The last pair of binoculars

[machinistbutler]

Ordered the Kahles Helia S 8x42 , the rebranded Swarovski SLC. I am not sure I care as much for the brown color but I am sure I will enjoy them


I had a Japanese model Bushnell Legend 8x42 that I loved, great eye relief for my glasses, used them daily until stolen from the machine I operate by some bastards.

Also had a German Steiner Peregrine 8x42 that was nice, very good glass, took them to Africa and they did well. Was offered too good of a price for them so let them go.

Have a new Japanese Bushnell Elite 10x42 hd that has great glass, but I hate the plastic diopter adjustment that I seem to turn inadvertently all the time. Very comfortable to hold . Will keep these for now

Hopefully the rebranded SLC agree with my eyes as much as they seem to for the people that review them! Should be here in 4 days.

Craig

 

[Newby]

Ordered the Kahles Helia S 8x42 , the rebranded Swarovski SLC. I am not sure I care as much for the brown color but I am sure I will enjoy them


I had a Japanese model Bushnell Legend 8x42 that I loved, great eye relief for my glasses, used them daily until stolen from the machine I operate by some bastards.

Also had a German Steiner Peregrine 8x42 that was nice, very good glass, took them to Africa and they did well. Was offered too good of a price for them so let them go.

Have a new Japanese Bushnell Elite 10x42 hd that has great glass, but I hate the plastic diopter adjustment that I seem to turn inadvertently all the time. Very comfortable to hold . Will keep these for now

Hopefully the rebranded SLC agree with my eyes as much as they seem to for the people that review them! Should be here in 4 days.

Craig

Got my doubts about the Kahles being a rebranded Swaro. My understanding is that they are made in different countries ? or is it different factories ?
Also IIRC the Kahles are/were significantly cheaper than the SLC Swaros.
Happy to be educated.

 

[machinistbutler]

New Kahles helia S are just released this month. They are identical to the Swarovski, different color, made in Austria. My problem is they are MORE money than I can get a new SLC for, so I am hoping I can cancel the order and purchase locally a 8x42 SLC I found. If not I guess I will be trying the Kahles. The old Kahles helia binoculars were made in Japan . Good thread on birdforums about it.

 

[Newby]

New Kahles helia S are just released this month. They are identical to the Swarovski, different color, made in Austria. My problem is they are MORE money than I can get a new SLC for, so I am hoping I can cancel the order and purchase locally a 8x42 SLC I found. If not I guess I will be trying the Kahles. The old Kahles helia binoculars were made in Japan . Good thread on birdforums about it.

Thanks for that. Good strategy to avoid having too many model ranges under the one brand. The SLC was always popular so good move to retain it, even if under another brand.
That leaves the choice of NL or EL with the Swaro label.
Sensible business all round.

 

[machinistbutler]

Optics trade graciously let me cancel order for the Kahles once I let them know I had found Swarovski SLC 8x42 in Canada .

At 2.am I placed the order for the SLC! I am quite excited. Saved a little bit of money and the Swarovski comes with a little more accessories.

 

[crs]

While reading this thread I discovered how little I know about binoculars!

After wearing out my starter no-name 7x35 pair, I decided to try the same brand as my first rifle scope ( begins with an L ) and bought a 10x28 stalking pair by Leupold and they have been hunted all around Texas and neighboring states and still work quite well.
I am not so nosey as to go about asking other hunters what binocs they use, but one African PH was not so reserved and after trying mine for a while, returned them and remarked that whey were maybe a bit better/clearer than his name brand European binocs. I tried his and could not tell the difference.
After 20+ years I still use these when stalk hunting. and when in Africa.

I did try a range finder pair - Bushnell 10x42 - for hunting from a blind or in the Rocky Mountains and they still work fine. As previously stated such combo binocs tend to be heavier and more complicated than run of the mill models.
Oh yes, I gave my son and our house pairs of 7x35 Bushnell binocs for last Christmas. Ours sit on a table by our living room bay window so we can get a clear look at birds, ponies, and other such things in our horse pasture and along the County Road beyond.

Sometimes ignorance is bliss.

 

[machinistbutler]

When I was younger my dad bought me a compact set. I wear glasses and I never liked them, probably 40 years ago. I still have them to remind me not to skimp on binoculars lol.

