Considering a secondhand 10x42 WB SLC (1999) (1 Viewer)

[gandytron]

Hey guys,

I’m looking for a used 10x binocular and came across this SLC that was made in 1999 (so still has 7 years warranty).

I’ve never handled a pair of these so would be interested in opinions on how they stack up against more modern optics. The other option at the moment seems to be a used 10x42 Victory FL that I have also found online.

I will be testing “in person” before I buy.

Grateful for your thoughts

Thanks

Dave

 

[John A Roberts]

Hi Dave,

The Swarovski SLC x42 design dates back to 1992, and as can be seen it has a 3 lens objective.
(the all new SLC x42 design with a 4 lens objective including one with HD glass dates from 2010).

The Zeiss FL x42 is a newer design from 2004. And it has a 4 lens objective with one FL glass element.
So especially at 10x there’s likely to be a sharper image (with the FL glass giving superior control of false colour).

The Zeiss FL’s also typically have a very smooth focuser action.
And the composite construction makes for a more comfortable to hold binocular in cold conditions.

But as always, if you can try before you buy, you may greatly prefer one to the other regardless of the specifications.


John

 

[John A Roberts]

And the spec sheets (the SLC's dates from 2005) . . .

 

[Tringa45]

Hi Dave,

I should mention that if you wear glasses when viewing, this binocular only has 14 mm eye relief, so you would lose quite a lot of the field of view.
Otherwise it's a very solid and well-made binocular, but as John pointed out above, you might see some chromatic aberration.
If the original carton is available look for "Swarobright". This is a dielectric mirror coating on the prisms, which was introduced around the turn of the century and has a higher reflectivity than the original aluminium coatings.

John

 

[Tringa45]

And the composite construction makes for a more comfortable to hold binocular in cold conditions.

Well, the Swaro does have rubber armouring and Dave won't be freezing in Thailand.

 

[John A Roberts]

I should have mentioned . . .

Swarobright was introduced progressively on the SLC line between very late 1998 and early 2003 (as indicated by box labels).

The earliest 10x42 that I've seen is #D7103 71724 (and not on #D7039 65033). So at the latest by the 3rd week (03) of 2001 (71 + 1930).


John

 

[gandytron]

Thank you all for these very helpful responses. It seems like the Zeiss may be a better option, indeed I used to have a 7x42 FL so that is not an entirely unknown quantity.

Best wishes

Dave

 

[tenex]

The Swarovski SLC x42 design dates back to 1992, and as can be seen it has a 3 lens objective.
(the all new SLC x42 design with a 4 lens objective including one with HD glass dates from 2010).

I'm not familiar with various iterations (up to "neu") of pre-HD SLCs. Were there just progressive improvements in coatings, or more major optical differences?

 

[John A Roberts]

Hi tenex,

A rundown of the original series x42 SLC's:

. . .
• In mid 1992 production of both the 7x42 and the 10x42 commenced . . .
The earliest x42 I’ve observed is a 10x42 model numbered D6226 07783, and the earliest 7x42 is D6237 10189

• By early 2003 at the latest, Swarobright/ dielectric prism coating was present on the 7x42 SLC (it was indicated on the box label)
It’s present by D7303/ but not D7027 (it was introduced earlier on the 10x42 by early 2001 at the latest, by D7103/ but not D7039)
n.b. Swarobright was introduced progressively across the SLC line over several years - it seems that each model required a different combination of coatings

• At the start of 2005 the 'neu' rubber armour covering was introduced across all the SLC line (observed from D7503)

• By mid 2007 Swaroclean was introduced across all the SLC line (the box label was marked 'Easy to Clean', with the earliest observed D7727/ but not D7721)

• At the start of 2009 the Swarotop/ anti-reflective coatings were significantly updated (so D79 on)
See Dale Forbes' comments in post #29 at: Swarovski EL 42 60th anniversary coating

The original x42 models were discontinued in 2010. The last observed 7x42 is D8013 84600, and the last observed 10x42 is D8033 87526

- - - -
Across the life of the original SLC x42 series there were 3 different rubber armour coverings:

• the original single colour coating with distinct ‘shoulders’, in either green or black
• the updated single colour coating without the ‘shoulders’, in either green or black
• the 2 colour neu coating in green and black

. . .


John


p.s. by sometime in 1999 Swarodur/ hard external lens coating was present on the SLC line (using Wayback, by then it was listed on the Swarovski website on the SLC line)
- so all production from 2000 on (D70 on) will have Swarodur

And as far as is known the optics remained the same across the life of the original version.


An image showing the various SLC x42 coverings.
(It's from the brochure for the 2013 revision to the new model; and somewhat strangely the image of the 2013 unit is altered to give a two tone effect)
From the rear, the three versions of the original series RA; and then the 2010 and 2013 versions of the new series:

 

[ramsdude47]

What are the older WB / Habicht models worth?
How much would being refurbished and reserialized change that?

 

[Binastro]

It depends when the work was done.

Regards.
B.

 

[John A Roberts]

Hi rd47 (post #10),

Swarovski introduced a new pattern of serial numbering across its product range in September 2020.
For the details see: Swarovski serialnumbers changed

#DA13 12867C indicates work done by SONA (Swarovski Optik North America) in 2023.

Post #20 specifically addresses units with revised numbering assigned by SONA
(and post #18 explains in detail the current original numbering on units).


John