Locating military-grade optics can be a formidable task due to the precision and quality required that not all companies can achieve. However, European optics manufacturing giant Swarovski Optik has effectively addressed this challenge. Their EL range of binoculars, which are of premium quality, are meticulously designed for sophisticated missions, setting a new standard in the industry.
This Swarovski EL 12×50 Swarovision binocular review will give you a clear understanding of its features, and answer all the questions you have about this exceptional binocular.
Introduced in 2015, this exceptional model represents Swarovski’s third generation of the EL binocular series, designed for dedicated optics enthusiasts. Binocular enthusiasts have come to regard this model as Swarovski’s masterpiece since its inception. They highly covet it for its exceptional performance in intricate tasks.
If you are in a hurry, click here to check Swarovski’s EL 12×50 price on Amazon.
- Swarovision technology with field flattener lenses, HD optics, and maximum eye relief.
- Optimized Swarobright, Swarodur, Swaroclean and Swarotop coatings.
Why Swarovski Swarovision EL 12×50?
Have you ever faced chromatic aberration during bright daylight? If yes, you already know how disturbing that fringing is. Especially when you travel to a far-off place for sightseeing, and all you get is blur imagery and incoherent colors of nature’s beauty.
Fortunately, the Swarovision 12×50 binocular has exclusive lens coatings that remove the aberration and provide bright and well-differentiated colors.
To provide brilliant imagery, Swarovski has applied four different coatings on the swarovision binocular; each one of them has a separate purpose. Let’s first discuss why there are four coatings.
Swarobright decreases flare in low light: This is the trademark Swarovski coating that significantly reduces flare and lets the light pass directly through the aperture without any distortion. What’s a flare, you ask? Let me explain it:
When a bright ray of light hits a lens, it scatters out (just like a flashlight of your mobile camera). This scattering makes glassing difficult, and the resulting imagery becomes extra bright.
However, the Swarobright lens and prism coating removes flare to a great extent and ensures that you don’t struggle while using your Swarovision el 12×50 binocular.
Swarotop enhances color fidelity: Featuring another distinctive Swarovski coating, this optic generates true-to-life color imagery, amplifies contrast differentiation between shades, and boosts image resolution. In comparison, inferior binoculars often yield false-color composite (FCC) imagery and struggle with accurate differentiation between light and dark shades.
Fortunately, the Swarovision 12×50 binocular has this incredible Swarotop coating, which brilliantly improves color fidelity and removes chromatic aberration.
Swarodur reduces surface light reflection: Glassers term light reflection as one of the hardest phases of glassing. When they are out in broad daylight and want to use their binocular, the reflection of light becomes bothersome. Moreover, those who wear glasses often struggle to adapt to this reflection, which can eventually impact their eyesight.
But Swarovski following their legacy of innovation, have developed this exceptional Swarodur coating which reduces light reflection from 4-6%-0.2%.
Swaroclean makes cleaning easier: Rubbing the lens surface is always harmful. But after extensive using and outdoor ventures, a time comes when you have to wipe your binocular’s lenses. The hydrophobic Swaroclean coating repels moisture and works like a non-stick external surface. Whichever cleaning solution you use on it, this coating will keep the delicate lenses protected and help you clean them thoroughly.
These four coatings (along with numerous other exclusive features) make Swarovski swarovision 12×50 el binoculars the best-from-the-lot unquestionably.
So, read on, and I will let you drive through all the positives and negatives of swarovision 12×50 binocular:
Features
- FOV: 300 ft. at 1000 yards
- Magnification: 12x
- Lens diameter: 50mm
- Weight: 35.2 ounces
- Exit pupil distance: 19mm
- Close focus distance: 9.2 ft.
- Inter-pupillary distance: 56-74 mm
If you are interested in this Swarovski EL 12×50 Bino, you can find more information and customer reviews on Amazon’s website here.
Pros
- Diamond-bright optical coatings
- Nitrogen purged
- Sturdy magnesium chassis
- Edge-to-edge image clarity
- Maximized light fidelity
- Comfortable and adjustable neck strap
Cons
- 9.2 ft. close focus distance
- Hard to use without a tripod
Interesting read!!! Here are the top accessories for Swarovski Binoculars you must have!
What’s in the box?
- EL SwaroVision 12X50 Binocular
- Durable carrying bag
- Eyepiece cover
- Objective lens cover
- Neck strap
Interesting read!!! Read my comparison article on Zeiss Conquest HD vs Swarovski SLC.
To gain more in-depth knowledge about swarovision 12×50 binocular’s specs, bear with me and read on!
Swarovski EL 12X50 Binoculars Technical Features
Field of view
Swarovision 12×50 binoculars offers FOV of 330 ft at 1000 yards, which is quite impressive if we consider its magnification (since these two have an inverse relation). This field of view works brilliantly when you are taking a stroll in the jungle and need a better overview of the surroundings.
