Is the new Swaro Vision technology worth the $$

[gotthefever]

Has anyone looked, side by side, through the old Swaro El's and the new Swaro El's? I am curious if the new Swarovision technology is worth the extra $$ and worth the upgrade. If there is a difference, which I am sure there is, is it substantial?

I am sure there is a thread on here somewhere about this. I looked but couldn't find it so thought I would throw it out there again.

Fever

 

[Billy]

The only difference I could see is on the outer edge of the glass is very clear and has no blurring and let in a little more light

I would say they are not worth it to me but thats just me..
the old EL's are good enough for me

 

[Anaconda]

I have looked at the older, vs. New ?Swarovision? side by side.
When you get in to high end optics, tiny improvements cost a lot.

I could see a difference, it was obvious to me.
It all depends on you, your eyes and your budget.

Everyone?s eyes are different, I know people who can't tell the difference between pair of Swaro Els and a pair of $300 Nikons, to each his own.

If you decide you want nothing but ?the best?, look through the new HD Leica Ultravids before you drop the coin. To me and my eyes, optically, they are the very best.

 

[gotthefever]

Good to know Anaconda. I have never considered the Leica's but will certainly give them a look. Thanks for the response to my post.

Fever

 

[Coloradoboy]

Unless you have plenty of money to spend.. which I don't ,the Swaro SLC's are perfect. I've had the 10x42's for a couple years now and love them and my dad has the EL's. I've looked through the new swaro vision binos and I can tell a little bit difference but its not a drastic difference, I still have young eyes so it could be different for others. My opinion, anything with the swarovski name is top notch. As far as Leica's go, they are great binos Im just not personally sold on them but I know many who are. They don't seem to fit my hands as well as Swaro's and they tend to be pricier. But when you start talking binos in the $1500 plus range its really to each his own on preferences of binos.
Coloradoboy

 

[BPKHunter]

When comparing Swaro to Leica, the one thing I have read numerous times is how much better Swaro is at Customer Service than Leica. Now it sounds like Leica has improved, but my experience with Swaro is A+++ and really 99.99% of the feedback of other owners has been the same.

 

[Coloradoboy]

LAST EDITED ON May-15-11 AT 08:21AM (MST)[p]That is a great you make! And one I forgot to mention. Swarovski's customer service is second to one. For example two years ago while on an elk hunt my dad slipped while climbing up a nasty rock field and put a nasty scratch in his binos. When he came home he called up Swarovski and mailed them back. No questions asked they put brand new lenses in and sent them back. I know other people whom sent binos back and had swarovski completely replace them.
Coloradoboy

 

[Fortis]

I opted for the SLC HD, which I found NIB for $1470 from LL Bean. I also own a Leupold GR HD. Both are 10x42. I give a slight edge optically to the SLC HD, but not much, and I preferred the SLC HD to the SV, Leica HD, Zeiss FL, etc. If you can't see or find game with the Gold Ring HD it's not the glass' fault, it's the glasser.

 

[greatwestern]

I would agree with everyone's assessment that it pretty much comes down to personal preference when it comes to which one or the other of the top-end glasses

'Ski glass bugs my eyes too much for me to ever want any...I like Leica quite well, but recently took advantage of a good deal on some Zeiss FL 10x42 from Doug at Cameraland, and have been extremely pleased with them thus far

In regard to Fortis' closing line; we had about half dozen friends of the hunter in a desert sheep camp who were all equipped with the latest and greatest in binoculars and spotters (mostly 'Ski glass), and between the lot of 'em over the course of several days...well, they didn't find much worth lookin at anyway

Good Luck and Happy Hunting