Eagle Optics Ranger SRT 8x42 Binocular

These binoculars are the best in their price range that I have seen. They are designed for people who really go out in the field looking at birds - they are easy to hold, quick focusing from near to far and back again, good strap attachment, good lens covers, clear vision. We looked at Swifts (good optics but unappealing construction and flimsy seeming strap attachment), Pentax (optics not as good) and a few others. Eagles were the best for the price. A great binoc!

I'm a firm believer that reviews are a helpful tool for future buyers and individuals who are on the fence about making decisions with their hard earned cash. I've used reviews on several occasions and would like to give some feedback myself.

I purchased a pair of 8x42 SRT Rangers in the fall of 2004 to be used primarily on hunting trips. I'm an avid outdoorsman and enjoy hunting big game throughout the United States and Mexico.

At the time of purchase in 2004 with a limited budget I decided on the Eagle optics. These binoculars have surprised me with their long-term performance. After nearly 7 years of field use these binoculars are still going strong. They have been dropped, dragged through underbrush and soaked in the rain. One of the barrels has a slight dent near the front lens from being dropped on a rock but still remain fog free.

Recently I decided to upgrade and purchased a pair of Swarovski 8x32 EL's. The other afternoon I took them in the field to do a direct comparison. I know some people are probably saying “how can you possibly compare moderately priced Eagle optics to high end Swarovski glass”. Well let me just say that the Eagle SRT Ranger’s held their own against the Swarovski EL’s.

During daylight the brightness and color rendition was very comparable between the two binoculars. The EL’s did show better natural color of the surrounding vegetation. The big test was their low light performance. From what I’ve read the determining factor that makes high end optics superior from average optics is the low light capability.

Right at dusk I focused on a yucca tree approximately 75 yards from my truck and switched back and forth every few minutes between the Rangers and the EL’s until night fall. I reached a point where viewing with the naked eye I could not discern the tree and saw nothing but shades of gray and black. When looking through the EL’s I could clearly see the yucca and its pointed leaves with sharp definition. Now with the Ranger’s I could also see the yucca and its pointed leaves but with a slightly less level of sharpness. And by “slightly” I mean it was difficult to distinguish between the sharpness levels but the EL’s did have the advantage.

How can you beat that? With a price difference of more than $1500 it’s hard to believe that a 7 year old pair of Eagle Ranger’s could compete with brand new pair Swarovski EL’s. Well believe it and just don’t take my word for it go out and try them yourself.

The two main differences between these binoculars is the Field of View and the Eye Relief. The Swarovski EL’s have the “wow” factor in the FOV category with 420ft@1000 yards compared to 341ft@1000 for Eagle Ranger’s. But the Ranger’s do win for Eye Relief with 19 millimeters compared to the EL's 15 millimeters. The longer eye relief is a must for people that wear eyeglasses while viewing through their optics.

Maybe this wasn’t an apple to apples comparison because the EL’s have 32 millimeter objective lenses compared the Ranger’s 42 millimeter lenses. But since both binoculars are almost identical in size and weight this to me makes it a fair review.