Decisions, Decisions, Decisions.......

[Herbi1969]

Merry Cristmas to All!!

My Mum, God bless her, wants to buy me a pair of binoculars for Christmas.
Being concerned for her I said I really liked the Meopta 8x42, at about £650. Mum just looked at me shrewdly.
I tried to say that I couldn't see a difference between the Meostar & EL 42mm models I tried at a fair earlier this year. But she brushed that answer aside
"What do you really WANT?" she asked. Without missing a beat I said Swarovski. She didn't even blink when I said they were £1,600!!

ANYWAY, the reason for my thread is I am a bit non-plussed over which ones to go for!
Please don't begrudge the question (You should be so lucky etc), I blame me Mum!!

Choosing 42mm left me looking at the EL Swarovision 8.5x42 or the EL 8x42

At this much money I wanted to try them in a shop but I live in Hertfordshire, and Macleods are a long, long way (only shop I found that have them actually in stock, and not just online).

So, learned ST members what'da think?

 

[jamross65]

Herbi

Does your mum adopt?

In all seriousness, a pair of bino's from Swarovski in either the SLC or EL format, whether HD or not will leave you happy. keep the magnification to 7 or up to 8.5 in the EL's which will cover woodland or hill well. I still use a pair of 7x42 SLC's that are now almost 18 years old, bought new just after I got married. They recently went back to Swarovski for a wee overhaul and came back with 4 new lenses, new rubber armour and looked brand new. During the time they were away Swarovski loaned me a pair of 10x42 SLC HD's. Very impressive. Could I see the difference between them and mine, aside from the obvious increase in mag in the 10's but smaller field of view? No I couldn't. In other words to my eye the 18 year old pair were still right up there with the latest technology in glass quality.

 

[teyhan1]

I would say get a pair of 8.5 x 42 el. The reason being is that you can then buy a doubler for the hill and still have a great pair for woodland. Don't worry about HD and all that. At the distances stalkers tend to work the difference will be negligable.

 

[willie_gunn]

EL 8.5x42's. Had mine for 10 years and still wonderful to look through. You'll love them almost as much as your mum obviously loves you!

willie_gunn

 

[I. Farticus]

I've got EL 10x42s as they were on fleabay for £700...

There's a pair of 10x42 at £502 with 2 hours to go, and a pair of 8.5x42 for £800 with 6 hours left.

Buy them and send them to Swaro for a service. Judging by JamRoss's experience, you'll have a rebuilt pair come back!

Negotiate with Mum, and you might get the difference to spend on a scope or sh*tloads of ammo

Enjoy either way - they'll last you a lifetime

Cheers
i.