SLC 8x56 and 10x56 Discontinued in USA for 2022? (1 Viewer)

[jaymann]

Cameraland , Sports optics and Eurooptics have confirmed that only 15x56 will be available in future. 8x and 10x models discontinued, at least in USA. Dealers are hiking the prices so get yours while you can. Doug (Cameraland) said he cannot even see the item in the dealer catalogue so he cannot place a special order like in the past.

Note- If this turns out to be rumor then I apologize but it was the same situation with 42mm models.

 

[jan van daalen]

Cameraland , Sports optics and Eurooptics have confirmed that only 15x56 will be available in future. 8x and 10x models discontinued, at least in USA. Dealers are hiking the prices so get yours while you can. Doug (Cameraland) said he cannot even see the item in the dealer catalogue so he cannot place a special order like in the past.

Note- If this turns out to be rumor then I apologize but it was the same situation with 42mm models.

Down here, on my screen, these models are coded "green" which means direct available.

Jan

 

[jaymann]

Down here, on my screen, these models are coded "green" which means direct available.

Jan

So it is discontinued for USA only. Swarovski was not selling much of them in USA anyways. Only 15x models are popular and hold their value. I ordered another 8x56 because I like it the best out of all my binoculars.

 

[tenex]

I agree, the SLC 56s are beautiful. At first Swaro didn't market the 8/10x in the US, though a dealer could special order one. Then for a few years, they decided to; now perhaps they've stopped again. One wonders whether the reason is low volume, or the reverse: that they can compete with the EL 50, as they did for me. What would surprise me is if even special orders are no longer possible, though even then, one could buy from a European dealer.

It wouldn't make sense to discontinue the 8/10 completely while still making the 15, as so many components are shared... though Swaro has made choices before that seemed strange to me.

 

[Conndomat]

It wouldn't make sense to discontinue the 8/10 completely while still making the 15, as so many components are shared... though Swaro has made choices before that seemed strange to me.

I do not understand that the 8x are so rarely bought in the USA ?!
There are tons of 8x56 here, they are offered again and again in hunting forums, I think it's the best-selling 56 in Germany.
In general, hunters seem to prefer 8x here, as long as there are still opportunities in the USA get an 8x56, it's intoxicatingly good.

Andreas

 

[jan van daalen]

I do not understand that the 8x are so rarely bought in the USA ?!
There are tons of 8x56 here, they are offered again and again in hunting forums, I think it's the best-selling 56 in Germany.
In general, hunters seem to prefer 8x here, as long as there are still opportunities in the USA get an 8x56, it's intoxicatingly good.

Andreas

Andreas,

Are you talking Zeiss or Swarovski here........

Jan

 

[Conndomat]

Andreas,

Are you talking Zeiss or Swarovski here........

Jan

Hi Jan,

ähm, from the SLC, but you're right, the old FL are still often found in hunting shops.

Andreas

 

[Conndomat]

I think Andreas was describing the SLC 8X56.

Same time...

Andreas

 

[dries1]

So the verdict is that they are still in production, and can be purchased in the USA.

 

[Conndomat]

So the verdict is that they are still in production, and can be purchased in the USA.

Andy I have no inside knowledge!
But it would be strange if Swarovski would discontinue the 56 ?!

Andreas

 

[dries1]

I have the 10 and 15X56, and enjoy them immensely, I have never really spent any real time with the 8X56. I guess they would make an announcement about production. The SLCs could end up like the 8X30 Habicht here in the US - removed. One has to order from the EU to get one.

 

[Conndomat]

I have the 10 and 15X56, and enjoy them immensely, I have never really spent any real time with the 8X56.

Andy your assessment ... why are the 8x56 SLC so little used in the USA?

Andreas

 

[dries1]

I really think the majority of hunting is either done in heavily wooded areas, or open country, hunters will carry a lighter 8X say 42 for the woods and for the open areas 10X42 or 10X50, or more, and the majority of it takes place early dawn through dusk. Just my guess.

 

[AlphaFan]

Andy is spot on. Here in the USA there are far fewer driven and high-seat hunts than in Europe. In the East and heavily forested areas 8x32/42mm dominates as a good balance of view and portability. However, on the western plains and in the mountains hunters do a tremendous amount of long-range glassing and picking apart distant landscapes to find game to stalk. In many states this includes identifying indicators of age or antler points to meet legal requirements prior to pursuit. In these environments it is very common to see high powered 10-15x 50-56mm binoculars (often mounted on a tripod). I was on the western plains last week (it was a raptor paradise) and encountered quite a few deer hunters. Among the big binoculars encountered were EL 10/12x50, SLC 15x56, Vortex 18x56. On the flip side I rarely encounter a USA hunter with a larger than 42mm glass while hunting the eastern hardwoods.

 

[AlphaFan]

Asked some USA dealers today and it appears Jay is correct. Unfortunately, 8/10x56 SLCs are no longer available here and only the 15x56 continues In the home of the brave.

 

[jaymann]

So the verdict is that they are still in production, and can be purchased in the USA.

Nope. They are in production but not available in USA.

 

[etc]

I have a hard time believing that 15x56 is more popular than 10x56.

15x astronomy territory, hardly usable for anything else. I have Zeiss 10x54 and can barely cope with that.

I think a 12x might be interesting addition to the list, but I would prefer to see 15x dumped before 10x. Strange.

 

[AlphaFan]

I stand corrected on what was previously posted and am currently less clear than ever on the disposition of the 8/10x56 SLCs in the USA. I’ve now received conflicting information from multiple large-scale USA dealers - some saying orders can still be placed and others saying they cannot. Don’t know if the 8/10x56 SLC will continue regionally within the North America, discontinue at the end of 2021, or something else altogether. If looking to purchase don‘t rely on any forum postings and contact your dealer soonest.

 

[AlphaFan]

I have a hard time believing that 15x56 is more popular than 10x56.

15x astronomy territory, hardly usable for anything else. I have Zeiss 10x54 and can barely cope with that.

I think a 12x might be interesting addition to the list, but I would prefer to see 15x dumped before 10x. Strange.

15x56 binoculars (and even 18x) are hugely popular here. Outside of astronomy, they are routinely spotted out west and in the mountains, mounted on tripods while meticulously picking apart distant terrain while h***ing. 15x56 SLC has a near legendary reputation within that community.

BTW - I just placed an order for a 10x56 SLC (for birding) on 11 Dec. The USA dealer confirmed that the order was accepted by Swarovski, but it will take a while to arrive.

 

[Dennis Mau]

I once had a Swarovski Habicht 8x30 W and a Swarovski 8x56 SLC at the same time. I compared them in the daylight and the Habicht was every bit as good if not better than the SLC with a bigger FOV and 1/2 the weight and size. I sold the SLC 8x56 the next day. The lesson I learned is unless you need a binocular for low light observation or hunting, a 7 mm exit pupil isn't going to do you much good when your eye can't use all that light anyway unless you are 20 years old. As far as ease of eye placement, a 4 mm exit pupil works just fine. Hence, the popularity of the 8x32 and 8x42. Now, a 10x56 or 15x56 makes more sense if you require high magnification for distant viewing or game spotting. An 8x56 does give you an aberration free view, and they are highly glare resistant, but I don't think it is worth carrying a big heavy binocular like an 8x56 unless you are an optical purist. That is probably a big reason why they are being discontinued in the USA. Birder's don't use them much, preferring an 8x32 or 8x42, and the hunter's in the USA don't use them, preferring a 10x42 by a wide margin.