Question for any of you guys that have swaro binoculars (or similar)...I'm thinking of picking up a pair of 10x42 or 10x50 EL's. My question is what's the main difference between the EL and SLC? Also, I've heard the glass quality across the board isn't what it once was in the early 2000's. Any truth to that?? Tia.

Caladan is who you need.

Glass is better than a decade ago.

What you may be reading online/forums is the potential for "rolling ball" with Swarovision. This is the field flattener tech than Swaro used to achieve edge clarity.

Some people get a "rolling ball" effect when panning. Most don't. And EL Swarovision Binos are the alpha of the alpha. Buy with confidence.

EL Swarovision > EL/SLC

mt3950 said:

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Question for any of you guys that have swaro binoculars (or similar)...I'm thinking of picking up a pair of 10x42 or 10x50 EL's. My question is what's the main difference between the EL and SLC? Also, I've heard the glass quality across the board isn't what it once was in the early 2000's. Any truth to that?? Tia.

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I would agree completely w/PFG. To expand a bit -- the main difference between SLC and EL is overall optical quality. The latest generation of EL (called Swarovision, or SV) is the best you can get, so certainly better than the SLC. However, most people would not be able to tell a difference between the two, and certainly there isn't much that an EL could do, but an SLC could not. Or to put it another way - most people would not benefit from spending the extra money for an EL. If you are what I call a "critical viewer", then get the EL SV. If you just want a really good set of binos, then odds are you will be perfectly happy w/an SLC, or even the previous generation SLC HD.

Anyone saying that Swaro glass isn't as good as 15 years ago does not know what they are talking about. Certainly they don't have any actual experience. Like the other alpha makers, Swaro has in the past and continues even now to continually upgrade optical design and glass/coatings technology.

Thanks to you both for the info!! Do either of you guys have a good recommendation on where to purchase these? All of the big box stores seem to have them at the same price. Any reputable online guys that can get them a little cheaper?

Not sure how much you are seeing elsewhere, but you can get 10% off at S&S Archery by using the code "ROKSLIDE".

Thanks! That gets the 10x50 down lower than I can find the 10x42 online anywhere else.

Best bet is to find a place with a site wide discount, like AgEng06 mentioned. If you're willing to buy right now, I know a code at Optics Planet for 14% off. From what I know, Swaro holds a tight leash on dealers when it comes to pricing.

Worth a call to the guys at Cameraland NY. I've bought a few scopes from them, all at nice prices by making a phone call asking "what can do you off the sticker price?"

This is the easiest way for a dealer to give you a discount.

You'll be delighted with the EL SV.

Thanks!

My SLCs are the best outdoor purchase I've ever made. I never looked through the ELs during all the bino field testing I did last year. I imagine they are amazing. The guys at Swarovski NA told said the main difference was the field-flatteners, whereas the SLCs are designed to have a more traditional pin cushion effect. Some reviews claim slightly better light transmission with the SLCs. Buy either with confidence!

My sense is the older you get the less it matters. What are you going to use them for? 42 and 50 size lenses can a bit bulky but do add a few minutes of viewing time in low light. My personal preference is 32's when I did a lot of western bowhunting. As I have transitioned to treestand hunting (not this year) I would have preferred 7 or 8x 32 vs my current 10 power binos. The resident expert can address the technical questions but figured it would help if knew what you were going to use for. Good luck

I will primarily be using these for east Texas deer hunting (<150 yard viewing) and some minimal south Texas deer hunting (~250yd viewing). Thinking a 10x42 or 50 would be perfect, but I'm definitely open to suggestions. I think if I were to go 8x, I'd want the 42 based on the limited light at dusk in the pine trees.

Just buy both one to keep in your truck and one in your gear bag

ToHntortoFsh said:

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Just buy both one to keep in your truck and one in your gear bag

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Have a spare bedroom for me for when my wife divorces me??

mt3950 said:

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ToHntortoFsh said:

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Just buy both one to keep in your truck and one in your gear bag

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Have a spare bedroom for me for when my wife divorces me??

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Sell it as a his and hers package??

"Honey, I did it for us! You've been saying i should be more romantic! Well Swarovski is as romantic as it gets, just look at the name. I just had to sell a few of your grandmothers rings you got a while back."

Sounds like a good way to pitch it to me. I'm here for ya if you need more suggestions.

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My sense is the older you get the less it matters

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This brings up an interesting discussion.

My eyes are aging, and I'm not currently a candidate for correction surgery as they are still changing. Maybe my opinion will change when I get back to 20/20 (or close to it), but I'm leaning further away from 10x and more towards 8x42 or 32. I just don't shoot that many deer at last light and first light.

If I was doing all out west hunting and absolutely needed to know more about that elk/deer - then yes, I can see needing the 10x50s. But for the vast majority of my hunting...I'll just wait for the light to come up a little more to confirm what I'm shooting. And if he walks away early, then I'll catch him later. Because lets be honest - I'm hunting at marginal distances from a feeder/cut lane.

