May add some new mid-range binos to the stable. I have some Nikon Premier LXL 8x32s, which are fantastic. But always think what I may be giving up (if anything) to the big boys.

I've had multiples of Leicas and Swaros, but not these particular two.

Anybody been able to compare the ELs to the Ultravid HDs?

In a Demo we have:

A Swarovski EL 8x32, a Leica Ultravid 8x32 HD and a Swarovski CL Companion 8x30. Please give a call, 516-217-1000, if we can assist

Doug has spoken - went with the Swaro ELs. As always, Doug, appreciate the service and look forward to gettin' the binos in hand.

You made a good choice...

I’d always take the Leica. Have compared the Swarovski EL 8x32 multiple times agains my Leica 8x32 HD’s and previous BR’s. The Swarovision’s flat field and my eyes don’t work well together, and I like the Leica’s warmer color rendition and relaxed, more natural view.

I noticed Swarovski has finally seen the light and ditched their obsession with the flat field of the EL’s in favor of a more relaxed view in their new binoculars.

I bought the Leica Ultravid pre-HD 8x32 in 2005. I spent about two hrs in Sidney, NE at Cabelas comparing them to the pre-Swaro-Vision EL 8x32, in the store and outside. The Leica was optically better to my eyes. 15 years later I still love them...paired with a set of Swarovision EL 10x42s for hunting areas that have antler or horn restrictions. I use each about equally of the course of the year. Often wondered if he HD versions of the Ultravids are much better, but still am loving mine for shorter range hunting, general hiking, etc.

I have the Leica 8x32 HD Ultra. I just went to the boot store/optics store for boots, this week and l compared the Swarovski to the ultra side by side. I was pretty happy the Ultras were better optically. I did like the grip on the Swarovski though. I think it a personal choice for your eyes, but the Leica is easily better for my eyes.
I got my Leicas from Doug on some super sale a few years ago, and while expensive, a good bang for the buck. Easy size to carry.

I wish someone put an LRF aboard an 8x32..........

I'm with ya.'

I have looked through and compared them often, including the Victory's. They are so close to one another it depends on your individual eyes. Take 10 people looking through 8x32 EL's, Ultravids, and Victory's, and you'll get different verdicts as to which one of the binos is the best.

I give a slight edge to the Utravids for optics, a runaway vote for the Swaros for customer service and warranty.

Having said that if you're seriously in the market, as of a couple days ago Doug had 8x32 Ultravid HD's ( not the Plus) for around $1350 IIRC. If a guy does buy Leica, buy them from Doug because he's got the Chutzpah to make Leica's otherwise shaky warranty stick........

If I were to start over again for bino's and spotters, I would be looking at the Kowa's and use the savings for a extra hunting trip.

I have yet to see a Swaro that I liked better than a comparable Leica.

MM

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I have the 8x30CL newer version. Fantastic binos. Use them way more than my 10x42 SLC's.

You know I had the 8x30CLs - the older version, which didn't impress me, at all. I did read on a birding forum that the newer version is much improved. Good to hear.

Yeah, I have or have had Trinovids, Trinovid HDs, Ultravids, Geovids and Duovids and probably a "vid" or two I'm forgetting.

I've only had Swaro CLs and SLCs and I wasn't that impressed either. Maybe I expected too much? Every time I put 'em up to my eyes I expected the heavens to open up and angels to sing.

So, I guess the idea to go with the ELs is to try something new. If I don't like 'em, for whatever reason, I'll just throw them up on the Classifieds.

Heck, even if I do like 'em, I'll use 'em for a year, maybe two, and throw 'em up on the Classifieds.

The 1st gen CL's have got to be the worst offering Swaro has come up with in this millennium. A definite step down from the 30mm SLC's they replaced. I have heard good things about the 2nd gen CL's, although I've never looked through any.

Agreed, first and second gen are not at all the same bino. Swaro should have changed the name, they are that much different. At any rate, worth putting on your list to check out.

I bought the Swarovski EL 8x32 from Doug yesterday. However, should a good deal pop up on the 2nd gen CL's, I maybe would jump on those too.

Me Too!!

Just a heads up, we just put all the full size Leica Ultravids on sale through December 3rd for Black Friday

Everyone’s eyes are as different as fingerprints.
I have compared the two several times.
To me;
Ergonomics and warranty go to the Swarovskis, no question..
Optically, the Leicas win.

Totally agree. Only thing I’d add is the Leica build is also more robust.

Will also add that Leicas have smaller dimensions than other comparable glass. A Leica ultravid 8X42 is just a tad bigger than most other companies 8x32.

Spence

True that. I'm a backpack hunter, and have no need for an obnoxious "bino harness"... I tuck the 8x32's under my left arm and go. KISS

I would pay full retail for some EL ranges with angle compensation in the 8x32 for bow hunting.

