BirdForum is the net's largest birding community dedicated to wild birds and birding, and is absolutely FREE!

Register for an account to take part in lively discussions in the forum, post your pictures in the gallery and more.

Reply to thread

Message: <blockquote data-quote="Nick Elliston" data-source="post: 1648409" data-attributes="member: 30170">(Originally Posted by denco@comcast.n  The big reason they outsell Zeiss and Leica is that they are about $500.00 less expensive. In my opinion the Swarovski 8.5 x42 EL'S are still a notch down optically from the the Zeiss 8x42 FL. Most reviews agree with that conclusion.)Agree cost is a factor. When I was looking at getting new binos a couple of years ago I tried the 8.5×42 EL's, the 8×32 FL and 8×32 Ultravids.Did I notice much difference in the view? To be honest, no. There were slight differences which have already been alluded to on this thread, but I could quite could quite comfortably have lived with any of them. I wasn't so kenn on the Zeiss ergonomics, liked the feel of the Swaros and liked the compactness of the Ultravid's.I went for the ULtravids because I got a good deal from Leica as the new HD's were coming out, and this made them a few hundred GBP cheaper than Zeiss or Swaro. Now, had they they all been the same price my overall favourite would still have been the Ultravid, but if either Zeiss or Swaro had been significantly cheaper I would have gone for them.They are all good quality binos. I don't see how anyone can really say that one is better than the other. All our eyes are different, and some will see CA where others don't, some will see improved contrast, brightness etc. I am quite happy with my Ultravids, but if someone has some cheap Swaros or Zeiss to sell I will see if the budget will stretch.<img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite2" alt=";)" title="Wink    ;)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=";)" /></blockquote>

Verification