New swaro RF bino first impressions... VS Zeiss RF binos.

[Huntnful]

I've been running the 10x42 Zeiss RF's for the last two years. They were amazing and very user friendly. They had a few MINOR drawbacks, so I decided to sell them and test out the new Swaro 10x42 El Range TA to see how they compared.

Drawbacks of the Zeiss were:
- Great glass, but not super great glass haha. I realize they're an RF bino, so they don't come with the top tier glass also.
- Focus knob turned easily and I always had to refocus them after putting them in and pulling them out of my bino pouch.
- The range display/readout had a SLIGHT double vision to it, and I wish it was a little bit brighter for some scenarios.

First Impression on the Swaro's:
- The glass is a touch above the Zeiss. It's apparent, but not significant. I was hoping for an improvement, and it is.
- Firm focus knob and a large depth of focus (this was welcomed, and I didn't even know I was missing it). Probably 100 yards - infinite, the focus can stay the same and is crystal clear.
- The range display/readout is bold and clear in all conditions. Also bright, but you can still view through it easily. Hard to explain, but it's an amazing readout.
- I also like how the range stays displayed and the MOA adjustment flashes below it. So they are both visible at the same time. The zeiss flashes the range and then the MOA readout. They're not visible at the same time.

Drawbacks of the swaro:
- The swaro 100% does not range as far or as well as the Zeiss and is little finicky on what it ranges at far distances. It wouldn't pick up the shaded side of a tree at 1100 yards for example. But where the sun was hitting the hill below the tree, it ranged no problem. The Zeiss would have easily picked this range up in any scenario.
- They have large bellies or compartments underneath each eye tube, which I'm assuming is where they store the technology. I dislike this a lot. Not a total deal breaker, but definitely not a fan of it. It's still ergonomic to hold, but more of a pain to put into a bino pouch for sure. Zeiss's don't have this. They look like a straight bino.

Equals:
- They both give VERY fast and accurate yardage readouts and the necessary MOA/MIL adjustments for your ballistics. Maybe 1/2 second and your data is on the screen.
- The apps are super easy to use and link to the binos to input your ballistics. Swaro has a little edge on the app usability though.
- They both give the same corrections if the same data is input into either app/bino. Which is expected, but I'm just mentioning it.

I'm going to run the Swaros for the season, and really test if the positives outweigh the drawbacks. They both seem to be awesome RF binos and I wouldn't hesitate to buy either of them if you're thinking about getting an RF bino with built in ballistic corrections.

I didn't touch on the tracking assist of the Swaro because I'm probably not even going to mess it. I didn't buy them for that reason. I wish they would have left that technology out and possibly got rid of the bellies underneath the bino if that was possible.

 

[shooters]

Good review! As far as the double vision with the ZEISS, (I'm sure you did) but did you adjust the right diopter to focus the readout? I've had several of the new Ziess RF's and still do and haven't found that to be an issue.
I too noticed the Swaro to have a slight edge in glass. Not huge, but noticeable. The ZEISS absolutely IMO has the better range finder. I was so excited about the new Swaros and after spending a week with them, I was unimpressed with their ranging capabilities. I was actually quite shocked that Swarovski would put out a product after people have waited for years and have it lack in the range department. Sig and Leica really have the (strength) or whatever you would like to call it of the range finder figured out.
Awesome review. Lots will appreciate it!
I'm sticking with the Ziess

 

[Huntnful]

Thanks!! Yeah I did adjust the diopter. But I mean it was very slight! Enough to where I just quit worrying about haha. But yeah, I'm somewhat unimpressed with the swaro ranging abilities. But I'm also hoping maybe they hear the feedback and send out a bino update via the app, like zeiss did. I don't want to write them off so soon, so I'm going to spend the season behind them for sure. But if I'm not 100% satisfied by the end of 2021, I'll have no issues at all going back to the Zeiss!

