A brief report on a first class pair of binoculars

[KirkD]

Every once in a while I will acquire something that is so good, that it continues to give great pleasure every time I use it. A little over a year ago, I sold a couple old Winchesters to finance a pair of 10 x 42 Swarovski SLC 42 HD binoculars ( http://www.swarovskioptik.us/en_us/prod ... -slc-42-hd ) I had dragged my feet on this for a long time. Finally, I went to a Bass Pro and tried out various optics made by Leica, Steiner, Zeiss and Swarovski and others. Between the Leica, the Zeiss and the Swarovski, it was hard to see any difference in resolution ...... they all seemed to give razor sharp definition right across the field of view. However, the HD version of the Swarovski SLC 42 really stood out because of the brightness of the image ..... it was noticeably brighter than the others. I am guessing that it is because of the flourite element, which results in less other corrective lenses absorbing light. Anyway, I've used these for over a year now in rain and shine and am just constantly pleased with them. They focus down to six feet away, so the birds at our feeder outside the kitchen window can be enjoyed extra close. They are armoured, fit my hands perfectly, are waterproof down to 13 feet and are one of the best things I ever spent money on. I use them almost every day for watching birds, things across the valley, hiking, etc. I am doggoned happy with them and you all might think me insane, but I'd actually recommend selling a couple leverguns just to get ones hands on a pair of 10 x 42 Swarovski SLC 42 HD binos.

[JerryB]

Glad to hear that you have them. Our feeder is about 8 feet from the kitchen window and both pair of my glasses just won't focus clear enuff at that distance.But sometimes I get some good photos of the deer eating from the feeder.

[Pitchy]

Every once in a while I will acquire something that is so good, that it continues to give great pleasure every time I use it

You inspired me to say that to the wife last night, happy man this morning, thanks Kirk

[DPris]

Truly good glass is expensive & beyond what most people want to pay for.
If you can swing it, and you'll be using them enough to make it worthwhile, the extra cost takes life up a notch.

I was able to pull off a good deal on a set of Leica 8x42 HDs a couple years back with a rangefinder element. Took some doing, but it was well worth the money.

There truly IS a difference between a $2000 set of binocs & a $79 set.
Denis

[bdhold]

the subtle differences compared to merely very very good optics such as Steiner, will shine at the limits of eye strain - low light, long range, subtle detail.

you're a smart man, Pitchy.

[kevin in nh]

I have always said "spend your money once".....as you have done. They are excellent optics, and you will never be sorry. I have Leica 10x25bca pocket sized, Pentax 10x42, and Steiner 7x 50 and all three have there place but junk will always be just that....junk that you will never be happy with. The Leica's I bought almost 30 years ago....the focus adjustment was getting hard to work so I called them and they said ship them back.....I did and they did a complete cleaning and adjustment for no charge.....good for another 30 years......you get what you pay for.........k

[Sixgun]

You sold Winchesters to finance a pair of binoculars? What are you, nuts???? Thats what old guys do!

You and I are no longer speaking! ------------Sixgun

p.s.---stop being so modest. Any guy with the nice Winchesters you have does not have to sell anything to buy binocs. Its OK to brag once in a while. I do

[M. M. Wright]

I bought a pair of Zies 8x42 several years ago and still love them. I've had lots of cheap binocs and had always told myself that I should just spend the money and get a decent set. Finally did it and am well pleased.

[Udy]

I find it interesting that excelent binoculars are worth it, but expensive scopes are not?? I am confused. Any way congrats on the swaro's, they will be the brand of my next pair, I have been blown away with all I have ever looked through. I want a set of there 10x42s I've been using the same piar of zeiss 10x40's for the last 25 years, they have treated me good, but have been drug around hard for a long time and are getting pretty worn and lenses scratched up and eye cups ripped up and what not, but they still work good. water doesn't bead up off the lenses like they use to, I should send them in and get reworked, but I really want a set of the swarovski's.

[KirkD]

Pitchy, when I was writing up my original post, I thought of exactly the same thing. You are a very smart man!!

Udy, I don't use scopes but if I did, I would definitely buy the best I could afford.

Sixgun, I actually had to sell those Winchesters to get these bino's. The belt has been tightened around here quite substantially in the last two years. It was a long, hard decision and it sure hurt to part with those old Winchesters but these bino's are making up for it. On the other hand, I still got six old Winchesters that I prize the most and I ain't selling any of them unless it is to get the funds to buy an even nicer old Winchester.

One thing I forgot to mention ...... you know how a beautiful butterfly will land about 6 feet away but you can't get closer to look at it without scaring it off. Well, you should see what they look like through these bino's.

[madman4570]

Gosh Kirk, I thought my Nikon Action Extreme 12X50 was tops

No all kidding aside sometimes having the best (is the best)
Congrats----sounds like you are getting every penny of their worth.

[Udy]

Sorry Kirk didn't mean to direct my comment at you, just the general concensous around here.

[DPris]

Y'know, I never thought about bug watchin'.....
Denis

[vancelw]

Gosh Kirk, I thought my Nikon Action Extreme 12X50 was tops

No all kidding aside sometimes having the best (is the best)
Congrats----sounds like you are getting every penny of their worth.

I think they are hit and miss. I have a set of Nikon Action extreme in 12X50 and 16X50. The 16s are great! The 12s have a distorted image on the edges. Very annoying. I never believed in spending bigmoney on scopes until I got my first Leupold 20 years ago. Now I'm ready try the binomial theory.

[KirkD]

Sorry Kirk didn't mean to direct my comment at you, just the general concensous around here.

I didn't take it that way at all, Udy. A good scope is a very nice asset to have. Sometimes, I think about one of those long-distance, flat-shooting very fine rifles and a very serious scope. Maybe someday I'll get one, but right now I hope not.