10x42 SLC vs NL Pures

[HighCountryDreamin]

I've got a pair of SLC 10x42 binocs I've been really pleased with over the years. Hearing great things on the NL Pure line and am looking at the 10x42s. Any thoughts on if they're really worth the price to upgrade and that much better than the SLCs in the field?

 

[Turkeygetpwnd38]

They are that much better than the SLCs, but not that much better than ELs. You can find the ELs new for $1800 with some searching.

 

[gr8fuldoug]

If you have a few minutes to give a call, 516-217-1000, it's our pleasure to discuss this with you

 

[Jake Larsen]

I made the swap from SLC to NL last year. It’s not just the clarity, it’s the FOV. If you are someone who spends lots of time behind a tripod, NLs are ridiculous.


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[LaHunter]

They are that much better than the SLCs, but not that much better than ELs. You can find the ELs new for $1800 with some searching.

Have you done an extensive side by side comparison of the EL vs SLCs in field conditions and low light? The reason I ask is that my understanding of the difference between the two models is the ‘Swaro vision’ flattening with the ELs. Reading the specs, the SLCs actually have 91% light transmission vs 90% for the ELs.

 

[Turkeygetpwnd38]

Have you done an extensive side by side comparison of the EL vs SLCs in field conditions and low light? The reason I ask is that my understanding of the difference between the two models is the ‘Swaro vision’ flattening with the ELs. Reading the specs, the SLCs actually have 91% light transmission vs 90% for the ELs.

Yes, had all three models. You aren’t going to notice a difference in 1% light transmission. What you are going to notice is a much more usable field of view and sharper image. The jump from SLC to EL is huge. EL to NL is slight, basically FOV, little less weight, and more ergonomic for some. Where the NL makes the most sense is in the 12x (what I currently use)

 

[HighCountryDreamin]

Yes, had all three models. You aren’t going to notice a difference in 1% light transmission. What you are going to notice is a much more usable field of view and sharper image. The jump from SLC to EL is huge. EL to NL is slight, basically FOV, little less weight, and more ergonomic for some. Where the NL makes the most sense is in the 12x (what I currently use)

Great insight, thank you! Can you elaborate some on what you mean by your statement with "12x"? I've always been a 10x42 guy. What are the benefits and drawbacks between the two (10x vs 12x)?

 

[mainbeam pursuit2]

I've had the SLC's and both 10x, 12x NL's. No doubt the NL's are top of the chain, SLC's are no slouch. I started with the 10x42 SCL's, I liked them a lot. I got a wild hair and a few extra bucks. Went out and bought the 12x42 NL's, they're awesome off a tripod. Not so much for me as I wanted to use them freehanded sometimes. I traded them off for 10x42 NL's, still using them and very happy. To be fair I have 15x56 SLC's that I love on the tripod. Gave the 10x42 SLC's to my son.

 

[Turkeygetpwnd38]

Great insight, thank you! Can you elaborate some on what you mean by your statement with "12x"? I've always been a 10x42 guy. What are the benefits and drawbacks between the two (10x vs 12x)?

Because of the increase of FOV in the NL line, the 12x has the same FOV as most other 10x. Something about the increased FOV makes it easier to hand hold for some when compared to other 12x binoculars.
Don’t get me wrong, it’s still not as steady as 10x and 10x is probably the best choice for all around general use. I went 12x because I was carrying 10x on chest and 15x in pack for several hunts a year, the 12x is a compromise to drop 3lbs from my pack.

 

[HighCountryDreamin]

Thank you, that insight from experience is so much more helpful that I can get just by perusing and comparing specs etc or looking thru at the store. Seems one can't go wrong with Swaros (as it should be w price). Just shopping for now but probably gonna make a decision soon. 'ppreciate ya

 

[TheTone]

I’ll echo what others have said; I’ve had slc’s for a decade or so and spent a little time with a friends nl’s this winter. The only real difference I noticed was the field of view. They may have been a little brighter but it didn’t blow my mind. I was actually a little surprised how well my slc’s compared. I’ll also add my outdoorsmans bino adapter system was way, way better than the swaro one my friend has that fell apart multiple times until we finally lost a couple pieces and couldn’t repair it

 

[nphunter]

The SLC’s are not close to the NL’s, one thing not mentioned is the huge gain in depth of field. The NL blows the SLC out of the water in every category and so does the EL. IMO with the EL’s discounted so much at the moment there is zero reason to even consider the SLC for the price people are getting for them.

Honestly SLC’s sell so well on here you could put yours on here for almost what you can pick up a used set of EL’s for and upgrade for next to nothing. It’s crazy because a few years ago SLC’s were selling for a 1/3 of the cost of EL’s. With the NL’s out the market is flooded with EL’s and you can pick up 10x42’s for $1500 fairly often.

