Like so many hunters across the West, I’m a 10×42 binocular guy. The configuration is so versatile. It isn’t too hard to get a steady view hand-held, and it has enough magnification to make good use of a tripod. The 4.2mm exit pupil is bright enough for just about any hunting scenario. It’s just a good all-rounder.
High Magnification Binoculars
My relationship with high-magnification binoculars is a little different. There are certain hunts where I have really appreciated them. All-day glassing sessions over expansive snowy burns for migrating elk come immediately to mind. Pronghorn hunts from the truck are another. When mounted on a tripod, there is no better tool for grid-glassing those huge vistas than a high-magnification binocular. The additional 15x or 18x magnification really pulls out the long-distance details.
The issue is, they don’t have the 10×42’s versatility. They are tall, heavy, and bulky. So most don’t fit in normal sized binocular harnesses. They are just about impossible to hold steady by hand. When I have taken a high magnification binocular on the hunts that benefit from them, I generally have taken a lower binocular along as well, for those handheld glassing tasks. The narrower field of view of the big binos makes quick scanning … less quick.
I can see why they are so popular with certain hunters, however. Coues deer hunts are a perfect match. Picking out those tiny deer at long distances in the desert just begs for a tripod-mounted high-magnification binocular. Really, any hunt that entails glassing long distances from one location is a good scenario for a high-magnification binocular.
15x Binocular Options
There are quite a few good options for hunters that are looking at these high magnification binoculars. There are high performing options from brands like Maven, Vortex, Zeiss, and others. Two of my personal favorites are the Meopta Meostar HD 15X56 and the popular Swarovski SLC 15X56.
The newest version of the 15×56 SLC is widely regarded as a top performer and made a good comparison with the new 14×52 NL. I was able to borrow a 15×56 SLC sample for comparison. The sample had good optical performance without any obvious deficiencies, although the center hinge tension was a bit too loose for my liking. The NL came directly from Swarovski with nice, tight hinge tension.
Specifications
Note: I measured the binoculars on my kitchen scale without their respective lens covers for the weights.
Swarovski NL Pure 14×52 Swarovski SLC 15×56
- Length 6.9 in. 7.56 in.
- Weight 2 lb. 4 oz. 2 lb. 10 oz.
- FOV (@ 1000 yds.) 279 ft. 234 ft.
- Exit pupil 3.6mm 3.7mm
- Price $3499 $2399
Immediately, we see some big differences, with the NL coming in shorter, lighter, and with a significantly wider FOV … but at an additional $1100.
Optical Performance
I did the usual close-range resolution testing with a USAF resolution chart in good atmospheric conditions with both binoculars tripod mounted.
I followed this up with longer-range testing at over 500 yards with my trusty 8X11 eye chart, again tripod mounted.
This testing was eye-opening.
Resolution
In close-range testing, the NL resolved one smaller element on the resolution target than the SLC. This was unexpected, but after repeatedly testing the samples, consistently, the NL resolved that extra element. In the long-range testing, the NL resolved one line better on the eye chart, and the difference was pretty clear. Additionally, the NL resisted mirage better. I consistently felt like I could cut through the atmospheric disturbance better with the NL.
Contrast
I always appreciated the 15×56 SLC’s punchy contrast and vivid colors, but the NL wins here again. The NL 14X52 has rich colors with great differentiation among shades. This is especially notable in the deeper shadow areas.
Field of View (FOV)
The 15X56 SLC has a pretty good FOV spec of 234 feet at 1000 yards. The NL Pure, though, is significantly wider at 279 feet at 1000 yards. The NL has a 19% increase in FOV over the SLC, which sounds like a lot, because it is. However, to really understand the difference, I find it useful to compare the FOV area at 1000 yards. So if the hunter was viewing a perpendicular surface like a vertical cliff face at 1000 yards, the SLC hunter would be able to see 43,005 square feet of the cliff face. With the NL, the hunter would be able to see 61,136 square feet of the same cliff face. That is a whopping 42% more area of the cliff face visible to the hunter with the NL 14X52!
Chromatic Aberration Control
Chromatic Aberration control is typical Swarovski. I was unable to see any color fringing in the center of the field of of the NL while the SLC showed a tiny hint of purple fringing in certain extreme high contrast situations.
NOTE: These digiscoped photos show color fringing only. Do not draw conclusions about sharpness from them.
Both binoculars showed some minor fringing at the edge of the field, with the NL showing notably less. This is very impressive considering how much wider the NL’s FOV is.
NOTE: These digiscoped photos show color fringing only. Do not draw conclusions about sharpness from them.
Distortion
Both the 14×52 NL and 15×56 SLC show almost zero distortion. Impressively, the NL does this over its much wider FOV. Also, the NL has an extremely flat field with very little field curvature. The image is sharp right to the edge, even at closer viewing distances.
