Range finding binos - do I go for Swarovski? Or should I be an octopus?

[GGC96]

I’m looking at getting a new set of binos. I’m fed up of having a separate range finder to my binos as I’m not an octopus and can’t range find an animal, then look through my binos when my rifle is on the sticks. Too many things to hold and not enough hands.

I’d like to ask all those that have a pair of the Swarovski EL Range TA binos - is it worth the £3k price tag?

 

[Malxwal]

Devils advocate; just use a relatively flat shooting chambering and take engine room shots.

 

[Stalker62]

I’d like to ask all those that have a pair of the Swarovski EL Range TA binos - is it worth the £3k price tag?

No.


Is there anything else I can help you with?












I bought the Swarovski EL Range finder binoculars. They are excellent, they are Swarovski, of course they are excellent.

I bought them to 'compliment' by Swarovski EL binoculars - that do not have the magic range finder gizmo in them.
These were (and remain) my 'go-to' binoculars.


The range finders are eyewateringly (may have made that word up) expensive.



They are also massive and heavy.



They sit in my cabinet and seldom see the light of day (see what I did there?).


If I am looking at a deer and need to 'range it', it is too far for me to shoot it.

Any range finder is 'fun' - and I have used the old one just to range the seats on the ground - useful when you are 'mapping' your seats and perhaps using range cards.

If I had the money (I don't) to buy a range-finder binocular, I would put that money towards my next trip...

 

[maximus otter]

I’m looking at getting a new set of binos. I’m fed up of having a separate range finder to my binos as I’m not an octopus and can’t range find an animal, then look through my binos when my rifle is on the sticks. Too many things to hold and not enough hands.

I’d like to ask all those that have a pair of the Swarovski EL Range TA binos - is it worth the £3k price tag?

l have the 8X Swarovski EL Range (non-“Trip Advisor” version.)

I think that they’re well worth the ~£2.5K l paid for them, and l wouldn’t go out without them.

maximus otter

 

[Brighty3006]

I to have the8x42 el range and wouldn't be without them

 

[artschool]

i have had the same set of el range 8x42 for 11 years and they are still perfect. definitely a case of buy once cry once.

 

[finnbear270]

I have moved to the same school of thought re ranging deer, If I need to range it, it's a non runner as far as shooting it, and my age & condition mean it probably won't still be there when I arrive.

 

[eldon]

Well I have Leica which I bought secondhand off here.
I've tested them with another member on here using his Swarovski rangefinder bins. The readings and ability were near identical and personally I prefer the Leica colour transmission.
All very subjective and it was only a short test so take of that what you will.

I'm not sure you need to spend £2.5k +

Its your money, your choice.

 

[bryn]

I have the Swaro 10x32 rangefinders, I did have the heavier 10x42s and much prefer the lighter set. Are they worth the money? It’s a bit like asking if a Rolex is worth its money, a Casio will tell you the same time but which one would you prefer on your wrist.
And just to complicate you dilemma, if you use a thermal to stalk then do you need such good (and expensive) glass.

Bryn

 

[Ronin]

If only for the warranty should there be an issue you know Swarowski will sort it

Mine have been serviced three times and been repaired after a drop causing damage to ficus wheel

All at zero cost

They have been used (owned since the Range binos were released) and had years of sometimes quite hard use in all weathers

I’d buy another pair without hesitation should ever I need to

 

[Dazb1967]

I have the EL10x42 Range and recently bought a small pair of Swaro CL's and they are now my go to bins for everything, I very rarely bother taking the EL's stalking with me, even when I do take them I never carry them with me.

 

[big ears]

Have you looked through them yet? I always wanted a pair then looked through my mates and couldn’t get them to work due to my eye dominance.

 

[Utectok]

I got Leicas which were cheaper and have all the information in one lens. I have weird eyes and the swaro rf (I think?) have info in both lenses? Which doesn’t real work for me. Anyway Leica were cheaper. If you shoot a lot of deer and dial longer shots they are fantastic. If your a hundred meter boiler room guy waste of time.

 

[gixer1]

i have had the same set of el range 8x42 for 11 years and they are still perfect. definitely a case of buy once cry once.

Same here, really like the convenience of them.

They have been back to Swarovski a couple of times after taking hard knocks (my fault - not the binoculars) and they have come back like shiney new….

I can’t recommend them enough.

Regards,
Gixer

 

[Rsl]

These sublime Delta LRF will get you covered for about 1K!

 

[andy R204]

Owned the Leica 8×42 HD-B for around 10yrs now.Had no problems with them.
I saved a couple of hundred quid as they were ex display & the box had a small crease in the corner.
Check out camera shops you might get a better deal.

 

[rem284]

For brightness of the image swarovski takes some beating.

In the days of separate rf's, sometimes a chance of a beast would be lost just because of the time to change from binos to rf's.

The other thing to consider would be a thermal with lrf

 

[NickJ]

No. I'm afraid.

I have a pair, love them to bits, best I have owned but would not buy again as the RF electronic element of them only has a 3 year warranty whereas for non RF their customer service is excellent, the best.

I would buy RF again as when I had a separate RF I only used it on the hill when I had lots of time but with the binos I ping most animals, low ground over 150m too.

I was on the hill with @JH83 at dawn and looked through his Vortex top of the range RF and the difference was not over £1k and a lifetime guarantee. He has gone over to Habroks mind..

 

[A J]

Unless you want to carry multiple items then yes but no! When I bought mine over a decade ago there was very little that could compete. To my eye the Swaros were better than the Leica and Zeiss, however, there are several much cheaper offerings that are 90% as good now.

That being said, most of the time I'm shooting stuff it's that last 10% that has made all the difference in low light / poor conditions and they're as good today as they were 12 years ago.

If you can afford them, then get them. If you're going to have to sacrifice other important kit or go hungry for a couple of months, then check out the Vortex or Deltas.

 

[long_range_rob]

Yes, well worth it. Got the 8x42 range when they came out to replace my 7x50 SLC’s and range finder. Never regretted it and all these years later I’m only on battery number 4. I think the clue to how good they are is that you very rarely see them second hand.