Swarovski 12x42 NL Pure and Leica 12x50 Ultravid+ comparisons (2 Viewers)

[rpg51]

It is a LOT of money for sure. One possibility is to buy a less expensive bino. Its tempting to buy both and send one back after trying them out. If you try the 12x NL please try to post your impressions here. Again, my worry is lack of forgiveness re eye placement with the small exit pupil, and the ability to hand hold them at my, (our), age.

 

[tenex]

Give that NL a try! I'm over 60 now and have noticed no decline in my ability to handhold bins, even 15x (with 3.7mm EP, not much better). My pupils still seem to dilate rather well too, though I haven't tried to measure. There is variation, but I suspect other factors (smoking for example) play a greater role than age alone.

 

[Maljunulo]

Give that NL a try! I'm over 60 now and have noticed no decline in my ability to handhold bins, even 15x (with 3.7mm EP, not much better). My pupils still seem to dilate rather well too, though I haven't tried to measure. There is variation, but I suspect other factors (smoking for example) play a greater role than age alone

I am 87, and my 600 gm 8X32 SF is certainly easier to hold steady than my 840 gm 10X42 EL SV (purchased in 2014) was.

There are marked differences in the optics in favor of the SF too.

 

[bockos]

Аз съм на 87 години и моят 600 gm 8X32 SF със сигурност е по-лесен за задържане, отколкото моят 840 gm 10X42 EL SV (закупен през 2014 г.).

Има значителни разлики и в оптиката в полза на SF.

Доволен ли си от 8x32?

 

[CharleyBird]

Three months on and the 12x42NL is used more than the rest of my binoculars combined. Eye placement is fine for me two clicks in and I'm happy holding them, so no buyer regrets whatsoever. Not bothered getting the forehead rest as yet.
The 12x50 has barely moved off the shelf.

 

[dries1]

Still using the SV, UVHD 12X50s and have no plans for purchase the NL 12X42. additionally I still enjoy the Nikon SE 12X50 for the night sky also.

 

[Oscar56]

Charlie:

thanks for this review. I am looking to upgrade from my Nikon Monarch 7, 8 x 42s which have an 8 degree field of view. I hadn’t consider these binos until I read Roger Vines review. You seem to confirm some of Rogers comments.

I had thought a 12 power would just be too twitchy for birding, but maybe the wide field of view of these binos will reduce the notice of any twitchiness. Now I have rethought my strategy, I need to give these a test drive. The extra reach of a 12 X will be beneficial for raptors and studying waterfowl on our local lakes.

 

[hopster]

I have some 8x42 NLs. Love them. I am assembling my bino arsenal for retirement years. I need either a 10x or a 12x for most handheld but some tripod now and again. The 8X42s cover 75% of my use. But, I want some more power for birding on the shore and the like where the distances are long. I use binos for birding and general wildlife viewing. I am nearly 70 and not as steady with the hands as I once was. My pupils probably don't dilate the way they once did. I am leaning toward 10X thinking that 10x will cover most of the uses that the 8x doesn't, and 10x will be easier for me to use because the wider FOV helps a bit with shake, and the larger exit pupil helps positioning the eyes. I have owned a scope in the past and honestly I rarely used it. I found the scope involved too much fuss for my taste. In the past I have always used good quality 8x binos because I honestly could not afford two pair of good binos and 8x is more versatile than 10x or 12x. But, at this point in my life its now or never and I am going to splurge a bit to make these wildlife activities as rewarding as possible in my golden years. Plus, I hope to be doing more of it than I was able to do in the past,

Any input will be much appreciated. 10x? 12x?

A bit late but my recommendation would be a 12x50 on a monopod for excellent long-distance viewing.

If you don't want to spend out on the Swaro or Leica, the Meopta Meostar HD is excellent.

 

[GrampaTom]

I am 87, and my 600 gm 8X32 SF is certainly easier to hold steady than my 840 gm 10X42 EL SV (purchased in 2014) was.

There are marked differences in the optics in favor of the SF too.

I’ll be 81 in 6 days. Bought EL 1042 early summer 2020. Used it 3-4 days a week birding here over Bay and wetlands. Couple years later bought a scope. Then influenced by conversations here, simplistically wanting to buy another Bino (gearhead), got the NL832. On 3rd year with it.

Our experiences are different. Quite potentially do to age and what that brings. I’m still hiking-birding 3-4 days a week in winter. Birding becomes more like 1-2 days in summer. In winter with migration of birds to here, the scope and 832s are kind of a perfect pairing. Binos for finding, in closer stuff. Marsh Wrens at 10 yards are exquisite. Telling Fosters Terns from Bonaparte Gulls flitting about, doesn’t work so well with scope. But whew when it’s a flock of Scaup or Pintails or Teal out at 300 yards the scope earns its way.

But then, in fact now, migration abruptly reverses itself, waterfowl, shore birds and raptors mostly leave. Those days, the ones coming, scope stays home. As the terrain is still open the 832s get a rest and the 1042s come back into duty. After dragging scope around all winter the extra weight of the 1042 over 832 is inconsequential. In fact I suspect it becomes a plus as that weight helps stabilize the view, I believe.

Yesterday was that day. First few minutes the 1042 was disarming, confining, view too small, what’s with this black circle around everything? Advantage of Extra X not quite as I’d remembered it. Then surprisingly after a bit of on again off again, things changed. The view is different but really just fine. Seeing what there was to see, bringing it in a bit closer was a plus. I returned to focusing priority in the middle of the field and the narrow periphery of the view just slipped away as a thing.

I think our experiences different for several reasons, but one might be the fact I still have and use both 1042 and 832, situation dependent. So not either or.

Relevant to this thread, and as that recovering gearhead, I often think about a 12X for the summer. Was thinking about NL 1242, worried about EP, real FOV like my 1042, but AFOV maybe more like view from NL32… Then SFL 1250, on paper ticking a lot of boxes. Saving a thousand bucks is nice.

 

[hopster]

Relevant to this thread, and as that recovering gearhead, I often think about a 12X for the summer. Was thinking about NL 1242, worried about EP, real FOV like my 1042, but AFOV maybe more like view from NL32… Then SFL 1250, on paper ticking a lot of boxes. Saving a thousand bucks is nice.

Bear in mind the Meopta too, it gets a lot of love here. Maybe Cabelas do it in the US for an even better price?

I think you'll find some kind of light monopod arrangement very useful for 12x especially over extended periods. It's a lot less fuss and weight than a tripod - just a modified walking stick does fine for me.

 

[Yarkho]

OK since we are saying this here.. I am 42, an optics fan (for those who haven't gathered already). 10x is my preferred magnification, and I do bird with glasses, so FOV is not as critical as I thought originally.

I do enjoy 8x for landscapes and 12x for astronomy - as Roger Vine correctly says, 12x resolves some open clusters as star clusters and not smudges. Would love to try the 15x.