Short review of the Swarovski 10x42 NL Pure (1 Viewer)

[bockos]

something interesting for me about the image quality of NL Pure

https://youtu.be/-5b-ikUPjVQ

 

[dries1]

I think he would have likely had a different view with the SLC 15X56 which is better than the NEU.

Andy W,

 

[bockos]

I see how much better the new Swarovski NL Pure 12x42 is

 

[dries1]

I wonder how it stacks up to the SV 12X50.

Andy W.

 

[giosblue]

That side by side video is a joke. No way is there that difference between those two bins..

 

[[email protected]]

something interesting for me about the image quality of NL Pure

https://youtu.be/-5b-ikUPjVQ

Wow! The NL Pure 12x42 blew the SLC 15x56 away in that side by side video. The NL had way more contrast, clarity and resolution. The SLC looked washed out in comparison. Impressive for a way smaller aperture even if the SLC was not the latest HD model.

 

[bockos]

Yes ... and also 12x42NL as well as 10x42NL and 8x42NL are light and you can carry them with you anywhere, while the big 15x56SLC is heavy by hand and should be on a tripod

 

[bockos]

I see how much better the new Swarovski NL Pure 12x42 is

That side by side video is a joke. No way is there that difference between those two bins..

When I compared them NL had more color and contrast than SLC and EL ..

 

[dries1]

I will stick to the SLC 15X56 and SV 12X50 for the night sky. I am looking forward to a detailed review of the 10X42 NL. There will be one on CN down the road. By the way Dennis there is a difference between the NEU and the SLC 15X56. At smaller mag there is less of a difference between the NEU and SLC models, but at larger mag, the difference is there. Somehow, I am inclined to believe that the U-tube video is marketing hype.

Andy W.

 

[bockos]

Yes..for stars and moon SLC 15x56 and 12x50EL and 10x50 EL are excellent binoculars ..But during the day when I compared them with the three NL Pure ... NL Pure had more color and contrast ... it was a sunny day..I also tried SLC 8x56, 8.5x42 EL
I'm not an expert. But I know what I saw..For example SLC8x56 ... it was close to 8x42NL ... butNL was better ... also 12x50EL has a lot of color and is closer to NL ... but NL was better ...

 

[Chosun Juan]

@Chosun The "Peekability" of the NL is fantastic, just like all other Swaro's that I have had (SLC8x42, EL8x32 and EL10x50) or looked through (almost all other models:king
I guess the extra comfort generated by a big EP has spoiled me over the years

Unfortunately I also can't make a direct comparison with for instance the EL8x32 (4mm EP) because I don't have it anymore.

Because all of the above had made me curious, I decided to do a quick exit pupil experiment 🙂

I grabbed my ATX85 with 1.7x magnifier added in between, and came to the conclusion that the EP has got nothing to do with "roamability", and that the eye relief seems to be a bigger factor in this regard.

Even with 100x magnification (0.85mm EP) it was very easy to cover the whole FOV by taking a bit more eye relief.
Of course, the bigger EP makes eye placement more easy, and provides more comfort.
When dialing the magnification down to minimum, the "roamability" remained the same.

Just for shits and giggles, I had put the NL on top of the ATX to use as a support, and I really was blown away by the NL's image quality.
It is really growing on me the more I use it.
Really happy with it.

Gijs

Gijs - thanks for the reply - I suppose as wonderful as the NL is - even it must stick (somewhat) to the laws of physics !







Chosun :gh:

 

[RoRi]

I will have a good look at the NL one of these days, but I see a dilemma on the horizon.... I have a EL 10x42 SV and am wondering where I should go for. The NL 8, 10 or 12?

I’m 54 and not a die hard birder (yet), so you won’t find me roaming about at the crack of dawn much (just occasionally). I am more of an open terrain kind of guy than a forrest walker (although I take a strole under the leafs now and than).

I like images to be sharp so I have a better chance determining what the .... I’m looking at.

I am planning to keep my EL and have an additional NL. I also have a Meopta S2.

Hope some of you can help me make a decision.

 

[Chosun Juan]

I will have a good look at the NL one of these days, but I see a dilemma on the horizon.... I have a EL 10x42 SV and am wondering where I should go for. The NL 8, 10 or 12?

I’m 54 and not a die hard birder (yet), so you won’t find me roaming about at the crack of dawn much (just occasionally). I am more of an open terrain kind of guy than a forrest walker (although I take a strole under the leafs now and than).

I like images to be sharp so I have a better chance determining what the .... I’m looking at.

I am planning to keep my EL and have an additional NL. I also have a Meopta S2.

Hope some of you can help me make a decision.

Welcome aboard !

We love spending other people's money here !

If it was me - I'd trade-in (or sell) the 10x42 SV to get the same format 10x42 NL. Can't see you being anything other than very happy :t:

If one day you want more true Fov, then Swarovski may have an even wider 8x32 NL out by then.

Just my ($ + 2c) ^405 :-O







Chosun :gh:

 

[RoRi]

Thanks Chosun.

