Once again, the Swarovski Optik came up with a top tier product that drew so much attention. The Swarovski EL Range 10×42 is a 2 in 1 product, which is expected to be the optimized solution for every outdoor journey. In this article, we will tell you if this time the Swarovski would satisfy you again or not.
Overview of Swarovski EL Range 10×42 W B
As we mentioned above, this is a two functions combined product. The Swarovski EL Range W B is a binocular range finder. It inherits the optics and construction feature of the Swarovski 10×42 EL W B binoculars, and integrates a Swarovski rangefinders function.
Obviously, this would take a large amount of your budet, by costing more than $3000 each. However, Swarovski really knows how to make you consider. Besides top class binoculars featured proven by the Swarovski 10×42 EL, the Swarovski rangefinder shows the ability to measure in a large distance.
To see specifically what it could do, the technical specification tables are right below
Technical specifications
Binoculars specifications
| Technical aspects | Swarovski EL Range 10×42 W B |
| Magnification | 10x |
| Objective diameter | 42 mm |
| Field of view (@ 1000 yards) | 330 feet |
| Close focusing distance | 16.4 feet |
| Eye relief | 17.3 |
| Exit pupil | 4.2 mm |
| Weight | 31 oz (without batteries) |
| Size (L*W*H) | 6.3*5.4*3.2 |
| Prism | Roof |
| Optics | High quality BAK-4
Fully Multi-coated prism, anti-refelction coating |
| Waterproof | Yes |
Laser Rangefinders specifications
| Technical aspects | Swarovski EL Range 10×42 W B |
| Measuring range | 33 – 1500 yard |
| Measuring accuracy | +-1 (yard) |
| Measuring time | 1 second or less |
| Unit | Yard/ meter |
| Battery | CR2 |
| Lifecycle | 1000 measurement |
| Angular measurement | 90 degree |
| Laser | Class 1 EN/ FDA |
Above are data we collect from Swarovski Optik homepage.
Swarovski EL Range 10×42 W B: binoculars feature in a brief
- Field of view: The far observation ability is among top class binoculars. However, the near focus distance caused us quite a lot of disappointment. The Swarovski 10×42 EL has the close focusing distance of 5 feet. The near focus distance for this Swarovski EL Range 10×42 W B is 16.4 feet. Nevertheless, users of 2 in 1 products usually don’t get involved in activities that need too close focus distance, so this could not be a too important problem to many people.
- Optics quality: This is the field you mostly needn’t concern about. The Swarovski EL Range 10×42 W B just drops the amount of light very close to zero percent. The producer stated that the light transmission is 91%, we recognize a slightly lower brightness from the Swarovski 10×42 EL. That might be accounted for the missing of the Swarovision, Swaroclean. Not only presenting in bright, but the images are shown up with high contrast, neutral colors, flat shape. The performance remains nearly that wonderful in conditions like low-light space, cloudy days. One more notice is that you might witness a slight amount of chromatic aberration on the edges of the image. In general, we give optics quality of this Swarovski binoculars rangefinder a top rating.
- Construction: For your wondering: it’s a Swarovski waterproof rangefinder binoculars. The weight is 31 oz. That is about 1.5 oz heavier than the Swarovski EL 10×42 W B. 1.5 oz more but you could combine 2 devices into 1, that’s quite rational. The housing inside is made of magnesium, covered by the rubber-armored outside, a durable construction from inside to the outside. Plus, one common feature from Swarovski Optik is that they texturize the body to give a comfortable grip. The focus wheel, to us, is very smooth.
Swarovski EL Range 10×42 W B: rangefinders feature in a brief
- Mechanism: There’s a button on the left side of the bridge that covers the focus wheel for measuring action. On the left barrel, close to the underneath of the rear bridge is the menu button contains 4 different program: P1 − manual display brightness adjustment; P2 − activation or deactivation of the angle-of-slope detection and correction; P3 − feet or metres unit selection; P4 − automatic display brightness setting according to environmental light conditions.
There are 5 levels of brightness display to prepare for low-light, night conditions. The red aiming circle is displayed on the right ocular lens, while the information of direct distance and corrected shooting distance (direct distance above).
We find the button position quite comfortable because they are near to the focus wheel, which optmizes the time for making switching. The LCD display is clear and adaptable for different conditions. The ranging mechanism of Swarovski EL Range directly take measurement on meters, then converts to yards, depending on which unit you choose.
- Measuring performance: 1500 yards is a very large range it could measure. Within +/- 1 yard of precision range, the performance is acceptable to rifle hunters.
There are 2 modes of measuring: one mode using the laser beam, the other scanning the area continuously and keeping updated about the distance of the area. For not-moving objective hunters, the laser beams is helpful and concentrating. For birds hunters or hunters of moving objectives, the scanning mode is simply the necessary solution.
With the precise ability of measuring in such large (and also tight) distance, this Swarovski binoculars rangefinder is the perfect match with modern compound bow which velocity is included. This makes us considering that despite having only 33 yards minimum measuring, it could fit to most bow hunters.
Moreover, the measuring time is at the maximum of 1 second, it won’t cause any delay to the focusing objective.
- Angle compensator: We take this as a separate section because it’s especially helpful for hunters. There is an internal angle compensating program of Swarovski EL Range 10×42 W B that could provide correct distance shooting based on the angle and the straight-line distance. The angular measurement is up to 90 degrees. That’s a long range for calculation.
