Swarovski 10x42 SLC

[Accumark Man]

I am seriously considering buying a pair of these binoculars. How many of you guys have them and are they really worth the money? I currently use the Nikon Monarch ATB 10x42. Will I notice that much of a difference between the two or am I just throwing away $1449? This is really the very top of my budget so lets please not discuss the $2000 models.
Your opinions are appreciated.

AM

[ElkMaster78]

I have them and love them. Won't see a lot of difference in store, but you will at dawn and dusk.
Tony

[wanafish]

I used them for one day and sent them back. Heavy and wasn't that much better than my old Leupolds. I really wanted them to impress me but....the difference wasn't worth that much. My .02.

[Bobberman]

I love mine. Better than the ATB's. How much better is a matter of opinion. Having 20/10 vision (after surgery) now I think they are even better than when I bought them.

[Killertraylor]

I've used the Swaro's on a couple of hunts, I've owned Swaro 10x50's for a year and owned Leica Ultravids for 3 years, and currently hunt with the top of the line Nikon 10x42 LX (the best glass I've found for my eyes). You aren't going to notice $1400 difference between your Monarchs and the Swarovski - the Monarchs are by far one of the best values out there. If you spend several hours a day, and I mean SEVERAL hours glassing, I think you will have a little less eye fatigue with the Swaro's, but if you are stretching to afford these, you will not be satisfied and will probably sell them in a few years when you realize how much money is sitting in your binoculars that you only use a month or so a year. Check out the forums at swfa.com and betterviewdesired.com - lots of good advice and binocular reviews there. Good luck.

[traks44]

I had the chance to use my girflriends 10x42 during the archery elk season. Quality of the glass is supurb!!! When I can afford a pair I wont hesitate. We hunt alot of open country and it was really nice because I did not need my leupold spotter to be able to tell if a certain bull was worth going after or not. I have looked through alot of pairs but this was the first pair I got to hunt with for 5 days. Glassing bulls up to a mile and being able to tell if they were shooters or not was quite easy as well as light gathering capabilities in the dawn. While I believe they are worth every penny, I like my steiners just fine for now, I still need to work on keeping my gear in better shape before I drop that kind of cash for binos.

Worth it in every sense of the way

[Art Vandeley]

I do not own a pair but have used a piar on a couple deer hunts in Eastern Oregon and can say that if I could afford them, I would definately buy them. The light gathering capability is amazing.

Mitch

[Crayfin]

I own 8 powers
I own 10 powers
I own 15 powers

Enough said..........

When I bought my first pair of 8x32's my brother and hunting partner were laughing at me telling me I was a ****** for spending that kinda money..I hunted with them for that year with their glass..........next year, they each had a pair of them

[brianschnoor]

I have the EL's and love them!! If you like to glass you will be a happy camper! Brian

[Beamerfish]

I've got 8x32s but my brother has the 10x42s. He lets me borrow them now and again. I used to think my old cheap binocs were fine until I borrowed them the first time. Like somebody said, if you use your glass they are worth every red cent. Low light, open country or thick country - You can simply spot more critters, farther, and judge size better with the premium glass. They are particular nice early and late when you still can't see so well but the glass gathers enough light to make out things the eyes can't. Can also pick out details far off that lesser glass miss. Also no eye strain or fatigue after a long day of glassing. They're not cheap though and in a world of priorities it can be tough to scratch together that much cash. I like my 8x30s for portability but if I had it to do over I would have gone with the 10x42s. Come to think of it, I think I need both. Santa sweetie,...

[sturgeonkid]

It may be an urban legend but i hear if you buy them.....The deer actually come to you. They cant beleive someone is dumb enough to spend that kind of money on binos so they have to see it for themselves. Thats just what i have heard.....

[Elkhunter]

Best Money I have spent, make sure you buy the winged eye cups ($30) also. You only live once, you won't be sorry you bought them. I have the 10x42 SLC's, just perfect for what I need.

[Yeti]

Originally Posted by sturgeonkid

It may be an urban legend but i hear if you buy them.....The deer actually come to you. They cant beleive someone is dumb enough to spend that kind of money on binos so they have to see it for themselves. Thats just what i have heard.....

There is a joker in every crowd. Too bad they aren't all funny.

As stated above, if you glass alot and care about your eyes then they are worth every penny. This is from a former big game fisher who spent many hours per day with my eyes glued to the glasses. I started out with "high end" glasses and wound up with eye strain, head and neck aches. When I broke down and bought the premium glasses, Zeiss 7x50 B's, that all ended. Same gig with hunting Bino's. The longer you use them and the more time you spend hunting in low light the more valuable they become.

