REASONS TO BUY
Good clarity
Brightness
And construction quality
REASONS TO AVOID
Prohibitively expensive
Swarovski EL 8.5x42 Review
One of the better all-around models that we tested, but they also carry a high price tag
A premium pair of binos for a premium price.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Price: $1,999 List
By Benjamin Hickok and Jessica Riconscente ⋅ Dec 23, 2023
RELATED: Best Binoculars of 2024
Our Verdict
Swarovski is renowned for high-end jewelry and has translated that craft to create exceptional binocular lenses. That precision can be seen in the Swarovski EL 8.5x42, which provides some of the clearest images of binoculars we tested. Even in low-light dusk and dawn conditions, these lenses were able to soak up enough light to provide a great viewing experience. If you've got a job that requires looking through binoculars all day or are about to go on a wildlife viewing trip of a lifetime, consider getting the Swarovski ELs. However, depending on your needs, you should look at other premium pairs of binos to compare how they performed in our various tests.
Editor's Note: The Swarovski EL 8.5x42 was tested again on December 22nd, 2023, in accordance with our new testing process.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Swarovski EL 8.5x42 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  Also Great | Best Binoculars for Most People |  Best Bang for the Buck | Best on a Tight Budget | |
| Price | $1,999 List $1,999 at Amazon | $399.99 at Amazon Compare at 2 sellers | $382.72 at Amazon Compare at 2 sellers | $320 List $170.09 at Amazon | $170 List $125.89 at Amazon |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | Be prepared for sticker shock from this high end model | A great pair of binos for its mid-tier price range | Gets close to the quality of multi-thousand dollar high-end bins at a much lower price | One of the best overall values on the market, particularly for mid-range price shoppers | A great choice for birders on a tight budget |
| Rating Categories | Swarovski EL 8.5x42 | Nikon Monarch M7 10x42 | Vortex Viper HD 8x42 | Vortex Diamondback... | Celestron Nature DX... |
| Clarity (35%) | |||||
| Brightness (20%) | |||||
| Comfort (15%) | |||||
| Field of View (10%) | |||||
| Ease of Adjustment (15%) | |||||
| Close Focus Range (5%) | |||||
| Specs | Swarovski EL 8.5x42 | Nikon Monarch M7 10x42 | Vortex Viper HD 8x42 | Vortex Diamondback... | Celestron Nature DX... |
| Measured Weight | 30.1 oz | 25.5 oz | 25.4 oz | 23.1 oz | 22.8 oz |
| Measured Interpupillary Distance Range | 55mm - 74mm | 57mm - 74mm | 56mm - 74mm | 56mm - 75mm | 57mm -74mm |
| Measured Size | 6.4" x 4.4" | 5.8" x 4.5" | 5.7" x 4.3" | 5.7" x 5.1" | 5.4" x 4.5" |
| Measured Close Focus | 8.8 ft | 5.8 ft | 6.0 ft | 5.5 ft | 8.0 ft |
| Measured Eye Relief | 20.0 mm | 17.0 mm | 18.0 mm | 18.0 mm | 18.0 mm |
| Glass Type | HD | ED | HD | HD | BAK-4 |
| Magnification | 10 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| Objective Lens Size | 42 | 42 | 42 | 42 | 42 |
| Claimed Field of View | 399 ft | 362 ft | 409 ft | 393 ft | 388 ft |
| Claimed Close Focus | 6.2 ft | 8.2 ft | 6.0 ft | 5.0 ft | 6.5 ft |
| Claimed Eye Relief | 20.0 mm | 16.5 mm | 18 mm | 17 mm | 17.5 mm |
| Waterproof/Fog Resistant | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Tripod Adapter | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Measured Lux Reading from Brightness Testing | 1340 lux | 1064 lux | 1288 lux | 1163 lux | 823 lux |
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Our Analysis and Test Results
This incredible pair of binoculars offers premium clarity, brightness, and functional design. We truly feel that this pair is amongst the best.
