NDhunter
Experienced observer
Back in the day, I wanted that Night Owl so badly I couldn't see straight. At the time there was no way I could afford it. I could go on a "trip" out west for the same price as these binoculars. There was a nice, customer service oriented sporting goods store where I lived. They knew my name and me theirs. I'd go in there and when they weren't busy we'd talk binoculars. Chad introduced me to the Swarovski SLC at that time. Of course they WERE less than the Night Owls but still way out of my league price wise. Chad handed me a 10X42 and told me to take it home and try them for a few days, no obligation. Well I did....what a binocular! I brought them back and was like....AWESOME but.... Chad was like..."Have you got $300? If you do, you can pay me 1/3 now, 1/3 in 30 days, and 1/3 in 60 days." I never signed a piece of paper but I was true to my word and Chad his. Probably the single best optic purchase I've ever made. Well you have to know Chad made an impact on me and so did the Swarovski SLC 10x42 as I still have them.
Sorry off topic kinda...well not KINDA!
Hat's off to the independent sporting goods retailer of yesteryear that made so many things possible for I'm sure so many of us!
Chuck:
This thread has drifted all the way off topic. I had the 10x56 DS, and it was proclaimed as the last of the best leaded glass Zeiss binoculars.
That may be true. It had very nice optics, but poor ergos. I also had a
Swarovski 10x50 SLC Neu, at the same time. The SLC was lighter, brighter
and better.
The Zeiss Design Selection binoculars are valued as a collector model.
Jerry