Winning comparison points for 8.5x42 EL SV or F/Pro against 8x42 NL-P ? (1 Viewer)

[SeldomPerched]

As part of a rigorous downsizing evaluation so that I get back more to birding instead of messing with instruments (!), I got sidetracked into some wondering about the following, now that some of you have had good time to settle in with your new NL Pure(s), and I'm hoping some of you are doing that having come from good experience with the 8.5 EL SV and/or Field Pro. Here goes:

Comparisons that I have seen have been drawn up more to show the advantages of the new bin, but I'd be interested to read who can list some clear or subjective advantages of their 8.5 SV / Field Pro (apart from lower price). I'm thinking here of the version before they strangled the near focus, i.e pre-Legend. I happen to very much like my 8.5 — one reason being that for me as a 'sevens' man the 8.5x magnification adds just significant extra reach which I find steadier than 10x (apart from a 10x32 Zeiss FL I have, which is a nice compact yet top flight bin).

I have tried an NL 8x42 but more out of curiosity than a wish to spend more money. (I have to say I liked it, a lot.)

Thank you in advance,

Tom

 

[BabyDov]

I had tried thee 8.5 x 42 EL FP but returned it, primarily because it felt bulky and poorly balanced towards the objective end. To be honest, I didn't have the FP version with close focus, which also bothered me a lot. Perhaps, if it had close focusing, I would have kept it. I did like its 8.5 extra reach over just an 8x binocular, but not enough to put up with its ergonomics. It does weigh a bit less than the NL, but the balance negates that difference. I ended up with the 8x42 NL, which I love. It's great ergonomics, exceptionally wide FOV, clear, color neutral optics with no CA, made it a clear choice for me. However, if I had the close focus version of the 8.5 EL that you own, and never tried the NL, I probably wouldn't consider the 8 x 42 NL.

But you did try it, and did like it a lot. So, only you can answer if you wish to make the change, regardless of the cost. If you do, perhaps you should consider the 10x42 NL, which has the same FOV as your 8.5 EL, but gains in magnification, instead of losing as with the 8x42 NL. With the head rest, and better ergonomics, you will be surprised that your clearer view will be as steady as with the El, you currently own.

 

[SeldomPerched]

I had tried thee 8.5 x 42 EL FP but returned it, primarily because it felt bulky and poorly balanced towards the objective end. To be honest, I didn't have the FP version with close focus, which also bothered me a lot. Perhaps, had it not, I would have kept it. I did like its 8.5 extra reach over just an 8x binocular, but not enough to put up with its ergonomics. It does weigh a bit less than the NL, but the balance negates that difference. I ended up with the 8x42 NL, which I love. It's great ergonomics, exceptionally wide FOV, clear, color neutral optics with no CA, made it a clear choice for me. However, if I had the close focus version of the 8.5 EL that you own, and never tried the NL, I probably wouldn't consider the 8 x 42 NL.

But you did try it, and did like it a lot. So, only you can answer if you wish to make the change, regardless of the cost. If you do, perhaps you should consider the 10x42 NL, which has the same FOV as your 8.5 EL, but gains in magnification, instead of losing as with the 8x42 NL. With the head rest, and better ergonomics, you will be surprised that your clearer view will be as steady as with the El, you currently own.

Thanks for your input and thoughts, BabyDov. I'm not planning to go for an NL at the moment but from my couple of in-shop trials over the last year or two (pre-pandemic and then more recently when things started to reopen) I know how very good it is for balance, view, colour, image quality and so on. However I am not finding the 8.5x a struggle so I suppose it was just interesting to see if anyone who tried the NL actually preferred their existing 8.5 (or 10) x EL SV/FP after all. I haven't found the GE/rolling ball aspect a problem personally. Interesting to hear that the head rest works well; I know from my brief tries that the sculpted barrels and balance are very favourable to handholding with the 8x.

Tom

 

[BabyDov]

I can't imagine anyone binocular shopping with no price restraints, would prefer the 8.5 EL or a 10 EL over the 10x NL.. The 10 El lacks the FOV and close focus of the 10 NL, not to mention the lack of better ergonomics, when you compare them.. In fact, I don't think there is anything the EL does better than the NL, except perhaps comparing the 8.5 El's better magnification to the 8 NL's ,since there isn't a 8.5 NL.

On the other, hand it is easy to imagine why anyone who already owns an EL, like you, might not consider a change. Up until when the NL's were introduced, the EL's were state of the art. You were proud to own one and still can be proud to own one. Furthermore, the improvements in the NL's by no means, made the EL's obsolete, even though Swarovski may eventually discontinue making them, should the recently discontinued 32El be a precedent. It's not hard to imagine that many EL owners will continue using their binoculars for many years to come.

 

[jcnguyen09]

For me the optical quality of NL is a step up from previous EL series. The color rendition is not much different but the 3-D effect is much better on the NL series. Eye relief is also better in the NL than the EL although it's listed 2 mm less: 18mm for NL , 20mm for EL. And of cause the FOV and AFOV on NL is substantially wider.

