Comparable quality glass

[Sled]

I was pretty set on buying swaro's in 10x42 or 8.5 but wanted to ask if there are any comparable brands out there to the SLCs? Just looking for a crisp image with low CA that lets in light similar to the the slc. I may still end up with those or even some ELs but want to track down some options before committing.

 

[Xlr8n]

Kowa Genesis, Meopta Meostars, Nikon Monarch HG's, Mavens B's, Zeiss Conquests, Tract Torics. All just a touch below SLC and falling off in roughly that order. If you don't want to spring for SLC's the next best deal is used Meostars or refurbished Monarch HG's when Nikon's website has them on sale for $499. You won't find any glass near the HG's for $500.

 

[Matt Cashell]

The Meopta Meostar HD is comparable with extremely low CA. The newest SLC may be the slightest touch brighter.

The Nikon Monarch HG is just as bright and sharp, but has a little more CA.

 

[WCB]

For my eyes the Meoptas

 

[elkguide]

Swarovski fan-boy here!!!!
I have both the SLC's and the EL's in 10X42 and love them. My eyes are "maturing" and somedays I'm happy with the EL's and the next day, I'm happier with the SLC's.

As to other options, I like the Meoptas, Leica, Kowa or Maven.
(I know a lot of like Zeiss but they burned me on a repair several years ago and won't get burned twice)

If at all possible, you should try and look through a bunch. I climbed the expensive ladder of "not being able to afford better glass" and I would have been way ahead money wise if I had just spent the money up front and had a pair of lifetime binos.

 

[Matt G.]

The Meopta Meostar HD is comparable with extremely low CA. The newest SLC may be the slightest touch brighter.

The Nikon Monarch HG is just as bright and sharp, but has a little more CA.

Matt have you compared the kowa genesis?

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[handwerk]

The pre HD Leica Trinovids hang right there with the SLC's.

 

[Matt Cashell]

Matt have you compared the kowa genesis?

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Kowa Binoculars - Rokslide

Kowa Binoculars Matt Cashell Kowa 12X50 SV (center), Kowa Genesis 10.5X44 (right), and Meopta Meostar HD (left) Kowa Company Ltd. Of Japan is a large corporation that is involved in a number of business ventures from pharmaceuticals to manufacturing. One area Kowa specializes in is sport optics...

www.rokslide.com

Yes. They are very good, but I prefer the Meopta overall.

 

[JGRaider]

Meostar HD's. I own both that and the SLC's and there's not a nickle's worth of difference between them IMO.

 

[Hoodie]

I haven´t owned SLCs, so I can´t comment there.

In the $1k range the Meostar and Monarch HG are both fantastic. If you´re extremely CA sensitive the Meopta may be the better choice, but the Monarch HG is significantly lighter, slightly brighter to my eyes, and has a fantastic FOV in the 10x42.

I think the refurbished Monarch HGs might be the best bang for buck available in a bino. I got mine for $560 I think.

 

[Mblake0209]

Really wanna get a set of the ELs this year!

 

[gr8fuldoug]

The Kowa Genesis is an amazing optic. If you get one from us and do not agree we will take it back

 

[NeverSummer]

Tract Torics are sweet. I use Swaros at work and cannot really tell the difference, which is crazy.

 

[Sled]

The Kowa Genesis is an amazing optic. If you get one from us and do not agree we will take it back

I like the idea of that but it seems they are enlarging the objective making up for lower light transmission, even though they claim 99%. without being able to put them on a tripod or truck window it would severely limit my late season hunting. also, i'm worried that the extra weight would have me leaving them at home for longer hunts.

Tract Torics are sweet. I use Swaros at work and cannot really tell the difference, which is crazy.

i'd like to check out their new glass but don't know anyone with a set. my only experience is with a tract toric scope that may be the older glass. i bought it for the turrets and modularity. for that it is great. as far as the glass goes, it is neither defecient or exceptional.

i'm surprised to hear they compete with the swarovskis. is this the slc or el and at what power/objective size? my concern is that i'd get a set and their low light performance would not be on par with the swaros. i remember being wowed by a set of 10x42 slc's like no other 10x i've used, but i have not used alpha glass with any regularity. it seemed like i could look into the tree shadows and pick out animals like they had nightlight sitting above them.



one problem i'm up against is that retailers are poorly stocked right now, so comparing two binos side by side is rather difficult. i haven't looked through the el's swarovision to see if the rolling ball effect would bother me but i do often glass some areas quickly by moving grid. for this i really enjoy binos that have more sharpness to the edge. as for the CA, the vortex binos i've used in the past seemed to get worse with age here. i'd guess most higher end binos don't have this issue but it is one that has bothered me in certain conditions.

so that leaves me with what is better or comparable to the SLC's that i've used. My maven B3's have some CA and aren't as sharp to the edge as i'd like but last light is still acceptable. they are 8x30 and great for archery but sometimes lack when looking from 1000yd out to 4 miles. the small size allows me to hold steady with arms tucked in or using the bow/rifle to help at longer distances.
meopta interests me as i like their rifle scopes but i have yet to hold their binos. maybe the cabelas version is more attainable just to get a look at the glass, assuming they really are the same bino just rebranded.

money is of concern but if a used set of slc's or el's are still that much better than the next best thing then that is what i'll do. frankly i'd love to have a set of 8x42 and 10x42 to compliment the spotters that i use late season. one is for the truck only since the weight is noticeable and the other is a compact 11-33 that works well for field use. if the 8x42 alpha glass is just that much better than my mavens then i might run that for a bit with the field spotter until i get more experience behind other top tier binos.

thanks again for all the replies and keep them coming. i really appreciate the experience level here and hope it helps me make a better decision.

 

[bozeman]

Any comparable- nope. Get the SLC HD while you can. Best of luck.

 

[TREE ‘EM]

The more I look through other glass, the more I’m glad I bought my SLC’s 30+ years ago

 

[Sled]

The more I look through other glass, the more I’m glad I bought my SLC’s 30+ years ago

If I could find some 30+ year ago prices then I'd be in business.

 

[sektr]

Haven’t used SLCs but I went from Maven B3s to B1s and noticed a marked improvement. Significantly less CA and glare and a significantly brighter image.

 

[Newtosavage]

To my eyes, Zeiss Conquest HD's are the equal to both pairs of Swaro SLC's I owned. Meostar HD, Razor HD, Monarch HG's are just a hair below. Kowa Genesis may be equal but you pay a big weight penalty.

Everyone's eyes are unique, so don't let anyone decide for you though. You gotta make that call for yourself.

 

[Myronman3]

If I could find some 30+ year ago prices then I'd be in business.

with some of the prices i’ve been seeing lately in the classified section, you have no reason to complain and i’ve NEVER seen a better time to be looking to buy.