Swaro EL vs NL pure

Ohow

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Joined
Aug 25, 2024
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2
Looking to buy a new set of binos. Currently running 10x42s. Wanting something with a little more range and low light capabilities. With the EL being discontinued and significantly discounted would it be a better choice to go with the EL or is the NL pure that much better? Looking at 12x50 el and 14x52 pures. Will be glassing 400-600 yards.
 

BigAl!

WKR
Joined
Sep 18, 2019
Messages
698
I recently switched from nl 12x42 to el range TA 10x42 for the RF. I don’t miss the nl’s. There’s a difference, but it’s minor to my eyes. The field of view with the nls is unmatched though. The compact size and ergonomics are nice touches too. If those are important to you and the additional cost is no issue, go nl.
 

repins05

WKR
Joined
Aug 29, 2021
Messages
561
I preferred the el glass to nl purses. However, I feel my new 14x52 supersedes both of my other swaros in terms of clarity and visibility in lowlight condition.

Bang for buck ($$$)…… an el around 2k for your glassing range.

Lot of other factors are involved in regard to glassing style and needs but if you are talking dollars and limited budget the el’s are a great value.
 
Joined
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There were, are, and will be screaming deals on used els in the optics classifieds.

The Nls have beat the used el market to an all time low. Look for a set with the outdoorsmans stud and put them on a tripod. I can't believe you will find any more game with a similar power nl than the el at 4-600 yards.
 

Tahoe1305

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Jun 9, 2019
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I compared extensively.

IMO only difference was size and weight. I upgraded but based on that.

This was 12x50 vs 12x42 btw. Suspect the 10x to be similar with a bit less weight difference.
 
OP
O

Ohow

FNG
Joined
Aug 25, 2024
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2
I preferred the el glass to nl purses. However, I feel my new 14x52 supersedes both of my other swaros in terms of clarity and visibility in lowlight condition.

Bang for buck ($$$)…… an el around 2k for your glassing range.

Lot of other factors are involved in regard to glassing style and needs but if you are talking dollars and limited budget the el’s are a great value.
How’s the eye relief on the nl? I wear glasses quite a bit.
 

IdahoBeav

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Jan 29, 2017
Messages
860
I'm glad Swaro finally discounted the ELs. They're a great bino, but they just aren't worth what they were before the NLs arrived. Hopefully, the used market catches on soon.
fb134c92ff5e20c0357acf17f7f4c313.jpg


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bigmike23

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Apr 10, 2020
Messages
146
I upgraded to the NLs only because I found a ridiculous deal on them a couple of years ago at Eurooptics for demo models.
I could never tell a difference in optical quality. However, FOV difference is enormous. ELs feel like looking through a straw once you get used to the NLs. The ergonomics are also vastly more comfortable on the NLs.
IF you can find a deal on NLs, they're worth it.
 

huntnful

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Oct 10, 2020
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2,290
Looking to buy a new set of binos. Currently running 10x42s. Wanting something with a little more range and low light capabilities. With the EL being discontinued and significantly discounted would it be a better choice to go with the EL or is the NL pure that much better? Looking at 12x50 el and 14x52 pures. Will be glassing 400-600 yards.
4-600 yards? I would absolutely avoid either of those optics. That is extremely close range glassing. You should be more focused on FOV than magnification. I would do 10X42 or even 8X42 NL pures. If you're strapped for cash, get the EL 10's.
 
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lets see. you say 1800 for used 12x50 EL's is all they are worth? well then, pony up an additional 1800 for new NL's if you think they are that much better. they ain't 2x better...period. optically, a sliver better, ergo a bit better...FOV much better. better value...that's a no. none of this need apply if you have the extra dough (don't need to hide them from wifey) and are an optics snob.
 

Tahoe1305

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lets see. you say 1800 for used 12x50 EL's is all they are worth? well then, pony up an additional 1800 for new NL's if you think they are that much better. they ain't 2x better...period. optically, a sliver better, ergo a bit better...FOV much better. better value...that's a no. none of this need apply if you have the extra dough (don't need to hide them from wifey) and are an optics snob.
12x42 NLs have hit the classifieds at 2600 in recent weeks. Concur they aren’t twice as good. Also don’t think they are 50% better either….but for the weight savings and ergos at a $800 premium it’s more interesting.
 

IdahoBeav

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Jan 29, 2017
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lets see. you say 1800 for used 12x50 EL's is all they are worth? well then, pony up an additional 1800 for new NL's if you think they are that much better.
Check the classifieds for used EL 12x50s and retail inventory/wait list for the NL 14x52s (msrp a little less than 2x $1800) and let me know what the data indicates buyers are doing.
 
Last edited:

Fritz D

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Dec 21, 2023
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Location
Idaho
Checked with an online optics place that offers a trade-in program. Had them assess my EL 10x50s and they offered me 1000-1100 bucks in trade toward a new NL 12X42?
I was hoping for a bit better but I understand why at this point in time the EL isn’t worth more money?
That being said, I’m gonna keep the EL and look forward to picking up a new 14x52 NL down the Road a bit.
 
Joined
Sep 15, 2020
Messages
679
Checked with an online optics place that offers a trade-in program. Had them assess my EL 10x50s and they offered me 1000-1100 bucks in trade toward a new NL 12X42?
I was hoping for a bit better but I understand why at this point in time the EL isn’t worth more money?
That being said, I’m gonna keep the EL and look forward to picking up a new 14x52 NL down the Road a bit.

