New Swarovski SLC 42 Binoculars (4 Viewers)

[pompadour]

David, Lee, thanks for the fine input from the Fair. Sorry if the answer is stated or implied somewhere, but: what's the main difference /s optically between the "SLC HD" and the new "SLC" 8x42? And what enables the price drop? Looks like Swaro.'s share of the "alpha" market will now go up from about 99.9% to about ... uh, well, you know what I mean.

 

[Troubador]

David, Lee, thanks for the fine input from the Fair. Sorry if the answer is stated or implied somewhere, but: what's the main difference /s optically between the "SLC HD" and the new "SLC" 8x42? And what enables the price drop? Looks like Swaro.'s share of the "alpha" market will now go up from about 99.9% to about ... uh, well, you know what I mean.

Pomp

Because all the new SLCs have HD glass they have decided to drop the HD from the name. Don't know if the 'new' 42s are the old HDs wearing new frocks or whether they have benefited from any optics upgrades. Can't understand why, if all SLCs now have HD glass, why they didn't call them all HD.

Not sure what is happening on the prices because information from a European source who should know, says that the 42s will be priced more or less the same as the old HDs and that the 56s will be a bit more expensive than before.

Whether this signals a different price policy in USA compared with Euro or whether some mistakes in the prices announced have been made I don't know.

Lee

 

[ceasar]

Eagle Optics has the older 8 and 10 x 42 SLC HDs on sale now at a higher price than they are showing for the new 8 and 10 x 42 SLC WBs. The old 10 x 42 SLC HD is now out of stock.

See thread #54 above.

Now we can wonder whether, in the future, because of their higher prices, questions will arise about purchasing those older HDs on this forum? Perhaps there will be some speculation as to whether or not they were a "better" binocular than the forthcoming SLC WBs are?

Hopefully Swarovski will clarify this soon.

Bob

 

[elkcub]

...

The new 8x56 SLC might match the centerfield resolution of the 8x56 FL, but w/out the astigmatism and bulky ribbed closed bridge body and with some much needed RED added ti the light spectrum. The only question is if the overall light transmission can match the FL. According to Arek, the 10x42 SLC-HD only achieves 85.6% whereas he rated the 10x42 FL 5% higher. The SLC-HD is low on the blue end and saggy in the middle:

Swarovski_SLC_10x42_WB_HD

Good thing the focuser is probably coarse and ratchety and doesn't turn smoothly in both directions, said the Fox, because I'd be putting up the car on eBay to buy this model and buying a bus pass.

As PP said, the 8x56 FL won't sell in the U.S.. (except for Henry , but I think hunters in Europe are going to eat these up like roasted wild boar. :eat:

<B>

Brock,

Here are photopic curves Gijs van Ginkel reported for several 42mm binoculars (pg. 20 of his article). There might be a difference between the 8x and 10x HDs, but frankly I have no confidence in Albinos' numbers or opinions. (The last paragraph in the link you posted tells the story.)

It would also appear from Gijs' report that the Swaro and Zeiss products are in a dead heat for photopic and scotopic transmission, 88-9% and 92% respectively.

Looking at the specs, I think the new Swaro 8x56 might have a good chance of gaining popularity among US birders. Of course, "Ya can't sell from an empty cart," so they'll have to stock them first.

Incidentally, I bought my SLC 8x42 HD from Cameraland NY in Dec. 2011 for $1599. :king:

Ed

 

[elkcub]

From what I can discern, there is no more "metal" coverage on the new SLC than the current one. The only difference is in the patterning.

It's amazing how quickly rumors start. :eek!:

Ed

 

[Chosun Juan]

Ed - I quite like the look of the new design rubber armouring - it looks kinda "swoopy" ..... and matches the little hawk badge well :t:
http://translate.google.com/transla...p://www.orniwelt.de/Fernglaeser/Swarovski/SLC


Chosun :gh:

 

[Chosun Juan]

Eagle Optics has the older 8 and 10 x 42 SLC HDs on sale now at a higher price than they are showing for the new 8 and 10 x 42 SLC WBs. The old 10 x 42 SLC HD is now out of stock.

See thread #54 above.

Now we can wonder whether, in the future, because of their higher prices, questions will arise about purchasing those older HDs on this forum? Perhaps there will be some speculation as to whether or not they were a "better" binocular than the forthcoming SLC WBs are?

Hopefully Swarovski will clarify this soon.

Bob

Bob, it's not just EO! - it looks like the pricing and clearance is "Outta Control!"

As the x42's are essentially the same (if not better?), then depending on folks preference for the style, they might be able to pick up a useful bargain, provided that the clearance prices drop below the 'new style' threshold of "58305 SLC 8x42 W B -$1,921.00 MSRP, and 58310 SLC 10x42 W B -$1,999.00 MSRP" (I wonder if that EO pricing [8x $1729, 10x $1799] is pre-order, or introductory? .... after which normal gouging will resume?!)
|8.|

Here's a selection of current US retailer offerings ....
SLC 8x42 HD:
Adorama $1850 + free shipping (US) http://www.adorama.com/SI842HDSLC.html
B&H $2129 + free shipping (US) http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/712717-USA/Swarovski_58205_SLC_8x42_HD_Binocular.html
CameraLandNY $2129 (US sale only) http://www.cameralandny.com/optics/swarovski.pl?page=swarovskislc8x42hd
OpticsPlanet $2129 + free shipping http://www.opticsplanet.com/swarovski-slc-8x42-hd-high-definition-binocular.html

SLC 10x42 HD:
Adorama $2000 + free shipping (US) http://www.adorama.com/SI1042WHDSLC.html
B&H $2089 + free shipping (US) http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/712718-USA/Swarovski_58210_SLC_10x42_HD_Binocular.html
CameraLandNY $2239 (US sale only) http://www.cameralandny.com/optics/swarovski.pl?page=swarovskislc10x42hd
OpticsPlanet $2239 + free shipping http://www.opticsplanet.com/swarovski-slc-10x42-hd-high-definition-binocular.html

It seems that some further $$ dropping |8(| will be in order as time marches on, and stocks dwindle ......