The ELs have better eye relief which is the reason I went with them over the SLC. I wear glasses and this is a major deciding factor for me and my vision.

I bought the 10x42s but if I had to do it over again an 8x32 would be better as I find I have to glass off a tripod to get the most out of the 10x. Which is rare in the large majority of my hunting

Call sportoptics.com. They will give lower price over phone than they can advertise. I have the 12x50 and 8.5x42's. 8.5x42's have multiple benefits over 10x42 and are best I've ever owned.

What do you like better about 8x42 than 10x?

I went the Leica 10X42 route and am very happy. I put the Leica, Swarovski and Zeiss side by side. All were comparable, but the Leica's were signicantly smaller. They are definitely easy to stash away than the larger ones.

slammerag said:

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Call sportoptics.com. They will give lower price over phone than they can advertise. I have the 12x50 and 8.5x42's. 8.5x42's have multiple benefits over 10x42 and are best I've ever owned.

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The EL 8.5x42 is one of my two most-used binos, the other being the 8x32 EL SV. I do have the 10x50 EL SV too, but just the 8x's more. In fact, we just got back from a birding trip earlier today, and although I took along two 10x's, I never used them even once.

The 8.5x42 EL is also the best I have ever owned, or used. And I've used just about everything out there.

Good point on the Leica. When I compared them side by with the other alphas, the Leica were my favorite to hold. Excelled ergonomics.

I love the way they feel. Definitely elite, if not better than the other high ends.

My dad also bought a pair in Germany 30 years ago. They are still going strong. This includes countless trips in Alaska, Yukon, and me as a kid throwing them around.

aggie1819 said:

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I went the Leica 10X42 route and am very happy.

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Which model?

10X42 Ultravid HD

aggie1819 said:

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10X42 Ultravid HD

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Thought so. They are around 0.75" shorter in length vs. a 42mm EL.

If it were a Noctivid, you wouldn't have seen any difference.

The Ultravid HD and HD+ handle really nicely.....

arrow said:

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My SLCs are the best outdoor purchase I've ever made. I never looked through the ELs during all the bino field testing I did last year. I imagine they are amazing. The guys at Swarovski NA told said the main difference was the field-flatteners, whereas the SLCs are designed to have a more traditional pin cushion effect. Some reviews claim slightly better light transmission with the SLCs. Buy either with confidence!

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ditto. 15x56 SLC on a manfrotto tripod. Glass for hours.

mt3950 said:

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Thanks to you both for the info!! Do either of you guys have a good recommendation on where to purchase these? All of the big box stores seem to have them at the same price. Any reputable online guys that can get them a little cheaper?

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If you still need to find a good dealer, post your email here and I can send you a message about the dealer I use for Swarovski purchases.

I've used binos for years, starting with the wonderful old version they gave us in the Army.

I currently have the Swarovski EL 8.5 x 42. Best binoculars I've ever owned. I research like crazy before spending that kind of money. It appears the general consensus of reviewers is that these are the best. However, there is very little difference, in my opinion, between Swaro, Leica, and Zeiss. I also have a pair of the top end Zeiss glasses that i've now given to one of my kids.

I think the biggest difference for me (and all eyes are different) was that when I looked through the Swaros it was slightly brighter and the image brightness filled the entire eyepiece. Just a little more than the Zeiss.

Bottom line, if you find a good deal with any of the three Alphas, you'll probably be very happy.

8.5's have better light transmission and FOV. I feel they have better eye relief. Research led me to the 8.5's

Caladan

Would like to hear who your Swarovski dealer is. I have 10 yr old SLC 10x42. Wanting to upgrade to EL. On the fence about 8.5x42 vs 10x42. Have considered the Leica but also have two Swarovski scopes maybe it wouldn't matter though. Email is my user name @hotmail.com

ldg397 said:

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Caladan

Would like to hear who your Swarovski dealer is. I have 10 yr old SLC 10x42. Wanting to upgrade to EL. On the fence about 8.5x42 vs 10x42. Have considered the Leica but also have two Swarovski scopes maybe it wouldn't matter though. Email is my user name @hotmail.com

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Email sent.

C

Caladan said:

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mt3950 said:

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Thanks to you both for the info!! Do either of you guys have a good recommendation on where to purchase these? All of the big box stores seem to have them at the same price. Any reputable online guys that can get them a little cheaper?

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If you still need to find a good dealer, post your email here and I can send you a message about the dealer I use for Swarovski purchases.

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Yes please. Thanks!

Yukonmedical at g mail

mt3950 said:

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Caladan said:

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mt3950 said:

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Thanks to you both for the info!! Do either of you guys have a good recommendation on where to purchase these? All of the big box stores seem to have them at the same price. Any reputable online guys that can get them a little cheaper?

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If you still need to find a good dealer, post your email here and I can send you a message about the dealer I use for Swarovski purchases.

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Yes please. Thanks!

Yukonmedical at g mail

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Email sent.

C