Swarovski EL Range 12x42 Field Review

Few things in the hunting industry have bewildered me more than the lack of a high-powered, ballistic-capable, rangefinding binocular. I started in the industry in 2018, and shortly thereafter, Leica and other optics manufacturers started incorporating Bluetooth and ballistics into their rangefinding binocular options. Looking back, I remember being really enamored with the idea of having all the information I needed to make a shot in one optic. While Leica had the 15x56 Geovid R in its lineup, it did not (still does not) carry any ballistic solution capabilities.

Even as a newb in the industry, I thought this was a void in the market. Most guys who were buying optics from us at the time were looking for higher-magnification binoculars–EL 12x50s and SLC 15s. By far the most asked question we got was, “When is Swarovski going to make a 12x50 EL Range?”

They finally did, and we couldn’t be happier. In early January 2025, Swarovski announced the EL Range 12x42 w/ Tracking Assistant.

First Look Through the EL Range 12x42

With tradeshows looming, I did not have much time at all to really get behind the glass once they launched. Levi and I hiked up the ridge right outside our office to take some pictures, and I was able to look at the rooftops and city streets of Fountain Hills. Honestly, I was pretty impressed with that initial introduction to the optic. It was overcast that afternoon, so a little bit lower light conditions, but that didn’t seem to matter. I felt like the glass was crisp and clear and I didn’t notice any diminishment in overall brightness due to the 42mm objective size.

While I still haven’t been able to get behind the EL Range 12s for an entire hunt, I was able to get out this morning for a bit of glassing and target shooting. I have a rifle javelina tag that starts in late February. I needed to check zero on my rifle and I always like to check out different areas in the hopes of finding a herd of stink pigs.

I got out to the spot this morning just before sun up, set the tripod up, and started glassing in gray light. Right off the bat, I spotted a little muley doe. Mind you, it was gray light, and the sun hadn’t peeked over the mountains yet. Mule deer are still rutting a bit, so I figured there might be a buck close by. Sure enough, another deer stepped out and I could instantly tell it was a buck. He wasn’t big–he was pretty spindly, but I had zero trouble identifying that he was not something I would go after had I been hunting this morning. I ranged both deer and got 845 and 856. It’s really nice being able to get all that information right there within seconds of spotting game. 

While I’ve always been intrigued by the idea of a rangefinding binocular, I never wanted to compromise optical clarity for the convenience of having an all-in-one unit. While the EL Range line has always been really nice optically, they just were never as good as the higher-tiered lines from Swarovski. The reason is simple. Swarovski uses different lens coatings in their rangefinding binoculars than they do in their non-rangefinding binos. This is so they can minimize the reflection/refraction of the laser beam as it shoots through the lenses. 

Compared to Swarovski EL & Swarovski NL

According to Swarovski, the EL Range w/TA line falls in between the NLs and the ELs in terms of clarity. I am not sure if I would 100% agree with this. The NLs are a better optic and will be a bit brighter, boast a slightly better edge, and offer a wider field of view. The standard EL, in my opinion, is still a bit better than the new EL Range, but not by much.

With that being said, using the EL Range 12s did not hinder my effectiveness in finding game at all this morning. It’s akin to eating a filet vs a really well-cooked ribeye. Both are delicious, both make me fat and happy, but the filet is slightly better. Both are better than chuck steak.

A Brand New App

Along with the release of the new optic, Swarovski also launched a new app, the Swarovski Hunting App. This is the app you will use for all Bluetooth-enabled Swarovski optics–El Range 32/42 and the DS rifle scope. The app is super easy to use. Simply open the app, select “pair new device,” and hold the menu and measure buttons down on your EL Ranges until the menu button light turns blue. Once it connects, you’re able to change all rangefinder settings and create custom ballistic profiles.

I easily created the profile for my Browning 6.5 Creedmoor, pushed the transfer from my phone to my binoculars, checked my solution, and drove to the range. It literally took four minutes.

I glassed up some steel this morning at 436 yards, and the EL Ranges told me 25 clicks (2.5 Mils). My impacts were a bit high, so I dialed down to 23 clicks and smoked that plate. In my experience, that bit of adjustment is normal and could be related to a variety of different factors, but most likely, it was the sight-in conditions I quickly ran through when setting up the profile. I also could just need to true my DOPE. Either way, I am not too concerned about 2 clicks out of the box.

Cliffs Notes

In my opinion, Swarovski knocked it out of the park with these 12s. The glass is fantastic, the form factor is the same as the 10s and 8s, and the ballistic solutions work very well–not to mention the additional Tracking Assistant features. As I stated before, I’ve never been a big rangefinding binocular guy. I just never got enough out of the 10s to justify the downgrade in optical clarity. However, the extra power of the 12s makes up for the slight drop-off in glass for me. I felt that I would have been just as effective in the field with those EL Ranges as I would have been with a pair of NL 12x42s.

It looks like these EL Ranges are going to be at the top of my wishlist this year, they’d look good at the top of yours too.

As always, feel free to give us a call at 1-800-291-8065 if you have any questions or just want to chat about hunting.