Swarovski EL Range 10x42, Swarovski EL Range 8x32 and Revic Acura BLR10b 10x42

[Ryan Avery]

I did a little hiking and RFing binocular testing this morning. It was a perfect hazy morning with snow flurries, like fall days in the woods.

I keep hearing how the Swaro 32 sucks at ranging, so I thought this would be a good test.

I ranged down into CDA at trees, which is a good test for any RF.

The 32s had no issues ranging trees from 100 yards to 1886 yards. I could not get any readings past 1886 yards. It’s bigger 42mm brother was pretty much the same, only it stopped at 1820 yards. What's funny about the EL range is when it hits its limit.. it freaking hits its limit. No matter how stable I got, it didn’t matter.

The Revic binos are a different beast I had zero issue ranging from 100 yard to 2990 yards off hand at trees. When I put them on a tripod, I hit 3360 quite a few times—Hell of a laser. But glassing with these for long periods gives me a headache. But I do have sensitive little bitch eyes that have issues with bright lights.

All three of them are very fast at ranging and providing solutions.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[Ucsdryder]

I did a little hiking and RFing binocular testing this morning. It was a perfect hazy morning with snow flurries, like fall days in the woods.

I keep hearing how the Swaro 32 sucks at ranging, so I thought this would be a good test.

I ranged down into CDA at trees, which is a good test for any RF.

The 32s had no issues ranging trees from 100 yards to 1886 yards. I could not get any reading past 1886 yards. It’s bigger 42mm brother was pretty much the same, only it’s stopped at 1820 yards. What's funny about the EL range is when it hits its limit.. it freaking hits its limit. No matter how stable I got, it didn’t matter.

The Revic binos are a different beast I had zero issue ranging from 100 yard to 2990 yards off hand at trees. When I put them on a tripod, I hit 3360 quite a few times—Hell of a laser. But glassing with these for long periods gives me a headache. But I do have sensitive little bitch eyes that have issues with bright lights.

All three of them are very fast at ranging and providing solutions.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

I have the ZEISS RFs and love them but always wonder if the TA in the swaros make a big difference? Sometimes I’m wonder what the hell im ranging…hill, snimal, bush, hill, animal, hill, bush….

Have you compared the TA vs other RFs?

 

[Ryan Avery]

I have the ZEISS RFs and love them but always wonder if the TA in the swaros make a big difference? Sometimes I’m wonder what the hell im ranging…hill, snimal, bush, hill, animal, hill, bush….

Have you compared the TA vs other RFs?

I have compared them to lots of other RFing binos. The TAs have the weakest laser of the big three but the best glass IMO(I need to see the new Leica AB+). But the laser in the TAs is more than enough for my hunting needs.

I loved the Zeiss RFing binos I had, but they kept breaking. The button stopped working. I got that fixed, and then the laser just quit one day. I got them fixed and sold them. But some of that is the luck of the draw. Any brand can produce a lemon.

 

[Scorpion]

Have you tested the accuracy of the onboard inclinometers, especially on steep angles (45*+)?

Curious how they perform as I know that was a challenge with a lot of rangefinders in the past. I’m thinking of archery hunting scenarios on a cliff above the animal, maybe even a mountain rifle hunt in sheep or goat country.

I’m with you on the Swaro’s being comfortable to sit behind all day. That’s the one thing I don’t think that I can give up with my binoculars. That has made me very hesitant to jump on the non-Alpha RF Bino train, regardless of how good the laser is.

 

[manitou1]

Thanks for the review Ryan.

 

[Steve O]

That is very eye opening as the Swaro literature shows the range of the 32s a little less than the 42s IIRC.

 

[wind gypsy]

I’m hankering to dip my toes back into RF binos. Wondering how fast the new Leicas can populate the elevation solution after ranging. From the s2h podcast it sounded like that might be improved from prior models?

 

[handwerk]

Thanks for the write up Ryan, I saw the same results when I had the 10x42 TA's. Where you out at all in fading light? I wonder how the 8x32's did vs. the 42's?

