Hi
I am new to the forum and find it very interesting. I am in the market for new binos. I currently have a Nikon Monach 8 x 40 bino. I've decided to upgrade to either the 8 X 32 Zeiss FL or 8 x 32 Sawarovski EL. I like the compactness and weight of both these models.
Please help me decide which bino to purchase.
Thank you
Gary
When it comes to picking out top-end of optics, I find it's more a test of ergonomics than optical quality.
[QUOTE=gpscoqn]Hi
I am new to the forum and find it very interesting. I am in the market for new binos. I currently have a Nikon Monach 8 x 40 bino. I've decided to upgrade to either the 8 X 32 Zeiss FL or 8 x 32 Sawarovski EL. I like the compactness and weight of both these models.
Please help me decide which bino to purchase.
Thank you
Gary[/QUOTE]
That's a hard one! There both great binoculars. Two of the best. I think the Zeiss FL is little bit brighter but has a smaller sweet spot or on-axis resolution than the Swarovski. Meaning the Swarovski is a little clearer away from the center toward the edge. Optically the Zeiss might be a little bit sharper in this sweet spot.
The Zeiss is a little lighter than the Swarovski but the question of ergonomics would come down to which one you prefer. The Swarovski has excellent build quality with a magnesium case ,whereas, the Zeiss is a composite material. Depends upon your preference here.
What you should do is compare them side by side and see which one you prefer. Compare the optics and see which one is most comfortable to look through and make sure you don't get any blackouts. The Zeiss may appear sharper but your eyes might be more comfortable with the view through the Swarovski's. Look at the edge of the FOV to see how sharp it is. Compare brightness by looking into shadows if you are in a store. Finally, which one is most comfortable to hold and view through. Sometimes this is more important than small differences in optics when you are using them in the field all day.
The Swarovski's are about $250.00 more than the Zeiss FL 8x32 on average so they are slightly more expensive. I know Swarovski has an excellent reputation for warranty service but I have no experience with Zeiss. They both come with rainguards and tethered objective covers but the Zeiss has a nicer padded case.
These are two of the top binoculars in the world. You really can not go wrong with either one. It's really personal preference. Try them both!
Dennis