When you combine the wide Field of View (FOV) with its magnification and smooth focus, the resulting imagery will undoubtedly astound you.
Designed for intricate and investigative missions, the Swarovski Swarovision 12×50 EL binocular ensures you will face no struggles in tracing the location of your target person or animal, thanks to its exceptional FOV.
Magnification
Carefully noticing minute details of your favorite object is only feasible when your binoculars offer incredible magnification power. This Swarovski 12×50 EL binocular is the perfect choice for all star-gazers and birders because of its impeccable magnification.
When you crave to gaze at a star thoroughly, set your Swarovision 12×50 binocular and get ready to be mesmerized by the stars’ brightness and beauty.
Birders can get in-depth knowledge of their preferred bird with this remarkable 12x magnification.
Similarly, sometimes, hunters do not use a rangefinder and rely on their binoculars for determining how far the target is. The Swarovision binocular provides a correct estimation of that distance.
Additionally, with this powerful magnification, you can analyze the terrain you are about to walk on and prevent many potential dangers (as woods are always unpredictable).
Lens diameter
This beauty has 50 mm large lenses for vivid and crystal clear imagery. These lenses are explicitly designed for elite tasks, and as expected from Swarovski, they offer extraordinary bright images.
The larger the lenses are, the brighter the imagery is!!!
Swarovski has taken this golden rule further ahead by decorating Swarovision 12×50 EL binoculars with large fluoride-filled lenses. The massive spectacular lenses will add fun to your hunting/birding missions and bring forward mesmerizingly clear images.
Weight
As the Swarovision 12×50 binocular is loaded with big lenses and magnesium alloy chassis, it is doubtlessly heavier than others. Its weight is almost 1 kg (35.2oz), which makes it’s hauling a bit difficult.
However, because of the open-bridge construction and one-hand holding feature, this weight can be balanced out.
Moreover, the 12x magnification of this binocular will show you the slightest vibrations and movements; that’s troublesome in the long run. Therefore, having a sturdy tripod helps you in effortless glassing. And when you use a tripod, the 1kg weight would never bother you.
So, even if you prefer lightweight binoculars, do not overlook this masterpiece because of its heavy body; other traits of Swarovision 12×50 binoculars effortlessly compensate for its weight.
Exit pupil distance
One thing is for sure, Swarovski binoculars will never make you tired even after long glassing hours. The Swarovision 12×50 binocular has an exit pupil distance of 20mm; added specifically for glasses wearers and frequent glassers.
When you go for glassing sessions regularly, your eyes’ well-being can become vulnerable. However, with this comfortable exit pupil distance, you can give rest to your eyes after small sessions and avoid eye strain, redness, and headache.
Also, when you roam in hot and humid regions, the sweat starts gathering around your eyes; compelling you to move away. Needless to say, you can potentially miss a magnificent sight or bird during that pause. The 20mm exit pupil/ eye relief distance proves to be immensely helpful in the woods.
Close focus distance
Professional birders and sightseers regard this close-focus distance as one of their dearest features as it lets them watch the nearest objects with incredible clarity. Birders specifically prefer binoculars with the shortest possible close focus distance when they set up a birding activity in their backyard/balcony.
However, when compared to Swarovision 10×40 and other binos, the Swarovision 12×50 has a wider close focus distance. It will enable you to see the objects clearly at 9.2ft, but not nearer than that.
For recreational birders, this is quite a displeasure. On the other hand, star-gazers and travelers do not bother this distance much as that’s not something they’d need often.
Inter-pupillary distance
All of us have different face shapes and sizes; depending upon our age and gender. But sadly, most binoculars come in a standard size and can become problematic for people who have shorter or wider faces than usual.
Swarovski has introduced a solution to this problem as well (as expected). This swarovision bino has an adjustable inter-pupillary distance (the distance between two eyepieces is called inter-pupillary distance).
The IPD in Swarovision 12×50 binoculars ranges from 56-74mm so you can alter it as per your requirement. Adjusting this distance is quick and effortless; you only have to bend or expand the two barrels and stop when it’s right your size.
Image quality
If you ask what makes Swarovision 12×50 binoculars superior to the rest, the answer would definitely be its image quality!
Swarovski has put in numerous techniques and mechanisms to make this binocular imagery flawless (when I say flawless, it surely is).
Firstly, its field-flattering lenses produce the most exceptional imagery with no distortion at the edges and show the tiniest objects with superb clarity. In older binoculars, the lens edges wouldn’t be flattened and used to show a high level of discrepancy at the edges.
Also, the Schmidt-Pechan prisms with specialized Swarovski coatings offer razor-sharp images with no color fringing. Swarovski had a precise aim of providing impeccable picture quality to the glassers, and this swarovision 12×50 binocular has fulfilled that promise.
