2020 SLC vs Helia S (1 Viewer)

[wedgetail84]

There’s a lot of info about the various SLC models and variations on this forum. It’s fairly well accounted that they became the current Kahles Helia S. But have there been any changes, for better or worse? Given the choice (and ignoring the armour colouring and warranty period) would you choose a new Helia S or late model SLC?

I’ve been looking for a used 10x42 SLC but have noticed for not a whole more than what people are asking for them I could get a Helia S

 

[Richard D]

Other than armour they're unchanged from the late SLCs

 

[wedgetail84]

Right, thanks for that. Shame they had to put that stupid orange stripe on them 👎🏻

 

[Richard D]

Right, thanks for that. Shame they had to put that stupid orange stripe on them 👎🏻

Yes the brown is fine, but that stripe must be hurting sales

 

[wedgetail84]

Yes the brown is fine, but that stripe must be hurting sales

100%. Might be able to carefully run some leather dye over them

 

[JMCal]

I own two pairs (8x and 10x), and love them. I just came back from using them to watch hundreds of humpback whales at long distances in Northern California - they were amazing. I do feel they are a bit of an eyesore though. I’ve considered trying to do something about the stripe, but am afraid to make things worse. At least they are hard to lose in the wilds.

If anyone comes up with a good solution to the ugly stripe please let me know.

 

[Patudo]

Kahles (or whoever) are missing a trick here. Offer them in burnt orange and there'd be an effing stampede of buyers.

 

[tenex]

Orange is popular, but an orange stripe is not? I don't get it.

 

[wedgetail84]

Orange is popular, but an orange stripe is not? I don't get it.

Yeah I’m not following either… personally I think the orange stripe looks crap, and so would an all orange one. I’ve got a used green pair coming now, but if I got the Helia S I’d carefully mask off around the orange stripe and apply a brown or black dye to the stripe with a q-tip. Soft/rubbery plastics take permanent dye reasonably well in my experience

 

[NDhunter]

It is too bad that Swarovski dropped the very good SLC line. These were very good sellers
and a true alpha optic. I like Kahles and have experience, but the brown with orange stripe
does not thrill me. The preowned SLC market is full of nice choices, that is the way to go.
Jerry

 

[albie...]

Orange is popular, but an orange stripe is not? I don't get it.

I don't get it either . I guess they are not for the fashion minded amongst us . A possible plus is that maybe most people hate the orange stripe making theft of it less possible

 

[Harry Stottle]

I like the all brown version but cannot find it for sale in the UK - they all have the vile orange stripe.
They are both called Helia but I am not sure if they are the same optically.

 

[jan van daalen]

I like the all brown version but cannot find it for sale in the UK - they all have the vile orange stripe.
They are both called Helia but I am not sure if they are the same optically.

 

[jan van daalen]

You probably mean these.
The left one is MIJ anf the other one is MIA.
Swaro/Kahles still has 'new old stock' of the MIJ version with serious discount.
Just visit your Swaro dealer and make a deal. He can order them. In the shop you can look through both and make up you mind. The price difference is 50% but the MIJ is not 50% less.

Jan

 

[wedgetail84]

Helia S is the new SLC. Helia is MIJ and has no similarities

 

[Harry Stottle]

@wedgetail84 said: Helia S is the new SLC. Helia is MIJ and has no similarities

It was the new SLC I was interested in, I have not seen either (other than in pictures).

I wonder if they have the same armour problems as swarovski EL?