I had a pair of the 8x42's. I really liked them. Glass wasn't as good as the Swarovisions that I sold to help purchase them, but they were still good. The rangefinder was really good. Got readings out past 2,000 yards and inside of that rarely had problems getting readings.
I ended up selling them and went with the Leica Geovid HD just so I could have some more spending money at the time. All and all the glass is the same to me, but the rangefinder isn't as good (doesn't range as far and more non-readings), but I can still get readings to 1,300-1,400 yards. I didn't like the eyecups as much compared to the EL's but I have since gotten use to them.
I don't know that I would ever go back to not having a LRF bino now, however my eyes do miss the Swarovision glass. Most people have hit the other points of the EL range. If money weren't an issue to me I would go the EL route again, in large part due to a more reliable warranty. There was a good deal on a pair in the classifieds.