I can understand the thought of trading the EL in for a 10x42 NL. I am however a sentimental kind of guy. The EL and I have been places. Furthermore I want to leave a pair to each of my two children (hopefully in the distant future).

My father now owns the Bino’s of my grandfather. Not that they are very good, but still they are special because they were my grandfathers (did I mention that I’m a bit sentimental)

 

[bockos]

Thanks Chosun.

I can understand the thought of trading the EL in for a 10x42 NL. I am however a sentimental kind of guy. The EL and I have been places. Furthermore I want to leave a pair to each of my two children (hopefully in the distant future).

My father now owns the Bino’s of my grandfather. Not that they are very good, but still they are special because they were my grandfathers (did I mention that I’m a bit sentimental)

I also tried the third NL with a forehead rest. all three for me are Wow ... But 8x42NL has the greatest ease and relaxation for me when watching: nice colors, contrast, width, balance ... But 10x42NL is very close ... also 12x .... You have to try them and decide on the spot .. Give yourself a day to see these new Swarovski NL Pure ...

 

[RoRi]

Guess it will take me at least all day to make up my mind. I would really love the ease and relaxation of the 8 but then I think I would miss the birds being as close up as possible. On the other hand the 12 will bring the birds more up close but the wobbling might spoil this. And I don’t know what the exit pupil will do with a man my age (and the coming years). The 10 I guess would only bring more FOV.

 

[SeldomPerched]

Today was the big, exciting day for me as well, went to my local store to compare the 8x and 10x NL.

I recently sold my EL 10x50 to make room for a 42mm. (With mixed feelings to be honest.)
The NL was high on my list, but I still had the SF and EL in mind too.
I really wanted to check out the NL first before buying, because regardless of any review I have read, I only believe my own eyes.

Took a look through the 8x first, but although I did like what I saw, I certainly wasn't blown away. For starters, I expected the FOV to be bigger.
Next up was the 10x. Yes, that was more like it😊
Could be that it was the 10x mag. where I was already used to, but I found the view of the 10x more "popping" and immersive than in the 8x.

Did a comparison between the EL and NL, and I could conclude the next things:

-Most obvious and nicest difference compared to the EL42 were the superb ergonomics of the NL. The EL's tubes almost felt twice as fat in comparison, and I like the feel of the NL's shape much better.

-CA seemed to be a little better controlled in the NL

-Resolution seemed about the same for both bins, but this is almost impossible to check without a tripod and magnifier.

-Edge sharpness is spectacular like the EL, but with bigger FOV.

-Bigger FOV was not very obvious at first sight, but next to the EL, it is clearly visible.

-Contrast and general image quality is truely stunning.

-Focuser is super smooth and even, the best I ever felt in a Swarovski, and the first Swaro focuser where I have nothing to complain about.

-In general, I would describe the NL as very EL-ish, but with even more improvements in optical quality and way better ergonomics.

I have fitted a Matin harness, the 2 adapters to attach a regular strap or harness are included.
The winged eyecup set fits as well, and they are currently installed as well.

I need to give it some more time to build up a final conclusion, but it sure looks very promising. During this day's use, they really started to grow on me.

Really glad that I tried the NL, and the 10x went home with me. Happy days 😊

I'm sure I would also have had little to complain about when I would have bought a EL10x42, but I couldn't resist to go all the way this time😁
The shitty thing about money is that you can only spend it once, so you better do it right the first time😉

Cheers, (other) Gijs

Thank you for this post, Gijs. Looking at your photos, I was thinking about something a few reviewers have mentioned: a rough edge or seam somewhere on the barrels. In my ten minute hands-on I didn't think to check for that. Have you come across anything of the sort on your own NL?

All the best,

Tom

 

[Kammerdiner]

Swaro is known to make improvements unannounced. I recently bought a second 8x32 SV, simply because it's my favorite and also my wife's favorite. Now we don't have to share.

The original is serial 82x (2012) and the new one is 90x (2020). The optical formula appears identical, but glass/coating changes are pretty obvious. The new one has richer color and better contrast.

I assume these changes go into the NL as well.

Mark

 

[Uhu74]

Thank you for this post, Gijs. Looking at your photos, I was thinking about something a few reviewers have mentioned: a rough edge or seam somewhere on the barrels. In my ten minute hands-on I didn't think to check for that. Have you come across anything of the sort on your own NL?

All the best,

Tom

Hi Tom,

No, not at all. When this wouldn't have been brought to the attention on the forums, I would probably never have noticed. It doesn't really bother me.

I have to agree the seams could have been prettier, but I rather have top notch optics than cosmetic perfection.
An EL is great, but to me, the NL is better in several ways. (FOV, CA correction, focuser, contrast and ergonomics.)
Would I have bought it when I would already have had a EL10x42? Probably not.

But I think after getting used to the NL, it will be hard to go back to an EL|=)|

Cheers, Gijs

 

[[email protected]]

"But I think after getting used to the NL, it will be hard to go back to an EL."

2nd that!