Swarovski SLC new model

[AGPank]

I see that Swarovski has a new SLC model, but I don't see them specify HD glass. Maybe I overlooked it, anyone know more?

 

[Ryan Avery]

Yes they are HD and they look sweet!

 

[LostArra]

This announcement by Swaro has thrown me a curve on my 8x42 decision.

I can buy the current SLC HD or pre-order the newer model for the same price.
Buy now or pre-order?

I can't really tell that the 8 and 10x models are going to change much except in armoring and a "modified focus mechanism".

But the price seems to be going down and I've never believed in a free lunch.
So why the price decrease? Response to market pressure and separating it from the SV or is the new model a step down from the current SLC?

 

[russ_outdoors]

My guess is they are changing things (mostly cosmetic) in order to get price separation from the SV.

Never understood why they bumped up the SLC line price like they did this last go around. The new prices make more sense. I feel a little bad for those who bought at the higher prices.

 

[AGPank]

Seeing these now for about $1,900 retail and selling a little less I'm sure if you shop around. What's the difference from the older $2,200 model?

 

[LostArra]

Focusing mechanism and close focus distance which is longer on the new model.

Close distance focus isn't a biggy for me but is more important to birders and those who watch insects. I have never missed spotting a deer at 10' vs 6'.

 

[Ryan Avery]

It's also a bit shorter. I think they just wanted to put a bigger gap in price between the SLC's and the EL's

 

[AGPank]

Just strange to see the new model cost less than the old model. Thought I might see some big discounts on the old models, but no such luck.

 

[Matt Cashell]

I think the pricing is a reaction to the market, so that they can compete with competitors instead of themselves.

 

[Shrek]

I think the pricing is a reaction to the market, so that they can compete with competitors instead of themselves.

I think this is what is driving the changes. I've been studying binoculars in preparation for buying some and the meopta hd and several Asian binoculars are right there with the slc at a price point of @ $1000. Asking more than double the price for little to no performance gain has to be killing sales. The swarovski name will only go so far. I have already crossed them off my list due to cost for performance issues. The rest of the industry is quickly closing the performance gap and since optic technology is getting very close to being more than the human eyes can recognize I think swarovski is in real trouble. Meopta is very close and so are several Asian makers. The days of needing to spend over $2000 for top performing alpha glass is fading fast. Within a year or two I would bet that there will be several makers offering equal or better binoculars to the slc's and el's for less than a $1000 and what is now just under alpha glass will be going for less than $500. You can buy Alpen rainier ed's for @600 right now and that means there is an upgrade coming from them. I would expect meopta to expand and improve their hd lineup along with vortex and zen ray. Good times for consumers.

 

[AGPank]

Anyone in the market , I saw Adorama with the slc hd 8x42 for $1500. I guess some vendors are starting to make room.

 

[JNDEER]

I think this is what is driving the changes. I've been studying binoculars in preparation for buying some and the meopta hd and several Asian binoculars are right there with the slc at a price point of @ $1000. Asking more than double the price for little to no performance gain has to be killing sales. The swarovski name will only go so far. I have already crossed them off my list due to cost for performance issues. The rest of the industry is quickly closing the performance gap and since optic technology is getting very close to being more than the human eyes can recognize I think swarovski is in real trouble. Meopta is very close and so are several Asian makers. The days of needing to spend over $2000 for top performing alpha glass is fading fast. Within a year or two I would bet that there will be several makers offering equal or better binoculars to the slc's and el's for less than a $1000 and what is now just under alpha glass will be going for less than $500. You can buy Alpen rainier ed's for @600 right now and that means there is an upgrade coming from them. I would expect meopta to expand and improve their hd lineup along with vortex and zen ray. Good times for consumers.

Only when you are able to compare $1k glass to Alpha glass in the field, side by side, will you see the advantage the Alpha has to the rest. Is the difference as much as the $500 bino compared to the $1k bino, no, but there is for sure a noticeable difference.

 

[Ryan Avery]

Only when you are able to compare $1k glass to Alpha glass in the field, side by side, will you see the advantage the Alpha has to the rest. Is the difference as much as the $500 bino compared to the $1k bino, no, but there is for sure a noticeable difference.

Agree 100%

 

[MattB]

Good point. I have a guide friend who has used Swarovski products for close to 20 years, 8x30's then 10x42 SLC's and then 10x42 EL's. He has had number of hunters claim their brand x binoculars were equals of his Swarovskis - probably based on in-store side by side comparisons under flourescent lighting - only to reverse their position when they switch binocs and the hunters used Swarovskis under *hunting conditions*. When you add to that the durability and how well they hold their value relative to the newcomber brands, I still think there is value to buying Swarovski.

 

[LostArra]

In my limited experience, when I am glassing for longer periods of time (elk hunting in Wyoming) the more I can tell the benefits of alpha glass.
I can still find elk with my less-than-alpha binos but a prolonged session of glassing a distant hillside looking for bedded animals results in more eyestrain on my senior citizen eyes.
If I am just taking a 10 second look at a deer across a wheat field, the quality of the glass makes less of a difference.

 

[Matt Cashell]

Only when you are able to compare $1k glass to Alpha glass in the field, side by side, will you see the advantage the Alpha has to the rest. Is the difference as much as the $500 bino compared to the $1k bino, no, but there is for sure a noticeable difference.

I think both you and Shrek are right, JNDEER.

I had the Meopta HDs in the field next to the SLC neu in the field, and the Meopta had a slight noticeable image advantage in some areas.

Swarovski upgraded the SLC design to the HD, and it has a slight advantage in some areas over the Meopta.

The point is:

The very expensive current flagship binoculars still offer the best overall performance available, but the newer $1000 to $1400 crop offers performance close to that at the very top, but BETTER than the previous "alpha" models.

Optics are a game of diminishing returns.

 

[Hardstalk]

Dually noted! A couple years from now the difference in optics will take a take true scientist to notice. Charts and personal comparisons are becoming so hard to note differences!

 

[Matt Cashell]

Dually noted! A couple years from now the difference in optics will take a take true scientist to notice. Charts and personal comparisons are becoming so hard to note differences!

In a few years we will be debating sensors, processors, stabilization, display quality, and battery life.

Digiscoping, spotting scopes, and binoculars will be integrated.

We aren't there yet, but we are on our way:

http://news.cnet.com/8301-11386_3-5...$2000-digital-binoculars-get-better-zoom-evf/

 

[Hardstalk]

In a few years we will be debating sensors, processors, stabilization, display quality, and battery life.

Digiscoping, spotting scopes, and binoculars will be integrated.

We aren't there yet, but we are on our way:

http://news.cnet.com/8301-11386_3-57581105-76/sonys-new-$2000-digital-binoculars-get-better-zoom-evf/

Im sure you saw the "feeler" software company that integrated locking gps coords into binos and being able to lock in the last place the game was standing! Pretty amazing stuff.

 

[AGPank]

It looks like the price of these are coming down a little more, anyone with time behind them yet?