Swarovski SLC 10x56 as primary binocular backpacking?

[mgebs311]

I am researching binoculars to upgrade to in the future. I kind of narrowed my search down to the slc 10x42’s and then all of the sudden I became very intrigued by the slc 10x56. they Seem awesome except they are basically a pound heavier. Does anyone have any experience with these primarily on backcountry hunts packing in? This is the type of hunting I would be using the binoculars on. I have a tripod, and I do have a spotter as well. I know the 10x42’s would be great and I’m sure I would have no complaints especially compared to what I’m using right now. All I see is guys talk nothing but good about the 42’s and I like how they are compact and lighter weight. Would the 10x56’s truly be worth carrying around over the 10x42?

 

[AZ_Hunter_2000]

Just looked at the specs. Both the 8x and these 10x are heavy SOBs. They are the same weight as the SLC 15s.

I am curious on how difficult it would be to hand hold them due to their weight.

I know that in low light conditions, neither of my SLCs (10x42 or 15x56) have been a limiting factor. I'm either well before legal light, past legal light, or I cannot find the animal in my riflescope.

 

[sneaky]

Swarovski needs to make a 12x version of the SLCs and quit with these large objective 10s and 8s. I think they're afraid they'll cannibalize their EL 12x50 sales if they make a 12x50 set of SLCs. If you're gonna up the weight on SLCs you need to up the magnification and the 12s are that sweet spot for a lot of people.

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[mgebs311]

Swarovski needs to make a 12x version of the SLCs and quit with these large objective 10s and 8s. I think they're afraid they'll cannibalize their EL 12x50 sales if they make a 12x50 set of SLCs. If you're gonna up the weight on SLCs you need to up the magnification and the 12s are that sweet spot for a lot of people.

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I haven’t really considered the 12’s because I’m afraid they won’t be very steady when I am free handing them, but man I’ll bet those things are great on a tripod! That being said, I’ve never tried any 12’s out, but like you mentioned, if they made some 12’s for the SLC line, I’d consider it. I’m not looking to spend the extra for the EL line, I want the SLC’s. I’m not in the market for the 15’s either because these would be my one pair of binoculars. Maybe down the road when I’ve become addicted to top quality glass I’ll add some 15’s into the mix.

 

[mgebs311]

Just looked at the specs. Both the 8x and these 10x are heavy SOBs. They are the same weight as the SLC 15s.

I am curious on how difficult it would be to hand hold them due to their weight.

I know that in low light conditions, neither of my SLCs (10x42 or 15x56) have been a limiting factor. I'm either well before legal light, past legal light, or I cannot find the animal in my riflescope.

Yeah the more I have inquired and researched the “10x42 vs a bigger objective” topic, the more I have found that people are still very happy with the 42’s and how they perform with low light, and it doesn’t seem like it has been a detriment to anyone. Seems like this holds true for people that are using alpha glass, which I’m sure it’s a different story with mid to lower class binoculars at that same magnification and size.

 

[dreamingWest]

The 10x42 SLCs are plenty bright. The best way I've come to describe them is "it looks like you just stood up and walked over there."

I've always been intrigued by the 8 and 10x56 though. They must be super bright.

Since I'm bored...when is the last time we discussed pupil size on this forum? Will the average human perceive the difference in brightness with a 4.2 exit pupil bino vs a 5.6?

 

[MattB]

I wouldn't take on the weight penalty for a little more light gathering. GIF

 

[WRO]

I haven’t really considered the 12’s because I’m afraid they won’t be very steady when I am free handing them, but man I’ll bet those things are great on a tripod! That being said, I’ve never tried any 12’s out, but like you mentioned, if they made some 12’s for the SLC line, I’d consider it. I’m not looking to spend the extra for the EL line, I want the SLC’s. I’m not in the market for the 15’s either because these would be my one pair of binoculars. Maybe down the road when I’ve become addicted to top quality glass I’ll add some 15’s into the mix.

I've been hand holding 12 x 50 ELs for the last 3 years, 0 issues with stability and they're OMG good on a tripod. IMHO the perfect western binocular.

 

[mgebs311]

I wouldn't take on the weight penalty for a little more light gathering. GIF

What are you currently using and what have you used?

 

[MattB]

What are you currently using and what have you used?

I have run Swaro 10x42 SLCs or ELs for the past 20 years or so.

 

[mgebs311]

The 10x42 SLCs are plenty bright. The best way I've come to describe them is "it looks like you just stood up and walked over there."

I've always been intrigued by the 8 and 10x56 though. They must be super bright.

Since I'm bored...when is the last time we discussed pupil size on this forum? Will the average human perceive the difference in brightness with a 4.2 exit pupil bino vs a 5.6?

