How do you choose a pocket binocular from Swarovski when the available models are so similar?
Swarovski Optiks are all about quality and everybody knows that - and they back their products with a lifetime warranty, so that says it all. And when we talk about quality, we mean everything - not only the optics. Just by looking at the instrument you know you're looking at quality.
The pocket binoculars under review are all also very lightweight (all weighing less than 8.1 ounces) and very compact - all will easily fit into your jacket -even shirt - pocket.
So how in the world are you going to choose between the different models? I will try to help you decide which one to choose by pointing out the few differences there are.
Magnification:
Some of these pocket binoculars magnify by 8 times and some by 10 times.The Swarovski Optik Pocket 8x20B-P (Green) and 8x20B-P (Black ), the Traveler, Tyrol and the three crystal ones, the Tosca, Nabucco and Idomeneo - all have magnification of 8x. The Swarovski Optiks Pocket Binocular (10x25B-P, Green) and the 10x25B-P, Black, as well as the Traveler have magnification of 10x.
The 10x power gives you more magnification, but makes finding and following an object more challenging, since movement is exaggerated with higher power.
The bigger the power, the smaller the exit pupil, since the exit pupil is calculated by dividing the objective lens diameter by the magnification. So, with a magnification of 10x and an aperture of 20 mm, the exit pupil would have been 2 mm, which would be a limiting factor in fading or dim light. To counter this problem Swarovski widened the objective lens to 25 mm, thus maintaining the same exit pupil of 2.5 mm as is the case of the 8x20's.
Objective lens size:
Making the objective lenses wider is an easy decision for the manufacturers in the case of normal size binoculars, but it's another matter in the case of pocket binoculars, since bigger apertures always make the instrument more bulky and heavier, which is not good when the binocular has to fit in a pocket. However, Swarovski dealt with those matters (see dimensions and weight below). The wider objective lens of 25mm of the 10x25's does have an advantage of collecting more light than the 20 mm, which will deliver a slightly brighter image to the eyes. This will come into play in dim or fading light.
Weight:
The 10x25's are all slightly heavier than the 8x20's due to the wider objective lenses: 8.1 oz. vs 7.6 oz. However, this is not really that much.
Dimensions:
The bigger 10x25's are slightly longer than the 8x20's: 4.57 inches as compared to the 3.98 inches of the 8x20's. The height is the same: 1.5 inches. Just like the 8x20's the 10x25's fold back to an incredible 2.3 inches, making them to fit in any pocket, just like the 8x20's.
Field of view (FOV):
Usually (but not necessarily so) higher magnification means narrower FOV and this is indeed the case with these Swarovski Optiks pocket binoculars. The 8x's have a FOV of 345 feet @ 1,000 yards (6.6 degrees), whereas the 10x's are limited to 285 feet @ 1,000 yards (5.4 degrees). A wider field of view is handy to find an object in the distance and in particular to follow a moving object.
Close focus:
A shorter binocular can focus closer than a longer binocular. The 8x20's have a close focus ability of 13 feet, whereas its 16 feet in the case of the 10x25's. You won't even see the difference. However, if you really want to focus on small things like insects, you should consider the Pentax Papilio, which can focus as close as 18 inches. Unfortunately this instrument is overall not in the same class as the Swarovski's.
Price:
Prices vary considerably from $679 for the "standard" and Traveler 8x20's, to $899 for the 8x20 crystal models (the Tosca, Nabucco and Idomeneo). The only difference between these binoculars is the look. The crystal models looks like a beautiful piece of jewelry in addition to being binoculars - and small wonder, since the crystals are the famous Swarovski crystals. Between these two poles the 10x25's are sold for $769 and the Tyrol 8x20, also a luxury model, for $840.
The pocket binoculars under review are all also very lightweight (all weighing less than 8.1 ounces) and very compact - all will easily fit into your jacket -even shirt - pocket.
So how in the world are you going to choose between the different models? I will try to help you decide which one to choose by pointing out the few differences there are.
Magnification:
Some of these pocket binoculars magnify by 8 times and some by 10 times.The Swarovski Optik Pocket 8x20B-P (Green) and 8x20B-P (Black ), the Traveler, Tyrol and the three crystal ones, the Tosca, Nabucco and Idomeneo - all have magnification of 8x. The Swarovski Optiks Pocket Binocular (10x25B-P, Green) and the 10x25B-P, Black, as well as the Traveler have magnification of 10x.
The 10x power gives you more magnification, but makes finding and following an object more challenging, since movement is exaggerated with higher power.
The bigger the power, the smaller the exit pupil, since the exit pupil is calculated by dividing the objective lens diameter by the magnification. So, with a magnification of 10x and an aperture of 20 mm, the exit pupil would have been 2 mm, which would be a limiting factor in fading or dim light. To counter this problem Swarovski widened the objective lens to 25 mm, thus maintaining the same exit pupil of 2.5 mm as is the case of the 8x20's.
Objective lens size:
Making the objective lenses wider is an easy decision for the manufacturers in the case of normal size binoculars, but it's another matter in the case of pocket binoculars, since bigger apertures always make the instrument more bulky and heavier, which is not good when the binocular has to fit in a pocket. However, Swarovski dealt with those matters (see dimensions and weight below). The wider objective lens of 25mm of the 10x25's does have an advantage of collecting more light than the 20 mm, which will deliver a slightly brighter image to the eyes. This will come into play in dim or fading light.
Weight:
The 10x25's are all slightly heavier than the 8x20's due to the wider objective lenses: 8.1 oz. vs 7.6 oz. However, this is not really that much.
Dimensions:
The bigger 10x25's are slightly longer than the 8x20's: 4.57 inches as compared to the 3.98 inches of the 8x20's. The height is the same: 1.5 inches. Just like the 8x20's the 10x25's fold back to an incredible 2.3 inches, making them to fit in any pocket, just like the 8x20's.
Field of view (FOV):
Usually (but not necessarily so) higher magnification means narrower FOV and this is indeed the case with these Swarovski Optiks pocket binoculars. The 8x's have a FOV of 345 feet @ 1,000 yards (6.6 degrees), whereas the 10x's are limited to 285 feet @ 1,000 yards (5.4 degrees). A wider field of view is handy to find an object in the distance and in particular to follow a moving object.
Close focus:
A shorter binocular can focus closer than a longer binocular. The 8x20's have a close focus ability of 13 feet, whereas its 16 feet in the case of the 10x25's. You won't even see the difference. However, if you really want to focus on small things like insects, you should consider the Pentax Papilio, which can focus as close as 18 inches. Unfortunately this instrument is overall not in the same class as the Swarovski's.
Price:
Prices vary considerably from $679 for the "standard" and Traveler 8x20's, to $899 for the 8x20 crystal models (the Tosca, Nabucco and Idomeneo). The only difference between these binoculars is the look. The crystal models looks like a beautiful piece of jewelry in addition to being binoculars - and small wonder, since the crystals are the famous Swarovski crystals. Between these two poles the 10x25's are sold for $769 and the Tyrol 8x20, also a luxury model, for $840.
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