8x30slc (1 Viewer)

[rogernashv]

I am going to choose between the swarovski 8x30 and the 10x42.I am going to use it for bird watching/nature observation.I am leaning toward the 8x30, due to mostly observation during the day.Does anyone have a opinion, thought?Thanks

 

[Perry Grin]

I am going to choose between the swarovski 8x30 and the 10x42.I am going to use it for bird watching/nature observation.I am leaning toward the 8x30, due to mostly observation during the day.Does anyone have a opinion, thought?Thanks

My best advice is for you to try them both. Things like eye relief, balance, general ergonomics make a big difference. Also the position of the focus on the 8x30 divides many.

I have the 10x42's and love 'em. However they do show a slight halo in certain conditions which may be a deal breaker if you experience it too (I don't know if the 8x30 suffers from this).

They are both great bins, either would server you well I'm sure.

Perry

 

[NoSpringChicken]

My best advice is for you to try them both. Things like eye relief, balance, general ergonomics make a big difference. Also the position of the focus on the 8x30 divides many.

I agree with this. I tried the 8x30 but couldn't get on with the focus wheel at all. Other people seem to have no problems with it. Apart from that it was an excellent binocular and good value.

Ron

 

[ThoLa]

I am going to choose between the swarovski 8x30 and the 10x42.I am going to use it for bird watching/nature observation.I am leaning toward the 8x30, due to mostly observation during the day.Does anyone have a opinion, thought?Thanks

Hello!
I like the 8x30 very much.
The major differences between those two models seem to be magnification (obvious), weight and price.
Both formats will be perfect for daytime use. When the observations involve a lot of walking, hiking, trekking ... the 8x30 will be the better choice. It's approximately 600 g versus 1000 g. In terms of brightness the 10x42 has the edge by a narrow margin but I tend to think it will make no difference in real life.
I found the focussing wheel at the rear end of the 8x30 absolutely no problem; others find it odd. I actually think having the focussing wheel further away from the eyes can be an advantage. It allows for a nice and very balanced grip, too. Although the 42 mm SLCs are perfectly balanced, too.
In contrast to other companies' 30 mm and 42 mm models the size difference among the SLCs is not as large. The handling of the 8x30 SLC profits from this fact in my opinon.
Maybe some of this is useful(?).
Regards, Thomas

 

[Marley]

Thomas,

How have you found the eye placement to be on the 8x30 SLC? My experience with others (8x32 FL, BN, BR) is that such a small package makes eye placement very critical.

Only with the 8x32 EL (~1" longer) did I find the eye placement/view to be more easy and relaxing.

I have always liked the SLC design and I doubt that I would have a problem with the rather unique focus placement. I just wonder about blackouts etc.

Thanks!

Steffan

 

[David Caudwell]

I've had an 8x30SLC for years and, honestly, the focus thing takes a couple of days to get used to and then, like with any quality bins, you forget all about it and get on with looking through them!
It's kind of difficult to compare the 8x30s with the 10x40s because they are such different configurations. Personally speaking, the weight of the 10x40SLCs would be the deal-breaker. The 8x30s are bright, have a good field of view, and are lighter than the 8x32ELs to boot! None of the SLCs has particularly good close focus and these days if I were shopping for new bins I would save a while longer for the ELs which are significantly better in every respect (except weight!) than my beloved SLCs.
Best thing is to try them all side by side and decide what suits your eyes and requirements best...and if that means waiting a while longer then what's a few months compared to 10-15 years of birding pleasure!
Dave C

 

[ThoLa]

Thomas,
How have you found the eye placement to be on the 8x30 SLC? My experience with others (8x32 FL, BN, BR) is that such a small package makes eye placement very critical.
Only with the 8x32 EL (~1" longer) did I find the eye placement/view to be more easy and relaxing.
I have always liked the SLC design and I doubt that I would have a problem with the rather unique focus placement. I just wonder about blackouts etc.
Thanks!
Steffan

Hi Steffan!
I am at a loss here. I never had problems with the 30/32 format. In fact I like it a lot (because it's light-weight and handy). I even cherish 8x30 Porros which have very short eye relief.
Ironically, the only model that gave me problems was .... the 8x32 EL. In it I was distracted by lots of lateral colour when the eyes were not perfectly aligned with the optical systems.
Maybe it's my weary old eyes ....
You know there are alternative eyecups for the Swaros? Maybe they bring relief if there are placement/blackout problems? Just an idea.

The focussing wheel on the 8x30 is more accessible than the deeply immersed one on the 42 and 50 mm models (which are not hard to focus, too). At least for all who use a computer keyboard or play an instrument and are used to moving their fingers it presents no problem whatsoever.

Best, Thomas

 

[David Caudwell]

Marley, just read your query re eye placement. This is certainly more critical with the SLC than with ELs and I do occasionally get annoyed by blackouts - when moving following fast-moving subjects for instance. I think getting the IPD adjustment right makes a big difference in this regard. My favourite of the 8x currently is the 8x32EL for the very reasons you mention - the view is so relaxing and eye placement is not nearly so critical.
Dave C

 

[ThoLa]

INone of the SLCs has particularly good close focus and these days if I were shopping for new bins I would save a while longer for the ELs which are significantly better in every respect (except weight!) than my beloved SLCs.
Dave C

Yes, minimal focussing distance is the Achilles' heel of the SLCs. If this is a critical parameter, give it second thoughts.

The ELs .... yes, extremely nice. But between the 30/32 mm models it's a 650 Euro difference in list prices. If that is reflected in shop prices .... give it second thoughts again. For the price difference alone one can easily get a very decent second (!) 8x30 with very good close focussing ability.

Weight difference (according to catalogue) ist something like 20 grams. Not much to worry about I'd say.

Only my opinion, Tom

 

[John M Robinson]

I'm a very casual birder and most of the birds I watch are fairly distant raptors and waterfowl so close focusing isn't an issue for me. With that said I find myself gravitating more and more toward the 8x30 SLC. To me it has a very easy, comfortable view. I thought the Trinovids were sharper and a little more color neutral, but harder to hold for that comfortable full view. I imagine each eye is different, but the SLCs seem to match up to my eye easier.

 

[elkcub]

Yes, minimal focussing distance is the Achilles' heel of the SLCs. If this is a critical parameter, give it second thoughts.

The ELs .... yes, extremely nice. But between the 30/32 mm models it's a 650 Euro difference in list prices. If that is reflected in shop prices .... give it second thoughts again. For the price difference alone one can easily get a very decent second (!) 8x30 with very good close focussing ability.

Weight difference (according to catalogue) ist something like 20 grams. Not much to worry about I'd say.

Only my opinion, Tom

Tom,

I agree with your thoughts, although it also seems to me that the 10x42 SLC may still be the best of breed and the best of show when it comes to an 10x42 configuration. The 8x30 is a fine instrument, to be sure, but has been eclipsed by the likes of the Nikon 8x32 LX L for all-around birding. No small part of this is its excellent eye relief and superb focus control.

So, I'd recommend the 10x42 SLC of the two Swaros, or the Nikon LX L if an 8x is desired. (It also costs less for the frugal minded )

Just my $.02.

Elk