Looking at upgrading (2 Viewers)

[Evan Atkinson]

Hi all, I have owned a pair of Opticron Aurora 10x42 BGA HD binoculars for nearly 8 months now and I have recently been considering upgrading to some Swarovski binoculars. I have looked a little bit at what might be most cost effective to me and I really do not want to be spending over £1200 so I would very much be looking at used binoculars. I don't really mind the cosmetic condition as long as the glass is in quality condition. I plan to go to Cley Spy sometime in the next few weeks to look through some of the stock that they have there, though as I mentioned I will probably buy used glass unless I come across something that is unused. I have looked at the EL 8.5x42 and they might fit the bill for me but I would like to test them before I make any decisions. Any suggestions for what I should be looking for would be much appreciated.

Evan

 

[Dennis Mau]

I would look at the EL SV 8x32 also if they have some at your dealer. It is lighter and smaller, has a bigger FOV, and a used pair should be in your price range If you bird mostly in the daytime, you won't notice much difference in brightness between the EL SV 8x32 and the EL 8.5x42, and really very little difference at twilight. Eye placement comfort is very close between the two. You will appreciate the lighter weight of the EL SV 8x32.

I think if I was going to spend almost$1500 on a used EL, I would go ahead and pay another $500 for a new NL 8x32, and then you have the best birding binocular around. The NL 8x32 is only about $200 at Varuste.net in Finland.

Swarovski Optik NL Pure 8x32 | Binoculars | Varuste.net English

Buy Swarovski Optik NL Pure 8x32 quickly at a low price in Varuste.net. Click and order now or visit our shop. With 8x magnification, the NL Pure 32 brings you closer to the action, while a field of view of 150 m ensures a perfect overview at all times. Enjoy relaxed viewing, thanks to a compact...

varuste.net

 

[Evan Atkinson]

I would look at the EL SV 8x32 also if they have some at your dealer. It is lighter and smaller, has a bigger FOV, and a used pair should be in your price range If you bird mostly in the daytime, you won't notice much difference in brightness between the EL SV 8x32 and the EL 8.5x42, and really very little difference at twilight. Eye placement comfort is very close between the two. You will appreciate the lighter weight of the EL SV 8x32.

Hi, yes those also popped up as well. The weight is not too much of an issue but I have quite big hands and I wouldn't want them to be too small. If it came down between the 2 I would probably go with the 8.5x42s.

Evan

 

[Maljunulo]

I think you’re on the right track, but be sure to handle, and look through one.

 

[Evan Atkinson]

I think you’re on the right track, but be sure to handle, and look through one.

For sure, I should be able to in a few weeks so I will have a rough idea of what will suit me. I do like the look of the EL SV field pros 8.5x42 but I think they are just a bit too far out of my budget.

Evan

 

[Dennis Mau]

Hi, yes those also popped up as well. The weight is not too much of an issue but I have quite big hands and I wouldn't want them to be too small. If it came down between the 2 I would probably go with the 8.5x42s.

Evan

I think if I was going to spend almost $1500 on a used EL, I would go ahead and pay another $500 for a new NL 8x32, and then you have the best birding binocular around, and they are bigger for your hands. The NL 8x32 is only about $2000 at Varuste.net in Finland.

Swarovski Optik NL Pure 8x32 | Binoculars | Varuste.net English

Buy Swarovski Optik NL Pure 8x32 quickly at a low price in Varuste.net. Click and order now or visit our shop. With 8x magnification, the NL Pure 32 brings you closer to the action, while a field of view of 150 m ensures a perfect overview at all times. Enjoy relaxed viewing, thanks to a compact...

varuste.net

 

[Evan Atkinson]

I think if I was going to spend almost $1500 on a used EL, I would go ahead and pay another $500 for a new NL 8x32, and then you have the best birding binocular around, and they are bigger for your hands. The NL 8x32 is only about $2000 at Varuste.net in Finland.

Swarovski Optik NL Pure 8x32 | Binoculars | Varuste.net English

Buy Swarovski Optik NL Pure 8x32 quickly at a low price in Varuste.net. Click and order now or visit our shop. With 8x magnification, the NL Pure 32 brings you closer to the action, while a field of view of 150 m ensures a perfect overview at all times. Enjoy relaxed viewing, thanks to a compact...

varuste.net

I have used a pair of 12x42 NL's (or it might have been the 10x42) as a friend of mine has a pair and they are superb optics. As much as they would certainly mean I would not need another pair of bins I think that I would still be able to get a used pair of EL's for a lot less money and still not need to replace them for a long, long time. Maybe sometime in the future I would pick some up but for now they are just that bit too far out of my budget.

