NL Pure 12’s or 14’s

[nphunter]

Curious for those that have owned / own both. I know the 12’s are great, I’ve used them a lot but I also loved my Meopta 15’s. I just sold my 15’s and ATC with the plan to buy a pair of 14’s. I’m a little on the fence, I feel like I’ll still need my 10’s on my chest with the 14’s and in big country I’ll still need my spotter.

Curios what others have done or how they like them. Can they be used on the chest like the 12’s for a Quick Look at an animal or are they too much? I know 12’s and a spotter are pretty nice but I’ve had times where I’d rather be looking through my Meostar 15’s than the NL12’s.

 

[nphunter]

Anyone?

 

[fbhandler]

Kinda went down the same road myself recently…

I think if you were to only have one do it all bino for out west the 12x42nls or 12x50els are the best compromise of magnification/fov, size/weight, and usefulness on a tripod. That said, I went with 14x52s and 10x42s nls and think for my uses this is the most versatile over all “set up” albeit expensive.

I always carry a spotter and found for me that no binoculars can ultimately take their place. So with that, and preferring to glass from binos on a tripod and not wanting to carry 2 pairs of binoculars and a spotter, but wanting the highest magnification binos to glass from, I choose the 14s.

I can handhold them well enough that I don’t feel like I need a smaller pair as well. They carry nice in the bino harness (size/weight/form factor) and being nls (larger fov) the 14s effectively do everything the 12x50els can do, only a bit better.

The 10x42s will be used for lower mag/lighter weight situations (back east/heading into known thick timber/etc.). 8x42s would work well here I think, but I opted for a little higher mag as they’ll still end up on a tripod. I also have the option that “if” I needed to have 10s on the chest but also wanted the higher mag. then I still could pack the bigger binos and spotter but at an even lower weight and volume of the carrying 15s.

To summarize though… if your not set on glassing with 15s (or similar mag) and only want one pair of binos or can only afford one pair for use in the mountain west, the 12s in either the els or nls (edge going to the 12x50els) I think would be the best do it all bino. The 14s are awsome but I wouldn’t want them as my only option, and to me having 12s and 14s just didn’t make a lot of sense.

 

[nphunter]

Kinda went down the same road myself recently…

I think if you were to only have one do it all bino for out west the 12x42nls or 12x50els are the best compromise of magnification/fov, size/weight, and usefulness on a tripod. That said, I went with 14x52s and 10x42s nls and think for my uses this is the most versatile over all “set up” albeit expensive.

I always carry a spotter and found for me that no binoculars can ultimately take their place. So with that, and preferring to glass from binos on a tripod and not wanting to carry 2 pairs of binoculars and a spotter, but wanting the highest magnification binos to glass from, I choose the 14s.

I can handhold them well enough that I don’t feel like I need a smaller pair as well. They carry nice in the bino harness (size/weight/form factor) and being nls (larger fov) the 14s effectively do everything the 12x50els can do, only a bit better.

The 10x42s will be used for lower mag/lighter weight situations (back east/heading into known thick timber/etc.). 8x42s would work well here I think, but I opted for a little higher mag as they’ll still end up on a tripod. I also have the option that “if” I needed to have 10s on the chest but also wanted the higher mag. then I still could pack the bigger binos and spotter but at an even lower weight and volume of the carrying 15s.

To summarize though… if your not set on glassing with 15s (or similar mag) and only want one pair of binos or can only afford one pair for use in the mountain west, the 12s in either the els or nls (edge going to the 12x50els) I think would be the best do it all bino. The 14s are awsome but I wouldn’t want them as my only option, and to me having 12s and 14s just didn’t make a lot of sense.

Thanks, I have Razor 10’s which are great for walking around still hunting. I just sold Meostar 15’s and a ATC. I still have my S2 spotter, I just don’t know if the 12’s are going to make me happy in big country on a tripod, I know the 14’s would be better almost everywhere on the tripod.

I don’t think the 14’s will be great on chest but most of my hunting I don’t use my chest binos for much other than a quick glance. If i were hunting tight or thick country I could always just carry my 10’s. However even in bigger country the FOV difference is pretty significant between the 12 and 14.

12’s will also cost me $1K less, defiantly have some thinking to do.

 

[fbhandler]

edited… accidental post

 

[Fritz D]

These comments make me think that Swarovski should consider a 12x52 NL Pure.

 

[Nate D]

Thanks, I have Razor 10’s which are great for walking around still hunting. I just sold Meostar 15’s and a ATC. I still have my S2 spotter, I just don’t know if the 12’s are going to make me happy in big country on a tripod, I know the 14’s would be better almost everywhere on the tripod.

I don’t think the 14’s will be great on chest but most of my hunting I don’t use my chest binos for much other than a quick glance. If i were hunting tight or thick country I could always just carry my 10’s. However even in bigger country the FOV difference is pretty significant between the 12 and 14.

