12x NL Pure vs 10x and 15x binos?

[Clarson757]

Just replied in that other thread. My 8x42NL has no edge clarity issues. Sharp to the outer edge.

I am planning to add either the 12x42 or the 14x52 to supplement the 8x42NL. I briefly had the 12x42NL in the past, and I found it to be very steady when hand-held, and with the forehead rest. Steady enough to read small print from a good bit of distance.

The 12s are great but I think my setup with the 8x and 14x is better for me. I did a thorough cleaning on my 8x today and I’m sure it also didn’t help that I was glassing this morning with a migraine. I’m hoping that the edge clarity on my 8x was just user input and nothing to do with the binos themselves.

 

[Clarson757]

The NL 14s completely take a dump on any current offerings in 15 power. The image and FOV are just insane for a 14.7 power bino. The image side by side even with multiple pairs of NL12s is somehow superior.

They are also lighter in the pack , and while not as durable as my Meopta 15s, they are proving to do well so far in nearly daily use with durability on par with SLC 15s.

The setup for me for 95+% of hunts is going to be very similar to what I’ve used for the last 5 years. Range finding binos in the chest harness and larger binos in the top of pack for quick access onto a tripod.

Last few years has been Meopta 8x50 RF binos paired with Meopta or Swaro 15s. The last 9 months has been Revic BLR10B RF binos with ballistics on board and Swaro NL 14s. The new combo has been nothing short of fantastic and I’d recommend that combo to anybody.

I was torn on the 8 NLs or EL Range. Ultimately, I wanted to maximize the FOV. I’ve never used a range finding bino so it wasn’t really a something I felt was going to be a necessity for me.

I keep the 14s in the factory case from swaro in the pack. It’s been incredible to see the sharpness and level of clarity like you mention. I compared them to Zeiss and Steiner 15x and it’s obvious that the 14x NL are superior in every way.

 

[Tbone26]

I also have been running 8x42 el’s on my chest with 14x52 nl’s. The more I use this combo I dont feel the need to have my spotter. I don’t hunt solo much and typically a buddy always has a spotter or will carry mine for digiscoping. The only upgrade I’m considering is the 8x32 nl’s for a chest rig.

 

[Tahoe1305]

I also have been running 8x42 el’s on my chest with 14x52 nl’s. The more I use this combo I dont feel the need to have my spotter. I don’t hunt solo much and typically a buddy always has a spotter or will carry mine for digiscoping. The only upgrade I’m considering is the 8x32 nl’s for a chest rig.

So this begs the question of a 8x32 and 14 setup. This is appealing to me. I like the weight of my NL12s on my chest. But sneaking down to a 32 bino and having 14s in the bag is appealing.

 

[roweraay]

The 12s are great but I think my setup with the 8x and 14x is better for me. I did a thorough cleaning on my 8x today and I’m sure it also didn’t help that I was glassing this morning with a migraine. I’m hoping that the edge clarity on my 8x was just user input and nothing to do with the binos themselves.

Either way, if you still feel there are edge clarity issues, then just send it in to Swarovski and they bring it back to a pristine state. You should plan for around 6-8 weeks, without the binos, since that's their typical turnaround, when any kind of work is involved.

 

[Clarson757]

Either way, if you still feel there are edge clarity issues, then just send it in to Swarovski and they bring it back to a pristine state. You should plan for around 6-8 weeks, without the binos, since that's their typical turnaround, when any kind of work is involved.

Ya I just had my 12s there and they came back incredibly clean (although nothing was wrong with the glass). I was stuck trying to scout with 6x32 and it was essentially useless.

 

[Clarson757]

So this begs the question of a 8x32 and 14 setup. This is appealing to me. I like the weight of my NL12s on my chest. But sneaking down to a 32 bino and having 14s in the bag is appealing.

I almost went with 32 but came up on a great deal on the 42x8. No complaints, I think if you’re handholding the 32 might be favorable but nearly all my stuff is off a tripod and the wider FOV is what I was chasing. I think 8x is also going to go well in the whitetail woods for me.

 

[Tbone26]

So this begs the question of a 8x32 and 14 setup. This is appealing to me. I like the weight of my NL12s on my chest. But sneaking down to a 32 bino and having 14s in the bag is appealing.

I think the 8x32 would be a nicer hand holding bino and the weight savings would be a bonus. Even better would be a 8x32 nl with RF.

 

[Clarson757]

I think the 8x32 would be a nicer hand holding bino and the weight savings would be a bonus. Even better would be a 8x32 nl with RF.

I kinda want to see an 8x50 NL

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

I kinda want to see an 8x50 NL

An 8x50 NL with reliable range finder and reliable on board ballistics is a dream.

 

[Tahoe1305]

I don’t think I want to sacrifice optics for RF, but yes the 8x32 in RF would be the best complement.