One thing I have learned over the years of buying my equipment is buy it right the first time and you will never have to buy it again.

[chinooklr]

Best money I ever spent was on 10 X 42 SLC's. They are so easy on your eyes it is almost a pleasure to look through them and I know that I end up seeing more game because I'm always glued to my binos. You won't be disappointed if you purchase them. FYI-I got mine for around $900 a few years ago online.

[ehunter]

Doesn't the weight bother you guys for carring them all day they are heavier than my nikons and those are heavy enough????

[levi_deerhunter]

they bring in a lot of light like right before it gets good an light which is great for finding those big bucks trying to sneak out

[huntinfool]

Originally Posted by ehunter

Doesn't the weight bother you guys for carring them all day they are heavier than my nikons and those are heavy enough????

Ever heard of a slide & flex bino system? Now, I would'nt pack my 15x56 SLC's around my neck.

[traks44]

Originally Posted by ehunter

Doesn't the weight bother you guys for carring them all day they are heavier than my nikons and those are heavy enough????

I packed them for a few days straight bowhunting, no problem, the gain far outweighs any weight problem they may slightly have...

[Bait O' Eggs]

10x50 slc, only 42 ounces and if I had to, I would leave the gun behind to take them hunting. :tongue:

[traks44]

Originally Posted by Bait O' Eggs

10x50 slc, only 42 ounces and if I had to, I would leave the gun behind to take them hunting. :tongue:

LOL, I thought I was the only one, I cant wait until I get a pair

[Dr Strangelove]

I saved up and got the 10x4s SLCs but found the weight bothersome. I really wanted 10X though, so the SLCs went back and i got the 10x32 ELs. These are the best compacts made bar none. Sure I ogle the 42 ELs and 42 Ultravids at Sportsman's regularly, but having so little weight for such quality just seems like a no-brainer. I think the next pair I get (as if my wife would ever allow that) for the boat may be the image stabilizing Canon 10x42s with the L glass. I love the quality and antishake so much in the camera system I use that it's a logical next step. Either that or the Swaro HD 85mm spotter with the 20-60 eyepiece and camera adapter!

[Silverback]

Originally Posted by Accumark Man

I am seriously considering buying a pair of these binoculars. How many of you guys have them and are they really worth the money? I currently use the Nikon Monarch ATB 10x42. Will I notice that much of a difference between the two or am I just throwing away $1449? This is really the very top of my budget so lets please not discuss the $2000 models.
Your opinions are appreciated.

AM

If you have the cold hard cash to spend and not a penny of debt other than your mortgage. Go for it. But if you have any debt buy a $200 - $300 pair and put the extra money towards becoming debt free. The optics of today are such a higher quality than years ago I truly believe these top end optics are way overpriced and not that much better in quality.

[Maverick Maxcat]

Another vote for good glass. I have the 10x42 EL's, Leica is just as good, but I like the feel of the EL's better. I would shoot iron sights before I gave up my EL's. Oh, I have the Nikons in my pickup for truck glasses. Not even close in quality.

[Accumark Man]

Thank you for all the feedback. This is the kind of info I was hoping for. The price is not going to break the bank for me. I just want to be sure I am not throwing money away when I already have the nikon monarchs. The reason I said I didn't want to talk about the $2000 models is because the $1449 is a self imposed limit. And I thought it might take this thread off track a little.
Again thanks for the info and keep it coming. I am right on the verge of going and buying them. On a side note does anyone know if ** Joes will honor a 10% off coupon on these binos? It does not say swarovski is excluded anywhere on it.

AM

[traks44]

Because I like these binos so much I will post again.

I spend all of my time in the open over here on the east side. Whether I am trying to pick out mule deer among the sage brush in the desert, or I am trying to find elk sheds up to a mile away or trying to judge that bull way out there when I dont have my spotting scope with me, these swarovski binos flat out spank the competition. I know there are other good brands but I have never used leica or zeiss or comparable others. My whole family but me also owns pair of swarovski binos. When I can afford a pair of 10x42s and the 20x60x80MMHD I am gonna buy that to! The crisp image cannot be found in any other binocular that I have seen(I mostly use steiners, nikon, and leupold wind range opitcs products at the moment).

There will always be a crowd who says there are not worth it but you will see more through these binoculars and be able to judge better. The way I "hunt" most people wouldnt call hunting. I find a high spot sit on my rear and sit their and glass and glass and glass....I hardly ever just go for a walk when I have not seen any game, thus Quality glass takes on a whole new meaning.

