Swarovski EL 8x32 Binocular with Snap Shot Adapter

I purchased these binoculars as a Christmas gift for my husband based on a recommendation from his brother. First of all, the service from Eagle Optics was superb. They arrived within two days of ordering them. My husband was thrilled to receive them. We have a place in northern Wisconsin, he can see clearly across our lake from inside our sunroom. He wanted them to use for deer hunting, but we will be using them for many other reasons.

After years of using binoculars manufactured by several other companies I recently purchased the Swarovski EL 8x32's. I am thoroughly enjoying them and find myself taking them almost everywhere. I recenltly completed a spring field ornithology couse at Cornell and became interested in learning to identify warblers. Although I had what I considered to be a quality pair of binoculars, I was finding it difficult to locate these small, active birds. The wide field of view and sharp close focusing of the Swaovski 8x32's have made it much easier for me to find the birds I hear or see moving behind leaves and branches. I can now see, in very low light conditions, the identification marks of birds noted in field guides. I like the low weight and feel of these binoculars in my hands. Although I have only had them a short time, I sense that they will prove to be very durable by the way they feel and operate. They have taken my enjoyment of birding to a new level.

I learned about these binoculars through my best friend and once I looked through hers, I was spoiled forever. I have been waiting and waiting to make the plunge to purchase these binoculars because of the price. However, I finally did a few weeks ago and they are fabulous! The optics are so wonderful that I am able to see right down to the detail of each feather of the birds I see through them. I only have one concern about their ability to survive sandy beach conditions. I recently used them on my vacation to Florida and even though I was really careful, some sand managed to get into the focus ring. Overall, I would give them an excellent rating!!

I am incredibly impressed with my new Swarovski 8x32 binocular. The focus knob works like a dream, and the picture quality reveals the minute details of birds in a way that I've never experienced with my other binoculars. Purchasing this binocular is one of the best bird-watching investments I've made, and I now intend to stick with the Swarovski brand should I have other optic needs (I've heard that Swarovski customer service is exceptional).

In short, I am quite pleased with my purchase; the last time I was this excited about birding was when I was just getting started 6 years ago!

While just a fraction less bright then the comparable Zeiss 8 x 32 FL, the ergonomics (focus knob, fit and feel, etc.) of this binocular more then compensate. In fact, I have not seen more exceptional ergonomics in any binocular. They literally feel like extensions to your hands, almost as if you weren't even looking through a binocular but just seeing an image through the naked eye but magnified 8 times.
Excellent field of view of 420 ft, a pleasing and natural image, reasonable eye relief, and solid build. If you're looking for the best mid-sized binocular out there, no need to look further then the Swarovski EL.

Counting several pair I have purchased as gifts, the Swarovski EL 8x32 are about the TWENTIETH pair of binoculars that I have purchased. No one should buy them as their first pair, but if and when one makes a commitment to serious birding, or other nature study, it would be not just the OPTICS, but the HANDLING, including the effortless focus, that makes these or a variant size of Swarovski, such a reasonable investment. In my case, I purchased them in part to complement a Swarovski 65 mm scope, whose use I have so enjoyed.

8x32 is the size I recommend most often for binoculars, easy to carry all day, yet large enough for general usage. I have earlier-purchased pairs of 8x32 Eagle Optics Raptor roof prism and 8x30 Leupold Yosemite porro-prism binoculars, both excellent within their price ranges, which I will continue to use for certain situations, or loan to friends for days of serious birding. Their basic characteristics formed the foundation of my final move to the Swarovski.

Other reviewers have covered the specifics very well, so I won't recapitulate them. Again without discounting less expensive alternatives, what I would emphasize regarding the Swarovski 8x32 EL, finally, is their ELEGANCE, as their function fuses into their form.

Once you own top class optics you cannot go back. It is a once-in-a-life-time investment.

I have compared the Swarovski EL 8x32 with it's competitors from Zeiss (Victory) and Leica (Ultravid) for a weekend and decided to buy the Swarovski. In the end all 3 binos performed extremely well. But since this is my first top of the line bino, I was surprised that these binos are not perfect.

I wanted an as small as possible bino, the best money can buy. I did not want a small 8x20 because that size bino has a small exit pupil which makes it very sensitive to eye distance as well as position in front of the eyes. The focus knobs are also quite small. So the smallest bino with a large bino feeling is 8x32.

