Swarovski NL PURE 14x52 or other NL Bino, have or used - your opinion, any comments? thx in advance

[elkocountygun]

Swarovski NL PURE 14x52 or other NL Bino, have or used - your opinion, any comments? thx in advance.
just like to hear if you like or dislike and comments as to what or why.

 

[wyosteve]

I have 12x42 NL and 8x32 NL’s. Upgraded from EL’s a few years ago. Great field of view. Maybe slightly better glass. Not sorry I made the switch. Oh, great ergonomics too.

 

[WI-2021]

I don't own any because I'm too cheap, but I've made the mistake of looking through several pairs. The most incredible binoculars I've made the mistake of picking up. Some day.

 

[Jon R15]

I got the 12x42 NL last spring and consider them to be the best bino currently on the market. I have owned the best from Leica and Zeiss over the years and Swaro currently has them all beat with the NLs. I would have purchased the 14x52s but they were not released when I got 12x.

 

[towserthemouser]

I have the 12x42 NL and it's everything others above have said; ergonomically elegant, outstanding FOV, surprisingly light, and with exceptional glass and image quality.

I have been tempted to consider adding the 8x42 NL set because of their Best in Show field of view. We use ours for bird-watching as well as hunting, and FOV is a big deal for visual target acquisition in birding (and also pretty dang helpful in general hunting use).

If you are considering one of the NL binoculars, especially in a higher magnification, I can definitely recommend the little forehead thingy (can't remember what Swarovski calls it). This is a simple but ingenious little pad that attaches to the central pivot point of the binos and is designed to rest comfortably against your forehead when the binoculars are up at your eyes. It provides an additional point of contact and is remarkably helpful to stabilize the image and minimize shake. A small point, but one that actually makes a big difference.

This is a big purchase but it's an item of the highest quality and is expected to give exceptional service for many years.

 

[towserthemouser]

I have 12x42 NL and 8x32 NL’s. Upgraded from EL’s a few years ago. Great field of view. Maybe slightly better glass. Not sorry I made the switch. Oh, great ergonomics too.

@wyosteve I would love to hear more about the 8x32 NL in particular. I know it's very lightweight and compact, and offers a pretty good FOV, although not quite at the All-World level of the slightly larger and heavier 8x42 NL. Your experience with the 8x32 NL would be of great interest to me, since I have the 12x42 NL like you do, and have considered adding an 8 power version. I've looked several times at the website comparison between the 8x32 vs. the 8x42.

Which set would you choose to take hunting, and under which conditions? I imagine the 12x42 would come into its own for pronghorn, mule deer, or other Western hunting. Which ones would you choose for buffalo or elephant hunting in the jess in Africa? I'm thinking the 8x32 or 8x42 could really shine there.......

 

[M70375!]

I have NL 12x42 , bought for upcoming brown bear hunt on Alaskan peninsula . For Africa don't over look the CL companion 10x30, I want to get a pair if I can sell my 10x25 Swarovskis first.I looked thru the 10x30 and fell in love with them, they are smaller and lighter than the 10x42 NL and for Africa I can't imagine a better choice . MHO

 

[Hooknbullet2]

I had the NL 10x42 and now have the NL 14x52. Like them both. Each has their place. Optical quality is superior to the EL as is FOV. I highly recommend looking through them before buying.

 

[Luvthunt]

The NLs are excellent glass.

 

[wyosteve]

tower- I actually use the 8x32's probably 80% of the time. I went with the 32 mm for a slightly smaller package. For glassing at my most common distances, i.e. a mile or less, they are perfect. Easier to carry and I use them to spot game, not try to score animals. The 12's are more for the long distance work. Antelope, sheep and elk in the open. My 12's have the forehead rest and an Outdoorsman stud so are pretty steady to handhold, but can put them on a tripod if need be. I'd analogize the 8 to my ATC Swaro spotting scope. I grab the small ATC 90% of the time over my 95mm as it is easier to pack and meets my needs most of the time. Fwiw, I also have 8x30 CL and 10x30 CL's. They are my truck binos and for closer distance glassing. I'm afraid to total how much I have invested in Swaro glass!!