The 50mm wide lenses are filled with fluoride, which enhances image clarity in low-light conditions and ensures that you get edge-to-edge image clarity.
Your Swarovision 12×50 EL bino will offer exceptional HD resolution with true colors and no FCC.
Ergonomics
Giving comfort of use to passionate glassers is another aspect that makes this Swarovision binocular stand out from the rest. Designers have crafted its design, particularly for extended glassing adventures, ensuring that you never tire while appreciating the remarkable imagery through your Swarovision 12×50.
Apart from the distance between two barrels (open-bridge construction), the thumb grooves are also there to ensure one-hand holding. These grooves won’t let the binoculars slip from your hands and will make certain that you never lose your focus.
The attachment of the neck strap is secure and quick in this binocular. Once you attach the strap, it won’t wobble and expose your binocular to any potential harm.
The attached sturdy rubber lens covers will protect Swarovision 12×50 binocular lenses and keep their out surface shiny and clean. This lens covers fit perfectly and effortlessly. When your binocular is inside your bag or hanging from the strap, put these lens covers on and repel dust and moisture.
Swarovision 12×50 EL binocular has a big central focusing knob designed specifically to be used with both thumbs. Whether you are left-handed or right, moving this central knob is always easy.
When you focus on a bird/animal/object, the lockable diopter will let you lock that focus for as long as you wish. You have to move the central knob until you attain the desired focus, and after that, a slight inward push will lock the diopter in place. Unlike other binoculars, focusing and closely studying an object is painless in Swarovision 12×50 binoculars.
If you wear spectacles and spend plenty of time glassing, you must know how problematic it is to maintain the perfect position of eyecups. Luckily, the soft, movable eyecups in Swarovision 12×50 EL binoculars prove to be a sigh of relief for habitual binocular users and facilitate their eyes in rough-tough weather.
Resistance capacity
Protecting the precious binoculars from all kinds of harm is every glasser’s priority; they cannot afford crooked prisms and fogged lenses after spending a hefty amount.
However, with Swarovski 12×50 binoculars, you won’t be compelled to keep it safe inside your bag as that can kill the spark of glassing. You can confidently pull it out and accomplish your mission.
Its lenses are purged with dry nitrogen, which doesn’t let moisture and debris accumulate inside the lenses. Also, this purging ensures you don’t have to clean the binocular in wet weather repetitively.
Craftsmen construct the outer body of the Swarovision 12×50 binoculars from sturdy magnesium alloy, which withstands rough handling while always protecting the delicate inner components. Moreover, this magnesium alloy imparts a shiny finish to the Swarovision 12×50 EL binoculars, enhancing their visual appeal.
As I stated earlier, exclusive coatings are the most significant plus point of Swarovision 12×50 Bino. Its lenses have a Swaroclean outer coating, which makes cleaning easier and never exposes the lens glass to risky chemicals and moisture.
The attached lens covers work as a quick way out on pouring days and don’t ask you to halt your mission when the weather shows mood swings.
Additionally, inside the Swarovision binoculars package, you’d get separate rubber eyepiece covers to be used during bright sunlight and rainfall. When you aren’t carrying a bag and need to protect the bino from storm or rain, the lens covers and eyepiece covers will do the job.
A sturdy strap is also included in the package, which makes lugging this bino comfortable and does not stress your neck muscles when you move around. This strap is resilient, comfortable, and easy to attach/detach.
Now that we are halfway through the Swarovski el 12×50 Swarovision binocular review, let’s analyze its usability according to different activities before making a final decision:
Hunting, birding, camping, or stargazing; Swarovision 12×50 is made for all!
Birding
The allure of avian splendor is truly captivating. The intricate patterns of bird plumage, their graceful movements, and their astounding stamina in flight are of endless fascination to bird watchers. These enthusiasts devote significant time to observe minute details of their favorite bird species, always yearning for a clearer view.
Fortunately, the Swarovision 12×50 EL binoculars provide outstanding color fidelity, light enhancement, and image quality. You can expect vivid color differentiation and crisp images, keeping your interest alive during these extensive observation periods.
Furthermore, the specific lens and prism coatings enhance the visual beauty, offering a viewing experience free from aberrations.
One potential downside could be the 9.2ft minimum focusing distance, which might prove to be a limitation for those wanting to observe birds from close quarters.
Despite this, the superior image clarity and ergonomic design of the Swarovision 12×50 binoculars make bird watching a genuinely relaxing activity. Its performance ensures you won’t be left unsatisfied with dull or shaky imagery.
Sightseeing
When you climb a mountain to find what’s on the other side, having premium binoculars is mandatory. Without a wide FOV, sharp imagery, and bright colors, you won’t truly enjoy your sightseeing hobby.