Break them both and then say that... Swarovski’s customer service is second to none. Leica is basically none.

I’m under 40(barely) I figure I will need some factory support in the next 30 years of my hunting career

Good news about Leica, you likely won’t need service. You’ll definitely need service with the more lightly built EL’s.

I've tried a slew of 8x32's including the one's mentioned by the OP. Swaro outsells Leica probably 20:1 for good reason.........CS, warranty, ergonomics, superp optics, and the most generous eye relief of any 8x32 that I'm aware of. Just my opinion.

Yessssss.........

Sigh..........

Casey, not talking about the SLC’s (which I’ve owned)... talking about the EL’s which have somewhat flimsy eyepieces.

The rolling ball 35% of us experience using Swarovision can’t be called “superb optics.”

If they work for you, they’re great. But for a lot of us they suck. I do like the EL’s ergonomics and Swarovski’s easy customer service. However, Leica is improving their service slowly by all accounts.

Like I said, they outsell Leica 20:1, so it must not be that much of an issue. Leica still needs to update their pathetic warranty as well.

They outsell because of their pro-deals, product placement, and grandiose aesthetics. That’s called brilliant marketing, which no one would accuse Leica of.

For actual hard use bino’s, pass the Leica and leave Swarovski to making crystal for well heeled Saudis...

Glad they work for you. Leica has a repair department like everyone else, for the same reason. They outsell because Leica can't make a better product. Case in point, he new Swaro Pure NL has killed the sales of Leica's newest wonder bino, the Noctovid, and it has killed the Zeiss' SF sales as well. Everyone plays catchup with Swaro in the premium glass department. Just the way it is. Ask any retail optics seller and they'll confirm that Swaro outsells all the other "alpha" makers combined, quite easily. If I were in the market to day I'd personally take the meostar HD over all of them. I feel it's the best combo of toughness (easily as tough as the Leica Trinovid I carried for 15 years), optics, customer support, and warranty.

Lol, there’s nothing quite like a true believer.

Brad I like them both but like you feel Leica is the bino king all round but swaro and Zeiss are right there as well.


Remember all the Zen Ray true believers back in the day. On and on about how great they were for the price, as good as the alphas Blah blah, Lifetime warranty and then poof that company was gone in a flash.

I bet they lost their religion. Be safe all. Spence

That’s all about marketing not the better product. Every large scale sporting goods retailer has a fancy and devoted Swaro display and a decent selection of products. It’s hard to even find a pair of Leicas for a guy to check them out.

I have 8x30 SLCs, a million hours on then I'll bet. 3 years ago I switched to some 42mm glass because I wanted ranging ability. I sure wish Leica or someone else made ranging binos in 30-32mm size

The Leica is definitely more compact. I do not have the 8x32’s, but do have the Leica 7x42 HD. The reason I chose the Leica was the size.
But on the flip side, I picked the Zeiss 8x32’s over the Leica for my wife. I actually thought the Zeiss being a little large were more user friendly.
Durability and optical “best” can be subjective to the handler and viewer. But, my 7x42 Leica still amaze me in both areas.
I am not brand biased, I have a few Swarovski scopes that I like Lots.

Yeah, it's always a stupid idea to give more floor space to higher volume sellers. You're right.

Retailers don’t give prime space to anyone. Swarovski pays for all of their grand displays and every square foot that they occupy in the retail front.

How do you know Swaro pays for the retail space?

Regardless, if it don't sell I have a hard time thinking retailers are going to devote space to something that doesn't sell. The retailers have to buy those optics, and then sell them at a profit.

Zeiss, Leica, and Swaro ALL make the best optics overall (in my slightly humble opinion), as I mentioned previously so much of it depends on individual eyes. Swaro outsells the others because they made a commitment to North America (the biggest consumers of optics thanks to hunters and shooters) with a full blown repair facility in Rhode Island and EXCELLENT customer service. That is why Swaro outsells the other two.

Look at Vortex, a relative newcomer that was started by a husband-wife team who hunted and unapologetically directed their advertising to hunters, Starting out with a decent warranty then improving it to the best warranty in the business, while producing good, sometimes very good, glass at an affordable price. I don't think it would be a stretch to say Vortex probably outsells Zeiss, Leica, and Swaro by a mile.

Personally I like the Ultravid 8x32's better than the EL 8x32's every time I've compared the two side by side. I watched two long time friends and hunting partners go through an almost year long saga getting their 15 year old Ultravids repaired (sorry Brad, but Leica's do break just like other alphas), the binos had to go back across the pond to the Motherland to be repaired and ultimately cost them a couple hundred bucks. In the meantime, when my 7x30 SLCs started growing the Dreaded Crystals, I paid for shipping to Rhode Island and had nothing but great communication from Swaro. I got my completely refurbished and updated binos back in three weeks from the time I mailed them.

Warranty and customer service is important with optics.