Swarovski EL Binocular 8.5x42
From Swarovski Optics
The EL series revolutionized premium optics and has been the standard for excellence ever since. Regarded by many as the best binocular ever made. Patented SWAROBRIGHT coating technology creates maximum color fidelity and light transmission across the whole light spectrum. Clear edge-to-edge resolution, clarity and brightness make the EL the leader in premium binoculars. The EL binocular's revolutionary design creates both an ergonomically comfortable feel and lightweight performance.
- Amazon Sales Rank: #59986 in Sports & Outdoors
- Brand: Swarovski Optik
- Model: 34008
- Released on: 2008-05-13
- Dimensions: .0" h x .0" w x .0" l, 2.00 pounds
Swarovski's EL 42 binoculars combine maximum functionality, innovation, and design, making them ideal for almost any situation. A multiple award-winner as the world's best binocular, the EL 42 boasts such features as a classic 42mm objective lens diameter and an outstanding diamond-bright optic, helping the binocular excel whether you're searching for birds in low-light conditions or zooming in on the cleanup hitter. The binocular also offers a legendary wraparound grip, which makes the EL 42 comfortable to use even with one hand. And users will love the EL 42's low weight and excellent balance, which make light work of long observation periods.
The binocular lens is a breeze to clean thanks to the nonstick Swaroclean coating on the outer surface. The coating is particularly effective when you need to remove dried-on mineral residues (such as water marks from condensation), insect repellents, and tree resin. And because the lenses require less intensive cleaning, they last longer than many other binocular lenses. Finally, the premium EL 42 binocular boasts a sturdy magnesium housing that beautifully complements the sophisticated top-class optical system. Other features include a large, grooved focusing wheel for rapid focusing even with gloves; handy thumb rests; and an airtight, dustproof housing that's submersible in water up to 13 feet. The EL 42--which is nitrogen purged to prevent internal fogging--carries a lifetime warranty.
 The EL 42 binoculars offer a 330-foot field of view at 1,000 yards. |
- Magnification: 8.5x
- Objective lens: 42mm
- Exit pupil: 4.9mm
- Exit pupil distance: 18mm
- Field of view (distance): 390 feet @ 1,000 yards
- Field of view (degrees): 7.4 degrees
- Field of view with eyeglasses: 7.4 degrees
- Subjective field of view, apparent: 62 degrees
- Shortest focusing distance: 8 feet
- Dioptric compensation: +/- 3 dpt
- Interpupillary distance: 2.2 to 2.9 inches
- Length: 6.5 inches
- Width: 4.8 inches
- Height: 2.5 inches
- Weight: 28.9 ounces
- Colors: Green
- Snap shot adapter model: S3
- Warranty: Limited lifetime
About Swarovski Optik
Although founded in 1949, Swarovski Optik's roots actually trace all the way back to 1895, when Austrian Daniel Swarovski--who invented the world's first electric grinding machine for jewelry stones--established the family-owned Swarovski Crystal in the province of Tyrol. Since then, the name Swarovski has become synonymous worldwide with the clearest crystal, precision grinding, and a brilliant spirit of innovation, as the original enterprise continued branching out into additional lines of business.
Swarovski Optik owes its rise to Wilhelm Swarovski, son of the original founder and an avid hobby astronomer, who decided to build his own improved binocular in 1935 at a mere 17 years of age. With access to the specialized glass production and finishing technologies already used to manufacture jewelry stones in his father's factory, Wilhelm managed to develop a novel prism fabrication and grinding process that he applied in constructing his first 6x30 binocular. Wilhelm went on to found Swarovski Optik KG in Absam, Tyrol, in 1949, thus laying the foundation for a sports optics company with a global reputation. His company's first serial product, the Habicht 7x42, is still an industry standard in the field of hunting optics and continues to be produced in the best tradition of its founder.
Superior quality at premium cost
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.
Altered States of Consciousness
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.
Fantastic
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.
