got a like brand new 8.5EL at a great used price 😜

I did look at in the classifieds, it does look like new but the Canadian dollar is garbage right now - it would be about $2000 CAD before it hit the border and duties and taxes went on

 

[Ouroboros]

My typical regimen: hike about 4 miles each day on various preserves, birding opportunistically.

After a year, as much as I love my 8x42 NL -- it is, indeed, optically wonderful and remains inspirational to use with its huge FOV -- I still find myself using an 8x32 far more often. I've owned an EL 8x32 for more than 20 years (stored in my car 24 hrs./day and still use it on certain hiking trips), but the EL SV is my preferred 'weapon' because of its formidable optics, light weight, and small size.

Silly me: after a year's ownership, the NL 8x42, still seems "big" and a bit cumbersome on hikes, despite it wondrously comfortable shape and smooth focusing. I doubt you would find them big or heavy.

Don't fall into the trap of thinking that buying an alpha is a one-time unbreakable bond. Over time, you will find what works best for you, not from a short-term evaluation.

Know that NLs are truly seductive, like chasing the Holy Grail, but the much cheaper EL SVs (Field Pros), too, are truly optically formidable. Regardless, I'd buy used from a reputable source so that should you decide to switch to a different model, you don't suffer the large depreciation attendant with selling one you bought new.

Thank you for the feedback. I don't think the 8x42s size would bother me based on carrying my GPOs. I did think about an 8x32 but decided against it after doing some more research on loss of light/twilight factor. There are A LOT of grey and foggy days here (I literally live on the island next to the foggiest place on Earth, Grand Bank) and in heavily wooded area it can get quite dim middle of the day so I think I want to squeeze every bit of light I can out of my bins.

The fact that the EVs are so good is what makes this so hard a decision - big FOV with NLs but premium price or tried and true with ELs but missing that FOV but saving about $1400 CAD. Not easy if I really do plan to stick to just one Alpha. And that's not based on the idea that I'll love it forever or nothing better will come along, that's based on my wife being only so understanding

 

[Paultricounty]

I did look at in the classifieds, it does look like new but the Canadian dollar is garbage right now - it would be about $2000 CAD before it hit the border and duties and taxes went on

I had a question, I sent you a PM.

 

[Dennis Mau]

I did look at in the classifieds, it does look like new but the Canadian dollar is garbage right now - it would be about $2000 CAD before it hit the border and duties and taxes went on

Yes that's been my limited experience thus far. FOV on distance doesn't make that much of a difference but 50' in front of you every bit of FOV matters. And again, I'm a generalist so the NL 8x42 seems to cover all my bases.

FOV also matters at a distance. You can glass large areas much quicker with a bigger FOV than you can with a smaller FOV. Hunter's know that very well, and that is why they like NL's so much. You will get more birds with a bigger FOV, just like hunters get more game.

 

[Snett_dweller]

I wear glasses, -8, astigmatism and vari focal. I bought the 8x32EL in 2019 and used them a lot since

Best binoculars I have used, I was able to try the 8.5x42 and 10x50 at the same time (large reservoir, lots of egrets ) and the 32s didn’t seem to cost anything in terms of performance and both my wife and I liked the small size and weight. I am not a low light birder

I also use wearing contact lenses, and share with my wife and son. I would like another pair - the 14x52 NL for example - but the 8x32 will always be useful and I am so glad I got them first.

Never tried the 32 NL but you should definitely be happy with the 32 EL, based on your glasses.

 

[jackjack]

I haven't seen GPO HD but I have seen many bino that are in similar price point.
such as Vortex UHD, EDG, Opticrom Aurora, Zeiss CHD, CHDX, Meostar, Meopro Air and so on

and EL is clear step ahead.
best in central and edge sharpness, and only bino can clearly beat EL is NL.

If I have to use 1 bino forever, I will choose between EL or NL.
I'm not a big fan of how Swaro shows it's view, and personally hate those green design, but I can't ignore the optics they delivers.

 

[GrampaTom]

FOV also matters at a distance. You can glass large areas much quicker with a bigger FOV than you can with a smaller FOV. Hunter's know that very well, and that is why they like NL's so much. You will get more birds with a bigger FOV, just like hunters get more game.

For birding? Not my experience. I am with Ouroboros on this one.