 

[The Oregonian]

I've been running the 10x42 Zeiss RF's for the last two years. They were amazing and very user friendly. They had a few MINOR drawbacks, so I decided to sell them and test out the new Swaro 10x42 El Range TA to see how they compared.

Drawbacks of the Zeiss were:
- Great glass, but not super great glass haha. I realize they're an RF bino, so they don't come with the top tier glass also.
- Focus knob turned easily and I always had to refocus them after putting them in and pulling them out of my bino pouch.
- The range display/readout had a SLIGHT double vision to it, and I wish it was a little bit brighter for some scenarios.

First Impression on the Swaro's:
- The glass is a touch above the Zeiss. It's apparent, but not significant. I was hoping for an improvement, and it is.
- Firm focus knob and a large depth of focus (this was welcomed, and I didn't even know I was missing it). Probably 100 yards - infinite, the focus can stay the same and is crystal clear.
- The range display/readout is bold and clear in all conditions. Also bright, but you can still view through it easily. Hard to explain, but it's an amazing readout.
- I also like how the range stays displayed and the MOA adjustment flashes below it. So they are both visible at the same time. The zeiss flashes the range and then the MOA readout. They're not visible at the same time.

Drawbacks of the swaro:
- The swaro 100% does not range as far or as well as the Zeiss and is little finicky on what it ranges at far distances. It wouldn't pick up the shaded side of a tree at 1100 yards for example. But where the sun was hitting the hill below the tree, it ranged no problem. The Zeiss would have easily picked this range up in any scenario.
- They have large bellies or compartments underneath each eye tube, which I'm assuming is where they store the technology. I dislike this a lot. Not a total deal breaker, but definitely not a fan of it. It's still ergonomic to hold, but more of a pain to put into a bino pouch for sure. Zeiss's don't have this. They look like a straight bino.

Equals:
- They both give VERY fast and accurate yardage readouts and the necessary MOA/MIL adjustments for your ballistics. Maybe 1/2 second and your data is on the screen.
- The apps are super easy to use and link to the binos to input your ballistics. Swaro has a little edge on the app usability though.
- They both give the same corrections if the same data is input into either app/bino. Which is expected, but I'm just mentioning it.

I'm going to run the Swaros for the season, and really test if the positives outweigh the drawbacks. They both seem to be awesome RF binos and I wouldn't hesitate to buy either of them if you're thinking about getting an RF bino with built in ballistic corrections.

I didn't touch on the tracking assist of the Swaro because I'm probably not even going to mess it. I didn't buy them for that reason. I wish they would have left that technology out and possibly got rid of the bellies underneath the bino if that was possible.

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View attachment 257124

I thought I understood what the new EL's can do but now I am not so sure. When you say they give you an MOA readout, how are they getting the drop info - I.e. where is the ballistic calculator located? In the unit or in a different unit connected by BT? My understanding, which may be wrong, was that they didn't have a ballistics calculator that could be connected.

Thx

 

[Huntnful]

I thought I understood what the new EL's can do but now I am not so sure. When you say they give you an MOA readout, how are they getting the drop info - I.e. where is the ballistic calculator located? In the unit or in a different unit connected by BT? My understanding, which may be wrong, was that they didn't have a ballistics calculator that could be connected.

Thx

The old El Range did not have the ballistic calculator. The new one does.

You enter your ballistics into the El Range app, then link the app to your bino via Bluetooth. You upload your data into the binos and then disconnect Bluetooth. It will then give you the range and MOA correction at the same time

 

[The Oregonian]

Nice, so other than when you load it into the unit, it is a single unit system? How many profiles can be in the binos at once, or do you have to hook up to switch profiles? And does it take environmental readings?

Thx

 

[Huntnful]

Nice, so other than when you load it into the unit, it is a single unit system? How many profiles can be in the binos at once, or do you have to hook up to switch profiles? And does it take environmental readings?