I’ve always been pretty interested in the exit pupil discussion. I’ve read that our pupils in the dark can dilate up to 7mm, but is that also true for that last 20 minutes of glassing in the evening or are they not quite to the 7mm and maybe just around 5mm? But yeah as I’ve always understood, the higher the exit pupil, the more light you will see with your eyes, as long as your pupils are dilated to the same size or more. The biggest question though is how much better will the 5.6mm or the 5mm exit pupil of the 56’s and 50’s be over the 4.2mm exit pupil (all of this with a 10 power magnification)? If the weight and bulk really doesn’t bother someone, then I guess why not? But that is my biggest debate right now, if it truly is that big of a difference having the bigger objective, because the smaller more compact binocular would be really nice to have too.

 

[samolot]

Another element to address in the "brightness" conversation is the fact that the 56's and 42's use different prisms. From Roger Vine's site (a British guy whose interests are in astronomy, but writes really thorough and excellent binocular reviews) - Unlike the 56mm SLC HDs, the 42mm models make do with conventional Schmidt-Pechan roof prisms, rather than high-transmission Abbe-König prisms (56 mm). From swaro, the 42's have about a 91% in light transmissivity. The 56's have 93%. Do my eyes see any difference? Not really, but it's still fun to clamor about aimlessly.

Finally, regarding exit pupils. Most of us rock 3 mm pupils during the day, so an 8x56 won't be any different than a 15x56. You may perceive a little difference in the very early or late hours of the day. However...

Your question was aimed at trying to find that one backpacking binocular. A 10x56 won't be any different than a 10x42 for the majority of the day, and the weight savings would be crucial. The SLC's in my opinion are more comfortable to hold than the EL's because of better placed thumb indents. I really wanted to like me 10x50 EL's, but my thumbs never ended up where they were meant to go. I now have the 15x56 SLC and am in optical bliss... on a tripod. For handheld use I have a zeiss.

I do share your sentiment towards trying an 8x56 SLC. I can only imagine how cool the view would be really early in the morning... and thats it. Beyond that its a bit overkill.

 

[IrkedCitizen]

My primary binoculars are Zeiss Victory RF 10x56. I carry them in an Alaska Guide Creation chest harness. I pack a tripod when I am going to be glassing for extended periods of time for the simple fact of stability. I would still pack a tripod if my binoculars were 10x42. I don't need a tripod I just prefer it.

Don't get me wrong, they are heavy. I don't care though. If you want the 10x56 SLC then get them.

 

[mgebs311]

Your question was aimed at trying to find that one backpacking binocular. A 10x56 won't be any different than a 10x42 for the majority of the day, and the weight savings would be crucial. The SLC's in my opinion are more comfortable to hold than the EL's because of better placed thumb indents. I really wanted to like me 10x50 EL's, but my thumbs never ended up where they were meant to go. I now have the 15x56 SLC and am in optical bliss... on a tripod. For handheld use I have a zeiss.

Don't get me wrong, they are heavy. I don't care though. If you want the 10x56 SLC then get them.

Good news is, out of the options I’m considering, none of them would be a poor choice. Right now I think I’m still leaning towards the 10x42. I get what you are saying though as far as weight goes, I’m sure the heavier binocular is not going to absolutely ruin a hunt and be terrible to carry, it’d just be more noticeable. Unfortunately, I have time to think about all this as I save up.

 

[307]

Get the 10's and stop reading the optics forum.

 

[Jake Larsen]

Yeah the more I have inquired and researched the “10x42 vs a bigger objective” topic, the more I have found that people are still very happy with the 42’s and how they perform with low light, and it doesn’t seem like it has been a detriment to anyone. Seems like this holds true for people that are using alpha glass, which I’m sure it’s a different story with mid to lower class binoculars at that same magnification and size.

This. Get 10x42 slc if you've got a good spotter too. Between the glass clarity and the FOV, you'll spot a lot of game.

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[Base14]

I’m happy with 10x42

 

[mgebs311]

This. Get 10x42 slc if you've got a good spotter too. Between the glass clarity and the FOV, you'll spot a lot of game.

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The spotter I have right now the Vortex Razor HD angled 65mm. I am pretty happy with it. Definitely won’t upgrade that anytime soon mainly because my binoculars are more of a priority for me to try and upgrade, as well as other gear, before the spotter. Man those SLC’s will be sweet to have though.

 

[Jake Larsen]

The spotter I have right now the Vortex Razor HD angled 65mm. I am pretty happy with it. Definitely won’t upgrade that anytime soon mainly because my binoculars are more of a priority for me to try and upgrade, as well as other gear, before the spotter. Man those SLC’s will be sweet to have though.

On a hunt when I'm really relying on my glass, I carry the 10x42 SLC, and a Swaro 64mm ATX. I've tried different variations, carrying bigger binos, you name it. Keep coming back to this, setup for weight, ease of carry/hand holding, (very important IMO!), yet enough power to get it done and find the ol grey ghost. I will admit that a bigger spotter in some situations is sweet, but for me it wasn't worth the extra weight and bulk to carry. Not to mention the $$$$$$

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