Swarovski NL Pure 8x32 binoculars review

Introducing the smallest and most affordable binoculars in the NL Pure range. The range currently consists of seven variations, including the birding-flavored 8x42, and the larger 10x52 and 14x52 that are better suited to stargazing, and they all come in a choice of green or burnt orange.

The Swarovski Optik NL Pure 8x32 combines portability with seriously good quality. With the “NL” in the name standing for “Nature Lovers”, it’s clear that these binoculars are built for the outdoors, and although you’ll need to pay a premium, it’s an investment that will last a lifetime.

With 8x magnification (ideal for birdwatching) and a 32mm objective lens diameter, keeping things lightweight, they’re the perfect travel companion without sacrificing optical power. They hit the sweet spot for birding and nature observation perfectly, and we’ll be sad when we have to send our loan sample back!

Swarovski NL Pure 8x32: Design

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• Compact design with wasp waist for easier handling
• Premium packaging and accessories
• Diopter was a little fiddly

From the second you open the box, it’s clear that Swarovski Optik is not playing around and offers a premium experience with these binoculars. When a brand puts time, effort and money into making the packaging and accessories look and feel good, you know you’re getting a good product. From the artwork on the inside of the lid to the plush carry bag and even the included soap and brush to clean the housing, we were very impressed before we’d even started using the binoculars — it felt like we were opening a gift.

Being the smallest model in the NL Pure range, it’s no surprise that “compact and lightweight” is going to be an advantage, but the Pure 8x32 still offers a fantastic viewing experience despite its smaller size.

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They feature a wasp waist design, which means the central body is significantly narrowed (like that of a wasp's body) for better handling and improved ergonomics. This meant we could wrap our hands around each barrel entirely, allowing for more comfortable viewing, even during longer sessions.

What we didn’t like so much was the diopter. It’s placed in the center of the binocular, just in front of the focus wheel, and it’s a thin (and quite stiff) wheel with only a small lip to move it. We’d have liked it to have a bit more grip or some texture, and it’s even harder to adjust if you have long nails.

That said, it’s not enough of a bugbear to put us off buying a pair, and there certainly wouldn’t be any danger of accidentally knocking it.

Swarovski NL Pure 8x32: Performance

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• No chromatic aberration
• Sharp all the way to the edges
• Great color reproduction and contrast

These binoculars offer one of the best viewing experiences we’ve ever had. The image is sharp all the way to the edge due to the addition of field flattener lenses (they call it “Swarovision”), the contrast is excellent and the color is bright and true to life.

Plus, thanks to the ED glass, there’s basically no chromatic aberration at all. Even when we pointed them at a group of jackdaws high up in the trees against a white sky, there was hardly any color fringing — and we were looking hard for it. The optical performance is nothing short of astounding for birdwatching, and we could make out almost every detail.

The field of view is 164 yards (150 meters), making it easy to follow birds as they fly through the sky. WIth their compact design, they make an ideal travel companion for vacations and birding excursions at home or around the world. In fact, many serious birders opt for the portability of the 8x32 over the slightly larger 8x42.

Swarovski NL Pure 8x32: Functionality

• Loose focus wheel
• 32mm isn’t the best for low-light viewing
• Seven different eyecup placements

The 32mm objectives are best suited to daytime viewing, but the overall clarity and sharpness give you a little bit of a buffer once you lose light. We were still easily able to spot and identify small birds (sparrows, robins and blue tits) in the bush outside our reviewer’s home once the sun had set over the valley, but after the sun had actually set, it wasn’t long before the view was too dim. If you like to observe animals at dawn or dusk and don’t mind sacrificing the compact nature, consider upgrading to the 8x42 for better low-light viewing.

The focus wheel is fairly loose, which we personally prefer as it allows for increased speed of focusing between a bird in a tree in front of us and a bird in flight in the distance. There are also seven different eyecup positions to choose from, allowing up to a generous 18mm of eye relief, and we found them just as easy to use when wearing glasses as they were when we took them off.

They have a minimum focusing distance of 6.56 feet (2 m) for viewing insects or small animals closer to you, and they’re watertight up to 13 feet (4 m) and nitrogen-filled to prevent fogging — perfect for withstanding any weather conditions.

Should you buy the Swarovski NL Pure 8x32?

If money were no object, then it would be an easy yes from us, but sadly, money is a factor for many of us, and a purchase of this scale isn’t one we’d take lightly.

There’s no question that they’re worth the money, but casual birders might want to opt for something a bit cheaper if nature observation is just a hobby. Similarly, stargazers will want a different variant that is better suited for low-light observing, where portability isn’t necessarily the priority.

But if you have the money and want a pair of the best birding binoculars you can buy, you won’t be disappointed with the NL Pure 8x32.

If the Swarovski NL Pure 8x32 isn't for you