Zeiss Victory HT vs. Swarovski EL SV

AZGUY · Apr 18, 2014

I own a pair of Zeiss Victory BTP's from 2003 that I am thinking of giving to my father (who has an even older pair) and upgrading on. It's been a while since I looked at the optics scene and I am surprised to see that the Zeiss's were around $525 cheaper after the mail in rebate (Cabelas pricing). Now I know the eye is in the beholder (pun intended) but I would like to see what everyones thoughts were on the two. I love my Zeiss's but I also love my Swaro spotting scope so there is no particular brand loyalty in play here

...

russ_outdoors · Apr 18, 2014

When I compared the 2 last year the price was much closer, and as such less of a factor. Both are remarkable instruments from companies that will take care of you after the purchase. The HT is brighter, SV has a bigger sweet spot and better edges. Beyond that it's mostly about personal preference. I preferred the ergonomics and view from the SV. Beyond that I could have flipped a coin and been happy with either. Don't forget to look at the SLC.

Ryan Avery · Apr 18, 2014

Out of those two I would take the SLC every time

AZGUY · Apr 19, 2014

Ryan,

I guess I never really thought of the slc's. What do they offer over the EL's that you can see other than being cheaper?

handwerk · Apr 19, 2014

I can't comment on that model zeiss but I've has my share of big 3 binos over the years and now have the swaro SV's and find the view to be amazing and the ergo's fit me quite well, I can't imagine anything better.

MattB · Apr 19, 2014

I cannot speak to the new SLC's, but my old ones had better ergonomics than my EL's, were shorter on overall length, and the SLC's are tripod mountable from the factory whereas the EL's need to be reworked by the Outdoorsmans or you need an adapter. If the glass is similar (have followed along), I would definitely give them a look.

Matt Cashell · Apr 19, 2014

AZGUY said:
I guess I never really thought of the slc's. What do they offer over the EL's that you can see other than being cheaper?

The SLCs have some mild pincushion distortion, while the EL SVs are exceptionally distortion-free. Some people prefer the SLCs because they see the "globe effect" (AKA rolling ball) when panning the EL SVs. Many people do not notice rolling ball with the EL SVs.

It does strike me as funny to hear an $2000 binocular described as "cheaper."

Everything is relative I guess.

Ryan Avery · Apr 19, 2014

Matt summed it up. SLCs don't' have Swarovision(Field Flattener Lenses) I do see the rolling ball with the ELs. That said I like the fit, finish and fill of the SLCs over the ELs or the HTs. Go look through all three. The glass is so close but the price is not.... I've used the warranty services of both company's and the Swaro's is much better IME.

Sagittarius · Apr 20, 2014

I owned Swarovski for many years but switched to the Zeiss HT last year and don't regret it.
I prefer Abbe Konig prisms and the new Schott HT glass isn't available to other manufacturers yet.
I'm not concerned with the edge of field advantage that everyone claims for Swarovski since it actually hurts and strains my eyes when I concentrate on the edge of field view on any binocular.

That said, I would not mind, in the least, owning and using a Swarovski EL Swarovision!
I still hope Zeiss will bring out a new rumored 15x54 HT to go with my 10x42 HTs.
I would like to have a Swarovski STX 30-70 95mm spotter too.

MattB · Apr 20, 2014

Sagittarius said:
I prefer Abbe Konig prisms and the new Schott HT glass isn't available to other manufacturers yet.

I have read the comment about preferring the Abbe Konig prisms a couple of times without explanation - can you elaborate on the tangible benefits of the system?

Ryan Avery · Apr 20, 2014

To me the HTs are brighter. But I don't like the color. This is totally subjective but I love how swaro's show darker colors especially brown. You have to have them together in the woods to really see a difference. You can't see jack in the store.

MattB · Apr 20, 2014

Ryan Avery said:
You can see jack in the store.

There you did it, you just ruined Easter for all the guys who bought $300 binoculars and claimed them equal to Swarovski under the florescent lights. ;-)

Sagittarius · Apr 22, 2014

MattB said:
I have read the comment about preferring the Abbe Konig prisms a couple of times without explanation - can you elaborate on the tangible benefits of the system?

Abbe Konig prisms are brighter than Schmidt Pechan for roof prism binoculars and refrain from the use of mirrors.
The cons are that they are longer and heavier and don't afford the ergonomics and handling ability the use of Schmidt Pechan allows.

Abbe Konig prisms are a superb match for Schott HT glass and work well with the Victory HT design.
For me, the balance and handling of my HTs is outstanding.
I definitely prefer AKs with the Victory HT.

Swarovski uses Abbe Konig prisms in their new SLC 15x56 which I believe is a step forward.
Would like to see Swarovski use AKs in more binoculars in the future and hope Leica does too.
The patents have ran out on AKs so they're not a Zeiss exclusive anymore and anyone can, now, use them.

Matt Cashell · Apr 22, 2014

Sagittarius said:
Abbe Konig prisms are brighter than Schmidt Pechan for roof prism binoculars and refrain from the use of mirrors.
The cons are that they are longer and heavier and don't afford the ergonomics and handling ability the use of Schmidt Pechan allows.

Actually the Abbe-Koenig prism has 3 reflective surfaces (mirrors) to the SP's 5. Since light is lost to some degree (very small since the advent of dielectric prism coatings) at each reflective surface, the AK then has at least a theoretical advantage in brightness. Is this difference tangible? Hard to say.

Sagittarius · Apr 22, 2014

Bitterroot Bulls said:
Actually the Abbe-Koenig prism has 3 reflective surfaces (mirrors) to the SP's 5. Since light is lost to some degree (very small since the advent of dielectric prism coatings) at each reflective surface, the AK then has at least a theoretical advantage in brightness.

Thanks for your input.
Not a good thing to try from memory.
I will suggest wikipedia from now on.

...or birdforum.net where I'm way outclassed!

AZGUY · Apr 23, 2014

bitterroot I guess price is relative at this point

. Thanks for the info guys I definitely agree on having to check them out in the field rather than the store.

Zeiss Victory HT vs. Swarovski EL SV

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