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Message: <blockquote data-quote="dwever" data-source="post: 3661660" data-attributes="member: 118803">A month ago I began my search for a higher powered compliment to my Noctivid 8X42's for our place in Wasilla, Alaska.Today I finally found a Cabella's, pictured below, that had both the Swarovski 15x56 SLC ($2,299) and 12X50 EL50 ($2,859) in their display case.  Perfect!I was certain the 15X56 would be my choice as I already have an Alpha 8X and the SLC's would almost double my magnification.  After using both pair along with the Nocitivids for close to forty minutes it was a surprising but easy decision.  The 12X50 EL50 were my choice in every way, industrial design, exterior finish, focus smoothness (among the best I've experienced period), but the biggest difference of all was the image.  Wow.  Even though I wanted the extra 3X of the 15X56 to move well past my 8x42's, the EL's's were so crystal clear in a way that was right with my Noctivids, and the SLC was just slightly out of it's league compared to either in doors and out, supported and free hand.  Throw in design, build, mechanics, and the slightly awkward center of gravity of the SLC's, and the disparity becomes greater, enough to convincingly justify the extra $560 for the EL's.  Would I have been happy with the SLC's had I never tried the EL's?  Clearly so.  But man.So I got the Cabela's Visa in order to score a 10% discount (which was promptly mostly eaten up by tax), and I am exceedingly pleased; really beyond anything I thought I could experience at this magnification.</blockquote>

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