12’s will also cost me $1K less, defiantly have some thinking to do.

Just curious if you went with the 12s or the 14s. I am going back and forth with this. They will not be my on the chest bino and will be used on a tripod 95% of the time. As you mentioned the FOV is what has me still on the 12s but the 14s FOV is not to bad for high power. I appreciate any opinions or insights.

 

[nphunter]

Just curious if you went with the 12s or the 14s. I am going back and forth with this. They will not be my on the chest bino and will be used on a tripod 95% of the time. As you mentioned the FOV is what has me still on the 12s but the 14s FOV is not to bad for high power. I appreciate any opinions or insights.

The 14’s can be handheld almost as easily as the 12’s, they are similar in size to the 12’s and fit inside my regular size bino chest harness which is a Kuiu large. I didn’t think I would use them as a chest bino coming from Meopta 15’s but they are so much smaller, lighter and have such a larger FOV that I will defiantly keep them on my chest when hunting big country and will keep my spotter in the pack.

I have a cheaper pair of Vortex 12’s that I keep on my desk at work and the 14’s are way better at hand holding than the lesser quality and small FOV 12’s.

I glass on most hunts a lot but I am only hand holding if I need to check out something close quick. Our typical hunt style is walking to a glassing spot and sitting with a tripod. Even elk hunting the only time I’m glassing is from a tripod unless I see them moving through the timber in which case the 14’s are fine for a quick glance.

The only time I usually carry binos during elk season is if we are in big country in which case I’ll take a tripod and a spotter too. For thick timber hunting I normally just take my range finder which has 7x and works fine for a Quick Look.

I also hunt in the sage for deer and elk now and then and in the open country big binos are awesome. When your looking for deer or elk bedded in deep sage you need the extra zoom and a lot of times a spotter is just too much and regular bino is not enough.

To me the 12’s are a good all around but honestly are not great anywhere. They give up too much magnification to 14, 15 or 18’s and don’t handhold like a 8 or 10. Kind of just decent all around. Whereas the 14’s are great for big country or even picking apart close stuff for antler tips or sheds and in big open country you can still hand hold them for a glance. I also didn’t buy the forehead rest so it’s probably better with that.

 

[Nate D]

The 14’s can be handheld almost as easily as the 12’s, they are similar in size to the 12’s and fit inside my regular size bino chest harness which is a Kuiu large. I didn’t think I would use them as a chest bino coming from Meopta 15’s but they are so much smaller, lighter and have such a larger FOV that I will defiantly keep them on my chest when hunting big country and will keep my spotter in the pack.

I have a cheaper pair of Vortex 12’s that I keep on my desk at work and the 14’s are way better at hand holding than the lesser quality and small FOV 12’s.

I glass on most hunts a lot but I am only hand holding if I need to check out something close quick. Our typical hunt style is walking to a glassing spot and sitting with a tripod. Even elk hunting the only time I’m glassing is from a tripod unless I see them moving through the timber in which case the 14’s are fine for a quick glance.

The only time I usually carry binos during elk season is if we are in big country in which case I’ll take a tripod and a spotter too. For thick timber hunting I normally just take my range finder which has 7x and works fine for a Quick Look.

I also hunt in the sage for deer and elk now and then and in the open country big binos are awesome. When your looking for deer or elk bedded in deep sage you need the extra zoom and a lot of times a spotter is just too much and regular bino is not enough.

To me the 12’s are a good all around but honestly are not great anywhere. They give up too much magnification to 14, 15 or 18’s and don’t handhold like a 8 or 10. Kind of just decent all around. Whereas the 14’s are great for big country or even picking apart close stuff for antler tips or sheds and in big open country you can still hand hold them for a glance. I also didn’t buy the forehead rest so it’s probably better with that.

How is the FOV on the 14s in the field. I know the spec but in the field use is more important. I have the NL pure 8x for the chest and deep woods (PNW). Do you think I would be wanting something in between 14 and 8s. It seems to me the 8s and 14s would cover the widest range of scenarios with the fewest gaps.

 

[nphunter]

How is the FOV on the 14s in the field. I know the spec but in the field use is more important. I have the NL pure 8x for the chest and deep woods (PNW). Do you think I would be wanting something in between 14 and 8s. It seems to me the 8s and 14s would cover the widest range of scenarios with the fewest gaps.

Better than I expected it to be coming from Meostar 15's. I planned on using them as a backpack bino but have been running them on my chest and glassing with them. I think 8 and 14's would be a great setup on the coast. I hunt the Eagle Caps and still need a spotter even with big binos. I will be archery hunting blacktails this fall and will probably only carry these and my spotter and leave the 10's in the truck, anything too close for these I can use my 7x Razor rangefinder.

 

[Nate D]

Better than I expected it to be coming from Meostar 15's. I planned on using them as a backpack bino but have been running them on my chest and glassing with them. I think 8 and 14's would be a great setup on the coast. I hunt the Eagle Caps and still need a spotter even with big binos. I will be archery hunting blacktails this fall and will probably only carry these and my spotter and leave the 10's in the truck, anything too close for these I can use my 7x Razor rangefinder.

