Swaro EL vs Swaro EL Range

[Part Timer]

Guys, I need some help.

I have an opportunity for a new set of binos, either the 10x42 EL or the 10x42 EL Range (non-TA). Both are second hand, but that doesn't really bother me. Having the range-finding ability over not having it would be nice, but with this model being discontinued and replaced by the TA, my concern is that I would be winding up with an (arguably) outdated item over just a rock-solid set of binos in the EL with no range-finding ability. It may almost be redundant to have the EL Range as well as a standalone RF, but having it all in one set up would be convenient.

Usually, I could rationalize this decision by myself, but find myself stumped on this one. Whatcha think?

 

[Glassaholic]

The original EL Range did not use the same quality glass as the EL bino's even though both had the "EL" designation, the EL Range TA fixed that and from what I've heard are very comparable to the straight EL binos. You are correct, when you put digital components inside optics if the components are not upgradeable then when new technology is out it typically reduces the resale value of the "old" model quite a bit so you do have to take that under consideration. The old EL Range was not known for it's excellent range finding capabilities, for that reason, I would steer in the direction of the plain 10x42 EL and forego the range. Yes, it is nice to have an all in one package; however, if you read BigJimFish's review of the new Leica 10x32 Pro LRF bino you'll see his comments that no LRF bino can quite match the image you get with a non LRF bino of the same caliber and I would agree. For this reason I still use separate bino's and a Leica 2800.com monocular for ranging. Would I love to have something that didn't compromise on either, yes, but I have yet to find that, even had the Zeiss Victory RF and was left wanting. One of my biggest complaints with most LRF binos is the display of information, Zeiss, Swaro and Leica don't seem to understand that nobody wants to wait for both drop and wind, but Sig gets it, if I could get the Sig display in the Swaro EL Range TA I'd be in heaven, but instead I find myself in Bino LRF purgatory... the Leica 8x32 Pro may be on my radar at some point, but I think it will always be complemented with another set of binos if I want the utmost in performance. Keep in mind this is all personal preference, and I may change my mind on a whim at some point

 

[Part Timer]

This is the response and thought process that I couldn’t articulate properly, thank you very much.

The Sig was considered just based on price and ranging capabilities, but some of the initial reviews, at least of the 10k, raised some concerns about glass quality.

 

[Glassaholic]

I have read enough feedback and have experience with previous Sig optics to know that the blue hue reported in the image in the 10k is going to bother me. Would I rather have a convenient display or would I rather have better optics, again personal preference but I’d rather have better optics. So maybe grab the 10x42 EL and then grab a Sig 8k monocular but to be honest those command a hefty price with lesser optics. I’m sure the 10x42 EL range is not “horrible”, is there any chance you can look at them side by side?

 

[Part Timer]

No, unfortunately no chance to compare the two side by side. I do already have a Terrapin X that I picked up for a steal, so not too concerned about having to pick up an additional range finder. It would have been something I sold if I could find the right bino/RF combo, but it seems we're maybe not there yet in terms of quality for each aspect of the singular unit.

 

[M4guru]

I very much cannot recommend legacy Swarovski RF binos. The old ones were so poor IMO I am not willing to try the new ones.

The EL Range were the only Swarovski product I ever sold other than a spare set of SLC 10s. They were certainly the only ones I sold because of performance. I had zero complaints about the optical quality, but the ranging performance was abysmal on mine. Extremely slow, generally not good past 800 yards in the best conditions, would often time out in good conditions without getting a range, when they did work the display was so dim you could barely see it unless you covered it with your hand, don't work in the cold....couldn't have been less happy with the RF performance. I tried every battery known to man, sent them back to get checkout out twice...nothing.

I have a coworker who was a former Swarovski rep, he said the base glass in the EL and EL Range was the same, the missing link was a coating that wouldn't have permitted the laser to function. That coating gave you slightly better low light performance, but I think you're talking a minute or two at dusk. In ideal conditions I could not spot any meaningful difference.

My primary setup is a set of NL Pure 12x42s with the new Sig 5K RF now. I admit for rifle hunting a single unit is pretty convenient, but I keep going back to having the best binos I can and best rangefinder I can, and they're mutually exclusive right now.

 

[Glassaholic]

I very much cannot recommend legacy Swarovski RF binos. The old ones were so poor IMO I am not willing to try the new ones.

The EL Range were the only Swarovski product I ever sold other than a spare set of SLC 10s. They were certainly the only ones I sold because of performance. I had zero complaints about the optical quality, but the ranging performance was abysmal on mine. Extremely slow, generally not good past 800 yards in the best conditions, would often time out in good conditions without getting a range, when they did work the display was so dim you could barely see it unless you covered it with your hand, don't work in the cold....couldn't have been less happy with the RF performance. I tried every battery known to man, sent them back to get checkout out twice...nothing.

I have a coworker who was a former Swarovski rep, he said the base glass in the EL and EL Range was the same, the missing link was a coating that wouldn't have permitted the laser to function. That coating gave you slightly better low light performance, but I think you're talking a minute or two at dusk. In ideal conditions I could not spot any meaningful difference.

My primary setup is a set of NL Pure 12x42s with the new Sig 5K RF now. I admit for rifle hunting a single unit is pretty convenient, but I keep going back to having the best binos I can and best rangefinder I can, and they're mutually exclusive right now.

Excellent feedback M4!

Question on the Sig 5k, is the display the "new" display where it shows both drop and wind together in the readout? I think this is my biggest complaint with my 2800.com, other than that I really like the unit, how easy is it to input wind manually. I don't mind so much having a drop in glass performance on the monocular as long as the RF unit is up to the task.

EDIT: Was just going through Sig's website and it appears the 5k doesn't do wind? So in order to get wind in the readout you have to jump up to the 8k's?

 

[M4guru]

I believe you need the 8K to run AB native to the device. On the 5K you can run AB Lite native, or sync it to a Kestrel and display that full AB data in the RF as I recall. I'll pull it out when I get home and confirm. So, you can get drop/wind but it has to be piped in from a full-featured AB source on the 5K. I need to look at it again, I haven't really used it much other than to goof off with and sync with Basemap.

For me, the biggest deal was less about shooting solutions and more "How far is that critter (above the treeline) and how close to it do I need to get to shoot". The 5K/8K Basemap integration is awesome, you can just zap it and it will drop a waypoint where you lased.

 

[DeathBeforeDismount]

You get what you pay for in Rangefinders. There is no way around it. Stay away from the chines garbage. Not only are they shit, but you are directly funding their weapons and electrooptical programs.. That money is going towards programs that are going to be used to Kill American servicemen and their allies one day. Anyone buying that shit should choke on 47 dicks. Vortex, Leupold and Sig will tell you how much they love America with all their branding bullshit while funding CCP weapons programs.

For ranging binos not in the I just robbed a bank category, the Leicas are the top product. Next would be the Ziess then the Swaros. Meopta also came out with a set last year but i haven't seen or read anything about them yet.

I love not having to have 2 separate pieces of gear and they make great spotting binos for PRS, throw them in a chest pouch for hunting,ect.