Recently I suffered a break in and my beloved Swaro EL 8.5 x 42's were stolen, along with some other items. I'll end up replacing them but, given the situation, I'll have a choice. 8.5 or 10x this time?

I've always liked the 8x image and know the 10x image may dance around a bit more. Other than that, it wouldn't matter either way with me, given I'd have a little bit more magnification. How do you think the model's would differ with respect to light transmission, clarity, etc? I'm noticing that the 10x are actually trending a little less expensive than the 8.5's for some reason on ebay.

Thanks for your opinions.

Damn crooks...I hate a crook.

YOu'll get better light transmission and a bigger FOV with the 8.5's.

Man that would really get the blood boiling; sorry to hear you got hit.

Maybe you can make lemonade out of this lemon, tho. If you are able, add some boot to the settlement and go with the EL Range. I've had my 8Xs for several years and have zero regrets.

Good luck and take comfort knowing that the thief will eventually get what's coming.

I personally prefer the 8.5 to the 10. I get a better view. That is only my experience though. The only complaint I have for my 8.5s is size. They are a fairly big Bino but the SV view is phenomenal.

However, were I to do it again I would think real hard about the Leica Ultravids 8x32s if low light viewing wasn't the main driver. You will get anexceptional view in a more compact and lighter package. They are more than adequate in the low light viewing department too.

Personally, I'm not a 10x fan, and will always take the 8x.

You talking about going to the Swarovision model? If so I'd urge you not to buy them unless you've tried them first. You may find that, like quite a few of us, you're bothered by the flat field.

But if you're unaffected by it, they're lovely glass.

I'd definitely heed this advice. BTDT.

I have been using 10x42s in both the SLC and EL configuration for about 25 years. For open country hunting, I would definitely choose the 10X. I am also a little more than casual birder, and the 10X is definitely better there, as well. I would urge you to try both options, side by side, before dropping the coin on new Swaros.

I've tried both the 8.5x and 10x and prefer the 10x, but then I generally prefer 10x in full-sized glasses.

I also prefer the pre-Swarovision model. The flat field of SV didn't bother me, but the SV 10x42 isn't quite as bright as the pre-SV EL, due to the extra lens. A lot of people won't believe this, but one of my friends at Swarovski acknowledged it.

What am I looking for on ebay to ensure I'm getting a pre-Swarovision set of binoculars? What type of dates of manufacture will I be looking for? I suppose the newer ones will have "swarovision" in their name, no doubt. But I'd want to make sure if you know what I mean.

I'm seeing "Swarobright" and "Swarovision" on ebay...suppose Swarobright is what I'm looking for?

Yep.

Here's a tip using the serial #'s to determine year-of-manufacture:

Take the first two digits of the serial number and add 1930 to get the correct year of manufacture.

Thanks!

Its like a 1%, the trade off though is better CA control, colors, and detail in the SV's.

The field flatteners bother about 1 in 100 people.

Don't buy them on Ebay, If you don't want the swarovision, get the SLC hd's that are on sale now. Better glass than the swarobright IMHO

OK, now that someone has spoken about the elephant in the room, that's what I'd do (and did) as well.

I think the 8X are optimum to hold.

I've used the 10x SV EL's for several years without complaint. As one prone to motion sickness, I've never seen the "rolling ball effect" from the flat field. I have no idea whether there is anything to this or it's an Internet concoction perpetuated by the self-anointed optical experts.

Also, and this may vary from one person to another, I can't see any difference in "steady holding ability" between slightly lesser magnification vs. 10x. The ELs are heavy enough that they are quite steady.

I think it would be advisable for anyone contemplating the high price for alpha's is to get to a store with a variety and try them in the low light of morning or evening.
A lot of bin's look good in the light of day - but not so much in low light.

I'd never consider myself even close to an optics expert.

I can indeed tell you it is indeed real because I experience(d) the distortion when panning an EL/Swarovision. I didn't know what in the hell I was experiencing at the time until I did a little research on it.

A little google fu on your part might reveal a few "self-annointed" optics experts from Jena aka Zeiss explaining it.

I've had both, the 8.5 are my favorite. I hunt mostly woods and some powerlines on our lease where maximum distance is aout 300 yards. The 10 power were too much for me, shaking much more noticable

BT

Funny thing is, Zeiss put it in their Victory SF's.

I'd highly suggest trying for yourself. Interestingly enough, its more prevalent in the smaller objective glass. 8x32's are the most noticeable, I know a guy who can't handle even the 42's who lives behind his 12x50's.

I would chose the 8x32 EL!

HUGE field of view!

I do belive its the best birding binocular out there ( right next to my Nikon 8x30 ), and would also work perfectly well in a hunting situation!


I ALWAYS prefer larger fields of views, compared to any other metric.

FOV is important when birding, but not nearly as important for serious glassing when hunting. Also, details as seen through the 42mm-objective models (whether 8.5 or 10) are much better in dim light than with the 8x32mm.

The 8,5x42 is optically the best bino I ever owned in the last 30yrs. Mostly I use the Leica Geovid because we have some long shots but optically or in demanding light condittions its the 8,5.

I did the same from the fine folks at Cameraland ('fire members get an additional discount). My should be drop-shipped from Swarovski today. SLC 10x42

How do you get the additional discount?

In a set of hand held bino's like an 8x32mm, FOV is hugely important. It allows for quicker target acquisition, and faster scanning. I used the 8x32 ELs for a lot of years, I don't feel I gave up enough with the smaller objective to make for all of the advantages (weight, FOV, steadiness). My buddy won't sell them back to me.

I wish they would make a 9x42...


Spent a couple hours yesterday looking for mule deer with 8x42 SLC's. Bought them from Cameraland and don't remember what I paid.


Fricken awesome view.


Speaking of FOV.....


Yesterday morning I was glassing some deer 3/4 mile. Looking up a hill and across a washy prairie creek bottom.

All of a sudden I see antler tips right up close on the bottom of the lenses, like 40-50 yards away!
A young 4x4 buck deer was chasing a doe right up the creek bottom and I had zero idea they were there.

They never noticed me.

I have had the same 10x42 ELs for about 12 years They have been all over the world with me. I have tried some of the newer versions (both Swarovski and Leica) and always go back to my originals.

For our latest African trip, I bought 10x42 SLCs, with Swarovision, for my wife. Her eyes are much better than mine, and she is a much better spotter.

I would not willingly give up either binocular.

donsm70

Personally, I think the 8x42 SLC is the very finest bin Swaro makes. Stunning optically.

Brad, they are basically uber.

Again, does anyone know how to get the additional discount at cameraland? Was going to order since they are on sale now.

That's going to require a call to Doug or Neal.

donsm,

The SLC's have Swarobright but not Swarovision.

Thanks so much.

I have no clue, OP, what your budget or hunting environment is like, but I've owned many different alpha binos, including the SLCHD (fantastic needless to say), but the 10x50SV is stunning.....the best glass I've personally ever owned, seen, tested, etc.

I suffered the same fate early this year when my 8x30 SLC's were lifted. I did not need a 10X because I have Leica, but after hemming and hawing I sprang for the new 8x32 Swarovision.

Used them in Maine last week and they were stunning.

If I had to make this choice i'd get the 10X Swaro.