Performance Comparison
Large high quality lenses create stunning views.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Clarity
The glass contained in the Swarovski EL 8.5x42 is not just good, it's the top-of-the-line. Swarovski is known for making high-end glass for jewelry and other optics, so it's no surprise that there is no discernible distortion whatsoever. However, our team did observe the slightest aberration around the edges. When compared to the other premium models we tested, the Swarovski EL is among the top models regarding clarity. At the multi-thousand-dollar price point, it is reasonable to expect perfection. However, other premium models offered greater clarity.
Exceptional clarity is a hallmark of premium binoculars.
Credit: Jessica Riconscente
Brightness
It is difficult to describe the amount of light this model can pick up and transmit for the ultimate viewing experience. They are comparable to and might even be brighter than many of the ultra-large binoculars on the market designed for stargazing. Beyond incredible glass, the Swarovski EL 8.5x42 has a multi-coating on all surfaces, which helps to keep the light from scattering and instead focuses it to your eyes once it enters the system. Swarovski calls this coating Swarobright.
The Swarovski EL in our eye relief tests.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Comparing these binos to the other high-end models, the Swarovski EL is just a little bit brighter than the other two. Our observations were confirmed in our controlled light transmission test where we measured 1340 Lux.
You can expect clear, bright, and immersive experiences with the Swarovski EL.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Comfort
The Swarovski EL 8.5x42 was not a comfortable pair of binoculars to handle and hold in our testing — though it is important to note that testers had smaller hands, which may have been a factor, as testers with larger hands didn't find as many issues. The only thing we really liked was how the strap felt against our neck.
The Swarovski EL 8.5x42 is on the heavy side at 30.1 ounces, and we felt they could be better balanced. A lightly textured rubberized coating covers the entire body of the binocular. There are ergonomic indents for your thumb, but smaller hands have difficulty reaching them, as they're mostly made for larger hands.
A large neck strap provides comfort for when the binos are not in use.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Field of View
The Swarovski EL 8.5x42 has a wide field of view. In our field of view tests, our team observed a vertical board fence, with the max zoom at a fixed distance. They counted the visible fence boards, repeating this test for each model. With the Swarovski EL, they were able to count 60.5 fence boards, while the average for the entire group was 54.1 boards, and the best performance counted 64.5.
Great, but not the absolute best field of view compared to other top models in our lineup.
Credit: Jessica Riconscente
Ease of Adjustment
The Swarovski EL 8.5x42 has a hinge at the front of them near the objective lens. This helps keep the lens in alignment, especially with the larger objective lens but allows the center to be open. The movement of both the front and rear hinge is smooth for adjusting the interpupillary distance. The Swarovski EL 8.5x42 almost glides open with just enough pressure that you don't feel like you're forcing them, but not too little so that they flop around.
The focusing knob is smooth, allowing you to focus quickly and easily with little effort. The diopter adjusts by pulling out the central focusing knob, which then reveals a graduated scale. Once you're done with your adjustment, just push the knob back in. There is no lock on the diopter adjustment, but it takes a little bit of pressure to pop it out which reduces the likelihood of accidental adjustment. The eye relief is also one of the best at 20mm.
Adjustments are easy to make with the Swarovski EL.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Close Focus Range
The Swarovski EL 8.5x42 has fairly good close-range focus. The manufacturer states that its close-range focus is 4.9 feet, which we found to be misleading. In our tests, we found 8.8 feet to be more accurate.
More optics testing with the incredible Swarovski EL 8.5x42.
Credit: Jessica Riconscente
Should You Buy the Swarovski EL 8.5x42?
The Swarovski EL 8.5x42 is almost blindingly bright compared to its closest competitors. Although that high quality glass is able to gather and transmit an exceptional amount of light, it didn't provide greater clarity than another premium model in our test lineup.
Adjusting eyepieces.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
What Other Binoculars Should You Consider?
The Swarovski EL 8.5x42 is an exceptional pair of binos that offers the brightest experiences but isn't as clear or well-rounded as another premium model, the Zeiss Victory SF 10x42. If you want a really good pair of binoculars that is less exorbitantly priced, then we suggest looking at some of the other high-performing models we tested, and top recommendations like the Vortex Viper HD 8x42 or Vortex Diamondback HD 8x42.
—Benjamin Hickok and Jessica Riconscente
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