Swarovski 10x42 SLC or EL?

[Racethesunset]

32mm binos, though lighter, don't hold quite as steady for me.

I have the EL SV 8x32 and the SLC HD 8x42 and see no difference in terms of shake and jitters. Both are pleasant to look through. Both induce less fatigue in contrast to lightweight 10x binoculars. The EL has a bit more wow factor because it’s lighter and sharper at the edge, but it also shows more glare during sunrise and sunset.

 

[Trial153]

The ELs in 42mm don’t give me enough if any upside vs the SLCs in 42mm.

Hence the reason I went with 32mm els, 42mm SLC’s and 50mm EL’s

 

[wannakillabigbull]

I have the EL SV 8x32 and the SLC HD 8x42 and see no difference in terms of shake and jitters.

It doesn't surprise me that others would feel different. I grew up using 42mm binos so they feel most comfortable in hand to me; they're my baseline. It's entirely possible that I only perceive the 32mms to have more shake. They just feel light to me and like I have to grip them tighter to control them when glassing longer distances.

 

[Ben RT]

It doesn't surprise me that others would feel different. I grew up using 42mm binos so they feel most comfortable in hand to me; they're my baseline. It's entirely possible that I only perceive the 32mms to have more shake. They just feel light to me and like I have to grip them tighter to control them when glassing longer distances.

You're not alone. I really like the compactness and weight savings of an 8x30/32, but I'm actually a lot shakier than I want to admit and find 8x42 is what I've liked. I've dabbled in some really nice glass -- even had EL 12x50s for about a year. I definitely can't handhold 12s at all, can't do too great with 10s either. Alright, I CAN handhold them, but when handheld I can't see as clear as with a handheld 8x binocular. For handheld use my favorite all-time is the SLC 8x42, and I'd actually say they're amazing on a tripod too! I've had Meostar HD 8x32s, Maven B3s 8x30s, Monarch 7 8x30s, and I find the SLC 8x42 easier to get a steady view for a little longer.

Arguements over optics are kind of silly, because every one of us is physically different. Good glass is good glass, but I don't actually miss my EL 12x50s -- they didn't work for me. And here's a tidbit that might blow a mind or two:

A few years back I picked up a used set of EL 10X50s (2011 model) for $850 at a Pawn shop. I never even considered mounting binoculars on a tripod (at the time) and was not really impressed with the 10X50 ELs. I compared them back and forth with my Cabela's Euro HD 8x32 and decided that the Euro 8x32s were better for my use because they were just as clear and bright, were much smaller and lighter, and didn't make me dizzy like the EL 10X50s (rolling ball got me bad with them). I sold them for $1200 and thought I did pretty good. Idiot. Had I tried them on a tripod I might have thought different, but the truth still remains that I find a lesser quality 8x binocular on par (or better) when handheld to an absolute alpha 10x.