NOTE: These digiscoped photos are for showing distortion only. Do NOT make conclusions about sharpness from these photos.
Low Light Performance
In low light conditions, the two binoculars had similar general illumination performance. That is, when I could see an image of a distant object with one, I could see a similarly bright image with the other. This was expected given the similar exit pupils of these two high quality binoculars.
However, the increased resolution benefit of the 14×52 NL Pure was maintained, or even more apparent, as the light faded. While examining a broken tree at well over a mile on a cliff face as twilight approached, I could see the form and branches of the tree better at all times, until finally it was longer visible in either binocular.
Build and Ergonomics
While NL 14X52 optics are class-leading, the build and ergonomics are at least as big of an improvement over the SLC. Like the originally released NL Pure binoculars, the rotated prisms of the NL 14X52 allow for an amazing ergonomic benefit. The hourglass shape of the binoculars cradles the hunter’s hands, allowing for a confident and secure hold.
Swarovski has my favorite eyecups in the business, and the multi-position eyecups of the NL 14X52 have the familiar, sturdy, removable advantages of the other Swaro’ binos. The diopter adjustment isn’t the hidden and locking type of the SLC, but rather a friction adjustment with a tab on the top side of the bridge and the scale visible on the underside. It was easy enough to set, and never moved on me, but I always prefer a locking diopter.
Rubber Armor
The entire binocular is covered in Swarovski’s excellent micro-textured green rubber armor that provides great grip, whether dry or wet. I much prefer the feel of the NL armor to the coarser but slicker feeling SLC armor.
NL Pure Ergonomics
It is hard to overstate the ergonomic benefits of the NL Pure. High magnification binoculars are just not useable handheld for me. The magnified shake in the SLC 15X56 washes away the detail benefits of the increased magnification…but the NL is just different.
Once focused, I was able brace the eyecup to the orbital bone, grasp my hat bill to the top of the binocular, and stabilize the eyepieces with my thumbs and get a fully useable handheld image for a short time. It was almost shocking. Certainly, I wouldn’t replace my 10x42s for general handheld use, but for hunts where I would spend most of the day with a binocular on a tripod, I wouldn’t feel a need to bring a separate binocular for the trip to and from the glassing spot.
Note that I found the headrest brace useful for additional handheld stability in my review of the 12×42 NL Pure. That headrest is also compatible with the 14X52 NL Pure and may help provide an even better handheld experience, although I was unable to test it.
The Thing About the 14×52 NL Pure Magnification
Here was an area that surprised me. I’m not sure why, but the 14×52 NL Pure appeared to have more magnification than the 15×56 SLC. I understand that Swarovski has said the NL Pure is actually a “14-plus” type binocular, and I’m not sure about the 15X56 SLC’s true magnification either, but when comparing them side-by-side, I pretty much always felt like the NL Pure was getting me closer. It could just be an optical illusion, or the NL Pure’s additional resolution, or just in my head, but it sure seemed that way to me.
Accessories
Besides the headrest mentioned earlier, Swarovski also has an Arca-Swiss compatible tripod adapter available: the TAs ($199). I received a sample TAs for review and used it a lot. The 14X52 NL does not have a 1/4-20 tripod exit, but rather a proprietary grooved female connection that accepts the TAs’ grooved male portion, and is connected via a cam lever. I found the connection absolutely solid and immune to loosening. It is a great companion to the 14X52 NL. I have also learned that Outdoorsmans has a “new style” two-piece stud that works with the new NL proprietary connection for those that would prefer the Outdoorsmans system.
Swarovski CCT and CTH
Swarovski also sent their high-end CCT Compact Carbon Tripod ($949) and CTH Compact Tripod Head ($529). The CTH is a sturdy metal fluid head with pan and tilt as inner and outer portions of the same knob. This is a smooth and stable Arca-Swiss compatible head with counterbalance that worked well, but at a measured weight of 1 lb. 6 ounces is a little heavier than comparable hunting-specific heads. The CCT is a traditional twist lock carbon fiber leg set with similarly high end fit, finish, and performance but is again heavier than much of the competition at 3 lbs. 9 ounces. The combination easily handled stabilizing the 14×52 NL. The combo is available at Black Ovis.
Conclusion
Swarovski raises their own bar in the high magnification binocular market with the 14X52 NL Pure. They improved on the beloved 15X56 SLC in optical performance, build quality, and handheld performance. The NL Pure 14X52 is the class leader in both optics and ergonomics.
For the hunter needing a high magnification binocular, there is no better option currently available. No doubt some hunters will find the 15X56 SLC or some of the other competitors a better value, but for hunters that can afford it the 14×52 NL Pure is an easy choice to make. Order here.
Comment or ask Matt questions here or click here to hear Matt and Travis Hobbs discuss these new binoculars on the Rokcast.
*Swarovski is a Rokslide sponsor.