 

[BertL]

I can't imagine anyone binocular shopping with no price restraints, would prefer the 8.5 EL or a 10 EL over the 10x NL.. The 10 El lacks the FOV and close focus of the 10 NL, not to mention the lack of better ergonomics, when you compare them.. In fact, I don't think there is anything the EL does better than the NL, except perhaps comparing the 8.5 El's better magnification to the 8 NL's ,since there isn't a 8.5 NL.

On the other, hand it is easy to imagine why anyone who already owns an EL, like you, might not consider a change. Up until when the NL's were introduced, the EL's were state of the art. You were proud to own one and still can be proud to own one. Furthermore, the improvements in the NL's by no means, made the EL's obsolete, even though Swarovski may eventually discontinue making them, should the recently discontinued 32El be a precedent. It's not hard to imagine that many EL owners will continue using their binoculars for many years to come.

I work as a forest manager and birdwatch and use my binoculars every day. I owned a a SLC 8x42 and liked it very much. Before the SLC I had an EL 8x42. I traded it in because of the eyerelief. I have glasses.
Last year I traded the SLC in for a NL pure 10x42. I owned it for one week.
I have to use it a lot early in the morning and late afternoon, at low sun set. The NL has a lot of internal reflections under these conditions which the SLC did not have. Large FOV can also be to much. I have tried a Zeiss Victory SF which is perfect under these conditions but it had serieus quality issues, a pitty. Otherwise I would have bought it.
I did not know to choose anymore.
The shop handend over a new EL Legend 8,5X42 to me to try.
I was suptrised; rasor sharp, bright, little more eyerelief?, more 3D(less flat?). Perfect at low sun.
Still the best binocular!!!!!!

 

[j_2112]

I've been down this road myself!

The new El 8.5x42 is not better than the NL 8x42, unfortunately, it's not even that close.

However! It has some advantages! (Besides lower price).

1. For me it feels better in the hand, as I have long fingers which made the NL feel too small. Many will disagree, I understand.

2. Traditional open bridge design. Yep, this is going to take a fall better than the NL, no questions, I also believe over time collimation will remain better.

3. Locking diopter, if you must have one, although the mechanism is plastic and cheap and you won't adjust it with your gloves on.

4. My objective covers felt better in and out on the sv, on the NLs very tight.

5. The most important! The SV had less finicky eye placement, despite the smaller ep.

6. Less glare. Not a huge difference.

7. Traditional El eyecups. More comfortable around eyes. Not the finicky 7 stops of the NL that always get out of adjustment.

Alright, that's all I can think of. Everything else is better or much better on the NL, but that's a different post!

 

[Patudo]

Still haven't had the pleasure of trying any of the NL series (for which my wallet is grateful, I'm sure) so cannot offer any direct comparisons, but can vouch that the 8.5 EL does indeed have very easy eye placement, even for a 5mm exit pupil - for both my brother (whose EL fieldpro I've spent a fair amount of time with) and I anyway. Don't know if the flat field (disdained by some, but which really works for me) helps with ease of eye placement, or whether there might be some other reason, but it really is excellent in that respect. I'd love to see how the NL compares.

 

[ragin-cajun]

i don't wear glasses.... the NL eased in to eye placement and just felt better in hand than the EL.
i agree w/ you BertL I really liked the Zeiss SF but the eyecup adjustments felt so cheap I could never spend that much on glass w those cups.

 

[NDhunter]

I can't imagine anyone binocular shopping with no price restraints, would prefer the 8.5 EL or a 10 EL over the 10x NL.. The 10 El lacks the FOV and close focus of the 10 NL, not to mention the lack of better ergonomics, when you compare them.. In fact, I don't think there is anything the EL does better than the NL, except perhaps comparing the 8.5 El's better magnification to the 8 NL's ,since there isn't a 8.5 NL.

On the other, hand it is easy to imagine why anyone who already owns an EL, like you, might not consider a change. Up until when the NL's were introduced, the EL's were state of the art. You were proud to own one and still can be proud to own one. Furthermore, the improvements in the NL's by no means, made the EL's obsolete, even though Swarovski may eventually discontinue making them, should the recently discontinued 32El be a precedent. It's not hard to imagine that many EL owners will continue using their binoculars for many years to come.

I find it interesting your simple fault of the close focus of the EL is so important to you. Where do you require this
difference. 90% of users, do not ever use a binocular to help check to see if their shoelaces are still tied.......!
Jerry

 

[Swedpat]

I tried EL 8,5x42 some year ago. The image quality and sharpness was astounding. Only drawback I noticed was that the eyecup edge was unnecessary high which wasted a bit of the useful eye relief. The design of NL Pure is better and works better despite even wider FOV. If we to that add the excellent ergonomics and forehead rest, NL Pure is a winner!