Evan

 

[PatR]

Have a look on Viking Optical Centres website, they have some used 8.5 x 42’s

 

[Evan Atkinson]

Have a look on Viking Optical Centres website, they have some used 8.5 x 42’s

I did see there was some that were in the used section within my budget.

 

[Evan Atkinson]

Update: I think that I am going to up my budget to £1500 and I am not going any further than that. I am very much drawn to the 8.5x42 Field Pro's but I want to test them a bit in the field first. I'm not keen on spending an extra £1000 on NL's even though optically they are better.

Evan

 

[Maljunulo]

How much are used NLs going for?

 

[Evan Atkinson]

How much are used NLs going for?

There's a pair of 8x32's on Cley Spy for £1600 but they don't appeal to me to be honest.

 

[laurencejackson]

I'm curious as to why you feel you want to upgrade from the Auroras... is it that you just want a change or are there other issues prompting this? I have been enjoying very much the optical qualities of the Aurora 8x42 over the last few weeks and bang for buck, they are amazing glass. Apart from the focuser, now that really sucks...it really lets them down, at least on my pair, others seem to have no problem with their focusers.

But I wonder what an EL or other 1500/$2000 bin would bring to you that's substantially better than the Aurora and what aspects are you looking for an improvement in. It would be an upgrade for sure to the EL, but I wonder what prompts you to look for pastures new?

 

[Montereyman]

I have two Swarvoski binoculars and only the 10x25 Pocket Mountain are favorites and used more often than my other ones. Instead of the 10x32 EL that cost a little over $2,000 I often grab the Vortex Razor HD 12x50 to get the additional image magnification. I recently added for $1100 the Sig Sauer 16x42 image stabilized binoculars to get still more image magnification to help in identifying small bird in flight. Four very different binoculars that have advantages and disadvantages in any given situation.

I also find it difficult to believe that a $3,500 binocular is 7x as good as a $500 binocular and can justify the price paid. If I was a pro guide then I understand the need to have a high status binocular to help sell me to clients as a professional guide. I have bought cameras and lenses for more than 45 years and when I have paid a very high price for a lens or camera the benefits were easy to objectively see. I have not found the same to be true with the binoculars I have had occasion to use.

 

[Evan Atkinson]

I'm curious as to why you feel you want to upgrade from the Auroras... is it that you just want a change or are there other issues prompting this? I have been enjoying very much the optical qualities of the Aurora 8x42 over the last few weeks and bang for buck, they are amazing glass. Apart from the focuser, now that really sucks...it really lets them down, at least on my pair, others seem to have no problem with their focusers.

But I wonder what an EL or other 1500/$2000 bin would bring to you that's substantially better than the Aurora and what aspects are you looking for an improvement in. It would be an upgrade for sure to the EL, but I wonder what prompts you to look for pastures new?

I have the 10x42’s and they are a really nice binocular. However, I don’t know why but I haven’t been getting along with them. I think it’s a mix of the focus ring not being as precise as it was and the binoculars themselves feeling somewhat uncomfortable from time to time though that’s probably down to user error. I am just in general wanting a change but I am very much drawn to Swarovski due to their after sales service and obviously the glass is certainly going to be a fairly big improvement over the auroras, particularly if I go with the 8.5x42’s where I will have that little bit of extra light being let in compared to the 10x42’s. Additionally I won’t need another pair of bins for a very long time if I do go through with this.

Evan

 

[Evan Atkinson]

I have two Swarvoski binoculars and only the 10x25 Pocket Mountain are favorites and used more often than my other ones. Instead of the 10x32 EL that cost a little over $2,000 I often grab the Vortex Razor HD 12x50 to get the additional image magnification. I recently added for $1100 the Sig Sauer 16x42 image stabilized binoculars to get still more image magnification to help in identifying small bird in flight. Four very different binoculars that have advantages and disadvantages in any given situation.

I also find it difficult to believe that a $3,500 binocular is 7x as good as a $500 binocular and can justify the price paid. If I was a pro guide then I understand the need to have a high status binocular to help sell me to clients as a professional guide. I have bought cameras and lenses for more than 45 years and when I have paid a very high price for a lens or camera the benefits were easy to objectively see. I have not found the same to be true with the binoculars I have had occasion to use.

