Swarovski binos choice

[davidinoregon]

Hello all,

I currently have the NL Pure 10x32 and love them. They work best for all around for hunting in western oregon. I am looking for a higher magnification pair to add for looking at bear and antelope.

I can can get a pair of SLC 15x56 for $1,800 or a pair of NL Pure 14x52 for $3,100. This pair would not be used as much. I know the Pure is amazing but is it worth paying $1,300 more?


Thoughts?

Thanks,
David

 

[IdahoBeav]

The 14x Pure is absolutely worth the price over the SLCs. I have a pair of the NL 14x and plan on buying a pair of the 8x42 for a full time chest rig. The 14 is really only usable on a tripod. If you're looking to save money, I think your best bet would be to sell the NL 10 and buy a pair of NL 12 for all your bino needs.

 

[Maddog58]

I would vote for the 12x Pures too. They’re amazing

 

[davidinoregon]

Thank you guess. I appreciate the input. I have the smaller pair for the thick Oregon coast range. I think they are the best for me to pursue blacktail deer and Roosevelt elk.

I am looking for advice on a second pair.

 

[KenLee]

The 14x Pure is absolutely worth the price over the SLCs. I have a pair of the NL 14x and plan on buying a pair of the 8x42 for a full time chest rig. The 14 is really only usable on a tripod. If you're looking to save money, I think your best bet would be to sell the NL 10 and buy a pair of NL 12 for all your bino needs.

8x42 is the ultimate size and magnification

 

[Maddog58]

I’ve had the15x and 12x. I prefer the 12x for long range glassing plus they can be hand held. I also have 10x EL’s and I find myself using the 12x most of the time

 

[WeiserBucks]

I use NL 14's for everything. The country I hunt consists of 98% tripod glassing and the occasional hand holding them for a quick check of something I saw with the naked eye. It's not for everyone but it works great for me and my style of hunting.

 

[Whitefox82]

If they don’t get used as much as your 10x32 then save the money, get the slc.

 

[Browninglover1]

If they're not your primary optic, I'd probably save the money and go with the SLC. I hadn't used my 15x SLC in a while, and when I pulled them back out I remembered why I love them.

The NL Pure is a different viewing experience and side by side the increase in performance is definitely noticeable compared to the SLC. However, when used on their own I had ZERO wants from my 15x. If you have something else you can spend $1300 on that would provide more joy, I'd opt for the SLC. If you're the guy that's going to be upset knowing you don't have the absolute best bino available, then spend the extra $1300 and get the 14X NL Pure and never have to question it.

 

[primal.wanderings]

I have 8x42 and 10x42 SLCs as well as the 10x42 NLs. I bought the NLs just cuz I wanted to experience them, and yes they are the best. But they don’t make a difference as far as helping me find game, the SLCs are fantastic. Like the above post, I’d get the SLCs if you have something else you can spend $1300 on (like hunting tags). However if you want the best just so you don’t get FOMO then get the NLs.

 

[Kurts86]

The NL 14’s save almost a half pound over the SLC 15’s which means they make the cut into the pack way more often. I love my 15x SLC’s but the weight savings is significant.

 

[Blake C]

SLC is not worth the money. The best Mavens are better for less money.
Nl pure is king. Definitely worth it. But if you look through them and can't see a difference, then don't bother

 

[Maddog58]

Earlier last year Natchezz had a demo pair of NL Pures 14x for $2800. If you’re going to buy call Cameraland and they will give you the best price for sure. I bought my NL 12x from them at a great price

 

[StupidLightweight]

I was a diehard Swaro guy for over a decade, but if I were rearming my bino repertoire tomorrow, I'd go a different route, especially in Western Oregon or Washington, which is where I grew up.

Chest Bino: Kowa BDII 6.5x32 XD
This is an alpha-quality 6.5X for sub-$400. I recently got one to see what all the buzz is about, and now I get it. Set the focus at 50 yards, and you will enjoy a super wide, crystal clear field of view from there to infinity. For the money, it's the best optical value I've seen, but it goes beyond that. This is the finest sub-8X bino I've seen regardless of cost.

Big Eyes: SIG ZULU6 HDX Pro 14x50mm
As a binoholic, it annoys me to say this, but image stabilization (IS) transforms decent optics into superior tools for spotting game than even the best traditional optics can offer. SIG's line of IS binos have lots of quirks, but when it comes to stable viewing, they perform. I once used a set in the back of a moving high rack in Texas and spotted game with ease on roads so rough that I could barely stand. It is incredible technology.

Between the two, you get a light and handy bino that excels from beyond eyesight distance to a half-mile or so as well as a stabilized 14X that offers tripod-level stability for longer distance or studying animal size. The cool part is the total price for these two is under $2,000.

 

[Blake C]

Used market

 

[dreamingWest]

I think the absolute best Swaro combo for 90% of western hunting would be the 14x52 NL on tripod with 8x32 EL TA Range on chest.

I own neither, haha. Too many other optics at the moment. I love my 15x56 SLC. They are a really nice complement to my 10x42 SLC. That said, I can't help but want to trade up to the 14 for that extra FOV. I'd probably go ahead and spend the extra since you already know you love the NLs and don't already own the 15s.

 

[StupidLightweight]

I think the absolute best Swaro combo for 90% of western hunting would be the 14x52 NL on tripod with 8x32 EL TA Range on chest.

This would be a fantastic combo, especially if you need LRF binos.

 

[Joe Malloch]

Can the 12 x 42 NL Pures be handheld relatively easily or is it a case where they can be handheld
but you need to be leaning against something? Just asking because I am planning a 2027 Mule deer hunt in the prairies of Alberta and I want to avoid bringing a tripod if I can.

 

[WeiserBucks]

Can the 12 x 42 NL Pures be handheld relatively easily or is it a case where they can be handheld
but you need to be leaning against something? Just asking because I am planning a 2027 Mule deer hunt in the prairies of Alberta and I want to avoid bringing a tripod if I can.

They can be handheld briefly for a quick look at something but they were born for tripod use.

 

[StupidLightweight]

I agree. You can, but you really shouldn’t freehand 12X. On a tripod, these are perfection.