Swaro Binos - EL Range vs NL Pure

[surrey stalker]

Hi All

finally going to bite the bullet and buy some decent binos. Have narrowed down to the above following hours of (mostly US) YouTube content and reviews. Considering the NL Pure 8x32 or EL Range 8x42. Unfortunately don’t have a dealer near me to try them

my summary from YouTube would be NL pure are slightly better optically (wider field of view), a lot lighter and a lot cheaper. However having an integrated range finder would be useful and intrigued by the ballistics data. Not so bothered about the tracking assistant as not sure the distances I shoot over really near to be tagging shot game hundreds of meters away up a mountain !

my shooting mostly in wooded environments in UK

just wondered what real UK experience was and anything else I should consider E.g. are the EL Range noticeably heavy for a day out or does the 300g difference not mean much in the real world

thanks

 

[norcan]

I would recommend keeping the binoculars simple, and using a separate rangefinder if necessary.

In my experience, once the novelty wears off, there's not much point in the extra bulk and weight of built-in ranging; I'd far rather have the lighter, better-quality glass along with superior reliability and resale-value retention.

 

[75]

Just to contradict the above view - I really like my rangefinder binos. Previously had separate rangefinder but it was a faff to get it out of your pocket, range deer etc. Binos are so quick to use and I use mine all the time.

 

[norcan]

Indeed, it’s very terrain-dependent; I could see them being useful in some environments.

 

[User00040]

Hi All

finally going to bite the bullet and buy some decent binos. Have narrowed down to the above following hours of (mostly US) YouTube content and reviews. Considering the NL Pure 8x32 or EL Range 8x42. Unfortunately don’t have a dealer near me to try them

my summary from YouTube would be NL pure are slightly better optically (wider field of view), a lot lighter and a lot cheaper. However having an integrated range finder would be useful and intrigued by the ballistics data. Not so bothered about the tracking assistant as not sure the distances I shoot over really near to be tagging shot game hundreds of meters away up a mountain !

my shooting mostly in wooded environments in UK

just wondered what real UK experience was and anything else I should consider E.g. are the EL Range noticeably heavy for a day out or does the 300g difference not mean much in the real world

thanks

Get the NL Pure in either 10 or better still 12x42.

At 8x32 you'll struggle to see anything worthwhile past 300m

 

[Dunwaters]

I’m in the separate items camp. Personally I’d have the 8x32 bino’s and a cheapish range finder.
8x32 is a perfect size to carry and you don’t lose twilight performance to any noticeable extent, certainly not once you’re over 40. The 8x42 is noticeably heavier to lug around.
You’ll always need your binoculars, you can do without a range finder most of the time.
I use mine to scan landmarks from a high seat and make a mental note of the distance’s, or animals I think are over 200M away. At 200m or under with most cartridges its just point and shoot
Ballistic apps just aren’t necessary at typical stalking distances.
However, as always, your brass = your choice.

 

[Dunwaters]

At 8x32 you'll struggle to see anything worthwhile past 300m

I personally don’t, your eyesight seems to be somewhat different to mine.

 

[Dazb1967]

The sort of money you are thinking of spending I would seriously try and look through both I know you say you have no local dealers but is it not worth a drive out somewhere you can look through both, Everyones eyes are different and you'll get loads of different reviews and your going to spend a lot of money, I have the Swaro EL 10x42, Great bit of kit but like I say they may not suit your eyes and vice versa

 

[sakoson]

I have Swarovski 10x42 range and 12x42 pure, love my rangefinders , great on open ground and much more convenient than separate rangefinder but I love my pure as smaller and lighter with more magnification and slightly better glass

 

[John Gryphon]

Once you have RF Swarovski's you wont want to ever go back to having a separate RF unit.

 

[K.H - Tikka]

I would say it would depend on your use. You mention wooded environments and so the 8x42/8x32 would be my choice. In my opinion, you don’t want too much mag if you’re scanning through woodland, you’ll just get lost in the trees.

I have had the EL O-range for quite a while and have used them on a lot of stalking ground. They are excellent and with a Bino Harness such as KUIU’ offering, you wouldn’t even know they are there. As such, the weight certainly wouldn’t bother me! Much more convenient as mentioned previously to just look through your binos and range stuff - otherwise you’re putting them away and then getting out the separate rangefinder to find your target again etc.

If you’re predominantly in a high seat or working the same ground regularly, you may not need the rangefinder capabilities. You will quite easily be able to create your own boundaries and get used to the distances. But if that isn’t the case, this will be much more difficult and so then the EL Range are the better option.

You can pick up some EL Ranges first or second generation for good money too!

K.H

 

[gixer1]

I would recommend getting the EL ranges, and as said get the 10x42’s much better and not a significant change in weight.

Having a range finder is excellent.

On a side note you wouldn’t regret either - I have looked through both and bought the EL ranges and they are second to none in my opinion.

