Binocular question

[Trial153]

I was going to take a look at the Conquests. The Victorys are a bit too much for me... trust me when I say I was really hoping the Razors would have competed with the SLCs just a bit. I may have been able to convince myself to just buy the cheaper ones, but after looking through the Swaros... I can't imagine it getting any better. I'm sure the ELs and some of the other 2k+ binos are better, but at this price point I can't imagine them being $500 or more better. The SLCs are absolutely $500 better than the Razors... actually more IMO.

I agree no comparison between razaors and the SLC. I also think conquest HD are way better then razors as well. Owning both both at same time I found the conquest were way brighter/ clearer glassing into shaded areas. I also felt that the conquest Focused quicker with a less sloppy adjustment.
I ended up moving the razors and keeping the conquest.

 

[mtfallon]

I have the Conquest 8x42 and they are my first pair of good bino's, I upgraded from Diamondbacks and oh my are they an improvement! I've never looked through Swaro's but I would recommend checking out the Conquests before you make your decision.

 

[Trial153]

Coming from someone that owns SLC and ELs I really believe that the best bang for your buck is Conquest HD's. Not taking anything away Swarovski and also the Victories I used ...just coming at things a pure value stand point.

 

[JeffRaines]

I will go check out the Conquests then.

 

[dotman]

Conquest HD's are good, used them since they came out but to my eyes they aren't in the same league as the swaro EL's. But we all have different eyes and the Conquest HD is a great bino.

 

[rileybassman]

Love my Conquests - only compared at stores, so it is not completely fair, but the Swaro's and the Meostar's are a little better - but not much and I like the form factor and feel of the conquests more. Plus a great warranty.

 

[CorbLand]

Conquest HD's are good, used them since they came out but to my eyes they aren't in the same league as the swaro EL's. But we all have different eyes and the Conquest HD is a great bino.

Els are going to to beat conquest everyday of the week but we are talking SLCs not Els here.

 

[eagle#eyes]

Conquest's are a great "bargain" (if you can call it that) for top tier glass but not the super high price but they aren't the new swaro hd's. the meopta/cabelas euro hd's are worth a look as well.

 

[JeffRaines]

Els are going to to beat conquest everyday of the week but we are talking SLCs not Els here.

Yeah ELs are more than I'm willing to spend. I can't see how the ELs could possibly be $1k 'better' than the SLCs. I don't even know how you get better than those. I think I'll go check out the Conquests side by side with the SLCs tomorrow... at least one of my local big box places say they have them both in stock.

Who knows, maybe I'll do something similar to that guy awhile back that bought 4 or 5 and took them into the field to try out for a few weeks and returned all but one. I doubt I'll have 4 or 5 but if you guys aren't kidding, it'll probably be between the SLCs and the Conquests. If I recall correctly, the SLCs are the ones he kept.

Maybe field time would make a big difference, or lessen the differences between them.

 

[stephen b]

Yeah ELs are more than I'm willing to spend. I can't see how the ELs could possibly be $1k 'better' than the SLCs......

There not. And I have had both versions in a couple of different sizes. And have spent hours, and hours for a number of weeks doing side by side glassing. For sharpness (apparent resolution of details); clarity; colors; low light, you name the optical test- the SLC HD glass hangs completely with the EL's. EL's have the flat field ( with also the slight negative that that can have with some- although I was OK with it); but the SLC FOV is pretty darn clear very close to the edge. I still own the SLC HD, and I am plenty happy with them.

You can pick up near new ones and demos for close to what the Conquest's run- and that is a good deal. The Conquests are pretty nice glass (I have owned some before)- but they are not quite the same as the Swaro's. Heck, they are not even top tier for Zeiss.

Side note- You have looked through the SLC's and were very happy with them. If after doing the side by side you still like them, and can swing paying for them, I would just get those. You will never second guess your choice then. They can be a once and done purchase.

Good luck and have fun

 

[dotman]

Also keep an eye out for Demo's! Natchezss seems to always have smoking deals as does Red Hawk rifles. Another good place is SWFA sample list. You can get really good savings but also Swaro has a sweet deal going until the end of the month, Cameralandny posted up their sale prices so now is a great time to get some smokin good deals.