I found the optical performance between the three binos very very close. Each had very little reflexes due to back light, but from different directions. The Zeiss had the least chromatic abberation (color edges) probably due to it's fluoride lens. But the difference to Leica and Swarovski was very small. The contrast, detail and color fidelity is outstanding in all 3 binos.

The Leica was the smallest and I would have bought this one if the focusing mechanism would not have been a little hard to move; and it was harder in one direction than in the other direction. The weight of all three binos is very close. Leica and Swarovski have Magnesium alloy housing while Zeiss has a glass fibre enforced synthetic which makes it slightly lighter. But the difference is again small.

The Swarovski had the best feeling in the hand, it feels like a natural extension of your fingers. I use it very often one-handed, where it is no problem at all to run through the entire focus range. Also the focus knob works extremely easy. For example one of the competitors needed a higher torque to focus in one direction than into the other, so I found myself constantly trying to find best focus. The Swarovski snap into focus right away from any direction.

I would have considered the Zeiss as 1st choice if it would not have the "cheap" look from its rubber armoring. I also feel more comfortable with a metal alloy than with synthetic; I buy a bino like this to last for the rest of my life.

In the end the performance difference between the three models is very small. I decided in favor of the Swarovski because of the exellent mechanical design which makes feeling and focus a joy.

I acquired a pair last year and have nothing but praise for Swarovski.

Pros: These are top shelf quality. The image is crystal clear from edge to edge. They are the most comfortable binoculars in the hand that I've ever used. In fact, I bird with them one-handed as often as two-handed. They are so light. I can hold them up for extended periods without my arms feeling fatigued. Love the wide field of view. Getting on the bird is so easy. I haven't noticed the image being too dark when birding in morning twilight. Effortless to use. Feels like an extension of my hand and eye. As for close focus, I don't find it at all difficult to find and focus on butterflies and dragonflies. Plus, Swarovski and Eagle stand behind their stuff.

Cons: Top shelf glass costs top shelf prices.

If you're ready to take your birding to the next level and you can afford to make the sacrifice, you won't be disappointed. If you're wondering if they're worth the it, stop wondering. They are.

There are many fine binoculars available these days. Over the years, since the 1980's, I have purchased several pair of binoculars most of them from EO. Individual evaluations are subjective. Each of us will interpret what we see through binoculars differently as we have different requirements and perception.

Being the owner of my Swarovski 8x32 EL for approximately two months now (I should have bought a pair sooner) my observations are in order of importance:
1.Sharp and bright. I am amazed each time I focus on a bird, structure, tree limb, landscape, etc.
2.Field of view. Of equal importance to me. The WOW factor, the picture window view. I cannot say enough about the way Swarovski processes an image in general. The 420 feet @ 1000yds = I find it difficult to put them down.
3.Depth of field. Excellent! The plane of focus is, a more gradual slope, to very fine focus point but yet one does not have to figit with the focusing to maintain an excellent relaxing view. Very nice IMO.
4.Amazing low light capability. This 32mm will compete with many of the 42mm's around with it's low light capabilities. Enough said here. Another wow!
5.Ergonomics. A pleasure to carry and hold. A very natural point binocular. My hands are not cramped with the open bridge design. I have large hands, it is a very natural relaxed wrap.
6.Focusing. Exceptional: very smooth through the entire range from infinity to close, no backlash.
7.New neck strap design? Great! Easy to adjust. I actually need to look down to make sure I am carrying a binocular. A Swarovski Bino-Suspender Strap would be even better.
8.Close focus. Specifications say 7 feet. I measure mine at 6' and a fraction. Exceptional.
9. Supplied binocular case? This is a, hmmm!... without being too harsh, OK? Personally, I am not using the supplied case for storage or carrying. I am using an old well padded Tenba case that fits the bill perfectly. Since I have the 8x32 EL's with me in my travels, when in the car, they are in the Tenba for protection and easy access. Possibly I just need to get use to the Swarovski case design??? But then again, I did not purchase the EL's for the case so it is a moot point.
10.For the 8x32 EL... The whole is greater than the sum of it's parts. Not being a 50mm glass, it will hold up very well for casual astronomy too!

The only other thing I can say about the 8x32 EL? Save your coin and get one. “Quality is remembered long after price is forgotten” I forget who first said that exactly but I've been using that statement when discussing Swarovski.