Thx

You can put 3 ballistic profiles into the app, but only upload one to the bino. It takes maybe 30 seconds to switch profiles using the app and Bluetooth. It pulls your temperature, pressure and altitude. And correct for angle.

 

[The Oregonian]

You can put 3 ballistic profiles into the app, but only upload one to the bino. It takes maybe 30 seconds to switch profiles using the app and Bluetooth. It pulls your temperature, pressure and altitude. And correct for angle.

Man, I may have to jump on these. I didn't know they had a calculator. I was prepared to get the Fury AB and the NL Pures but maybe the EL is the way to go. Thanks for the info.

 

[Huntnful]

Man, I may have to jump on these. I didn't know they had a calculator. I was prepared to get the Fury AB and the NL Pures but maybe the EL is the way to go. Thanks for the info.

It's definitely nice having everything in one unit for sure! I can't go back to a non rangefinding bino haha. Even though I'd love to run some 12x42 NL pures.

 

[The Oregonian]

It's definitely nice having everything in one unit for sure! I can't go back to a non rangefinding bino haha. Even though I'd love to run some 12x42 NL pures.

I have a G7 BR2500 with another set of binos right now so the Fury AB with NL's was still an improvement for me.

There's two aspects of 'one unit'. The ballistics computer being on board is something I won't give up. I do a lot of whitetail hunting and can be in the stand all day. I don't want to worry about a 12 hr persistent BT connection and whether one unit or the other will time out due to inactivity. I also don't want to worry about more things with batteries. Either one of those happening could ruin a hunt if they are discovered at the moment of truth.

The other 'one unit' is getting all of that into binos as opposed to a monocular. That part will be new to me...I'm used to having both handy, which is a huge PITA. So I'm excited about these. I've been waiting for an all in one unit in top glass and these will hit the mark.

An unexpected bonus was that I had given up on this year after the new product announcements around SHOT bc I didn't think these had ballistics capability. Now I get exactly what I had wanted.

 

[Huntnful]

I have a G7 BR2500 with another set of binos right now so the Fury AB with NL's was still an improvement for me.

There's two aspects of 'one unit'. The ballistics computer being on board is something I won't give up. I do a lot of whitetail hunting and can be in the stand all day. I don't want to worry about a 12 hr persistent BT connection and whether one unit or the other will time out due to inactivity. I also don't want to worry about more things with batteries. Either one of those happening could ruin a hunt if they are discovered at the moment of truth.

The other 'one unit' is getting all of that into binos as opposed to a monocular. That part will be new to me...I'm used to having both handy, which is a huge PITA. So I'm excited about these. I've been waiting for an all in one unit in top glass and these will hit the mark.

An unexpected bonus was that I had given up on this year after the new product announcements around SHOT bc I didn't think these had ballistics capability. Now I get exactly what I had wanted.

These will 100% fit your needs then and I'm positive you will be super happy with them!

 

[The Oregonian]

These will 100% fit your needs then and I'm positive you will be super happy with them!

I changed my order and am going with just these rather than the Fury and NL's. Saved money and got them into one unit, so I'm a happy camper. The wait may kill me. You literally made my week with this revelation, haha.

 

[Huntnful]

I changed my order and am going with just these rather than the Fury and NL's. Saved money and got them into one unit, so I'm a happy camper. The wait may kill me. You literally made my week with this revelation, haha.

Nice dude!! Glad I was able to help someone out! Let me know how you like them when you get them!!

 

[COBrad]

The range finding binos with ballistic software are spectacular, unless you are ranging ELR targets. I was all excited about them until I see nothing that will get out past, what, maybe 1200 yds? I'm shooting prairie dogs and marmots (ok mostly shooting at) at ranges to 1400 yds and hope to get out to a mile this fall. Had high hopes for the Leica 3500.com and Kestrel 5700AB but reading way to many issues in lost connectivity between the two. We're soooo close! Come on Leica get this resolved!