Customer Reviews

Swarovski EL Binocular 8.5x42

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have had my 8.5X42 EL binocs for the past year. They didn't come with a case at the local store I got them, so I bought a separate Pelican (1200) waterproof case. The case and binocs fit easily under the seat of my Dodge truck. Your clearance may vary. I had the thought that this was going to be my last binocular purchase, so why not buy the best available. I am not sorry. That huge exit pupil makes all the difference, and the broad field of view adds up to easy bird location. A word of warning: Once you get used to premium quality optics you won't want to put up with anything less.

I read a lot of top-end binoc reviews on the net before I bought this pair. The one binocular I would have liked to try was the best Nikon line. However there was no dealer in the province who carried that line, and I wasn't about to buy binoculars without holding them in hand first. When I looked up the Swarovski binocs on the net, I found some reviewers didn't like the fine thread on the focus dial, resulting in a little extra effort to turn the dial over to the focus range of the bird. You may have to push the dial a few times when you focus near to far, or vice versa. I don't find that a problem at all, and indeed I like the extra fine tuning I can do with a fine-thread dial.

I spend a little time on photography as well, and I have grown to realize how fast lenses are easier to focus because of the more shallow depth of field and brighter light capture. With my Swarovski binocs it feels like top line camera glass, 'wide open'.

The binocular eyepiece comes with an adjustable hub on each side to help shield your eye from extraneous light. If you wear glasses the feature would be an advantage, but I leave the hubs all the way in so that I can get my eye as close as possible. Those hubs can not be contoured to the shape of the eye socket, because they rotate to move in and out. Therefore extraneous light ends up getting by the side anyway. There is a plastic eyepiece cover that holds the binoculars in position so that when you take them out of the case they are already adjusted for your interocular distance. Anterior eye pieces are attached to the front by plastic straps so you can't lose your lens caps.

The major disadvantage of the Swarovski like is the lack of competitive pricing. I didn't find a lot of variance in price on the net, so I ended up buying locally. At the end of the day I expect my binoculars to retain value long to the future. If I lost my binoculars tomorrow, I would not hesitate to buy another pair, exactly the same product.

However I would not buy the 2x adapter, it rarely was used and the light loss is too significant. Also with the 2x adapter you lose binocular vision, which is a major loss not well compensated by increased magnification. I found more use for the tripod adapter. With the unique design there is no center screw for a tripod. With a tripod your visual quality is dramatically better, and I use it as often as I can.

Looking through these things is like ingesting some kind of powerful drug.

One is transported into a new reality, one in which even mundane objects become endlessly interesting.

I've spent more time than you would want to know looking at the bark on a nearby tree, or studying the intricate detail of backyard grass.

There's real power sitting in an Adirondack chair, drink on the armrest, with ones view ranging here and there, far and wide. The EL's focus range is eight feet to infinity.

Everything is resolved into a remarkably clear three dimensional crispness. And the large (4.9 mm) exit pupil coupled with a wide field of view (390 ft. / 1000 yds.) make for very easy gazing.

The EL's are built like a tank, are compact and lightweight, and feel like a natural extension of your body in your hand.

It's hard to imagine how this product could be improved upon.

My review relates to my experience of the 10x42 version of this binoculars.

Just to give the reader an idea on what I base my expectations. I have over the years owned the following binoculars: 1x pair of Zeiss 10x40B Classic, 2 x Pairs of Leica 10x42 - Trinovid BA and Geovid, 2 Pairs x Swarovski 10x42 - SLC and EL. So I know what to expect from bins in this league.

I can honestly say that the differences in binoculars of this calibre are subtle. One may have better eye relief, or closer focusing or better contrast or lighter weight, etc than the other. However the EL-42 optics will not disappoint. It is a truly remarkable piece of kit with a few flaws that has really irated me to the point that I am questioning whether I should buy a Swarovski again.

The niggly issues, I have an older pair of EL-42s Serial# L730460*** and I have used them extensively but this is the first bins I owned where the rubber housing is starting to come loose from the metal chassis. There are signs of the rubber lifting at the logos on top of the bins with minor tears in that area. The objective lens coating has started to show signs of delamination, at this stage it is very small and has not affected the optics yet. Finally, I use the bins in dusty areas often, as I do with all my others but this one's focussing wheel has gone a little sticky, just enough to be annoying when you onto a bird that is moving around fast in the trees and you need to keep focus.