I use 8x32 sig RF now and it’s just fine but no where near my NLs.

 

[Clarson757]

An 8x50 NL with reliable range finder and reliable on board ballistics is a dream.

A man can dream. Who knows I might try to find some el ranges to test out. Always tinkering

 

[Steve O]

42mm NL are so svelte I can’t give a thought to the 32mm. I just picked up some 14x52 and am wishing there were 8x52 to go along with them. Will probably snag the 8x42 to give that combo a try.

I know the RF binoculars are “faster” but I don’t like tying that much money up with rangefinder technology still improving so quickly and they do degrade the image quality. I don’t have a problem grabbing the RF instead of the bino when it is necessary.

 

[Tbone26]

42mm NL are so svelte I can’t give a thought to the 32mm. I just picked up some 14x52 and am wishing there were 8x52 to go along with them. Will probably snag the 8x42 to give that combo a try.

I know the RF binoculars are “faster” but I don’t like tying that much money up with rangefinder technology still improving so quickly and they do degrade the image quality. I don’t have a problem grabbing the RF instead of the bino when it is necessary.

Agreed, I just run the Revic BR4 and have been satisfied.

 

[Clarson757]

42mm NL are so svelte I can’t give a thought to the 32mm. I just picked up some 14x52 and am wishing there were 8x52 to go along with them. Will probably snag the 8x42 to give that combo a try.

I know the RF binoculars are “faster” but I don’t like tying that much money up with rangefinder technology still improving so quickly and they do degrade the image quality. I don’t have a problem grabbing the RF instead of the bino when it is necessary.

Ya you’re going to love the 8/14 combo. I wish there was an 8x50 but the 42s are still incredibly good. I felt like I was looking through 10x.

I have my pair of 12s I’m looking to sell but someone did ask if I’d trade them for 10x42s. I can’t really think of a reason with the setup I have now unless I was just going to take in one pair.

For what it’s worth, I rented a Btx for later this season and I’m going to try and make comparisons between that and the 14x52 NLs. At least from a personal/ practical standpoint. I know the Btx is going to crush the magnification but I’m interested to see if it’s really worth it for what I’m doing.

 

[parshal]

I've been comparing the 12's, 14's, gen 2 Revic, EL Range (10x) and Steiner 1535nm RF for the last week.

The 12's are simply the best all around bino to have for pure binos. One pair of binos to do everything (except range) for the western hunter.

I see no dramatic anything when comparing them to the 14's. View, clarity, definition, low light usage and edge clarity are the same. They have slightly more mirage than the 12's and an imperceptible difference in shake when handheld. It's simply more magnification in a size comparable to most full size binos.

The 14's have just changed the game when it comes to high magnification.

 

[Steve O]

Ya you’re going to love the 8/14 combo. I wish there was an 8x50 but the 42s are still incredibly good. I felt like I was looking through 10x.

I have my pair of 12s I’m looking to sell but someone did ask if I’d trade them for 10x42s. I can’t really think of a reason with the setup I have now unless I was just going to take in one pair.

For what it’s worth, I rented a Btx for later this season and I’m going to try and make comparisons between that and the 14x52 NLs. At least from a personal/ practical standpoint. I know the Btx is going to crush the magnification but I’m interested to see if it’s really worth it for what I’m doing.

BTX is a very specialized piece. I have a 95 BTX. I often think of building a set of 65STS big eyes to replace it (STC are too wide for my eyes) to have the versatility the BTX lacks.

I do not believe I trade out my 12NLs for 8s…they are an awesome all around out west bino when I want to be minimalistic. Definitely want the 8s to pair up with 14s or hunting my home Midwest stuff.

 

[Clarson757]

BTX is a very specialized piece. I have a 95 BTX. I often think of building a set of 65STS big eyes to replace it (STC are too wide for my eyes) to have the versatility the BTX lacks.

I do not believe I trade out my 12NLs for 8s…they are an awesome all around out west bino when I want to be minimalistic. Definitely want the 8s to pair up with 14s or hunting my home Midwest stuff.

I will have to report back when I get the Btx to try out. I hunt western desert stuff and the 8s are great for picking up movement at closer ranges so far. The 14s kill it at the far stuff. The 12s have been and are incredible. Just feel overpowered and underpowered at the same time for where I’m at. I’ll take the 8s to Missouri for whitetail too

 

[neandth]

I generally don't like going over 12x for binos.

I have a pair of Vortex 12x UHD's and the Razor spotter with the 22x mil eyepiece that I take to matches. 12x is wide enough FoV to find targets easily but not so zoomed in you shake all over hell. The 22x with .2 mil reticle is awesome for judging wind (mirage) and sizing/bracketing targets.

 

[TimberHunter]

To close this thread up, I ended up getting meopta 15x B1 plus new for $1049 so I’ll be giving that a try


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