Swaroski SLC or EL

[Matthew Thompson]

Hi there. I am in th emarket for a pair of binoculars and am obviously considering a set of Swaroski. I would like some real world comparisons from people who have used both the SLC and EL versions of these binos. Looking at the 8x42 SLC £1205 or 8.5x42 EL £1865. Has anyone here owned and used both the SLC and EL versions and which do you prefer and are the EL worth the extra £663?

 

[the scudd]

I’ve had both, I prefer the els though I wouldn’t buy new ones have a look for a used pair and save yourself a grand

 

[Uncle Norm]

I have the SLC. I tried both as the sun went down to dark and couldn't see any difference.

 

[dunwater]

Hi there. I am in th emarket for a pair of binoculars and am obviously considering a set of Swaroski. I would like some real world comparisons from people who have used both the SLC and EL versions of these binos. Looking at the 8x42 SLC £1205 or 8.5x42 EL £1865. Has anyone here owned and used both the SLC and EL versions and which do you prefer and are the EL worth the extra £663?

I have a pair of 8x32 EL ( bought second hand) and got to compare them with a similar pair of SLC. Not a whit of difference optically, but the SLC are much more up to date, so maybe that had something to do with it.

 

[S&L7x57]

I have fought with exactly the same dilemma and after much handling in shops, reading of reviews and talking to people on SD and pro stalkers, I came to the conclusion the EL's were not worth the extra 50%. Nearly bought SLC's new but then looked on Ebay and found a pair of 1 year old SLC 8x42 with all the original packaging, warrantee card etc and got them for just over £750! There are a lot of Swaro's on Ebay and if you can identify the age & model, there are some good deals to be had. The SLC do not attract the buying interest of the EL's: I saw an old EL go for over £700 tonight: well rubbed, no covers etc etc
Just be aware that both the SLC's and EL's have changed over the years, the SLC's rather less I believe. An old EL's is pretty much the equal of the newer SLC's and of course doesn't have the Swarovision or whatever.
Swaro's customer service is excellent so even if you buy a rather dog-eared one, they'll rebuild it for a very moderate sum. I bought a Z6i scope which was very beaten up: scratched lense etc and they did a full service including new obj lense and electronics for only £162! It only took about 2 weeks from sending to return and went all the way to Austria for the work. It still looks well worn on the outside but the optics & electronics are as new. What's not to like?!

 

[FISH BOY]

Thought I saw 1Kev was selling a set of 8x42 EL RFs for the same type of money.

 

[Woodlander]

Over the years I’ve had 10x42 slc 7x42 slc and 8x30 ELs. Optically there’s not enough between them to justify the difference in price. It all depends on what you’re going to do with them.
The 7x42 were brilliant at last light and had a good field of view.

 

[Jdt]

I use a pair of 7x42 slc's fantastic at low light and having a pair of 10x42 el's I wouldn't pay the extra for them now

 

[jimbo1984]

Does anyone have any experience of the early slc 7x42 b Binos ? I’ve been offered a pal at a good price and from the dates a think they were made in 97 ?

 

[norma 308]

I’ve had 7x42 and now 8x42 SLC had them against most modern makes inc EL I think it’s a weight thing no difference optically got mine from Simpson bros for just over a grand McLeods are always worth a call too I’d say

 

[DJC]

I have a pair of 8x30C L like new for sale used twice as got rangefinders now £600 plus post or pick up in Blackpool

 

[jimbo1984]

I have a pair of 8x30C L like new for sale used twice as got rangefinders now £600 plus post or pick up in Blackpool

Thank you mate but I think I’m going to go for the 7x42 model

 

[jimbo1984]

I’ve had 7x42 and now 8x42 SLC had them against most modern makes inc EL I think it’s a weight thing no difference optically got mine from Simpson bros for just over a grand McLeods are always worth a call too I’d say

Thanks , that’s what I was bothered about really , just performance at low light