39 replies to this topic

[GADify]

I have a small pile of binoculars. Some are even pretty nice! 

 

I bought a set of 8x56 SLCs here on CN and holy crap nothing else I've seen compares. I love my Fujinons, and my Maven B.6 are wonderful, too, but these SLCs are just... better. They're heavy and I don't love the ergonomics, but OMG the view. Even terrestrially they just pop in a way that the others come close to, but can't quite achieve. 

 

Pointless post, perhaps, here in a world with so much binocular experience, but from a guy who was totally happy with his '90s Celestron Ultima 8x56s, premium glass is whole new world. 

 

Thanks collectively for leading me down this nicely colored and well-lit (expensive) path. 

Edited by GADify, 15 May 2025 - 12:01 PM.

[Vertigo]

I bought a set of 8x56 SLCs here on CN and holy crap nothing else I've seen compares.

 

Hello,

 

yes, I agree, the image quality of these binocular is extreme impressive.

 

I actually wanted to check out the SLC 10x56 at a dealer, but "unfortunately" they only had an 8x56 in stock. So, somewhat grumpily I walked out the door with the binoculars, took off the caps, put the binoculars up to my eyes, and then: bam, what a incredible optics!

Two days later there was an 8x56 on the shelf, the 10x56 was history for the time being.

 

In fact, for me the SLC 8x56 has the most impressive image of all 8x binoculars currently on the market, large and flat fields of view don't matter, the 8x56 beats them all!

 

Good decision, have fun...

 

Andreas

Edited by Vertigo, 15 May 2025 - 12:23 PM.

[gwlee]

Congratulations GADify. I have been using an 8x56 SLC for about 9 months and have been very impressed with it. 

[Bob4BVM]

Congrat's !

I can relate.  I do not have any bino's you'd call 'premium', just a herd of old vintage classic 7x35 & 7x50 Japanese stuff, most WA 11-12* stuff.

But a while ago I snagged a pair of old Zeiss 10x50s in literally perfect condition. Not at the Swaro level, but still have the wow factor, definitely a big step up for me

CS

Bob

Edited by Bob4BVM, 15 May 2025 - 03:10 PM.

[leviathan]

Congratulations with the right choice, GADify ! I too absolutely love my Swarovski SLC 8x56 W B ! In my opinion it's currently the best 8x56 binoculars on the market, hands down. And most importantly it's still produced and sold by Swarovski together with EL and NL Pure, means in 56mm format it's still unbeaten.

 

I just love the attention to the details: 93% light transmission, 23mm eye relief (the longest I've seen on alpha binos), huge eye lenses, comfortable grip, etc.

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[edwincjones]

Not an SLC but a Zeiss Dialyt 8x56

as my favorite handheld astro binocular.

good optics in the 8x56 format  

 

edj

Edited by edwincjones, 16 May 2025 - 04:39 AM.

[Binojunky]

I bought myself the 10x42,s as a retirement gift to myself, I get a sick feeling when I think of what I paid, however that quickly goes away when lifted to my eyes, had them 10yrs now and they still look and perform as new, Dave.

[GADify]

I bought myself the 10x42,s as a retirement gift to myself, I get a sick feeling when I think of what I paid, however that quickly goes away when lifted to my eyes, had them 10yrs now and they still look and perform as new, Dave.

That sort of gift is supposed to be something you'd not normally buy, so don't sweat the "sick feeling"!

Edited by GADify, 16 May 2025 - 04:58 PM.

[astrophile]

I have a small pile of binoculars. Some are even pretty nice!

I bought a set of 8x56 SLCs here on CN and holy crap nothing else I've seen compares. I love my Fujinons, and my Maven B.6 are wonderful, too, but these SLCs are just... better. They're heavy and I don't love the ergonomics, but OMG the view. Even terrestrially they just pop in a way that the others come close to, but can't quite achieve.

Pointless post, perhaps, here in a world with so much binocular experience, but from a guy who was totally happy with his '90s Celestron Ultima 8x56s, premium glass is whole new world.

Thanks collectively for leading me down this nicely colored and well-lit (expensive) path.

Sounds like you need to buy a pair of Nikon WX to un/ruin you from the Swaros 😉

[Vertigo]

That sort of gift is supposed to be not something you'd normally buy!

Come on people, this is complaining on a high level.

 

Just a look at the signature should put the price of the SLC into perspective?!

 

Why the price is always emphasized so much, especially for premium handheld binoculars, remains a mystery to me.

Quality has its price. What's the cost alone of four Ethos eyepieces? 

 

Andreas

[GADify]

Come on people, this is complaining on a high level.