Chosun :gh:

 

[Pileatus]

The "new" 8X42 SLC...58305
http://www.opticauthority.com/swarovski-slc-8x42-wb-hd-binocular-58305-new-2013.aspx
http://www.eurooptic.com/swarovski-slc-8x42-wb-hd-binocular-58305-new-2013.aspx
http://www.eagleoptics.com/binoculars/swarovski/swarovski-slc-8x42-wb-binocular
Selling price for the new 58305 = $1728

The "old" 8X42 SLC HD 58205 on sale = $1889
http://www.eagleoptics.com/binoculars/swarovski/swarovski-slc-8x42-hd-binocular

So, I can buy the old model for $160 more than the new model or wait, buy the new model and save $160. Makes sense to me!

PS
At least the price is UNDER $2000. That should keep the naysayers at bay.

 

[proudpapa56]

Honey Creek Bill and Beak - Ebay

SLC HD 8x42 $1703.20 free shipping

SLC HD 10x42 $1791.20 free shipping

One left of each.

(Or call the shop / PM and they might be able to do a little bit better on that price.)

 

[Lost Arra]

The "new" 8X42 SLC...58305
http://www.opticauthority.com/swarovski-slc-8x42-wb-hd-binocular-58305-new-2013.aspx
http://www.eurooptic.com/swarovski-slc-8x42-wb-hd-binocular-58305-new-2013.aspx
http://www.eagleoptics.com/binoculars/swarovski/swarovski-slc-8x42-wb-binocular
Selling price for the new 58305 = $1728

The "old" 8X42 SLC HD 58205 on sale = $1889
http://www.eagleoptics.com/binoculars/swarovski/swarovski-slc-8x42-hd-binocular

So, I can buy the old model for $160 more than the new model or wait, buy the new model and save $160. Makes sense to me!

PS
At least the price is UNDER $2000. That should keep the naysayers at bay.

So for someone in the market for an 8x42 SLC "new" or SLC HD "current", do you wait and see on the new or buy current model at same price as pre-ordered new model? Waiting runs the risk of availability of the current model.
This press release has really thrown a wrench in things for those shopping the SLC.

 

[Pileatus]

So for someone in the market for an 8x42 SLC "new" or SLC HD "current", do you wait and see on the new or buy current model at same price as pre-ordered new model? Waiting runs the risk of availability of the current model.
This press release has really thrown a wrench in things for those shopping the SLC.

The newer model has a reported close focus of 10.5 ft. versus 6 ft. for the current model. Why the newer model is priced below the sale price for the current model is a mystery.

 

[cycleguy]

Sounds like the change is a modified focus mechanism.

I suspect you guys are correct in that the old model is not a strong seller. Cannibalized by the EL above and less popular due to the stiffer competition below.

See editorials to swaro press release link posted earlier, post 18.

CG

 

[Lost Arra]

Thanks cycleguy

I'm thinking a "modified focus mechanism" might be worth a wait and see.

 

[Alexis Powell]

The newer model has a reported close focus of 10.5 ft. versus 6 ft. for the current model. ...

Is the reported spec from company literature or from actual test? I've noticed, in the past at least, that Swarovski published very inaccurate close focus specs for some bins. The real close focus ability was always better than spec. For example, the 8x20 pocket model is advertised as focusing down to something like 4 or 5 m, but I find that it actually focuses down to 2 or 3 m.

--AP

 

[cycleguy]

I'm starting to like what I am hearing about this bin. A top notch swaro optic getting back around $1500 w/ potential for a silent & smooth focus mechanism (let's hope). I admired the EL's when they could be had for under $1500 (owned 2 of them), but Swaro lost me when prices jumped over $2k.

Guess i'll be looking to check these out in October. Curious indeed.

CG

 

[henry link]

Swarovski said yesterday, in answer to a comment on the SLC announcement blog site, that the new 8x56 and 10x56 SLC's will not be available in the US.

 

[Stet]

Honey Creek Bill and Beak - Ebay

SLC HD 8x42 $1703.20 free shipping

SLC HD 10x42 $1791.20 free shipping

One left of each.

(Or call the shop / PM and they might be able to do a little bit better on that price.)

Thanks Gordon for the great service! I purchased the SLC HD 10x42's from Honey Creek Bill and Beak and Gordon gave me great price. Unfortunately the eye relief was not right for me, slight blackouts, and they didn't have the same contrast I love in my SV's. Gordon refunded my money without any problem. Great guy to do business with. Thanks again Gordon and good luck with the sale of these.

 

[proudpapa56]

It really is nice when someone can actually come to the shop and you can put a face to the name. (C'mon Brock, you're closer than Stet is. Although you might want to wait for the new stuff to come in.)
That being said, gotta pair of SLC 10x42 HDs back on the shelf if anyone is interested.

 

[elkcub]

Swarovski said yesterday, in answer to a comment on the SLC announcement blog site, that the new 8x56 and 10x56 SLC's will not be available in the US.

Bummer. |=(|

 

[Chosun Juan]

Wow! 8x and 10x 'HunTer' 56's not available in the gun(g)-ho good ol' US-of-A ....... incredulous! - I'm gobsmacked !! |8.|

Maybe the 8x and 10x 56's are birders bins ?!! 3



Chosun :gh: