Today for the first time I had a chance to try out more than just briefly the recently arrived Swarovski SLC 7x42 Neu, bought from another Birdforum member, Boogieshrew.
First of all I'd like to express my appreciation for the thorough way the bins had been packed together with original box and all the contents, all cocooned against impact within a larger box with even amounts of polystyrene chips on to protect all six surfaces of the inner carton. Additionally the bins themselves were in excellent cosmetic and mechanical condition, as good as they could possibly be, given that they had obviously not just lain unused since first purchase in April 2013.
To be honest, apart from being tired, feeling the strain (incl. eye-strain) and being busy over the last few days, I also as a result felt a bit doubtful on first holding the 7x42 whether it would be right for me after all, and I didn't feel like venturing opinions on here till in the right mind and with time to try and appreciate the bins in a more upbeat mood.
I am happy to say that after some viewing at different times of today, in between other commitments, the 7x42 Neu has left me with a very positive feeling, which I shall try to relay in this post. It has to be stated right away that the more I try to compare bins the harder I find it and the more I see that any limitations in making comparisons are as much due to my own eye capabilities as any design shortcomings. Additionally the whole business of comparison is something I increasingly dislike for the reason that having more than one pair of binoculars is something to enjoy, whereas too much analysis, in my case anyway, leads to finding fault with most or all of them and then where is the enjoyment?
Back to the bins in question:
1. They are not light. I either own or have use of four other 7x42s: L UVHD+, N EDG, Z Dialyt BGAT*P* and Z Victory T*FL. The SLC is the heaviest and I notice it. On the other hand they have a feeling of comfort and solidity that is very reassuring. This is a bin I'd prefer where possible to use with some additional stabilization for my arms but they are fine for me at least for shorter spells of viewing. To me the hold is perfect. The typical SLC cut outs underneath the barrels are not in the ideal place for me but as they are cut outs rather than ridges that doesn't matter and I can hold them securely and very comfortably without any need to fiddle about to find the best hold. The feel of the armouring is very confidence-inspiring. So are the other sevens, all in different ways, but the SLC has that solid rugged heft that suggests engineering perfection with no short cuts. How the weight will affect my thinking as time goes by it's too early to tell but just picking this 7x42 up puts a smile on my face because there is absolutely nothing in the slightest bit flimsy about any of it: eyecups, dioptre control, straps, external finish.
2. As with the five other Swaros I have had a chance to use or buy in the last two years the view gives me the assurance of spot-on alignment. Pincushion or flat-field: I don't sway too much for or against either but what does matter is that the collimation should be good (obviously). Call me naive but that doesn't seem something to worry about with most Swaros and that is a big bonus, compared against my as yet limited experience with binoculars in general. Focusing the SLC is like getting a click in the eyes as you get to the point of sharp focus.
3. I have already mentioned the dioptre setting in an earlier post but for completeness will mention again that to me it was a system I hadn't seen before, and I thought it was superior to other methods. You press in the dial, which is housed behind the focuser i.e. nearer to your face. No pulling out the focuser and maybe dislodging its position. When you press in the dial you turn it a short way till you feel it meet the next setting point and let go. it is very easy to operate while keeping your eyes to the eyepieces. I normally get in a state about this process with other bins but this was supremely easy and I was satisfied I had the right setting within a minute or two. I can't see that it could be accidentally dislodged either.
4. The view. I don't wear glasses for viewing though I do for normal living. Typically I will only need to raise the eyecups a short way - 1/4" at the most in order to keep a full view without blackouts or other interference. My point of contact between face and eyecups is the eyebrow, not inside the hollows round the eyes. The same goes for this SLC. I can see the whole image circle and the black region outside clearly at this setting though I hardly ever make a point of trying to do observation far out to the edges. The large central sweetspot appears excellent and because of just being content that the outer field is all visible rather than examining that area too closely I have to admit that any Absam ring or other deterioration further out escapes my notice. The view feels very comfortable and satisfying, and as mentioned there is that feeling of supremely accurate focusing alignment between the two barrels or tubes.
5. The focuser. As with the controls of a car that you adapt to, most makes seem to have their differences when it comes to focusers. This SLC has a consistent feel to the focuser; in this case nothing like as easy a turn as an EDG but I only noticed that when consciously ticking off points to report on; just using the bins I might not have noticed as there is no rough patch. You just need to work a bit harder with this one and it might be to do with the age of the unit, if the bins have been unused for a while. In my opinion there is nothing needing service attention; I just note it resists a bit more than some, and consistently.
6. Chromatic aberration. I didn't notice any but it's not something that's on my radar generally. Either I'm undiscerning or I'm blessed, but my guess, judging by the weight of this glass, is that Swarovski made a big effort to make this a birder's dream glass optically speaking. Perhaps someone can comment further on this.
7. Flare / glare / reflections. I notice a very slight flare centrally in the image from time to time. It feels like just a hint of haze or reduction in contrast. This needs more looking at before I can say what prompts it. Trying the bins out at different times of day meant that 50% of my viewing had the sun in the front 180 degrees and I would truthfully say that in comparison the Leica UVHD+ is in my experience a lot more troublesome with the sun anywhere in front of my left or right. Dusk was a case in point: with the SLC after sunset I did not notice anything like the amount of glare or reflections that was evident from the UVHD+ or my old Zeiss Dialyt BGAT*P*. (The sun had set in front of me, not behind.)
8. Colour. My feeling is that as with the Leica and Nikon colours are warm. Not the same though. Swarovski SLC a bit yellower, more golden (I think - hard to tell because the lighting at each viewing was quite changeable so consistency in colour evaluation was tricky); Leica and Nikon redder. Certainly warmer than modern EL SV / FP with their slightly bluish slant.
9. 'Sharpness' (resolution and contrast). I find this very hard to comment on. As said, the accuracy of assembly and adjustment leaves no feeling of disappointment. So far, apparent freedom from obvious glare helps an impression of good contrast and resolution. I suspect the Leica might appear better in glare-free circumstances but what I think might not tie in with others' findings. To me as explained earlier I'm not looking for a winner, just to know if I'm happy with the results. And the answer to that, within the limitations of really just one day of viewing at regular intervals, is yes, I'm very happy.
10. There are many things not addressed here. If you are interested to know more, perhaps in a none too expert comparison with another of the big name 7x42s, please ask.
Tom