An advantage the SLC has is the ability to put on a bino mount yourself, the EL has to be sent off and pressed in.

 

[jlrichesin]

TRACT TORIC line

Do not overlook the TRACT Toric at Hunting Binoculars | TRACT. I just got these (10x42) on Monday and I am not kidding, you will not find a better pair of optics for the price.

They only sell direct, cutting out the middle men allowing for high quality glass at a way lower price. You will not be disappointed. No, I do not work for them. I am a very satisfied customer.


Josh

 

[Larry Bartlett]

the only thing i could add is the splitting hairs argument for EL over the SLC, owning both. I notice the quality difference in very specific environments and weather scenarios. Foggy moist environments and high heat...the ELs pull up the slack.

I'm not a huge "savings" gear head, when it serves my performance i somehow manage to justify the cost. In this case spending more than $1K difference, i'm still extremely happy with the ELs and appreciate the investment only when it counts.

 

[HookUp]

the only thing i could add is the splitting hairs argument for EL over the SLC, owning both. I notice the quality difference in very specific environments and weather scenarios. Foggy moist environments and high heat...the ELs pull up the slack.

I'm not a huge "savings" gear head, when it serves my performance i somehow manage to justify the cost. In this case spending more than $1K difference, i'm still extremely happy with the ELs and appreciate the investment only when it counts.

Thanks for your input Larry. I was in some heavy fog last year on an elk hunt and my Nikon bino's could not sort out the coloration differences between the elk and the sage brush they were bedded in. Needless to say I am using EL's for the reason you mentioned.

 

[stephen b]

the only thing i could add is the splitting hairs argument for EL over the SLC, owning both. I notice the quality difference in very specific environments and weather scenarios. Foggy moist environments and high heat...the ELs pull up the slack.......

Not trying to really question your experience; but.... I have tested and glassed with both the SLC and EL in all sorts of conditions and light. And you do not get more "foggy and moist" than in western Oregon and Washington; and it does not get much more hot and dry than in the high desert in Eastern Oregon in mid August while glassing antelope and early season Mule deer. And, I cannot seem to fathom what you are talking about as far as those conditions affecting and making a difference between these two Swaro binoculars. Because that has not been my experience at all. The SLC works every bit as well as the EL in picking apart the shadows and working as well in very foggy environments. As long as you can see through it and are not affected by a density that makes glassing impossible- the SLC is as up for the task as the EL. If anything the SLC may even be a smidge brighter. I do believe that Swarovski states that it's light transmission is ever so slightly higher and was designed with hunters in mind. That may be truly splitting hairs- because both are plenty bright enough.

It should just come down to purely personal preferences, because both are up to the task for any modern glassing demands. And it is good we have choices.

 

[JeffRaines]

So I got a chance to check out all three side by side. I had an issue getting the diopter on the Conquests adjusted properly... I was trying to get it adjusted for the entire time I was comparing but I could never get it perfect. With that said, the glass is definitely better than the Razor HD, but, the SLC still wins. I think it was clearer and brighter than the other two still.

If it weren't for the diopter issues I might consider them a little more, but that was the nail in the coffin. Again, it was like looking through nice binoculars, really nice binoculars, and actually being there.

 

[CorbLand]

So I got a chance to check out all three side by side. I had an issue getting the diopter on the Conquests adjusted properly... I was trying to get it adjusted for the entire time I was comparing but I could never get it perfect. With that said, the glass is definitely better than the Razor HD, but, the SLC still wins. I think it was clearer and brighter than the other two still.

If it weren't for the diopter issues I might consider them a little more, but that was the nail in the coffin. Again, it was like looking through nice binoculars, really nice binoculars, and actually being there.

This right here is why its a good idea to look through them before purchasing. I have heard a couple different people complain about the same problem on Conquests, it must be a personal thing because I don't have that problem at all. SLCs are a great pair and you won't regret purchasing them.

 

[AGPank]

There is a great deal on SLC HD here in the classifieds, then look at Natchez.

 

[JeffRaines]

There is a great deal on SLC HD here in the classifieds, then look at Natchez.

Link to thread?

 

[7-Pointers]

This is how opening a thread costs you $2k....I never should have clicked.