PETE WARD

"WELCOME TO MY OUTDOOR WORLD"



GEAR REVIEW
"SWAROVSKI  EL 8 X 32 BINOCULAR "
 
{Below copied from Swarovski }
8x32EL Model# 32008
Ideal for any occasion, lightweight, premium optics, includes hard & soft carrying case.

Field of view: 8.0°
Eye relief: 15mm
Close focus: 7ft
Weight: 21.5oz

 

Kindermann Canada Inc.
3-361 Steelcase Road West
Markham, ON Canada L3R 3V8
 

http://www.kindermann.ca

e-mail info@kindermann.ca

Tel (905) 940-9262

Fax (905) 479-9755
 
See  the "SWAROVSKI - EL 8.5 x 42" Review

See the "Swarovski 8x20 Pocket Compact" Review 
 
 
Review
 

Another example of superior optics and design is clearly evident upon the first look through the EL 8x32 binoculars. This is the third in a series of Swarovski reviews and each time I am more impressed with the quality. The clarity of these binoculars, like the EL 8.5 x 42 is beyond description. Crystal clear is an understatement.

 

I have only been testing the EL 8x32 for a few weeks and my opinion is firm on them. They are just too good to be true. These are similar to the EL 8.5 X 42 that I reviewed a while back, but for the hiking hunter they are even better. I prefer the lighter weight (610 grams/21.5 ounces); this is an important consideration to me. There is more magnification than I need at 8X, and they are still bright enough to easily glass at last or first light.

 

Being smaller, they can be carried without the neck strain that larger binoculars give us, and still stay out of the way of my bow string. This is very important to bow hunters. I can have them under my jacket without the large bulge that a large binocular causes.

 

Ergonomics are even better than the EL 8.5 x 42 due to the smaller frame and lighter weight. Like all of the EL series, the body is sculpted for thumb placement, making holding them very comfortable - this makes for easier, steady viewing. The straight rubber armored tubes are not much bigger than what some companies call “compacts”. Like the other Swarovski binoculars, the eyecups are solid and twist up or down for those of us who depend on glasses. Fold-down eyecups seem to always fail in binoculars after they are a few years old. The EL eyecup system should last a lifetime. The rainguard attaches to the neck strap and is adjustable to fit any width the binoculars are set at. It easily slips on and off and cannot be lost or dropped.

 

Individual eye focus is done by lifting up on the center wheel cup and turning the center wheel to plus or minus. After setting the individual eye focus, the wheel is pushed back and the setting is protected from accidental changes.

 

I have passed the EL 8x32's around at the ranges and the first impression from everyone that tried them is always one of being very impressed. "WOW" is often the first word that I hear. Comments like "these are so clear it is unbelievable" and "I can see the bugs flying down there" are quite common.

 

(Note: rainguard hanging out of the way.)

                                                                                                                                                                                                   

The last review I did was on the 8X20 pocket binocular from Swarovski, and those I thought were the perfect binocular for my hunting style. Now I am having second thoughts. I can see myself with the EL 8x32 on a long hike without being bothered by the size and weight of it. The advantage is that these provide more usage than the pocket model. Yes, they are larger and do weigh more, however, not so much more that they would be considered a problem. I certainly would not consider leaving them behind to lighten my load like I have done with other binoculars that were just too heavy to pack all day.

 

In a perfect world I could have one of every model and take the pair that suited the day’s needs. But my budget does not allow this luxury, so, like you, I live in a world of compromise. I want a light-weight, small binocular with superior optics that will allow me to travel light and see details at last light, heavy dusk. The EL 8x32 is perfectly suited to this. There is very little compromise to deal with and the benefits are in favour of the EL 8x32, especially if I was to have just one pair of binoculars.

 

Below is a comparison chart from Swarovski Optik of the Swarovski binoculars tested so far. 

 

 

Magnification

8x
8.5x
8x

 

Objective lens diameter (mm)

32
42
20

 

Objective lens diameter (in)

1.26
1.65
0.79

 

Exit pupil, diameter (mm)

4.0
4.9
2.5

 

Exit pupil, diameter (in)

0.16
0.19
0.1

 

Eye relief (mm)

15
18
13

 

Eye relief (in)

0.59
0.71
0.51

 

Field of view, real (m/1000 m)

140
130
115

 

Field of view, real (ft/1000 yds)

420
390
345

 

Field of view, real (degree)

8
7.4
6.6

 

Field of view, apparent (degree)

62
62
51

 

Shortest focusing distance (m)

2.1
2.5
4

 

Shortest focusing distance (ft)

7
8
13

 

Diopter compensation (dpt)

+-3
+-3
+-5

 

Interpupillary distance (mm)

56-74
56-74
56-72

 

Interpupillary distance (in)

2.2-2.91
2.2-2.91
2.2-2.83

 

Twilight factor (DIN 58388)

16
19
13

 

Length, approx. (mm)

138
165
101

 

Length, approx. (in)

5.4
6.5
3.98

 

Width, approx. (mm)

114
123
93

 

Width, approx. (in)

4.5
4.84
3.66

 

Height, approx. (mm)

60
64
38

 

Height, approx. (in)

2.4
2.52
1.5

 

Weight approx. (g)

610
820
215

 

Weight approx. (oz)

21.5
28.9
7.6

 


 Watch for my Swarovski  SLC 8x56  binocular  and the Laser rangefinder  reviews in the near future..

 

 
Pete ward
"Welcome to my outdoor world"