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Swarovski EL binos

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TimberPig

Well-Known Member
A guy I know wants to sell a pair of 2 year old Swarovski EL 8.5X42 binos for $800, and that includes the 2X doubler. I looked at them and they are in good condition other than a small nick in the lower hinge, but nothing bad. A quick internet search showed these binos to run about $1600-$1700, plus another $270 for the doubler, so $800 is a fair price. Actually I think I could get them for less with cash.

My question is- is there an easy way to determine if these are grey-market binos or not?
Also, what is Swarovski's warranty like concerning damage? I'm not aware of any damage to this pair but if there were damage, a fat repair bill would put a dent in an otherwise sweet deal.

Opinions?
 
What is this guys name and number...I need to have a chat with him
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Ahhhh...not so fast! I havent decided yet what to do. That is a pretty good deal, but still a heck of a wad of cash that I dont really have to spare.
Does anybody need a 2X doubler? If I could sell that it would cut my cost on the binos some. I already have a spotter.
If this was a Swarovski 80mm spotter for that price I would probably already be down at the blood bank!

edit: Just looked up their warranty. Not really all that impressive for the price of their equipment, but I suppose its pretty standard. 30 yr parts, 5 yr parts/labor. Looks like if you damage it's your problem, which is the usual. Hoping for a Luepold type warranty where you can run their stuff over with a tank and they generally just send you a new one
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Anyone have any experience with Swarovski warranties?
 
Does he have the original receipt? Can you trust/do you know the seller? Sounds cheap enough that it makes me wonder if they belonged to someone else or fell off the truck.
 
I used their warranty service once. I broke a eyepiece and called them on the phone and they sent two. One for an extra the rep stated. Very happy I did not have to send them in.
 
I have had a pair of the SLC 8x30 series for 9 years. I sent them in last summer to get a cleaning and general checking out. When I got them back they were like brand new, upgraded the eye cups to new style, changed outer protective lenses and some other parts in there, cleaned thourghly and replaced name tag and osprey on the outside charged me $60.
If I had it to do all over again I would buy the 10 power EL's.
 
Thats the kind of service I was hoping to hear about. Of course they dont advertise that, but alot of big name companies take care of you well. I have not been impressed with Nikon personally, but thats another thread.

I know the owner a little bit and he frequently buys things and sells them dirt cheap later on to buy a new toy. Nice enough guy and it's about time he wanted to sell something I was interested in! The only thing that worries me is that he mentioned buying them via internet which opens up the possibility of grey-market stuff. I will check that part out when I go back to work next week. I really wish they were 10X though. My biggest hang up is that I dont really have the money to spare, although I could surely re-sell them if I needed the cash.

Shredder- If your seriously interested and I don't buy them, I can hook you up with him if you would like.
 
TimberPig,
You should try and get the serial number off them and give Swavroski a call, they may be able to give you some history or if nothing else confirm them. Good Luck!
 
Sounds like a heck of a deal to me. I have the doubler, but I never use it. Without a tripod to mount the whole thing on, you cant really hold it steady enough.
 
I wasnt able to talk to the guy this week, but I think I'll take Nonres' advice and call Swarovski. I am getting the idea that the warranty may not be transferable, or not any good if this guy didnt fill out the paper work.
Even if it is a great deal I want a warranty behind anything that costs that much.

Thanks for the help....
 
Last year I picked up a pair of 8X30 SLC Habicht binoculars from E-bay. They are the older style but I really like the way they feel. I got them for a good price and immediately sent them to Swarovski for reconditioning. I wanted new coats, strap, eyecups the whole nine yards. I figured it would cost over $150. 2 weeks later they showed up brand spanking new, 13 years old and they are awesome, total bill including shipping, $75.

You can argue all day about whose glass is better, brighter, clearer etc. But nobody has the warranty or customer service like Swarovski.
 
Hobart- did you have any kind of warranty in your name? I assume not and your work probably wouldnt have been covered by warranty anyhow.
I called the Swarovski service dept and they stated that the original warranty is NOT transferable. She did say that if the prior owner did not fill out the warranty info but he did have all the original paperwork that I MIGHT be able to register them under my name.
Either way it sounds like their service and prices for repair work are excellent. I have just been playing the waiting game to see if his price comes down a little. Its a good deal but I dont foresee that many people around here are going to jump at $800 used binos.

I was out driving and glassing again tonight with my 15 yr old Minolta Classic 10x50's. They have been good for the money and taken a ton of abuse but I need an upgrade. Man, holding those EL's is like holding the prom queens butt
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No. No warranty in my name. I just called and spoke with the customer service agent. I told her that this is the 3rd pair of binoculars I bought from their company. She warned me that it could cost more if the coats were not as bad as I said they were. They always seem to prepare you for the worst case scenario and then when they come they are always cheaper than quoted. I've done this twice in the past with used bino's and then one other time when I did mess up my own pair. Buy the darn things, trust me they will do whatever it takes to keep you as a customer.
 
I love my ELs. I also birdwatch alot. That was the main reason I bought them. There are none better. And when it is dusk bowhunting, it is like daytime when you look thru them! You will have to take the eyepieces off every once in a while when dirt gets in there. There will be a little grinding noise. You just rinse with warm water and put em back on.
 
Bucked up a couple 2 or 3 seasons ago and bought the 10X42 EL's. Best investment in bowhunting gear I have made yet. The price has went up about 350 since then. You can find some pretty good deals on the internet. I believe I got mine from B&H Photo, a very reputable Company!

I feel naked when I go hunting without them. Pretty similar as to teh feeling when I go fishing without the polaroids....not a good deal!

They last forever from all reports I have ever seen from swarovski customers.

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He let me take them home for a few days to wring them out. I must say they are first class glass. Exceptionally bright and clear. I dont constantly try to focus them like my low dollar glasses, probably because they actually focus on stuff! I was most impressed by their light managment, meaning you dont get any of that annoying stray light or ghosting when you look towards the sunset. 100% improvement in that regard.
I have always liked my Nikon 8x25 travelights because they are pretty clear for compacts and only weigh 8 ouces or so, but man, they are just junk compared to the EL's. Not really a fair comparison though. There is less difference between the EL's and my Minolta 10x50 classics, but the difference is still noticeable. Much better color rendition and a little brighter too, much more comfortable to hold. Just about as heavy though.

He was unable to find any of the original paperwork and I cant find a serial number anywhere on them to check their history through the company. Even took the eyepieces off, nothing?
 
Call Swarovski they will be able to tell you where to locate it.

The difference is unbelievable, most folks don't understand that until they try them. Standing in cabelas showroom even the $29.95 ers look good but focusing and dusk/dawn seperate the best.
 
Sorry Shredder and Scott, I bought them. And for an even sweeter price too!
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Now I just hope they dont fall apart on me and jinx the whole deal. I am thinking of sending them in for a reconditioning like Hobart did just to start with a clean slate. I played with them for a week and compared them side by side to 3 other (cheaper) binos. That sealed the deal. They are just simply a little to alot better in every single way than the others. Nonres is right that the difference really stands out big time in the last 15 minutes of light. They really are the prom queens butt!
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Thanks again for all the opinions.

Dang it, now I want one of those fancy spotters...
 
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