Swarovski EL Range 10×42 W B vs Carl Zeiss Victory RF 10×42
Speaking of Swarovski, it’s an indispensable part to have a quick look of how it compares to the rival – Carl Zeiss. This alternative, Carl Zeiss Victory RF 10×42, is also a top tier rangefinder binocular in the market, from $3400. Let’s see how it performs compared with the Swarovski rangefinders.
Technical comparison
| Technical aspects | Swarovski EL Range 10×42 W B | Carl Zeiss Victory RF 10×42 |
| Magnification | 10x | 10x |
| Objective diameter | 42 mm | 42 mm |
| Field of view | 330 feet | 377 feet |
| Close focusing distance | 16.4 feet | 8.2 feet |
| Eye relief | 17.3 mm | 16 mm |
| Weight | 31 oz | 33.9 oz |
| Size (L*W) | 6.3*5.4 (inch) | 6.5*5.1 (inch) |
| Waterproof | Yes | Yes |
| Battery | CR2 | CR2 |
| Battery lifetime | 1000 measurements | 2500 measurements |
| Measuring range | 33 – 1500 yard | 11 – 2500 yard |
Feature comparison
We would go briefly in what need noticing:
- Field of view: Both have very far viewing ability. However, the Carl Zeiss Victory is far better. We’re also much more satisfied with the near focus distance of Carl Zeiss.
- Construction: They are quite similar in terms of dimension. However, the Swarovski EL Range 10×42 is significantly lighter.
- Optics quality: Discussing optics quality of these two brands, you would be pleased that the image results are in bright, clear, high contrast. In our opinion, the colors of Carl Zeiss RF are in higher contrast, and a tiny bit on the yellowish side, which makes them slightly more vivid. The Swarovski binoculars rangefinder, on the other hand, stick very close to the neutral tone. There’s no better option in this case, it’s just the option that suits your taste better. One more thing in our opinion is that the focus of the Swarovski EL Range 10×42 feels a bit more comfortable. Because the contrast is not as high as that of Zeiss Victory, the blurring background of Swarovski EL Range 10×42 W B makes it more concentrating on the objective.
- Measuring range: Pretty obvious, the performance of Zeiss Victory RF is better.
- Battery lifetime: Also a clear winning point from Zeiss Victory RF.
- Mechanism: There are 2 buttons for rangefinding and menu, the range finder button is set in the front of the right barrel, the menu button is set on the opposite. According to Zeiss, the order of the 2 button could be switched by the Zeiss hunting app. It is apparently more comfortable for both left-handed and right-handed people comparing to Swarovski EL Range 10×42 W B, which fixes the order. However, we find it more comfortable with the position of the button in the Swarovski 10×42 EL Range. They are very near to the focus wheel, which makes hand actions very coherent.
Instead of having measurement information and aiming circle on 2 separate ocular lens like Swarovski 10×42 EL Range, the Zeiss Victory RF has both of them presented in one. You would need to press the ranging button for 2-3 seconds to let the laser collect information of the area, in the mean time the red aiming circle is shown in the ocular. After that, the measurement figures are shown in the ocular. It depends which type you prefer, but we favor the Swarovksi because we think having information separately helps us estimating and checking with data at the same time.
- Hunting support: The Zeiss Victory RF is well-known in hunting enthusiasts by the Ballistic Information System (BIS). This internal system can connect with the Zeiss hunting app via Bluetooth. The BIS has default 9 ballistics profile which you could find the right profile based on your rifle. You could create your own experience profile by connecting with the app. When the rangefinder locks onto your target, it can provide multiple options for the information you see. When setting up the app, below information could be provided to consult you:
- Distance & angle
- Distance & equivalent horizontal distance
- Distance & holdover in cm/in
- Distance & holdover in MOA
- Distance & holdover in MIL
- Distance & number of clicks
On the other hand, the Swarovski binoculars rangefinder has one thing that the Zeiss one doesn’t have – the angle compensation system.
Conclusion
In our opinion, the two devices are in great performance and don’t have a significant large distance of price. However, they perform in two different ways. The Zeiss Victory RF 10×42 is a wonderful option in terms of range finding binoculars’ power. It has better field of view, measuring range, a very tough battery lifetime. The BIS is amazingly suitable for long time hunting enthusiasts because it creates a coherent ecosystem with tons of information reference. The Swarovski binoculars rangefinder, on the other hand, offers very efficient experience, from hand actions to information tracking, not only articulate, but very time-saving as well. Moreover, we also think that beginning hunters should start with Swarovski EL Range 10×42, because of the angle compensation system. Other information could be followed before the trip, but estimating the corrected shooting distance is more difficult, and thanks for Swarovski EL Range, we don’t have to do it manually.
Swarovski EL Range 10×42 W B – the verdict
The Swarovski EL Range 10×42 W B is absolutely a binoculars laser rangefinder worth your money. We usually assess Swarovski products as luxurious, however, we think this price is very optimal in terms of the quality.
You could inherit the Swarovski EL optics quality, but at the same time make use of the great range finding competency. And whether you use it as a binocular or laser range finder, it performs amazingly.
If you have more than $3000 to afford the product without hesitation, we highly recommend it.
Last but not least, please leave comments below to let us know what else we must improve, we would love to hear.