Before diving into the detail, let me first be transparent. I’ve always held Swarovski optics in high regard. In fact, I’d go as far as to say that in the world of professional deer management, they remain unmatched in optical clarity, build quality, and performance.
I also have the privilege of being one of their opinion leaders. That said, my role doesn’t prevent me from being honest, if something doesn’t work or meet the standard expected from a brand of this calibre, I’ll be the first to call it out.
This review is based on several weeks of practical, field-based use of the Swarovski EL Range 12x42 binoculars, both by myself and a small group including Forestry Commission staff, forestry lecturers, recreational stalkers, and even my daughter Emiliana, who has recently joined our team at Wildscape Deer Management. Feedback has been consistent, and overwhelmingly positive.
First Impressions: Upgrading from the 10x42 EL Range
As someone who has used the EL Range 10x42s as part of my daily kit, I was both excited and slightly apprehensive about switching to the 12x42s. Could an extra 2x magnification really justify the change? Would they handle as well? What would the optical trade-offs be, particularly in low light?
After weeks of back-to-back outings, the verdict is in, they’re superb. Not just as a theoretical upgrade, but as a genuinely practical alternative to my tried and tested 10x42s. In environments where additional reach is beneficial, long rides across clear-felled ground, edge-of-arable monitoring, or wide forestry blocks the 12x42s simply bring the subject that bit closer without sacrificing too much field of view or stability.
In terms of build quality, they feel every inch a Swarovski. Solid, perfectly balanced in the hand, with crisp ergonomics and intuitive function layout. For those who spend hours behind their glass each week, as I do, comfort matters. These deliver it. Clarity, as always, is a non-issue pin-sharp edge to edge.
Low light performance was another concern. The 10x42s have long been a benchmark, especially in the final light of dusk. I was relieved to see the 12x42s hold up exceptionally well. There is, understandably, a slight difference in exit pupil between the two, but for the vast majority of stalking conditions, it’s negligible.
Voices from the Field
During a recent three-day continuous cover forestry (CCF) event in the New Forest, I took the opportunity to pass both the EL Range 12x42s and the TX Encounter thermal around to those attending. Feedback from a broad mix of professionals from Natural England to Forestry England and independent forestry lecturers was strikingly consistent.
Words like “clarity,” “precision,” and “build quality” were repeated time and again. One birder, who usually spends hours behind a rival premium brand, described the view through the ELs as “night and day.” Several people commented on how lightweight they felt for their magnification, and how instinctive the ergonomics were. Even first-time users found the rangefinding button easy to locate and intuitive to operate.
Price inevitably came up. There’s no avoiding it: these are not entry-level binoculars. They’re a significant investment. But for professionals, those who spend hundreds of hours a year behind glass it becomes easier to justify. On average, I spend over 21 hours per week using my optics, which translates to more than 1,000 hours annually. When you spread the cost over that time, and consider the critical role good glass plays in safe, effective deer management, it starts to look like money well spent.
Emiliana’s Feedback: A New Generation's View
My daughter Emiliana, who’s grown up in and around deer management and now helps out professionally, has usually inherited my older optics. But for this trial, I stuck with my 10x42s and gave her the 12x42s. Her reaction? “Wow,” followed by “Do I have to give these back?”
She used them in woodland and more open ground, moving seamlessly between the rangefinder and a mounted i8 on my Blaser R93. Her feedback was simple and insightful:
“They’re incredibly sharp, way better than what I’m used to.”
“The rangefinder button is easy to find without looking.”
“They’re light but feel like they’ll last forever.”
For younger users or those with smaller hands, the lighter build of the 12x42s is a welcome feature. They are incredibly well balanced. Over long days in the field, that matters.
Final Thoughts
The Swarovski EL Range 12x42 binoculars are a serious piece of kit. They aren’t designed to be flashy or overbuilt, they’re built for results. In professional deer management, where decisions need to be made quickly, ethically, and with confidence, these binoculars provide all the reassurance you need.
Yes, they come at a price, but when you consider how much time you spend behind them, often more than behind your rifle, they become one of the most important investments in your kit. Whether you’re identifying deer at distance, assessing group structure, or scanning for signs across awkward terrain, the added reach of 12x magnification makes a meaningful difference without introducing instability or excessive weight.
In my opinion, they’ve earned their place in the Wildscape toolset, and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them to professionals or serious enthusiasts. For estates managing larger tracts of land or requiring clear observation over longer distances, they could easily become the go-to optic of choice.
10/10 from me. Just be prepared, once you try them, you might not want to hand them back, as Emiliana has suggested.
