Well, I've been using binoculars for my birding habit for more than 15 years. I've possibly seen and used almost every type of binoculars available out there. I've been able to get my hands on some of the most expensive equipment you might ever imagine but yet, nothing has ever had the feeling that Swarovski binoculars have had on me.

Lately, I had the chance to get my hands on the Swarovski 10x32 EL model; the 32mm little brother of the classic 42mm EL model. I could directly jump on to the actual characteristics but I first feel the need to say it for one more time that Swarovski has done a miraculous job again!

Those binoculars are pretty small, 5.4 inches tall and 4.5 inches wide. The barrels have a pretty satisfying diameter of 2 inches. Your fingers will easily slide in between the 2 barrels and you will have the ability to grip the EL very comfortably. Although they guys at Swarovski should have considered a slightly softer rubber material, the texturing surface is really helpful when you want to grip your binoculars tightly with your hands. When you are not using them, you can always hang them off your neck or your shoulder; the EL will never bug you because they are really light; just 21.3 ounces!

Jumping to the more interesting part now, the ELs are fully sealed and nitrogen purged; naturally, they are also waterproof, fog-proof as well as dust-proof. The 32mm ELs feature Swarovski's proprietary Swarobright technology, a great phase coating as well as many other refinements which deliver bright, vivid and high-contrast image to the user.

Regarding other aspects of the viewing quality, the 32mm ELs have a 360 foot FOV (Field of View) at approximately 1000 yards; this is really good considering the magnification level. The minimum focusing distance that the manufacturer declares is 7 feet; the truth is that with a small effort you might get to something as close as 5 feet. Not bad, is it? The focus knob is very friendly and it will let you focus with precision. Even when the binoculars are brand new, you will have no trouble adjusting the focus.

Finally, for an MSRP of 1754$ you will get a pack that includes the Swarovski 32mm EL, an extra rain-guard, a practical case and of course a lifetime, non transferable guarantee! Yes, I know that 1700 bucks is way too much for binoculars but then again, you get what you pay for.