How the heck do you have a clue what I would see vs. what you would see? Have we met? Geez.

Back to the subject:
What do you think “sharper” and “brighter” does? It lets you see more and better, that’s what it does.

Yes, everyone who has ever bought ELs, NLs, and/or a Swaro single ocular spotter has wasted their money when they could have done just as well for half the price with Japanese Tract Torics and Czech Meoptas.

I wonder why Swaro developed the NL Pures.

** on side note the most impressive binos I've ever looked through where the 12x NL PURE. If they had a range finder they might be the perfect bino.

One can only dream.

I have the 12x NL Pures. They developed them because they are, at present, the best binoculars on the market.

I believe JG still has a valid argument when we consider that 'sharper' (in high end BINS) is usually in reference to the edges and other minute differences that the uninitiated would never notice or appreciate anyway. Though technically you are correct.

'Brighter'.....well that IS important BUT how much are we really talking? Is there an appreciable and demonstrable advantage (under most conditions) between glass with a 93% Transmission Rate vs. 95-96% ?

And what about the person's eyesight looking through them? Can they even utilize the exit pupil? I am older and my eyesight is somewhat diminished. At best....my pupils fully dilated are probably 4.5 to-5.0 mm so any exit pupil larger than that....I can't realize except to have a larger 'window' to look through.

Conversely, my 34 yr. old Daughter with perfect vision could look through the same pair of BINS and declare them very bright, where I might argue that (if I didn't understand why).

So at least part of these 'discussions' will always be subjective, one person's experience different from another's.

Now I would not argue what I think your point is: That the best glass offers the most advantage to ANY user. But in the last 15-20 years there have been advances in technology and manufacturing processes that 'narrows' the gap between yesteryear's high end glass and mid to upper tier offerings today.

Certainly the gap has narrowed between many models. (The NLs just redefined that gap though.)
But what JG is saying is that the gap makes no practical difference anymore. That is simply not true.

I agree with BoBo and I sold my Swaro SLC’s last year and went to Maven for that reason. Bought them in 1991 and sold them for 50.00 more than what I paid back then so not a bad investment IMO.

Actually don’t use the Mavens much as I tend to use the lesser quality Sig 3000 because of the RF & blue tooth capabilities built in. They are certainly good enough to glass all day with no eye strain as I have used them quite extensively for two years. I have spent over 3 weeks behind them on two Elk hunts and a week long deer hunt this year and never missed my Swaro’s.

Like I said NP, I'm not guessing. Seen it many many many times. I also.had many hunters show up with the latest and greatest gear thinking it made them better hunters. Often times they were wrong like you.. Believe what you want though. Makes no difference to me.

Jgraider, I'm betting you are looking through binoculars 52 weeks a year, given where you live.

Correct?

I went with the SIG 10X42 Rangefinding binos. I give them a solid "B" grade.

I found them sub par for "trophy" hunting, trying to tell age, tine count at 200 yards . I can tell its a Great buck but If $5000 was the difference in 1" of antler, I wouldn't trust them

Probably my screwed up eye's, I should get a dog and a white cane.

The range finding feature is SOLID. I just wanted both in one and couldn't afford the Orange Swaro's.

Its all about the budget. And if you use them more than half dozen times a year.

I will miss 2 -3 weeks but thats a out it. You're a rifle/ballistics looney and I'm more of an optics looney I guess.

If the difference of an inch was $5000, I wouldn't trust much less than an official score after the drying period.

I was just asking, because it makes sense to listen to someone that uses this stuff ALL the time. Kind of like some guys that rifle shoot ALL the time.

The Swaro EL range arent the same as the Swaro EL binos. You didn’t mess up. It’s a trade off

I have the Leupold BX-3 Pro Guide HD for deer hunting and they have the best glass at seeing game in very low situations. I can count points on bucks up to 60 minutes after sunset on most days. They are not the best for eye strain after viewing for hours, but still better than 95% of other binocs. We have Swarvo, Lieca and Zeiss and the BX3 HD's see far better in low light. Viper are not even a close comparison. I will be buying the BX4 the next time.

Couldn't agree more FJG. I have no bias. I own and use what works, at least for me. I'm also here to learn about subjects Im less experienced on.

You do seem to be obsessed which is why I respect your opinion. Doing research, I even see you on the bird watching forums discussing optics. Any thoughts on the Kowa BD2?

They seem to get favorable reviews.

Sorry but no Kowa binoc experience. I did own a Kowa 884 spotter though .

My Kowa 884 will be here tomorrow. I have been wanting one for a couple years after playing with it versus the Swaro’s at our quarterly matches. My Vortex with the 30x mil reticle was pretty good but the Kowa has the wow to my eyes.

Resolution of detail, brightness, and ergonomics all have to work together to make great binocs. I have been enjoying following along on this thread. One aspect that has been overlooked in this thread is individual eyesight. When you get to upper echelon glass, what one set of eyeballs see the best through will differ. As one ages, what works best will also change. Pissing contests over the best glass is common among the group I hunt with. A consensus is never reached because what we see is individual.
Back to the OP: looking through the binocs in your price range in low light before buying will considerably up your odds of purchasing a set you are satisfied with.
Best of luck finding a pair that works better for you.

F it. I'm just going to order some 8x42 Torics based on your recommendation and the research I've done. At least they are made in Japan. Seems like everyone has moved their mid range binos to China the last 5 years.

I guarantee you won't regret it. If for some reason you do let me know. Jon at Tract is fantastic to deal with as well. I took them to Namibia one year and they were far superior to the PH's older 8x30 SLC's with the goofy focuser on the wrong end. Everyone in camp agreed, and they also all agreed that the Toric is every bit as good as the Conquest HD, easily.

Larger objectives usually make them seem brighter, regardless of their magnification or price. When all else us equal, lower magnification is brighter too.

Any Zeiss is better than anything else?

Not my post but no, not better than anything else. To some eyes however, the Zeiss Victory’s are. As are the Leica noctavid’s and Swarovski’s. If you want to save a dollar there are offerings like the Toric that get pretty close. For my money, if I needed a new pair today, I think the best value for something really good is Leica Trinovid.