I feel the hinge design is better in the ELs and they are also able to focus to a closer distance. For me it really came down to feel, ELs just felt better in my hand. Optically I don't know that you would see a major difference.
Are you going to be running and gunning with them? If weight isn't a major issue then the 10x50 els wouldn't be out of consideration either.
If you bought them six years ago, I don't believe you got the field flattener lenses, you have the regular EL not the EL SVI looked through both of them when I purchased the ELs. I thought the field flattener lenses were well worth the extra. I did purchase mine 6 years ago, I'm not sure if there has been any more updates to either model since then.
Kody,
I like the SLCs and Swarovski designed them with hunters in mind. The SLC design is optimized for contrast in low light (for hunters) while the ELs are optimized for color fidelity (for birders). If you spend a bunch of time staring at the edges, or birding, or looking at butterflies where the close focus comes in handy, or just prefer the EL view, then the ELs may be the choice for you.
wyodan,
If your ELs are six years old, then there have been major changes to the EL since then, including the addition of "Swarovision" field flatteners in the eyepiece design and flourite glass ("HD") in the objective assembly. I believe the new versions came to the US market in 2010. Your ELs are likely the previous generation, which are still awesome, although they lack the flatteners or HD. I have the 8X32 previous generation EL myself, and like it a lot.
In any case, the SLC and EL are still flagship models from one of the very best companies.
If you bought them six years ago, I don't believe you got the field flattener lenses, you have the regular EL not the EL SV
There is a 1% percent difference in light transmission, not even perceptable to the human eye. So while you are correct that they do better in low light, it would probably take a machine to actually show a difference.Kody,
I like the SLCs and Swarovski designed them with hunters in mind. The SLC design is optimized for contrast in low light (for hunters) while the ELs are optimized for color fidelity (for birders). If you spend a bunch of time staring at the edges, or birding, or looking at butterflies where the close focus comes in handy, or just prefer the EL view, then the ELs may be the choice for you.
wyodan,
If your ELs are six years old, then there have been major changes to the EL since then, including the addition of "Swarovision" field flatteners in the eyepiece design and flourite glass ("HD") in the objective assembly. I believe the new versions came to the US market in 2010. Your ELs are likely the previous generation, which are still awesome, although they lack the flatteners or HD. I have the 8X32 previous generation EL myself, and like it a lot.
In any case, the SLC and EL are still flagship models from one of the very best companies.
I noticed this in the store while looking at things very close, but I have never seen it while in the open.BTW, a small percentage of people notice the "globe effect" (or "rolling ball") when panning with the super flat field of the SVs, so try before you buy.
http://www.holgermerlitz.de/globe/distortion.html
I noticed it pretty strongly when I originally used SVs, but the last few times I haven't noticed it at all. The brain adapts it seems.
That right there, is the biggest argument that can be made.I would take the SLC's everytime! I do get the globe affect very badly. But even if I didn't it would still be the SLC's. Put the extra money towards a kick ass spotter or other hunting needs.
There is a 1% percent difference in light transmission, not even perceptable to the human eye. So while you are correct that they do better in low light, it would probably take a machine to actually show a difference.
There is more dioptemetric correction in the EL (more range of focus for the right eye) and better eye relief. SLCs also use cheaper eye pieces.
Color fidelity is important in hunting too, since deer/elk aren't colored orange or yellow it's important to be able to pick them out against similarly colored surroundings.
As I stated, you would be happy with either.
However, aside from the miniscule 1% difference in light transmission, don't let anyone fool you into thinking the SLC is in anyway superior to the EL SV