 

[elkocountygun]

I have 12x42 NL and 8x32 NL’s. Upgraded from EL’s a few years ago. Great field of view. Maybe slightly better glass. Not sorry I made the switch. Oh, great ergonomics too.

thx. hoping to find honest guy to trade me for a pair.
have you ever tried the 14 power with the 52 mm objective, from tripod or rest that is?

 

[elkocountygun]

I don't own any because I'm too cheap, but I've made the mistake of looking through several pairs. The most incredible binoculars I've made the mistake of picking up. Some day.

u n me both sir... seemed more clear than the 15 x 56 mm objective i had 15 + years ago.
thx

 

[elkocountygun]

I don't own any because I'm too cheap, but I've made the mistake of looking through several pairs. The most incredible binoculars I've made the mistake of picking up. Some day.

your not cheap...just have other things that require those funds. if i was out glassin 2-3 x every week then money well spent

 

[elkocountygun]

I got the 12x42 NL last spring and consider them to be the best bino currently on the market. I have owned the best from Leica and Zeiss over the years and Swaro currently has them all beat with the NLs. I would have purchased the 14x52s but they were not released when I got 12x.

thx very helpful, and i would agree. wish Leica had anything close as i had very good luck with my old 10 x 42 and my old spotter in 1993. just doesn't see like anything close to the NL glass out there.

 

[elkocountygun]

I have the 12x42 NL and it's everything others above have said; ergonomically elegant, outstanding FOV, surprisingly light, and with exceptional glass and image quality.

I have been tempted to consider adding the 8x42 NL set because of their Best in Show field of view. We use ours for bird-watching as well as hunting, and FOV is a big deal for visual target acquisition in birding (and also pretty dang helpful in general hunting use).

If you are considering one of the NL binoculars, especially in a higher magnification, I can definitely recommend the little forehead thingy (can't remember what Swarovski calls it). This is a simple but ingenious little pad that attaches to the central pivot point of the binos and is designed to rest comfortably against your forehead when the binoculars are up at your eyes. It provides an additional point of contact and is remarkably helpful to stabilize the image and minimize shake. A small point, but one that actually makes a big difference.

This is a big purchase but it's an item of the highest quality and is expected to give exceptional service for many years.

very good info and i agree. have you tried the head rest yet? only see online but hope to find a vendor that will allow me to try. thx for the info... much appreciated

 

[wyosteve]

I have the forehead rest on my 12's and really like it. Gives an extra measure of stability and isn't obtrusive. Binos still fit in the same AGC harness.

 

[elkocountygun]

thx very helpful, and i would agree. wish Leica had anything close as i had very good luck with my old 10 x 42 and my old spotter in 1993. just doesn't see like anything close to the NL glass out there.

does seem

 

[elkocountygun]

@wyosteve I would love to hear more about the 8x32 NL in particular. I know it's very lightweight and compact, and offers a pretty good FOV, although not quite at the All-World level of the slightly larger and heavier 8x42 NL. Your experience with the 8x32 NL would be of great interest to me, since I have the 12x42 NL like you do, and have considered adding an 8 power version. I've looked several times at the website comparison between the 8x32 vs. the 8x42.

Which set would you choose to take hunting, and under which conditions? I imagine the 12x42 would come into its own for pronghorn, mule deer, or other Western hunting. Which ones would you choose for buffalo or elephant hunting in the jess in Africa? I'm thinking the 8x32 or 8x42 could really shine there.......

looking forward to comments on these. tried 10x32 and seem lightweight makes up for less magnification.

 

[elkocountygun]

I have NL 12x42 , bought for upcoming brown bear hunt on Alaskan peninsula . For Africa don't over look the CL companion 10x30, I want to get a pair if I can sell my 10x25 Swarovskis first.I looked thru the 10x30 and fell in love with them, they are smaller and lighter than the 10x42 NL and for Africa I can't imagine a better choice . MHO

good plan. where do you sell used optics these days? previously i carried them with me to SCI shows and other shows in western states, but that's been decades ago.

 

[elkocountygun]

I had the NL 10x42 and now have the NL 14x52. Like them both. Each has their place. Optical quality is superior to the EL as is FOV. I highly recommend looking through them before buying.

great info, thx. do the 14x52 have much distortion , heat waves, shimmer, atmospheric refraction or what name others use for looking @ 1000 - 1500 or so yards / meters and the difficulty seeing clearly