I recently purchased a 12x42 NL from a forum member, and then purchased a Swarovski 10x56 SLC HD brand-new, intending to keep the 10x56 as a one-and-done general purpose binocular.
But handling both of these and pitting them against each other, I am continually drawn to the NLs, rather than the SLCs. During dusk and early dawn, in near pitch dark conditions, the SLC holds a slight edge, but not enough for me to get swayed to it. I am leaning towards returning the SLC, and getting a 8x42 NL in its place.
The NL 12x42 is good enough to be a general purpose binocular, due to its wide enough FOV and also especially since I have really steady hands and the forehead rest allows the binocular to be fully usable handheld, despite being a 12x. I somehow don't feel the same steadiness of view, with the 10x56 SLC, despite the SLC being a 10x.....not sure why !