The only other thing I could tell you is to quit thinking about it and just go buy them!!!

[FrogPond]

Dang...the 20% off coupon expired yesterday. sorry
I don't have that kind of $$ to spend so I bought the Nikon's. The store still had them for $299. They have gone up to $359 on line though.

[oregoncritters12]

Buy them and you'll never regret it...

[Beamerfish]

Originally Posted by traks44

I find a high spot sit on my rear and sit there and glass and glass and glass....

Yep

[tailchaser]

Honestly, it depends on how you hunt to determine how much you'll like them. I do a LOT of glassing, therefore they're worth every penny to me. My new wife even bought me a pair of 10x50's for a wedding present to add to my 10x42's. However, she has laid claim to them now...Anyhow, if you don't look through them for hours a day, you won't see the difference except at twilight.

tc

[Arrowslinger]

I bought the 10x42SLC's this past December and after 50+ days in the field hunting with'em, it's THE best hunting investement that i've made. Buy'em!!

[HOOKUP]

They are the best on the market. Some people's eyesight is so bad that they cant tell the difference between swaro glass and middle end nikon glass. So when people out there say " my nikons are just as good as any swaro" they are probably color blind and have 100/20 vision. The only glass that is combarable I have found on a budget is the cabelas 10x42 euro. They are slighly less bright and clear as the swaro but half the price, and are almost comparable glass if you are looking for a deal.

[Grantspastor]

I used a pair last year in Alaska, and was amazed how good they were. Bring them up to your eyes, and they are instantly on target and in focus...incredible light gathering ability....no fiddling around with the PD adjustments, etc. Before using them, as an Optician I would have been a little skeptical that they are that much better...but I have to say I think they are. I haven't tried them all, but these are easily the best I have used

[huntercgr]

I'll ditto what that traks guy said. I own and prefer the Leicas, and like others, wish I would've done so earlier. With the bino system, my 10x50's are never a bother.

BTW, a little buying tip. Ask for Sportsmans gift cards. Then wait until after X-mas when they gave their 5% off sale. Worked well for me. Oh, and you wanna hear crazy? I drove all the way to Salem to get them, everyone else was out.

[huntinfool]

I own the Swarovski 10x42 SLC, the 15x56 SLC and the 20-80x80 HD and they are all better than words can describe. If you don't want to spend that kind of money on bino's, try to find a pair of the Zeiss Classics (the older ones). Cabela's had them on closeout for under $600 and now and then you can find a pair for sale by private party.

I gathered up the money for my 10x42's by selling off stuff I no longer used, like my low end bino's, misc. sporting goods etc. Of course I only had to pay $875 back in 2000. They still look like new and have miles of use.

[motcha]

Traks and tailchaser, since your other halves have a pair, or have purchased a pair............ you think if I gave you my cell and home phone # they can talk to my wifey!!??:tongue:

[Killertraylor]

Originally Posted by HOOKUP

They are the best on the market. Some people's eyesight is so bad that they cant tell the difference between swaro glass and middle end nikon glass. So when people out there say " my nikons are just as good as any swaro" they are probably color blind and have 100/20 vision. The only glass that is combarable I have found on a budget is the cabelas 10x42 euro. They are slighly less bright and clear as the swaro but half the price, and are almost comparable glass if you are looking for a deal.

This is the typical "Swaro support" post you will see from people who own them. They have forgotten how to be objective and ignore the fact that everyone's eyes are DIFFERENT, not bad. I can afford any type of glass I want and I've owned all of them, Zeiss, Swarovski, Bausch & Lomb, Nikon, Bushnell Elite, Steiner and Meopta. It's a question that gets asked over and over - just like, "what's the best caliber for deer." You really need to go a good optics shop and try them all out yourself and then judge whether one "excellent" model is $1400 better than a "very good" model. If they were all equal price, I'd still own my Leica Ultravid 10x42's, but for $750 (on ebay for my MSRP $1500 Nikons) I couldn't see any difference between the Leica's and my Nikon LX 10x42's, so I sold the Leica's for $1600 and bought another gun I didn't need with the difference.

Oh - and I have 20/10 vision.:tongue:

[fishinpoor]

There are several things in life you will never regret.

1.surrounding yourself with good friends
2.owning a well trained gun dog
3.buying the best optics you can afford that work for you.