Regards,
Gixer

 

[Steff]

I’m in the separate items camp. Personally I’d have the 8x32 bino’s and a cheapish range finder.
8x32 is a perfect size to carry and you don’t lose twilight performance to any noticeable extent, certainly not once you’re over 40. .

I come from times when we were using 56mm objectives for low light. I am well aware that those times are past with the advent of affordable NV and thermals.
But to say that a 32mm bino will not compromise twilight performance is just not true. You will have to be very old not to notice any difference compared to larger objectives.
On top of that, with scopes everyone in on about eyebox issues. The same applies to binos. Larger exit pupil offer a lot more comfort.

 

[Loler UK]

EL range 10x42 all day long.
You'll not look back, and if you buy a set 2nd hand, use them for 10 years, you'll still sell them for what you bought them for.
You will not notice any optical difference, the fov is plenty wide enough on the EL. I'm yet to ever have a guest / client at first / last light that has a better image than my EL with clean lenses.
Sod a separate range finder, lost time, missed opportunities a tendency to shoot without ranging it, and there's plenty to juggle with binos, thermal etc

 

[paulbshooting]

As OP says stalking in wooded environment, I would go simple 8x42 non range as you won't often need to range and lightweight for lots of use per outing. I use 7x42 Leica for woodland and carry separate Leica rangefinder for field edge stalking. Have the 10x42 EL for downland stalking and Scotland trips, and been superb. Not sure on difference between pure and EL, sounds like you have done your research.

 

[wytonpjs]

Just to contradict the above view - I really like my rangefinder binos. Previously had separate rangefinder but it was a faff to get it out of your pocket, range deer etc. Binos are so quick to use and I use mine all the time.

Exactly my experience too! I went with Leica Geovid HD-B 10x42 but would really love a pair of the new 10x32 Geovids but............................

 

[surrey stalker]

Thanks guys for real world input - really helpful. Not sure it has solved my dilemma although I like this - get both!! Sadly not an option for me

I have Swarovski 10x42 range and 12x42 pure, love my rangefinders , great on open ground and much more convenient than separate rangefinder but I love my pure as smaller and lighter with more magnification and slightly better glassView attachment 304727

 

[John Gryphon]

Sod a separate range finder, lost time, missed opportunities a tendency to shoot without ranging it, and there's plenty to juggle with binos, thermal etc

Am I right in pondering that those that use a separate RF have never used an internal RF bino?

The missed opportunities is a real and very valid point for the walking stalker perhaps not so the tree sitter as generally boredom has the sitter ranging everything in sight while waiting and there may not be a real need for the all in one.

 

[User00040]

Am I right in pondering that those that use a separate RF have never used an internal RF bino?

No, have had both and prefer a non-RF bino. My eyesight is good enough to see the difference between the two. Use a handheld Leica RF and a Swaro bino as Swaro have no clue when it comes to making an RF unit that produce accurate firing solutions, and Leica bino's are better suited to those with smaller hands.

Swaro used to make a handheld RF but had to admit defeat to Leica who came out with a lighter, cheaper and more accurate unit, with each generation improving on the last.

Adding RF usually makes the bino's less ergonomic (and hence less steady to hold), despite being heavier.

Purchase price is more, resale value is diminished. If the RF craps itself then you have dead weight.

Knowing the ground should mean you have the ranges in your head already, but I still check my estimates when waiting for quarry to appear. Nothing wrong with RF at all, but cobbling two bits of gear together never works out as well as it sounds on paper.

Ditto for RF thermals!

The missed opportunities is a real and very valid point for the walking stalker perhaps not so the tree sitter as generally boredom has the sitter ranging everything in sight while waiting and there may not be a real need for the all in one.

If the difference in time between someone ranging with RF bino's and a regular RF is deemed to be the culprit of a missed opportunity for a 'longer range' shot (does anyone need to range below 200m? Unless you are bowhunting but that is a 100m and under sport), then you never had a chance to begin with!

Have seen the same argument used for purchasing the whizbang Swaro dS rangefinding riflescope, the definition of 'all the gear and no idea' bit of kit. It'll land up in the same heap as the Burris Eliminator, a heavy, overpriced bit of junk!

Some people like to say, I've been stalking 10/20/30/40/50 years and use that as justification for everything that they do, right or wrong.

Well sorry to say, you might have been doing it wrong the whole time, try everything once if you can afford it or have the opportunity to do so, but keep an open mind!

 

[NullMac]

I have NL 10x32. Best bino I have ever used by a mile. Small, light, bright. Better than my Leica 8x56 and 10x42 both wi LRF. Better than 10x42 EL's. Best money I have spent on optic ever. No LRF which is a PITA but I would rather buy a decent hand held LRF than lug the others around up the hill. I use it all the time which is the first bino I could be bothered to take with me everywhere.