I shopped these 2 for a year. Visited 6 different dealers, to spread out the load of my arguably manic process. Bought the NL. Used it exclusively for 4 months, now 8 months in. YMMV, as we each bring different preferences to the thing.
I discovered a slight magnification benefit to the NL. I preferred that. No one else will mention it. Optical quality was essentially equal. The wider FOV is a thing for some, though at birding distances say 100 yards, we're talking 1.2' in favor of the SF (462-450/10). AFOV is essentially equal. On paper the weight difference is an inconsequential, 1.6 oz, (NL heavier). Size again listed, has the NL .3" shorter. There's something else going on the paper specs don't cover, though. Picking the NL and SF up off the table, the weight difference was more noticeable than the 1.6oz inferred. However tipping the binos to horizontal as they approach the eyes and noticing how they feel in that position, the touted rear balance benefit of the SF disappeared. Zeiss accomplishes rear balance via redistributing mass towards the eyes. Swarovski, which never mentions it in their literature, accomplishes the same effect via messing with the tubes. As I recall, (may be nuts) there was something to do with where the hands end up once in viewing position that offset the Zeiss claim. For me size is more important than weight, and there is something beyond just length at work. It has to be the wasp waist thing. To my mind and after 8 months, the feel of NL is the thing I like most about it. Its there all the time. With scope, walking with tripod on one shoulder, one handing the NLs is a joy.
My NL832 does have glare. Dont know about the SF. Though Im not sure some of the explanations you'll read hear explain its origins. PO'd about that, I contacted SwaroNA, and had a bit of an exchange. Ultimately I took their advice and just went birding for awhile (that 4 months above). The idea was to stop looking for it, go bird as normal, where normal and see how bad a thing it is. I learned eye position is more fussy than my EL1042s, but eventually its fine. We humans can adapt. Getting IPD, and eye cup height correct took a bit, exacerbated by 2 Cataract surgeries in the middle of all this. I also had to learn my old man posture wasnt helping and needed to straighten my head. No one talks about this either. Essentially seems somehow stray light off my face was messing with things.
Re pbjosh' comment on strap lugs. Its no big deal. Go here:
How to Avoid Twisting Those Blasted Field Pro Connectors
and here, (see #12)
Nl pure
The larger AFOV of the NL (and SFs) is noticeable as compared with 1042s and a plus as it aides in being able to see whats what with the wider actual FOV seen through 2 X less mag.