I'm aware that other binoculars are suitable for various scenarios but I think that what I am after will do everything I will need. Obviously I will see if the difference is enough for me to upgrade or not and if its not I will happily keep the aurora's. I just think that the Swarovski's are a good step up compared to what I have.

Evan

 

[BGS61]

Hi, yes those also popped up as well. The weight is not too much of an issue but I have quite big hands and I wouldn't want them to be too small. If it came down between the 2 I would probably go with the 8.5x42s.

Evan

Although new to contributing, I have just made a few comments comparing the 8x32EL against an 8.5x42 EL (albeit an older model) and a new Zeiss SFL 8x40 in a thread on the general binocular section Advice needed! I got a bit carried away but they might be food for thought?
For many years I was committed to 40/42 for light gathering. I tested the 8x32 EL first in 2018, with light gathering as a potential reservation I am now comparing them with the 8x40. I really don't think that there is much lost in using in the smaller objectives and they are fine in my med-large hands. Don't shy away from giving them a try! I would also say visit Cley Spy with an open mind. As I said, over the years I have twice been pretty well convinced as to what I would buy, only to purchase something different after trying the options. As mentioned, this also happened to a friend. Perhaps not an issue, but the current 8.5ELs don't appear to have a very close focus-not so good for insects. Good luck in the search.

 

[Evan Atkinson]

Although new to contributing, I have just made a few comments comparing the 8x32EL against an 8.5x42 EL (albeit an older model) and a new Zeiss SFL 8x40 in a thread on the general binocular section Advice needed! I got a bit carried away but they might be food for thought?
For many years I was committed to 40/42 for light gathering. I tested the 8x32 EL first in 2018, with light gathering as a potential reservation I am now comparing them with the 8x40. I really don't think that there is much lost in using in the smaller objectives and they are fine in my med-large hands. Don't shy away from giving them a try! I would also say visit Cley Spy with an open mind. As I said, over the years I have twice been pretty well convinced as to what I would buy, only to purchase something different after trying the options. As mentioned, this also happened to a friend. Perhaps not an issue, but the current 8.5ELs don't appear to have a very close focus-not so good for insects. Good luck in the search.

Hi, that is interesting, I will definitely have a look at some of the 8x32's if I get the chance too! I can't figure out whether the 8.5x42 field pro's have a close focus distance of 3.3m or 1.3m, there are websites that are saying both but that is definitely one to test out at Cley Spy. My only concern about the 8x32's is that they might be a bit too small for my hands but again, another thing to test out when I can.

 

[GrampaTom]

Hi, that is interesting, I will definitely have a look at some of the 8x32's if I get the chance too! I can't figure out whether the 8.5x42 field pro's have a close focus distance of 3.3m or 1.3m, there are websites that are saying both but that is definitely one to test out at Cley Spy. My only concern about the 8x32's is that they might be a bit too small for my hands but again, another thing to test out when I can.

Hi Evan,
Re your confusion over the close focus of the EL 8.5, perhaps you aren't aware, (apologies if so), in 2020 when Swaro announced the NLs they discounted the ELs. They changed the short focus from 1.3 to 3.3 (your numbers) claiming the eyepiece required for the shorter focus was more expensive to make, but also a feature most wouldn't miss, and so took it away to subsidize the then new lower price.

I have large hands, definitely effects which binos I like to handle. The SF, EL, and NL 32s all work just fine. Cant say same for all 30/32s. Optics to one side, the NL grip is to my mind its most endearing attribute.

 

[Evan Atkinson]

Hi Evan,
Re your confusion over the close focus of the EL 8.5, perhaps you aren't aware, (apologies if so), in 2020 when Swaro announced the NLs they discounted the ELs. They changed the short focus from 1.3 to 3.3 (your numbers) claiming the eyepiece required for the shorter focus was more expensive to make, but also a feature most wouldn't miss, and so took it away to subsidize the then new lower price.

I have large hands, definitely effects which binos I like to handle. The SF, EL, and NL 32s all work just fine. Cant say same for all 30/32s. Optics to one side, the NL grip is to my mind its most endearing attribute.

So are the EL models that are pre 2020 the ones that have the 1.3 short focus?