 

[HighCountryDreamin]

Thank you for this! Greatly appreciated, need to put my eyes thru the NL's and make a decision in coming months. A lil worried it'll be a done deal if/when I do lol

 

[JGRaider]

Thank you for this! Greatly appreciated, need to put my eyes thru the NL's and make a decision in coming months. A lil worried it'll be a done deal if/when I do lol

Good luck with your search. If you expect to find more game with the NL's over your SLC's you'll be sadly disappointed though.

 

[HighCountryDreamin]

I just dont agree that the NLs are that much better than the SLCs. The FOV is wider, sure. I cant tell any difference in the FOV between the SLC 10x42 and NL 12x42. The NLs are a better overall bino if youre hunting/birding/astro/etc. But for a hunting bino, I can pick up game and game movement with the SLCs better than NLs. Maybe its my eyes, or I have a really good set of SLCs. I dont know. The greens/browns just pop with the SLC. Its not really close. Ive compared them a lot in that regard, on and off a tripod.

I have 8x32 and 12x42 NLs. And 10x42 SLC. I have no dog in the fight as I own both.

Appreciate your opinion and thoughtful elaboration on this. Thanks!

 

[WBT]

I have SLCs, ELs and Pures. Beyond the glass quality, the Pures are much more ergonomic. They just feel better in my hands.

 

[MC2FS]

I had a pair of 10x42 SLCs for about 3 years and just last year picked up a set of 10x42 ELs. I took about 3 weeks to compare them in varying situations side by side mounted on a tripod and hand holding in the field viewing deer, elk, bear, and glassing for sheds. My eyes could not tell a difference in resolution between the two when looking at game and reading letters as the light got low. The ELs have field flattening lenses which makes the image damn near crystal clear all the way to the edges. The SLCs do have some blurryness that started about 85-90% from the edge in my binos. I could refocus the edges to be clear but the center would be slightly blurry.

That being said, whenever I looked into my SLCs my eyes felt extremely relaxed and I don’t quite get the same feeling with the ELs. The SLCs are more compact and lighter with rubber armor. To me they are the ideal pair of binos for hunting.

I did end up choosing the ELs for the sole fact that the whole image is clear and I like to park my binos on a tripod and crawl around the image picking it apart. You can certainly do that with the SLCs but they loose just a touch of that crystal clear view on the edges and need adjusted more often. It was tough to part with the SLCs.

I did compare some 12x42 NLs and the SLCs in field conditions. I felt the NLs were notable better in resolution and also cutting glare when viewing into shadows. But, I couldn’t replicate it with the ELs. The feeling of better resolution could have been artificial though and just a factor of extra 2 power.

 

[Hatchet Jack]

It’s entirely dependent upon your usage. if you hand hold your binos and glass for a couple minutes while you’re hiking or in the truck the SLCs are perfect. If you live behind your glass on a tripod and hunt expansive broken terrain the EL or NL are worth the cash. The SLCs appear washed out compared with the EL to me. And somehow the NLs are a touch better than the EL. Also, Non field flattened binos drive me nuts now. In my field testing The EL 12x have more field of view in focus than the 10x SLC due to the distortion in the slc.

 

[10ringer]

It wont be game changing but you will “potentially” find more game with the NL’s. I cant tell you how many times I catch something moving right at the edge of my fov. The NL allows me to glass slower and cover a wide area. The 10’s have the wide field of an 8x slc and it’s clearer to the edges. Low light is also better than an slc. Center Resolution is great on all swaro lines. Where the NL jumps ahead in resolution is low light. When viewing across fields under very low light you can still pick out tine count where EL and slc are a bit fuzy. Again, this under extreme low light when scouting. And yes, I’ve had all three together side by side comparing. With NL’s hitting the classifieds around $2,400 it’s a great time to level up!


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[Birderbob]

It wont be game changing but you will “potentially” find more game with the NL’s. I cant tell you how many times I catch something moving right at the edge of my fov. The NL allows me to glass slower and cover a wide area. The 10’s have the wide field of an 8x slc and it’s clearer to the edges. Low light is also better than an slc. Center Resolution is great on all swaro lines. Where the NL jumps ahead in resolution is low light. When viewing across fields under very low light you can still pick out tine count where EL and slc are a bit fuzy. Again, this under extreme low light when scouting. And yes, I’ve had all three together side by side comparing. With NL’s hitting the classifieds around $2,400 it’s a great time to level up!


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I’m looking forward to picking up some NL Pure 10x42 for my birding!!