I would expect that you can sell a set of 10x50 ELs on here for more than $1000. Swaro dropped the price on those into the mid-2000s right before discontinuing them when they launched the NL 52.
 

MtnSoft

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Joined
Oct 3, 2024
Messages
10
I recently went through this dilemma, comparing the 12x42 nl pures to the 10x42el. I was steadier with the 10 power for hand holding. Glass seemed the same to me. Wasn’t going to step up to the nl pures unless I could make the 12 power work, but the ergonomics did really feel good. But in the end my cheapness won out and purchased the 10x42 with stud from outdoorsmans. The picture is really nice from the backyard and looking forward to getting them on the mountain soon.
 
Joined
Mar 5, 2015
Messages
23
Debating on getting the NL pure. Currently have EL 10x50 and wish they were lighter and fit hands as good as the new NL pure. But don’t know if it’s worth the cost
 

OneH

FNG
Joined
Sep 11, 2024
Messages
32
If you are only glassing out to 400-600 yards you don't really need to spend the money on Swarovskis.

I bought all 7 models of NL Pures and am currently awaiting the last 3 which are both of the new 52s and another 10x42.

I chose the NLs over the ELs due to their massively wide FOVs and all dealers told me their glass are unmatched not even the ELs can touch.

I actually also bought all 4 models of the Skyrover Banner Cloud APOs for less money than one NL Pure.

No the glass isn't the same as the NL Pures but their FOV looks wider than the NL Pures I have now and image quality a little clearer than the Nikon Monarch HGs which I also have and a hair less sharp compared to my SIG Zulu 9s and 10s and Razor UHDs and Maven B2s. Is there such a thing as too bright? The SRBCs are pretty bright in fact much brighter than average IMHO probably due to their massively wide, in fact, currently the widest FOVs in the industry.

What really blows my mind is their wider than NL Pure FOVs and the unbelievably low cost.

I had to send one of the 4 SRBCs in for their lifetime warranty due to factory defects oil droplets inside the lenses while the other 3 are perfect. They sent a prepaid FedEx international return shipping label and turnaround time was two weeks from date I sent them in using their prepaid return shipping label and it would have been more like 6 days but it got held up in customs on their side. They also told me I can send them in for service anytime I want to. I paid full price for all of them for around just under $2300.00 with shipping.

I bought them to use as truck bins so I don't get any of my NLs beat up. They far exceeded my expectations and I really like their sheer lack of CA that really shocked me for a Chinese made bin which have less CA (in fact ZERO CA in most cases) than a lot of my other high end name name brand bins.

I no longer look forward to looking through regular FOV bins as though looking through drinking straws se like tullel vision after using NL Pures and SRBCs.
 

Bugger

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Jul 24, 2024
Messages
155
If you are only glassing out to 400-600 yards you don't really need to spend the money on Swarovskis.

I bought all 7 models of NL Pures and am currently awaiting the last 3 which are both of the new 52s and another 10x42.

I chose the NLs over the ELs due to their massively wide FOVs and all dealers told me their glass are unmatched not even the ELs can touch.

I actually also bought all 4 models of the Skyrover Banner Cloud APOs for less money than one NL Pure.

No the glass isn't the same as the NL Pures but their FOV looks wider than the NL Pures I have now and image quality a little clearer than the Nikon Monarch HGs which I also have and a hair less sharp compared to my SIG Zulu 9s and 10s and Razor UHDs and Maven B2s. Is there such a thing as too bright? The SRBCs are pretty bright in fact much brighter than average IMHO probably due to their massively wide, in fact, currently the widest FOVs in the industry.

What really blows my mind is their wider than NL Pure FOVs and the unbelievably low cost.

I had to send one of the 4 SRBCs in for their lifetime warranty due to factory defects oil droplets inside the lenses while the other 3 are perfect. They sent a prepaid FedEx international return shipping label and turnaround time was two weeks from date I sent them in using their prepaid return shipping label and it would have been more like 6 days but it got held up in customs on their side. They also told me I can send them in for service anytime I want to. I paid full price for all of them for around just under $2300.00 with shipping.

I bought them to use as truck bins so I don't get any of my NLs beat up. They far exceeded my expectations and I really like their sheer lack of CA that really shocked me for a Chinese made bin which have less CA (in fact ZERO CA in most cases) than a lot of my other high end name name brand bins.

I no longer look forward to looking through regular FOV bins as though looking through drinking straws se like tullel vision after using NL Pures and SRBCs.
IMG_5284.jpeg
 

Snowb1rd

FNG
Joined
Sep 6, 2024
Messages
10
Looking to buy a new set of binos. Currently running 10x42s. Wanting something with a little more range and low light capabilities. With the EL being discontinued and significantly discounted would it be a better choice to go with the EL or is the NL pure that much better? Looking at 12x50 el and 14x52 pures. Will be glassing 400-600 yards.
Really recommend getting them both into your hands if possible. Bins can be very subjective as we all know so best bet to try them out and see how they are to YOUR eyes. I have a bit of a problem as I like to spend money so NL Pures for me. My wife and wallet both hate me
 
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