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Brunton Epoch vs. Swarovski EL

Camelot43
Opinions from those who have used/owned or compared both beasts side by side.

Swarovski has a great name & reputation known all around the world. Brunton is often treated as a low end company by those that do not know better or have never picked up a set.

So I ask you - If you have compared the two side by side in the 10.5x43 and 10x42 configurations what would you buy? And not because of the name...

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Comments

6 comments

Date Votes
  • tsr1965
    Camelot43,

    I seriously doubt that you will get anyone from here that has had the two models listed side by side. Most who would even consider the Swarovski's, are way beyond the Bruntoon/Tasco grade optics. It not only goes for Binoculars, but Riflescopes as well.

    If you use your binoculars for hunting, and glassing for game, for extended periods of time, the higher end glass will pay dividends, especially when it comes to eye strain. I have noticed this, even with the higher end of Nikon, Burris, Pentax, and Leupold binoculars, when compared against the Swarovski's, and Leica Binoculars on the top end. As one member stated on here, in another post related to rifle scopes, once you use a NightForce, Ziess, Swarvoski, etc., looking thru a Leupold, is like looking thru a screen door.

    Just a few things to keep in mind, and last, but not least, there is a reason most higher end glass is costly, and especially in optics, you do get what you pay for. The question is, will a lower end purchase meet your needs, and demand.

    Best
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  • GuvamintCheese
    It is tough to compare a Ferarri to a Ford Fiesta.
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  • sandwarrior
    Camelot43,

    The biggest problem with comparing these is what Brunton is doing in the market. In another discussion I had in another forum, marketing is very obvious in the optics world. When a company who builds lower end optics all of a sudden springs the money for a top end optic, then charges 2/3 of what the competition does, it's not a fact the optic buying public is going to believe in. The case in point was the original Super Sniper scopes built by Tasco. The name has later been resurrected by SWFA and they contract a pretty good scope. The problem is once Tasco's name was associated with it. People still believe they have something to do with it. Therefore the quality may or may not be what paying that much for is worth. Add to this the look-alike high end scopes coming out of China, that are junk. But, they charge a high price...so are they good???

    Fast forward back to your question. Brunton built some pretty nice upper end optics, notably the Epoch. The bino's were built to some pretty high specs. For the price, I would say they were worth the value as you see them. The problem as noted is they didn't have any kind of grounded reputation for this kind of optic so they didn't sell all that well. No money coming back into the company means something needs to get cut out of the budget. Quality usually goes first. It definitely went out the door with their lower end optics. So, if they can't build low end stuff that will even hold together, why would you spend big bucks on their high brand name. Brunton has built some fine instrumentation in the past. As far as this sector though, I would not consider them for this purchase.

    Bringing us to Swarovski. For many, many years they have been the Go-to name in the best optics of the world. Their guarantee is the lifetime of the scope, not who owns it. I know of second and third owners who have sent their scopes in and had them repaired. Yes, they cost the most in each class of optic, but you get what you pay for and one of the things you pay for is not only durability of the scope but durability of the company to fix your scope if needed.

    If you are going to spend top dollar for a sport optic Swarovski is a great name to trust.
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  • Camelot43
    Most people that have driven a Ford Fiesta have never sat in a Ferrari...

    I guess your comment proves my point that Brunton is looked upon as a really crappy brand.

    However, the Epochs are right next to the Swaros, Leica & Zeiss at my Sportsmans counter.

    Admittedly I have never dealt the the Lite Tech or Echo lines and maybe comparing them to TASCO is a fair comparison but I have compared the Eterna to the Nikon, Leupold, Bushnell and Pentax and they are leagues apart comparing the Eterna to Tasco is like saying Taco Bell is health food.

    I can appreciate the point of what they have done in the market. But in a head on comparison with nothing said about the company name has anyone with or without pre-concieved notions actually compared the two -

    I have and I would like your opinions. Swarovski is still using BAK-4 Prisms and the Epochs have a grade higher in SF Prism...

    SO Nuts & Bolts Comparison -
    Clarity - Color - Contrast - Focus - Prism - Body - Ergonomics
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  • sandwarrior
    In my comparisons, Swarovski still wins. That was SLC and EL compared to Epoch. Epoch as you said is no Ford Fiesta. And as far as instrumentation goes, Brunton has been a VERY high quality name. If I may be more precise in what I mean, great glass doesn't always make for the best bino. The Epochs have very good glass. I just don't know what Brunton is putting behind it for durability.
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  • DEEREHART
    quote:Originally posted by cartod
    It is tough to compare a Ferarri to a Ford Fiesta.

    I do remember my Ford Fiesta fondly(first car)and I have driven two Ferarri's.That being said I own the Swarovski EL's because they were the best that I could afford. I do keep my Leupold wind rivers in the pickup[;)]
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