Thank you that is great insight. I don’t think I would be able to hold them steady enough to leave the 8’s. I tend to shake a bit more as I age. I currently use the Kowa 6.5x32 on my chest. The difference in shake to my 10s is very evident. They are nice little binos for what they are but left me wanting a little more in edge to edge clarity. Again thank you for the response. I’m definitely leaning towards the 14s to pair with my 8s.

 

[Nate D]

The 14’s can be handheld almost as easily as the 12’s, they are similar in size to the 12’s and fit inside my regular size bino chest harness which is a Kuiu large. I didn’t think I would use them as a chest bino coming from Meopta 15’s but they are so much smaller, lighter and have such a larger FOV that I will defiantly keep them on my chest when hunting big country and will keep my spotter in the pack.

I have a cheaper pair of Vortex 12’s that I keep on my desk at work and the 14’s are way better at hand holding than the lesser quality and small FOV 12’s.

I glass on most hunts a lot but I am only hand holding if I need to check out something close quick. Our typical hunt style is walking to a glassing spot and sitting with a tripod. Even elk hunting the only time I’m glassing is from a tripod unless I see them moving through the timber in which case the 14’s are fine for a quick glance.

The only time I usually carry binos during elk season is if we are in big country in which case I’ll take a tripod and a spotter too. For thick timber hunting I normally just take my range finder which has 7x and works fine for a Quick Look.

I also hunt in the sage for deer and elk now and then and in the open country big binos are awesome. When your looking for deer or elk bedded in deep sage you need the extra zoom and a lot of times a spotter is just too much and regular bino is not enough.

To me the 12’s are a good all around but honestly are not great anywhere. They give up too much magnification to 14, 15 or 18’s and don’t handhold like a 8 or 10. Kind of just decent all around. Whereas the 14’s are great for big country or even picking apart close stuff for antler tips or sheds and in big open country you can still hand hold them for a glance. I also didn’t buy the forehead rest so it’s probably better with that.

I just ordered the 14s to go with the 8s. With my compact spotter this should be a great 3 piece combo. I’m stoked. Thanks for the advice, it was very helpful in my decision making process.

 

[nphunter]

I just ordered the 14s to go with the 8s. With my compact spotter this should be a great 3 piece combo. I’m stoked. Thanks for the advice, it was very helpful in my decision making process.

Good luck, I’m sure your love it! I kept my big spotter and sold my Swaro ATC but I’m using it in big country.

 

[Nate D]

Good luck, I’m sure your love it! I kept my big spotter and sold my Swaro ATC but I’m using it in big country.

Thank you. Big spotter? Hmmm. Back down the rabbit hole I go.

 

[sololearn9]

I don’t have the 12x anymore so can’t compare side by side. I do have the 10x42 and 14x52 NL and really like them.

 

[HuntFishCamp]

I have been contemplating 12s or 14s for a few months but planning to pick up the 14s. Hunting Coues in Sonora 2026. I currently have some viper 10s on my chest. Will hopefully upgrade those in the future to a 8-10x LRF or IS… Or a combo if that hits the market

 

[Nate D]

I have been contemplating 12s or 14s for a few months but planning to pick up the 14s. Hunting Coues in Sonora 2026. I currently have some viper 10s on my chest. Will hopefully upgrade those in the future to a 8-10x LRF or IS… Or a combo if that hits the market

I am liking the idea of using the 14s on clear cuts. Those black tail just seem to disappear and it’s hard to relocate them with my 10s. Makes me wonder if I have been missing deer that I might pick up with the 14s.

 

[nphunter]

I am liking the idea of using the 14s on clear cuts. Those black tail just seem to disappear and it’s hard to relocate them with my 10s. Makes me wonder if I have been missing deer that I might pick up with the 14s.

When I first bought my Meopta 15's I took them shed hunting to a spot I've been shed hunting for years. The first time I used them I found 11 hard white or chalk sheds that I had been overlooking for years with my 10's and spotter. Even though the spotter is an Alpha the FOV of the spotter just wasn't large enough to cover the area well enough and the 10's couldn't resolve well enough to pick them out at longer distances.

 

[Matt Cashell]

I like the 14x NL as a complement to a 10x best.

The 12x NL is a better compromise for general use than the 14x NL, although I prefer a 10x even more for general use. This is likely because I spend more time with my binocular handheld than not.

For the poster that wanted a 95% tripod 5% handheld binocular the 14x NL is the way to go. It is definitely good enough in the hand for 5% use.

 

[WeiserBucks]

For the poster that wanted a 95% tripod 5% handheld binocular the 14x NL is the way to go. It is definitely good enough in the hand for 5% use.

This is how I use them and it's held me back 0.0% of the time.