Swarovision 12×50 binocular has a wide 330ft FOV, edge-to-edge image clarity, and beautiful color-differentiation ability. Whether you are roaming in the dry Sahara desert or Amazon rain forest, this incredible binocular will never halt your joyous activities.
Stargazing
Star-gazers need remarkable magnification, vivid imagery, and comfortable eye-relief distance (so that they can enjoy this fun activity endlessly).
In Swarovski Swarovision 12×50 bino, all of these features are perfectly incorporated.
With its impressive 12x magnification, these binoculars can make the stars appear closer to your eyes, enabling you to feel a connection with the cosmos (to a degree, naturally). Added benefits for stargazers include a comfortable eye-relief distance and soft adjustable eyecups.
Therefore, during your next cozy Sunday evening spent ceaselessly admiring the star-studded sky, you can be assured that your eyes won’t experience any strain, and there will be no muscular discomfort, all courtesy of the Swarovision 12×50 binoculars’ ergonomic design.
Hunting
For hunters, acquiring the best binoculars is crucial as they aspire to excel in their hunting endeavors, regardless of the environment’s toughness. They cannot risk missing a prized quarry, nor can they approach dangerous game closely.
So, what’s the solution?
The answer lies in the Swarovision 12×50 binocular. With its 330ft wide Field of View (FOV) and a smooth central focusing knob, no game would manage to elude your sight. Once you have your target in view, it is focusing knob allows swift adjustments and diopter locking to ensure a precise shot. Coupled with a broad and clear viewing field, your hunting experience will undoubtedly be more effortless and successful.
Cruising
Observing the grandeur of sea waves and seeking distant islands is an unmatched leisure pursuit. The allure and might of the water never cease to captivate. Those aboard cruise ships relish their journey across the deep blue, constantly seeking a more immersive view of the ocean beneath them.
In this regard, the Swarovision 12×50 binocular shines, having been designed to accommodate a plethora of activities, cruising included. This waterproof unit provides clear views, undisturbed by water splashes, instead of generating foggy, blurred, or shaky visuals.
With dry nitrogen purging and lens covers, the Swarovski 12×50 binocular ensures excellent protection and the capability to render extraordinary vistas that more affordable options can’t match.
Furthermore, its exceptional balance and easy one-handed operation contribute to a more enjoyable and educational cruising experience at all times.
Traveling
Frequent travelers adore their binocular because it shows them what they cannot see with the naked eye. When you’re moving through a region on a train/plane and wish to see beyond the set limit of your eyes, a binocular will come in handy.
The Swarovision 12×50 binocular won’t lose focus when you continuously move and will stay well-balanced in your hands. Also, when the journey is long, and you need rest, you can even hold this full-sized binocular in one hand and give some rest to the other one.
Desert safari, Alaska trip, or beach vacation; the Swarovision 12×50 binoculars will never cease to astonish you, that’s for sure!
FAQs
How much does this binocular weigh?
The Swarovski swarovision 12×50 EL binocular weighs 35.2oz (almost 1kg). Its weight might compel you to use a tripod for stable viewing, especially during prolonged activities.
Is it a rough-tough binocular?
Indeed, it is. Craftsmen construct its outer body from magnesium alloy, ensuring the inner components are well protected and not susceptible to any dents or cracks.
Additionally, the lenses, filled with fluoride and possessing a non-stick outer coating, indicate thorough protection from environmental impacts.
Is it good for eye-glass wearers?
It surely is. Firstly, the 20mm eye relief distance fits the needs of glasses wearers and never compels them to take their spectacles off while focusing.
Secondly, the movable eyecups further enhance this comfort and let people with glasses maintain a considerable distance between themselves and the binocular.
The Swarovision 12×50 EL binocular is a premium product from Swarovski’s 3rd generation EL binoculars. It has four exclusive lens and prism coatings, its magnification power is superb, and most importantly, its image quality is awe-inspiring.
All these incredible features make it more expensive than the rest. But it’s undoubtedly worth every penny.
If you are interested in this Uni-Dapter, you can find more information and customer reviews on Amazon’s website here.
Conclusion
Such an amazing binocular it is, no? I hope this Swarovski el 12×50 Swarovision binocular review has shed detailed light on every aspect and answered your questions about this new-talk-of-the-town binocular.
This binocular offers a comprehensive package suitable for any glassing enthusiast, regardless of their planned activity. Whether you plan to explore the woods, seas, mountains, or stargaze, the Swarovision EL binocular has got your needs covered.
The awe-inspiring visuals provided by this expertly crafted binocular will amaze you, swiftly turning you into a fan of this top-tier piece of equipment.
Swarovski Optik has fulfilled your desire to try military-grade optics, continually surprising us with their unique, innovative, and high-quality devices. So, start saving for this binocular and aim to acquire it before your next vacation to maximize your leisure time enjoyment. Voila!
Image credit: Vortex Optics
Last update on 2024-11-22 at 21:30 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
