Swaro EL 8.5x42 or 10x42

[Tex68w]

I currently have Vortex Razor HD's in 10x50. They aren't bad but the edges aren't crisp and I have trouble keeping them steady not to mention that the eye relief could be better. I shouldn't complain, they are better binos than any of my buddies own, but I have hunts out west planned in the coming years and I am thinking that I should really upgrade my glass since that's what I will be doing the majority of the time on these hunts.

Are 8.5's good enough or should I move up to the 10's? I have 20/13 vision so no need to worry about glasses or corrective lenses and I'd rather not put them on a stand, if I am going to do that I'd just pull my spotting scope out instead. I like the idea of the built in ranging models but since I already have a range finder I don't think I can justify the added expense and weight around my neck. If I need to range and the animal is outside of my range finder then I obviously need to get much closer haha.

So what says the Slide? Should I also be considering Leica and Meopta or maybe the SLC's as well?

 

[dotman]

8.5 or the 10's whichever you can get the best deal on as both are fine for the west.

 

[handwerk]

I have both those EL SV's currently and although a guy could be happy with either, this fall I used the 8.5x42 and was very pleased with how easy on the eyes the view was and a little surprised how well the detail showed at far away distances...for an all-arounder I think I'd give the 8.5's the nod....

 

[Buckman]

I have older 8.5 x42 EL's I had newer SLC 10 x42's I sold the SLC pair and kept the EL's. I think the SLC was a little better glass, but I just like the 8.5 better. Why? I agree with what handwerk said above. And easier to hold steady in my old tied hands. You would prolly be very happy with either one. Great glass.

 

[paleraider]

I have the 10's and love them, highly recommended. That said I never did a comparison with them against the 8.5's as I knew I wanted 10's from the get go as to me with that magnification and quality of glass it is a setup that is hard to beat. I regularly use mine on deer, elk, and bears in excess of 4 miles away with a tripod, have no issue seeing great details.

 

[Brightwhite]

For me, 8's are way better to hand hold, so I would take the 8.5x42 EL if it were my only pair.

I know you didn't ask, but I'll throw my 2 cents in...I liked the SLC 8x42 better than the 8.5x42 EL myself.

 

[elkguide]

I'm a 10 power fan.
I have both the EL's and the SLC's and I think like the feel of the SLC's a little better.

 

[kuhn4]

I prefer the 8.5 for in my hands and the 10 for on a tripod.

 

[Hatchet Jack]

Doesn't matter if you have bushnell or swaro, you will find more animals with your binos on a tripod period. You glass longer and more effectively. Spotting scope does not replace binoculars on a tripod. If money wasn't a factor I'd go EL 10x50 or 12x50 for all-everything glass. You can't go wrong with the ultravids or meoptas either, both are a good upgrade from razors.

 

[Firehawk]

I had to go to 8x as well. Couldn't hold the 10x steady enough unless I was using a tripod. That said, I have the Maven B2 9x45 now. I can tell when I have had too much Energy and Focus or if I have been climbing the steep and nasty, but they are easier to use than the 10x binos were. The 8x are easier to hold though.

Good luck! You are looking at some great glass.

FH

 

[jherald]

I find the 10x42 EL's hard to beat. The difference between the 8.5's are slight, with only very minor advantages in light transmitted to the eye. The 10's can't be beat in the mountains and the EL's are absolutely worth their weight in gold.

 

[Fish N Chips]

I have the 8.5x42 EL, my buddy has the 10x42s. Both great glass, but I can not hold the 10s steady enough, and when upgrading went with the 8.5s. The 8.5s also work nice while walking around for quick checks on animals and scanning patches of timber. Comparing targets I can make out details due to the lack of shake, and we both spot just as many animals. I have not noticed much of an advantage to either really, a lot falls to personal preference. We both end up using my spotter to judge animals after spotting them.

I am wanting to try binos on the tripod this year. I think the extra stability will help when scanning for bedded deer.

 

[Spot]

I have the original 8.5x42 EL's and they are always on my chest when hunting, but I use them in tandem with my 15x56's or my spotting scope. That being said, if you have a spotter or a pair of 15's, I'd say go with the 8.5's. If you only have one pair however the 10's would probably best serve your needs here in the west.

 

[Jacob Chapman]

TTT