Swarovski EL 8.5x42 SWAROVISION Binocular (With Free Binocular Stud Installation)

I can't get enough of these binoculars. I have the Swarovski SLCs in 10x42 and also the Swarovski Companion CLs in 8x30 and as great as those two binoculars are, the ELs are just that much better. My wife and I just got back from an Alaska cruise, and she was blown away. She never understood why I spent so much on my glass, until this vacation. Now she's asking me when I can buy her a pair. Who knows, I might have a set of Pure's in my future.

However for the price point of the ELs, they can't be beat. If these are on your short list and you can afford it, pull the trigger. Just when you think you have the image dialed in perfectly, you move the focus wheel a millimeter and the image improves even more. I debated a long time over the 8.5s and the 10s, the field of view on the 8.5s is too good to pass up.

Lastly, but certainly not least.. the team over at Outdoorsman is outstanding. I buy all of my optic gear from them. For this trip I decided to pack a little lighter than usual.

What I took on this trip:
-Standard size Outdoorsman tripod (with the green neoprene leg covers)
-Outdoorsman Telescoping Center Post (tall size)
-Outdoorsman Panner
-Outdoorsman Pistol Grip Head
-Outdoorsman Binocular Adaptor (tall size)
-Swarovski EL 8.5x42mm
-Swarovski Companion CL 8x30mm

The field of view is good, but what sets it apart is the clarity. Compared them against the pure 10x42 and for me the locking diopter was the selling point. Very comparable to my 10x42 el range. Same field of view and very similar weight. Just easier to handle when a rangefinder is not needed.

I own 3 Swaros currently and the EL 8.5x is by far my favorite pair of binoculars. They are so incredibly versatile. These are the cream of the crop. I know lots of people are tempted to step up to the Pures simply because they are the latest and greatest. Don't get me wrong, the Pures are top tier Alpha glass, but don't just go off of the specs. Go and put eyes on them first. I tried the Pures next to the ELs and for me, I couldn't notice much of an optical difference between the two (outside of the improved field of view on the Pures). What did make a difference to me was the dreaded 'rolling ball effect' in the Pures. I couldn't use them for more than a couple of minutes at a time before I'd start to feel motion sickness. Not the case with the ELs.

If you're looking for some of the best glass in the world, the ELs qualify. They are called the "Legend" for a reason.

Oh, and I have to call out Outdoorsman's customer service. The guys over at Outdoorsman are outstanding. Top tier service with a smile. I highly recommend buying from these guys. Terrific buying experience.

I ordered the EL’s since they were not in stock at the moment. They came in earlier than expected. I went to the store, met with a very helpful and friendly staff member who delivered the binoculars.

Once I put the glass to my eye I saw in immediate difference from my older version of the 10x50 SLC’s.

I’m an eye glass wearer. The eye relief was long so I didn’t have to crush my glasses to the optics to get a full field of view.

The view was crisp, clear from edge to edge and the field flattening Appeared to have a greater depth of field than my older SLC’s.

I use the glass for birding and hunting. Placing them on the tripod is the best way to use the glass. It’s so easy to see movement due to the clarity and solid mounting.

I would recommend the glass to anybody that wants a premium quality glass.

PS. The stud was installed perfectly and the polished metal was a nice addition. My older pair had a black finish.