Are 16 year old Swarovski binos worth it?

[Blockcaver]

We have 2002 Swaro 10x42ELs that my wife laid claim too and 2012 SV 10x42EL I got as replacements so I had a set as well. The SV are definitely crisper, especially around the edges with the flat field of view. They are also 3 or 4 ounces heavier.

We like and use the '02 versions virtually everyday as they live in her kitchen to glass the mountain behind the house (sheep, deer, bears, chukars). I'd say buy the $1,000 pair. 8.5X is a very useful power. You won't regret it! Good luck!

 

[lawbu]

I just bought a pair of 2001 or 2002 8.5x42 EL's for $1,200 and they are great glass. I compared them with my buddy's 8.5x42 EL HD's and they are very similar. Great glass. I'd buy them for $1,000 all day long!

 

[270quest]

Just picked up a like new pair of 2006 EL 10X42's for $1200 - cant wait for them to get here.

 

[PAbow84]

Buy them. Worst case scenario, you regret the purchase and you can sell them rather easily on here.

 

[Trial153]

I wouldn't pay a grand for 15 year old els when you can get SLC for 1500 also new or new

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[AK Troutbum]

I totally agree with that 99% of what’s already been said here.


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[GCC79]

My main binoculars are a pair of 2005 10x42 EL's. They still work great. I would like to get a pair of 15's soon and will be looking at used ones if possible.

 

[Myronman3]

i have a pair of older 10x42s, and a 2 year old set of 10x42s, and the difference between the two is small. Biggest difference? The price. After having them side by side, and trying to decide if the newer pair was worth the extra cash.....in all honesty, i’d say no. But until i had them side by side to compare, i couldnt have answered that.

Would i jump on a pair of 8x42 els for 1000? I’d be on that like a duck on a june bug. Quicker than a jackrabbit on a blind date.

 

[gibbons025]

How did it go , did you buy them ? I just bought a pair of Swarovski 10X42 EL made in 2004 , sent them in for a service and they replaced the armor , all new glass and new focus. They look just like they were from the factory.

 

[Myronman3]

How did it go , did you buy them ? I just bought a pair of Swarovski 10X42 EL made in 2004 , sent them in for a service and they replaced the armor , all new glass and new focus. They look just like they were from the factory.

so, was it worth it?

 

[gibbons025]

All I can say is amazing. Seeing this post and reading it made me jump on the pair I was watching. I have a pair of Leupold McKinley 8X42 HDs that they discontinued and of course they blow them out of the water. The Swarovski service was awesome to deal with , they answered all of my questions and had the binoculars back in less then a week with a expedited fee which I was glad to pay . Like I said before they replaced almost everything on the set , and sent them back with eye covers and a cleaning kit. They should last me the rest of my life as I take care of my equipment. I can see why people call them Alpha glass , they truly are to me.

 

[Myronman3]

The company made a believer out of me. They treated me much the same as you describe. Expensive? Yeah. But buying used, not so much. And if they stand behind them like they do; why wouldnt you?
Buying used alpha glass has allowed me to have stuff way nicer than i could afford otherwise. Maybe i should rephrase that....it takes a lot of the sting out of the purchase price.

 

[Block]

Iv got 2003 10x42 SwarO SLCs and the glass is great. I’ve been looking for the specs as they def feel a touch heavier than the newest SLC rating of 27oz... anyone know if the weight has changed?

 

[alpinemule08]

just compared the old slc 10x42 to the new slc 10x42 to the viper hd 10x42 (made in japan version).
The new slc blew both out of the water..
In short, the vortex viper shocked me taking second place here. MUCH better in low light compared to the old slc. the old slc took 3rd place overall here. not to mention heavier. The old slc was very sharp image in daylight though and had a better feel/ergonomics than the viper. unsure of the age (15+ years old) I would save and go for swaro made after 2015 or go vortex viper. I currently own the vortex viper and newer slc and the vortex viper is a very good value for the dollar.

 

[WoodBow]

I will throw what I bought in for consideration of whether it was a good deal or not. I recently bought a pair of like new condition swaro slc 15x56 wb binos that are 10 years old off of ebay. I paid $1200 and felt like I stole them. Lenses are flawless. They were missing an eye cup and I felt that weighed heavily on the sale price. I contacted swaro and they sent me 2 new eye cups for free.