Swarovski EL Swarovision 10x42 Binocular

This Swarovision is better than any other binocular, It gives you the sharpest image ever

After many good years of service my trusty 7x35 Nikons were not up to compensating for my aging, imperfect eyes. Seeking the best led to the miraculous mechanical quality built into Swarovski product that is coupled with equally miraculous optical design. I have been thrilled at how well these 10x's work in close focus and regular viewing modes

It is not an ad writer's hyperbole to say that these glasses feel Ike an extension of your body but is exactly how they do feel. Your will never regret this purchase.

The EL 10X42 binoculars are so bright and crisp that you may forget you don't have bionic eyes. After owning a pair of higher end Steiner binoculars purchased last year I can say that it was a blessing when they met their waterloo under the tire of my truck last hunting season, because I replaced them with a pair of EL Swarovski's. When I previously upgraded binoculars it never seemed like the higher cost was worth the slight optical improvement, and I always felt victimized by the law of diminishing returns. Not so with these binoculars. They are expensive, but worth every penny.

I recently couldn't resist an upgrade from some 10 yr old Swarovski 10 x 42, which have been my constant and heavily used birding companion, to these later model Swarovision 10 x 42.

Yes all the oohs and aahs people have been describing are true; the color, brightness, and clarity of these binos are amazing. But the primary upgrade factor is the much larger field of view which provides a greater magnified viewing area with edge to edge clarity.

The "downside" to this wide view is what some others have described as the "rolling ball effect." This is a legitimate description of what happens when one is scanning foliage, however I noticed after using these binos regularly for about a month during this spring's migration that the effect is lessened as the viewer gets use to what is a very different viewing experience. In other words, to an extent the new Swarovisions just take some getting used to.

Everything about the design, the mechanics, focusing wheel, thumb grips, cladding, and dioper rise to the usual high Swarovski standards.

Sure they are expensive, but you are buying a company and a warranty that are unmatchable. Under warranty and gratis, Swarovski recently completely refurbished my 10 yr old set inside and out with a tuneup including a complete new rubber cladding. This kind of service is almost completely unheard of for present-day consumer products.

Worth every penny. Go for it, if you can.

I bought my last binoculars about 35+ years ago and they were Leica Trinovid 10x42 with very poor close focus. I more than got long use and excellent service from them. For a long time I have been looking for an upgrade and this new Swarovski pair finally got to me. I decided I deserved a 65th birthday present and since I had started my pension decided to go for it.I knew they would be good from the reviews and from friends, but I was blown away when I took my first look through them! I have been a fanatic, crazed birder all my life and this will make my last years birding fantastic. Brilliant, sharp. super detailed images. I can focus on insects almost at my feet and no longer need a close focus extra pair. My only very minor problem has been sometimes the eye cups get turned down as I walk etc. Not sure yet what I am doing to cause this but don't care because they are easily turned back. The locking diopter adjustment is a terrific improvement over the Leicas. They feel so nice in the hands and don't feel excessively heavy although slightly bigger than the Leicas.They are a lot of money, and worth every penny in my opinion. They are keepers!

These binoculars are by far the best thing on the market. I have looked through every other high end binocular and they are all practically useless compared to these binoculars. The person that said that they are like looking through the eyes of God is right. The brightness, color, clarity, sharpness of image, low light capability, depth of field, feel, strap are all sencond to none. My old Leica Ultravids while being great, can not shine these binoculars shoes.

I have 2 friends that took one look through my binoculars and immediately said I am buying them and did so the next day. There is really nothing more that you can say about these binoculars other than buy them immediately and consider it the best money you have ever spent.

When used in direct comparison to my Leicas and the old el Swarovski's, the swarovision is profoundly brighter and sharper. Looking at a Fox sparrow under a bush in fading light in the Swarovisions is like seeing one out in the open at high noon. Every feather and every detail is so bright and clear it takes birding to a whole other level. To sum up, here are some of the reactions that I have gotten from friends who looked through these binoculars
"holy sh_t these are amazing"
"why did I just spend all of that money of the Ultravid HD's"

I read another review that said that you will need a diaper after your first look through these binoculars because you will loose control of your bowels. He was right!