Crayfin opened my eyes to high quality glass,so i use swaro's
Crayfin is my friend/hunting partner of 20 years
i make my living training gun dogs.

son-of-a gun,i got all 3 covered

[Mike098777]

I have a pair of 10-50 slc. I really like them. Ive spoted way more animals looking through them then using cheap bushnells. To bad I have to send them back. My left lense is foging up internally in the morning.

[RB fish]

Over 50 years of hunting and many pairs of quote quailty binos I broke down and bought a pair of the 10 by 42 ,s and they really are worth the money and you will realize it after a complete season of hunting. They are a little heavy get the bino system.

[JohnOD]

Go for it. I bought a pair of "decent" bino's 15 years ago for $200. Eight years later I spent $450 on a better pair. Four years ago I bit the bullet and bought a pair of Leica BN's and never looked back. Now the other two pair just take up space in my gun safe. Pay for quality and you only cry once.

Find a store that carries all the brands you like, Swarvoski, Ziess, Leica, Brand X, etc. Focus them seperatly on a distant object them put em on a post or something to hold them dead still and stack em right on top of each. Compare them in a low light condition. Once you get into the top tier of optics it's hard to make a bad choice.

John

[BrianMaguire]

I bought a pair of the ELs this year and have never regreted it, except the day I got home with them and my wife "You bought SWAROVSKIS!!! You better not complain about my visa bill." I used them all year this year and I am thrilled, there is a difference.

[tag-a-long]

Originally Posted by HOOKUP

They are the best on the market. Some people's eyesight is so bad that they cant tell the difference between swaro glass and middle end nikon glass. So when people out there say " my nikons are just as good as any swaro" they are probably color blind and have 100/20 vision. The only glass that is combarable I have found on a budget is the cabelas 10x42 euro. They are slighly less bright and clear as the swaro but half the price, and are almost comparable glass if you are looking for a deal.

In my opinion, leica has better optics. The glass in them doesn't make ALL the difference, and for sure there are plenty of binos better than Cabelas Euros. You might as well use bushnell if you are trying to save a buck. I use Leica glass every day for work. I have 20/30 vision. Can't see paying the money out of my own pocket for where I hunt. With a bit worse vision, you can really tell the difference between good and bad optics. Keep that in mind. Lots of long range, and hours of glassing a day, and I mean HOURS, the Swaros might be a little less straining. If you have the $$ set aside for glass purchase, go ahead. Spoil yourself. You probably won't be disappointed, and if you are, take them back or sell them here.
BTW my optics are:
Nikon Spotter
Nikon ATB 10 X 42
Nikno Monarch Range finder
Leupold 4.5-14x40 VXIII w/B&C reticle.
I spend a decent ammount on glass. I hunt the west side mainly. Haven't been east since I got all this stuff. No better purchase than good glass. I like the affordability of Nikon. Great product for the money you spend. Good luck on your choice, and let us know what you get and how you like them.

Bino buddy is the only way to carry your lookers!!!!!!!!!!!

[mtn300]

I also have the monarchs but when you look through the swarovskis you will notice a difference. During low light situations there is no comparison. If I could afford them I would own the el's instead of the slc. I will definetly upgrade in the next couple years. Nikon is a good bino but just not in the same class as leica,zeiss, or swarovski.

[WapitiBob]

I bought the Leikas. Wife wanted to borrow them for an Allan Jackson concert. I told her how much they were and not to come home if she lost them..
After the concert SHE told me it was the best money I ever spent.

You may not use them that much but they will last your lifetime.
Cheap glass tends to stay home except for hunting. Good glass goes to football game, hiking, pretty much everywhere after a while.

[tailchaser]

Simply put, go to the various online dealerships and look at three things.....Eye Relief, field of view, and TWILIGHT FACTOR. These are all standard testing points that you can compare optics prior to putting your hands on them. Probably the largest thing is twighlight factor, it's the amount of light the binos will collect during lowlight situations. Compare the lower brands and you'll see why they are more expensive. When you go and look through several pairs, don't do it until dawn/dusk. Then you'll see what you are buying. In normal light, it's hard to tell.

One other thing, Leica and Swaro's are the exact same glass if you look at the testing specifications for each bino. Zeiss basically is the same, but tends to have some models that are not waterproof. So make sure to check that brand on which one you're buying. Also, the EL's are exactly the same glass too, you're paying more for loosing 2.5 oz. of weight. It's a nice way of adding price for the same bino's.:frown: Some guys like the rubberized feel of the Leicas, at the time both of them were within 50 bucks so I went with the Swaro's. But leica in general is cheaper by a couple hundred bucks.

tc