wadesam's Full Review: Swarovski Optik SLC (8x30) Binocular
The contest for "Best Mid-Size Binocular" quickly comes down to the Swarovski 8x30, the Zeiss 8x30, and the Leica 8x32. The Swarovski comes in third, but is still a fine acquisition for the most discriminating consumer.
GENERAL: The Swarovski 8x30SLC is an armored, nitrogen-purged, and guaranteed waterproof binocular. The lenses are fully multi-coated with both phase corrected and broad band coating for higher resolution and contrast. It ships with a neckstrap and a carrying case. It does not have a tripod mount. Eye relief is 15mm and it weighs 19oz.
PROS: Optics. It always comes back to optics. What does the world look like when you use a given binocular. Well, the 8x30SLC is optically on par with any other mid-size binocular in the world. (The debate as to which manufacturer is the best will likely never be resolved, but the argument quickly narrows down to Leica, Zeiss, and Swarovski). The 8x30SLC provides magnification of 8 power and objective lenses 30mm in diameter, resulting in an exit pupil of 3.75 (30/8=3.75) Exit pupil is the maximum amount of light that can be transmitted to the user's eye by the binocular. The average human eye can make use of up to about 6.5mm of light (less as you get older). Higher exit pupil scores mean more light, and consequently, a brighter image. Larger objective lenses would transmit more light, but then the 8x30 would cease to be mid-size glass. The 8x30SLC overcomes the mathmatically average exit pupil score by its fine lenses. They make the most of every ray of light and produce a fine image.
The 8x30 produces a twilight factor of 15.49 (8x30=240, the square root of which is 15.49). Twilight factor is a calculation used to predict how well a binocular will perform in low light. The higher the score, the better. Again the math in this case limits the potential performance, but in a crowd of mid-size binoculars, the 8x30SLC advances with the other front-runners.
The Field of View (FOV) is 408 feet at 1000yds. This means that you can see a left-to-right distance of 408 feet at a viewed distance of 1000 yards without physically moving the binoculars. Most binoculars provide a FOV of about 330 feet at 1000yards. The "Big Three" manufacturers have all made their mid-size binocular a wide-angle model, and all have a FOV slightly over 400 feet. Wannabe manufacturers wouldn't dare try to make a wide-angle because their cheap lenses would give you a headache.
I found that the 8x30SLC didn't produce significant eyestrain after 25 minutes of continuous use. The image produced was crisp, clear, and consistent out to the edges. At dusk the world looked brighter when using the binocular than without--something that won't happen with a cheap glass. Due to it being summertime, I couldn't test the anti-fogging features without getting creative. I took them to my dad's restaurant and stood in the walk-in freezer for awhile. They didn't fog. They fogged a little bit when I took them outside again, but one wipe later, they were picture-perfect again.
CONS: Ergonomically, the 8x30SLC didn't fit me. I have small hands and couldn't use the focus knob easily. The knob is on the back side of the central hinge instead of the front--the diopter adjustment is on the front. This is exactly opposite of every other binocular I've used. Swarovski's rationale is to let the user grip the binocular with the first two fingers and the thumb and focus with the ring finger, making one-handed operation easier. Well, this works as long as you don't have short fingers. If you do, then it is tough to focus with one hand. I didn't especially care for it.
The 8x30SLC also features twist-out eye cups for eyeglass wearers. While I had no problems moving the eye cups in and out, I have read of two cases where the eye cups jammed because they got sand or grit in them.
CONCLUSION: They are a pretty sweet package, but compared to my buddy's Zeiss 8x30 and my own Leica 8x32, the Swarovski 8x30 comes in third. If you are going to spend top dollar on a binocular, get the best! I personally favor the Leica 8x32, my buddy likes the Zeiss 8x30. Go check out all three for yourself, but odds are you won't get the Swarovski. Because of the negatives of this glass in relation to its price, I have to conclude the Swarovski 8x30SLC is not a very good value. I am going to recommend it only because it does perform as advertised, however, make sure you try it for yourself before you mail order it!
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