I need pretty good eye relief . The 8 x42 always seem to suit me a bit better just because of the eye relief.

I am looking forward to comparing the SLC to my elite 10x42. Hope they are an improvement . The elites are nice enough but I just hate the diopter adjustment on them.

 

[SStomcat]

Gentlemen - I have narrowed my search down to three and like your thoughts in choosing the right one based on my preferences -

- Should be easy to carry, good ergonomics and exceptional build quality.
- This should be the only one I buy/carry for the rest of my life )I'm 54 so still have some time to go - Plan to use for hunting big and small Africa, USA as well as for visiting places.

After reading through and doing my own research I have narrowed it down to the following in no particular order -

Swarovski EL 42
Swarovski SLC 8X56 W B (New ones)
Leica Trinovid 8X42 (Cheapest, however not sure if this is made in Germany? )
Leica Ultravid 10X42 HD plus.

I really do not understand the granular details to help decide so some help in finalizing will be much appreciated.

 

[GuttormG]

I bought my forever pair of Swarovski SLC 10x42 in 1991. No regrets!!

I bought my 7*42 in 1993, cost me half a months nett salary.

As for Vortex, they have fantastic warranty. And thats it...

 

[wesheltonj]

The Trinovid is made in Portugal. Why would you not want a rangefinder pair?

 

[SStomcat]

The Trinovid is made in Portugal. Why would you not want a rangefinder pair?

The Trinovid is made in Portugal. Why would you not want a rangefinder pair?

Trinovid is out, I thought so bcoz of price. Just being a nut on country of origin.As to a range finder, I plan to hunt using a DB rifle so not needed I guess

 

[WAB]

To me the 8x56 SLC’s are just too big for your intended use.

 

[SStomcat]

To me the 8x56 SLC’s are just too big for your intended use.

Thanks good point, certainly don't need something big/bulky . So it seems the choice is between-

Leica Ultravid 8X42 HD plus and
Swarovski EL 42

Thoughts?

 

[spike.t]

My next will be swarovski 10x32 el ...Nice size ...got the old 8x30 slc I have had for... can't remember ...but want 10x

 

[SStomcat]

Why would you need 10X, better in daylight I guess but may not be steady as 8X is what I have heard

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

For hunting with a double rifle, especially DG you do not need large binuculars. I chose Swarovski 7x21 CL pocket binos to check the supreme quality and ergonomic boxes, the last thing you need is binos dangling around your neck as you creep through the undergrowth. I have now used mine on a DG hunt and two viewing safaris and I couldn't be happier. Since you are talking of a life long deal and your use may be wider than hunting you may want to extend the size up a bit to 8x25 or 10x30, but definitely no more.

 

[JimP]

10x binoculars are fine for hand held ones. Most people have no problems holding them steady.

With proper technique I can hold 15x ones steady but wouldn't want to do it for a extended session of using them like I can my 10x42 Swaro's

 

[wesheltonj]

Trinovid is out, I thought so bcoz of price. Just being a nut on country of origin.

If that the case the Swaro should be out too. While they speak German in Austria, it’s still not Germany.

 

[SStomcat]

If that the case the Swaro should be out too. While they speak German in Austria, it’s still not Germany.

No Sir, Austria QA is better IMHO. Have had issues with my Nikon lenses/cameras coming out of Thailand and Leica products from Portugal. MAy be an aberration.

 

[SStomcat]

For hunting with a double rifle, especially DG you do not need large binuculars. I chose

10x binoculars are fine for hand held ones. Most people have no problems holding them steady.

With proper technique I can hold 15x ones steady but wouldn't want to do it for a extended session of using them like I can my 10x42 Swaro's

pocket binos to check the supreme quality and ergonomic boxes, the last thing you need is binos dangling around your neck as you creep through the undergrowth. I have now used mine on a DG hunt and two viewing safaris and I couldn't be happier. Since you are talking of a life long deal and your use may be wider than hunting you may want to extend the size up a bit to 8x25 or 10x30, but definitely no more.

Good point, Will consider. So what is the main advantage of a 10X over a 8X other than greater magnification? Sorry if this a stupid question.