Buy these binoculars and enjoy a new level of clarity that will make every time you use them and put your eyes up to them like a religious experience.

These are like looking through the eyes of GOD!! I will never buy another brand of optics.

These are everything they say they are. When compared side by side with other binoculars....there is no comparison. Outstanding clarity and definition. Definitely would recommend these to others.

Swarovski is as good as they get...don't buy anything else because you will not be happy. Look through them and see for yourself!

Echoing other reviewers, these are without question the finest binoculars optically I have ever used. Resolution, brightness, contrast, color are just superb, better than any of the other high end roofs currently available (I have tried all but the new Nikons). In addition, for 10X binoculars, the eye relief and depth of field are excellent. For once I do not have to press the binoculars hard against my glasses and it is much easier to follow flying birds because of the depth of field than it was with my old high end roofs. Close focus to 5 feet is pretty remarkable too.

The only two complaints I have heard about these binoculars from others are that the focus is a little sticky and that the flat field creates a "rolling ball" effect when panning. I agree the focus is not as smooth as it could be, but it never bothers me in actual use in the field. Not everyone is sensitive to the rolling ball effect and apparently I am not as I just do not see it even when I look.

In my view the only real drawback is of course the price. For binocular connoisseurs who can afford them, these binoculars deliver the finest view of any of the current top roof binoculars. If your budget is more limited, you have to decide if you want the 97% of perfection delivered by less expensive top end roofs or whether getting to 99.5% is worth the extra strain on your budget. All I can say is the advances claimed by Swarovski are real and not hype and the view though these is literally breathtaking for those who have trained their eyes to appreciate the small differences between quality optics.

These binoculars are amazing. The amount of light and the clarity of the image-fabulous. and looking at butterflies or dragonflies incredible. Three of my friends traded in older pairs of Swarovski binoculars for the new Swarovisions immediately after looking through my bins.

However, I'm a little concerned because two of them had to return the Swarivisions a week after purchasing them because of problems with eyecups and focus. So I hope these binocular will be as good to me and as durable as my old Leicas

Without qualification, the finest binoculars I have ever owned. I wanted just a bit more power than my Swarovski 8.5x42's – particularly for working over fields and open water. Hesitated stepping up to the "Swarovision" 10X42's mainly because of the price, but found Eagle Optics staff encouraging with their answers and I finally "took the plunge". From the moment I put them up to my eyes for the first time - and through several extended field trips - I have had absolutely no regrets. Without qualification, the finest binoculars I have ever used – bar none. Excellent ergonomics. Superb resolution and amazing color. Just one small suggestion. Swarovski continues to ship world class binoculars with (IMHO) binocular cases totally impractical for hard field work. Plan on investing in a case that will adequately protect your investment. I find the well constructed (and padded) Vortex Viper 50mm Binocular Case (yes, 50 mm) an excellent alternative for both my Swarovski 8.5x42's and Swarovision 10X42's. All the other accessories work fine!

While I have always preferred 10-power bins over 8s, I have been finding over the last decade or so that it was increasingly difficult to find a pair that suited my eyes the way the old Trinovids once did. Something to do with the increasingly rapid focus and the shallow depth of field. I decided to try the new Swaro 10x42 and am really glad that I did - they are terrific. I have had them now for about two months and last month took them on a very arduous and rough birding trip to Cameroon where they were used in all sorts of habitats from semi-desert to rain forest and in climatic conditions that ranged from dust storms to thunderstorms!. They performed superlatively! Wonderful edge to edge sharpness, terrific light-gathering, and great balance and "feel" (unlike the old ELs which always felt too big for my hands.

So, would I recommend them - you bet!