 

Just a look at the signature should put the price of the SLC into perspective?!

 

Why the price is always emphasized so much, especially for premium handheld binoculars, remains a mystery to me.

Quality has its price. What's the cost alone of four Ethos eyepieces? 

 

Andreas

 

Not sure why your harping on me since I didn't complain about any prices. That said my post was poorly worded, so maybe that led to some confusion. 

[Vertigo]

Not sure why your harping on me since I didn't complain about any prices. That said my post was poorly worded, so maybe that led to some confusion. 

That wasn't meant to be malicious and wasn't directed special at you, but is rather a general observation!

 

There's always a discussion about the prices of premium handheld binoculars and the sense or nonsense of investing so much money in expensive hand binoculars. When it comes to high-quality telescopes, eyepieces, etc., people tend to accept the prices without much discussion.

 

It should also be noted that the possible frequency of use of binoculars is significantly higher than that of telescopes, which puts the high purchase price into perspective.

 

Have fun with the SLC,

 

Andreas

Edited by Vertigo, 17 May 2025 - 03:55 AM.

[exup]

That wasn't meant to be malicious and wasn't directed special at you, but is rather a general observation!

 

There's always a discussion about the prices of premium handheld binoculars and the sense or nonsense of investing so much money in expensive hand binoculars. When it comes to high-quality telescopes, eyepieces, etc., people tend to accept the prices without much discussion.

 

It should also be noted that the possible frequency of use of binoculars is significantly higher than that of telescopes, which puts the high purchase price into perspective.

 

Have fun with the SLC,

 

Andreas

To you, is an NL 52mm "worth" the £1000 (~50%) extra over an SLC?

Edited by exup, 17 May 2025 - 04:07 AM.

[Vertigo]

To you, is an NL 52mm "worth" the £1000 (~50%) extra over an SLC?

I don't know the NL 10x52 in particular, so I have to leave this question open.

 

Is the approximately 400% extra cost of a TOA 150 compared to a TS 150 SD worth?

 

Andreas

[exup]

I don't know the NL 10x52 in particular, so I have to leave this question open.

 

Is the approximately 400% extra cost of a TOA 150 compared to a TS 150 SD worth?

 

Andreas

Is an SLC 8/10x56 "worth" ~300% the price of a GPO 8/10x56?

 

Telescopes are a different category and debate....

[leviathan]

Is the approximately 400% extra cost of a TOA 150 compared to a TS 150 SD worth?

 

Andreas

400% yes !

[Vertigo]

Telescopes are a different category and debate....

Why?

 

Andreas

[exup]

Why?

 

Andreas

Because we are in the binocular forum 

[Vertigo]

Because we are in the binocular forum 

But that doesn't change the fact that there are double standards here!

 

Andreas

[wrighty338]

Another thread derailed....

[exup]

But that doesn't change the fact that there are double standards here!

 

Andreas

No double standards.... telescopes are a different forum and different market with different 'economics'.

[Vertigo]

 ...different market with different 'economics'.

???

 

I think you're just avoiding answering to keep the mantra of outrageous prices for premium binoculars alive.

 

Andreas

Edited by Vertigo, 17 May 2025 - 04:46 AM.

[edwincjones]

To you, is an ----- "worth" the ------ extra over an ---?

a very personal question that can only be answered by the individual

 

depends on ones disposable income, interest, preferences. and values

some of my cheapest optics, and most expensive ones, are well worth it,

but many I have gotten, and others I have not obtained, are not.

 

edj

[exup]

a very personal question that can only be answered by the individual

 

depends on ones disposable income, interest, preferences. and values

some of my cheapest optics, and most expensive ones, are well worth it,

but many I have gotten, and others I have not obtained, are not.

 

edj

Yes, I concur entirely.

 

As always, interested in Andreas opinions.

[Vertigo]

As always, interested in Andreas opinions.

@exup, as far as I'm concerned, we can stop discussing the price differences between handheld binoculars forever because, in my opinion, it makes no sense to consider this issue in isolation.

 

The price/performance ratio always remains a subjective point of view; there's no right or wrong, this applies to almost all products, even beyond long-range optics.

 

Ultimately, I can understand people who aren't willing to spend that much money on binoculars, and personally, I don't care at all who uses which binoculars; the main thing is that the people are satisfied.

 

Finally, I'd like to point out that I don't use premium binoculars as a display item or as a status symbol as is so often suggested here, and many colleagues who own high-quality binoculars feel the same way. Ultimately, it's the joy of handling and using these binoculars, nothing more and nothing less. The constant accusation of "elitism" is nothing more than a persistent myth that some people like to perpetuate, whatever goals are being pursued...

 

Andreas