Having said all that the most annoying thing is that I have been onto the Swarovskioptik website and have never come across such incompetence. Really a pity for such a great product. In the last 2 weeks I have sent 5 different people emails begging them to let me know if the issues I have with the bins are repairable and what the cost would be to effect such repairs. Furthermore when I registered my bins on their website they sent me a confirmation email with a verification link. This link took me to [...] where you are plagued by pop-ups and the like, obviously a spelling mistake but really sloppy for such a great brand. Furthermore their website insist that the bin I own given the Serial number are a pair of EL-8x42 WB, obviously a sign of poor record keeping on their side. All in all a poor show.

Other than that good optics but doubtful if I will be a repeat customer again.

I have eventually been contacted by Swarovski Optik. A guy called Heinz Armin has been extremely helpful and apologetic and promised to resolve the issues I have with the bins. He has gone a long way to restore my faith in the brand. I will post an update in a few weeks time when I expect this whole matter to be resolved one way or another.

FINAL UPDATE:

It is not unusual to make a mistake. Some of the best run companies and organisations make mistakes. What is important is how they recover. In the Service side of any business this is VERY important. A great recovery can turn irate customers into loyal advocates. This is exactly what happened with me.

In my previous review, I was really angry that Swarovski Optik was not responding to my emails. As stated above, I did eventually get someone come back to me. What an absolute pleasure it has been to deal with them since. I am sure this treatment was "special" because I was so peaved. However if I could get half this level of service from anyone I would be happy!

They have effected the neccesary repairs under the Warranty as one would expect, but they did a whole lot more than that. I was kept up to speed every step along the way. When they heard that I had posted my binoculars to them, they immediately asked me for my tracking number so they can keep tabs on it. This gave me a tremendous amount of peace of mind. When my binos eventually arrived I received an email to let me know that it has arrived. Once the binos were assessed, I was sent a mail to let me know that the issues I have with the binos are covered under the Warranty. I was give a date as to when I can expect them back, but what really blew my mind was the mail I got from them today, they let me know that DHL was unable to deliver to my door as no one was home. They emailed me the tracking number but more so they even sent me the telephone number of the local DHL agent, half way across the world. Wow now that is service, I did not even need to open a telephone directory to sort out the delivery.

Once I had the box in my hand I eagerly opened the box. Wow my binos look nearly new, AMAZING. In the box was a Swarovski Optik peak cap and lapel pins. I am going to wear these items with pride.

Thank you Swarovski.

I always thought my Leica's were wonderful but then, in the Amazon where the light is often very poor, I was blown away by these. Expensive but worth every penny for someone who really values image quality.

see the world as if it was all HD with these. Every other possible purchase is just wrong and prolonging the purchase of this item.

My son and I are avid birders, and this pair of binoculars is invaluable to our birding experience and enjoyment.

I first held them, and looked through them, at a local Bass Pro Outdoor World. The young girl selling them to me was an avid hunter and owned a pair of these beauties herself. She had me look through them at a fish that was mounted exactly 82 yards away (she used a range finder for exact distance) and I was able to see a cobweb hanging from the dorsal fin of the fish, as if I were standing right next to the web myself. The clarity and resolution is beyond compare.

I'm waiting to test the new Swarovision EL's when they become available in January 2010 to determine if the improvement in optics and eyeglass relief is worth the difference of about $600.00. I wear eyeglasses and the new Swaro's are supposed to have an increased eyecup relief for eyeglass wearers, though that difference, in and of itself, may not be enough to convince me to fork over another $600 or so.

Btw, I am not sure as to whether or not AllAbout Electronics price of $3,847.75 is a typo...I sure hope it is...because if not they are waaaaaaay out of line. Even the new Swarovisions are coming in at a price point of $2300 or so.

I wish you all happy viewing.

:)

Yvonne

Ships from and sold by

Hi all... This are my first high class binoculars, I went from basic Audubon Equinox 10x42 to these beauties!...

I have no more to say that GO AHEAD!.. fantastic views, details as you always wanted, absolutely crispy details, superb views even before 6AM or after 6PM in very low light conditions... amazing binoculars!..

Contras: straps and cap are not the most comfy but if you only attach it to one side of the straps it would work way better.

LOVE THEM!...

saludos,

Diego [...]

I didn't realize how much I was missing until I upgraded to the Swarovski binoculars. These are outstanding. I can see so much more now, and low light conditions are not a problem. Highly recommended if you're considering a high-end pair of binoculars. The construction quality is outstanding. They are easy to use, durable and well worth the price.