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NL 8x42 eye relief for those with glasses (1 Viewer)

The dealer must at least point out that it is a return and, if in doubt, must offer it at a slightly lower price.

But I don't order binoculars just to test them, I always have a firm intention to buy them, but if I don't like them I send them back, most of the binoculars I ordered are still with me...

Andreas
Must?
 
Me and my wife both have 8.5 x 42 ELs and have no problem with wearing glasses for short-sightedness. We tried 8 x 42 NL Pures for three to four hours at a reserve and their optics day. Company was great leaving the bins with us in a hide for that long. Had no problem with wearing glasses with these as well. Great field of view and could see right to the edges of the view. Also tried the 10 x 42s and had no problem.
 
Me and my wife both have 8.5 x 42 ELs and have no problem with wearing glasses for short-sightedness. We tried 8 x 42 NL Pures for three to four hours at a reserve and their optics day. Company was great leaving the bins with us in a hide for that long. Had no problem with wearing glasses with these as well. Great field of view and could see right to the edges of the view. Also tried the 10 x 42s and had no problem.
Thanks very much, I think I'm going to try the NLs.
 
Just wanted to update the thread, I did in fact get a pail of NL 8x42's and found that there was no issue with eye relief and my glasses. In fact, I had to turn the eye cups out one step to prevent back outs so there is room to spare.

For anyone in the future looking at this thread for reference, I'm a -9 with astigmatism, Nikon lens to keep them thinner, and my measurements on the NL 8x42 had a physical distance from the ocular lens to the top of the eye cup at 2.2 mm when fully retracted so nearly 16mm of usable eye relief based on Swarovski's numbers (I didn't actually measure the true eye relief so I'm assuming the 18mm stated). In sort, should be no problem for eye glass wearers even if the prescription is strong.

Thanks to everyone who offered their insight and experiences when I initially asked the question.
 
I've been looking to upgrade to my first set of Swarovski bins and I've been focused on the ELs because they have a 20mm eye relief and I've been hit and miss on bins with 18mm ER (Zeiss Terra ED yes, Vortex Viper no). I need about 14.5-15mm of usable eye relief with my glasses so if the distance between the ocular lens and the top of the eye cup when fully retracted is no more than 3.5mm I can make it work, 3mm or less gives room to spare. It's all about the depth of the eye cup when retracted for me and my glasses.

Can any NL 8x42 owners who wear glasses chime in on their experiences? And if anyone can measure the depth of the eye cup when retracted that would be awesome (I use a couple of popsicle sticks in a cross to get the depth then calipers to measure the depth of the stick).

An NL would be a significant purchase for me so I'm really trying to tick all the boxes so any help is appreciated. And no, I'm not able to try them before buying. Thanks in advance.
I own and use both an EL 1042 and NL 832. I wear glasses. There is a difference. The ELs eye relief is longer. I have no problem getting onto birds with NL and glasses in place. I do though see more field of view when viewing without glasses through it. They are awesome enough in every other way, that I accept this.
 
I own and use both an EL 1042 and NL 832. I wear glasses. There is a difference. The ELs eye relief is longer. I have no problem getting onto birds with NL and glasses in place. I do though see more field of view when viewing without glasses through it. They are awesome enough in every other way, that I accept this.
Yes the longer eye relief for the ELs is what had them as my first choice but the very low lip on the eye cup makes the NLs work for me so both should be good for eye glasses.
 
Yes the longer eye relief for the ELs is what had them as my first choice but the very low lip on the eye cup makes the NLs work for me so both should be good for eye glasses.
Seems a really good guess that "lower lip" on the NL eye cup was a thing Swaro had to do to achieve the stated eye relief after changing a few things optically from EL to NL. One issue FYI, no one has mentioned, but can be reported after couple years of frequent use, the NL ocular lens gets mucked up faster than the EL, (and other binos, I have) requiring more frequent cleaning. A non issue for me, but a thing to know about.
 
I've been looking to upgrade to my first set of Swarovski bins and I've been focused on the ELs because they have a 20mm eye relief and I've been hit and miss on bins with 18mm ER (Zeiss Terra ED yes, Vortex Viper no). I need about 14.5-15mm of usable eye relief with my glasses so if the distance between the ocular lens and the top of the eye cup when fully retracted is no more than 3.5mm I can make it work, 3mm or less gives room to spare. It's all about the depth of the eye cup when retracted for me and my glasses.

Can any NL 8x42 owners who wear glasses chime in on their experiences? And if anyone can measure the depth of the eye cup when retracted that would be awesome (I use a couple of popsicle sticks in a cross to get the depth then calipers to measure the depth of the stick).

An NL would be a significant purchase for me so I'm really trying to tick all the boxes so any help is appreciated. And no, I'm not able to try them before buying. Thanks in advance.
EL is actually bit shorter then 20mm
Leica NV gives more real ER with 19mm ER then 20mm of EL.

Still, EL is easier to see with glasses then NL becasue of it's much smaller FOV. but NL is just fine with glasses.

I have never experienced or heard some getting trouble of NL's ER.

as similar issue of ER, SRBC, which declares to have same 18mm with NL, appears to be 1.5~2mm shorter. and eyecup depth is almost Identical.

also. real ER feel same with 13mm spec Leica UVHD+ 8x32 and 19.3mm spec shuntu panorama ED

Specs doesn't always tells the truth.
 
... but NL is just fine with glasses.
I can only repeat that the NL could cause problems for some glasses wearers in the lowest setting, especially for long-sighted glasses wearers with clearly convex lenses, where the distance to the metal edges is not sufficient and you could get nasty scratches.

IMO, the NL are therefore not entirely suitable for glasses wearers.

Andreas
 
I can only repeat that the NL could cause problems for some glasses wearers in the lowest setting, especially for long-sighted glasses wearers with clearly convex lenses, where the distance to the metal edges is not sufficient and you could get nasty scratches.

IMO, the NL are therefore not entirely suitable for glasses wearers.

Andreas
Andreas, believe this pic kinda shows what youre concerned about. Indeed the metal inner ring surrounded on its circumference by the outer but slightly higher rubber of the eyecups is close. I had the concern early on, posted to that effect here, (but cant find my post). It has not proven to be an issue in my case. Whether the eyeglass lens touches that metal ring depends on couple things. A prescription causing outward curve of the eyeglass lens might, maybe, could, sorta. But in my case at least, the curve seems to span, cross from rubber to bino lens and just misses the metal ring. The eyeglass frame also effects things, rimless frames being an obvious example. Most frames add to the spacing, prevent the EG lens from reaching all the way to the metal ring or even the bino lens surface. I get the concern, but this seems a worry that not many will encounter. Like many posts here, buyer should try first. That sorta covers it - no?
IMG_4442.jpeg
 
Hello Tom,

My concerned are not unfounded; I have the binoculars myself and cannot use them in the lowest locking position.
In addition, it is an open "secret", from minute 3.15

Andreas
Dont believe I said it was. Doesn't the pic illustrate the potential for concern? Im an N of 1, as with eyecups screwed all the way down so far its not an issue FOR ME. It may be for you. But for how many? Try before you buy suffices.
 

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