Swarovski NL Pure 14X52 Tested and Reviewed

[LostWapiti]

All year I have been carrying the 12x42 NL in my pack in addition to. Good handholding bino which has been either the sig stabilized 10x Kilo 10k. I have been really liking this setup although redundant because the NLs are just so good off the tripod. I feel like these new 14s would be much better for me but the weight gain is significant although a lot better than other options like the old SLC. Do I need to make the switch? How much would these allow me to cut back on carrying a spotter?

 

[westonadkins]

All year I have been carrying the 12x42 NL in my pack in addition to. Good handholding bino which has been either the sig stabilized 10x Kilo 10k. I have been really liking this setup although redundant because the NLs are just so good off the tripod. I feel like these new 14s would be much better for me but the weight gain is significant although a lot better than other options like the old SLC. Do I need to make the switch? How much would these allow me to cut back on carrying a spotter?

This past hunt I chest carried sig zulu6 12s and had the 14s in the pack. I sold my NL 12s to pick up the 14s because I thought it was a little goofy to have two pairs of 12s. That said, my buddy uses that setup and has been happy with it. Hindsight, I'd probably have kept my NL 12s and just added the zulus.

It can be a lot to carry but those 14s on a tripod are really really sweet. I was hoping I wouldn't notice enough of a difference to justify keeping the 14s but that wasn't the case. I have also loved having the zulus for checking stuff walking in, the truck, etc. Been nice to have both.

I don't think they'd allow you to lose the spotter on any hunt you'd otherwise want a spotter. So that's a moot point imo. I went with a mini spotter to justify the extra pair of binos and so far haven't felt handicapped by the mini spotter.


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[LostWapiti]

This past hunt I chest carried sig zulu6 12s and had the 14s in the pack. I sold my NL 12s to pick up the 14s because I thought it was a little goofy to have two pairs of 12s. That said, my buddy uses that setup and has been happy with it. Hindsight, I'd probably have kept my NL 12s and just added the zulus.

It can be a lot to carry but those 14s on a tripod are really really sweet. I was hoping I wouldn't notice enough of a difference to justify keeping the 14s but that wasn't the case. I have also loved having the zulus for checking stuff walking in, the truck, etc. Been nice to have both.

I don't think they'd allow you to lose the spotter on any hunt you'd otherwise want a spotter. So that's a moot point imo. I went with a mini spotter to justify the extra pair of binos and so far haven't felt handicapped by the mini spotter.


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So if you were me you would just keep the 12s?

 

[westonadkins]

So if you were me you would just keep the 12s?

Just saying that the overlap in functionality between the NL 12s and 14s is big, and the 14s are insanely good for distance glassing... But the 12s are right there and there is benefit of smaller form factor and weight.

The zulu6 12s and 14s makes most sense for me and the terrain I seem to hunt, but if you don't want to drop the extra grand on that setup (that's what I'm saying I'm not sure if the cost was worth it at the end of the day), the 12 NLs and the 12 zulus are different enough tools that I don't think you'll be upset you have two pairs of 12s.


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[450Dakota]

Nice review. Thank you.

 

[mountainmystic1]

These would be great for long range viewing. I really enjoy my 8x42NL's

 

[Undrgrndprdcts]

Could a guy get away with only running the 14x52's?

Edit: Currently only have non-swarovski 10x binos and found them to be severely lacking when glassing opposite ridges. Kept thinking I wish I had higher quality 14x or 15x binos. Figure out how to run 14x52's as your only pair or compromise with 12x42? I don't want the weight of 2 pairs.

 

[LostWapiti]

Could a guy get away with only running the 14x52's?

Edit: Currently only have non-swarovski 10x binos and found them to be severely lacking when glassing opposite ridges. Kept thinking I wish I had higher quality 14x or 15x binos. Figure out how to run 14x52's as your only pair or compromise with 12x42? I don't want the weight of 2 pairs.

I use the 12x42 and still carry a 10x42 rangefinding bino. The 12s are just too hard to use off hand and too zoomed in for any glassing under 500 yards or so. I can’t imagine using a 14 as my only bino.