 

[alpinemule08]

How would you say those 8x32s would do for ranging deer/elk out to 8-900 yards in reasonable snow/light fog conditions? I have the new revic rangefinder and it was very poor performance in very light fog. And surprising how it did in the cold. Low battery indicator came up as soon as it was around 5 degrees. I tried ranging a doe which I estimated 400 yards downhill in light, reasonable fog and it would not range (and I am 100% certain my cheap sig rangefinder would have ranged fine) if that doe was a buck I would not have been able to take the shot. Just curious if any of you think or know the 32 swaros do well in realistic mountain conditions. Primarily using archery elk and mountain mule deer (with ballistics). I’m not a super long range shooter but getting consistent accurate readings 800+ on an elk is the goal. I’m sure the 42s would be better but they are just bulky and I’m not willing to go that route. Thanks!

 

[T_Widdy]

How would you say those 8x32s would do for ranging deer/elk out to 8-900 yards in reasonable snow/light fog conditions? I have the new revic rangefinder and it was very poor performance in very light fog. And surprising how it did in the cold. Low battery indicator came up as soon as it was around 5 degrees. I tried ranging a doe which I estimated 400 yards downhill in light, reasonable fog and it would not range (and I am 100% certain my cheap sig rangefinder would have ranged fine) if that doe was a buck I would not have been able to take the shot. Just curious if any of you think or know the 32 swaros do well in realistic mountain conditions. Primarily using archery elk and mountain mule deer (with ballistics). I’m not a super long range shooter but getting consistent accurate readings 800+ on an elk is the goal. I’m sure the 42s would be better but they are just bulky and I’m not willing to go that route. Thanks!

Revic rangefinder or rf binos?

The blr10b are the best rf Binos I tested in rain/ snow. I tested my sig 1800 rangefinder, leica geovid pro 10-32 and swaro 10-42 el range. The revic rf Binos were the only ones that gave the accurate range to a known target. The 4 ranging modes make a difference in my testing, they are the ones i kept. All the others ranged either the snow at around 40 yards or would not give a range.

 

[alpinemule08]

I have the revic rangefinder. In clear conditions at my house it’s great but realistic hunting conditions it’s not. I’ve heard the revic rangefinder binos are great though. I dig the idea of an 8x32 for the size and weight. I’ve tried both Leica and Swaro at the local shop and the Swaro was superior in every way.

 

[T_Widdy]

I have the revic rangefinder. In clear conditions at my house it’s great but realistic hunting conditions it’s not. I’ve heard the revic rangefinder binos are great though. I dig the idea of an 8x32 for the size and weight. I’ve tried both Leica and Swaro at the local shop and the Swaro was superior in every way.

The swaros I tested just ranged snowflakes, maybe it was just the ones or the model I had. I think it all depends on the weather, but my blr10b I can change the mode and they will range the snow or in a different mode range the hillside behind my house and they will give that range. I wish the swaros or the leicas ranged better, definitely would have picked them.

 

[kpdmd]

Have you tested the accuracy of the onboard inclinometers, especially on steep angles (45*+)?

Curious how they perform as I know that was a challenge with a lot of rangefinders in the past. I’m thinking of archery hunting scenarios on a cliff above the animal, maybe even a mountain rifle hunt in sheep or goat country.

I’m with you on the Swaro’s being comfortable to sit behind all day. That’s the one thing I don’t think that I can give up with my binoculars. That has made me very hesitant to jump on the non-Alpha RF Bino train, regardless of how good the laser is.

This.
It depends on your primary use. Yes, swaro ranging is way below others but if your main use is to sit behind them on a tripod and glass all day, then they are the best. Hands down. The Zeiss RF is really great glass, and a pretty good RF as well, then you have Leica and then a lot of others with good RF but you lose optical quality. So, if you don't need to glass all day and find animals to hunt(my primary) then RF capabilities are much better in other glass. Swaro didn't want to sacrifice optical quality; its what their known for and still hold true to that