Swarovski Optik EL (8.5x42) Binocular
- Binoculars Type: Binocular
- Max Magnification: 8.5x
- Lens Coating: Fully Multi-Coated
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A great pair for birdwatching
Pros
Comfortable to use, great color resolution and watertight to 13 ft.
Cons
Price, focus turns, magnification.
Recommended it?
Yes
The Bottom Line:
I'd buy them again. Great binocs but for the price you expect quality.
I've been a birdwatcher for about 20 years and this is my third pair of binoculars. I've owned them for about two years. I originally chose Swarovski because my dad has a pair of Swarovski SLCs and I fell in love with them. I paid about $(US)1,400 for them. When you pay this much for a pair of binocs you expect them to be high quality and Swarovski does a fine job with these.
The binocs have incredible life-like color resolution. It's very easy to pick a bird out of a bush or undergrowth and it's surprising how far away you can be and still see excellent details. There simply is no comparison with my old Bushnells and Pentaxs. These binocs are in a class with limited serious competition. The Swaros are light weight and are the most comfortable binocs I've ever held due to the barrel orientation and lack of center hinge. They are watertight to 13 feet. I accidentally tested this feature and they are watertight. Another feature I love is their eyecups. If you wear glasses you simply twist the eyecups in and you can get a full view with you glasses on. They also seem to hold up well to the physical abuse I've given them. It's hard on binocs to be knocked up against trees and car doors during day to day use.
Now for some of the things I don't like. The price seems pretty steep and there was no negotiation with my local store salespeople. I despise how many turns it takes to change from far away viewing to close in. For example, I was walking along a wood line next to a pond. I was viewing some ducks when a warbler appeared in the trees behind me. By the time I had it dialed in on the binocs it was gone. I recommend that people practice focusing and preset their focus prior to moving into a specific habitat. I also broke off a plastic cover that hides the inside of the hinge. I've heard their warranty is incredible but I didn't want to send them in and wait for them to be returned so I simply used glue to reattach the piece. I haven't had an issue with since. I also wish they had a 7 power model. When the adrenaline is pumping sometimes it's hard to hold them steady.
The binocs have incredible life-like color resolution. It's very easy to pick a bird out of a bush or undergrowth and it's surprising how far away you can be and still see excellent details. There simply is no comparison with my old Bushnells and Pentaxs. These binocs are in a class with limited serious competition. The Swaros are light weight and are the most comfortable binocs I've ever held due to the barrel orientation and lack of center hinge. They are watertight to 13 feet. I accidentally tested this feature and they are watertight. Another feature I love is their eyecups. If you wear glasses you simply twist the eyecups in and you can get a full view with you glasses on. They also seem to hold up well to the physical abuse I've given them. It's hard on binocs to be knocked up against trees and car doors during day to day use.
Now for some of the things I don't like. The price seems pretty steep and there was no negotiation with my local store salespeople. I despise how many turns it takes to change from far away viewing to close in. For example, I was walking along a wood line next to a pond. I was viewing some ducks when a warbler appeared in the trees behind me. By the time I had it dialed in on the binocs it was gone. I recommend that people practice focusing and preset their focus prior to moving into a specific habitat. I also broke off a plastic cover that hides the inside of the hinge. I've heard their warranty is incredible but I didn't want to send them in and wait for them to be returned so I simply used glue to reattach the piece. I haven't had an issue with since. I also wish they had a 7 power model. When the adrenaline is pumping sometimes it's hard to hold them steady.
