NL Pure 14x52 hand-held (2 Viewers)

[N7XW]

I'm debating between adding the NL 14x52 or NL 12x42 to my collection. I really want the flexibility of using the binocular off the tripod and will add the forehead rest to either one.

Does anyone have extensive experience with using the 14x hand-held? I'd certainly opt for the 14 if I could keep it stable enough. I've never used the forehead rest before, so have no experience to go off of.

I really wish Swarovski built an NL 12x52 as 50mm or larger objectives are my preference. I love my EL 12x50 but want to upgrade to an NL. I use my SLC 15x56 hand-held at times by putting downward pressure on it with the bino harness and it helps but is still shaky.

Any input is appreciated.

 

[hopster]

I'm debating between adding the NL 14x52 or NL 12x42 to my collection. I really want the flexibility of using the binocular off the tripod and will add the forehead rest to either one.

Does anyone have extensive experience with using the 14x hand-held? I'd certainly opt for the 14 if I could keep it stable enough. I've never used the forehead rest before, so have no experience to go off of.

I really wish Swarovski built an NL 12x52 as 50mm or larger objectives are my preference. I love my EL 12x50 but want to upgrade to an NL. I use my SLC 15x56 hand-held at times by putting downward pressure on it with the bino harness and it helps but is still shaky.

Any input is appreciated.

Use a monopod. I have made a simple adaptation of my walking pole which means it is a very stable and effective binocular rest without needing to be attached. It makes a huge difference with the 12x and is even useful with the 8x. I almost always take the pole out walking anyway so it's no hassle.

 

[N7XW]

I often do use a monopod but want the versatility of not needing it.

 

[PatR]

Yes, I use the forehead rest and the winged eyecups. I tested it when it was first introduced but I couldn’t keep it steady enough so didn’t buy it. A chance meet with a friend with his new 14x52 fitted with the forehead rest and two bits of rubber transformed it for me. Bought one that very day.

I do have the tripod mount and use a monopod as a walking stick when out and about but so far I am more than happy with the bino handheld.

A recent foray into the world of stabilised bino’s initially made me question why I had spent so much on the 14x but the failure of the on/off switch after a weeks use reset any thoughts I had of replacing the utterly superb ‘manual’ NL with an electronic gizmo.

If you can, try one and be prepared for a cloud of optical magic dust to descend from above.

 

[CharleyBird]

Not extensive, but for an hour I tried the 14x52NL (along with my own 12x42) on a sunny day at a shop that also stocked two stabilised Opticron models.

Looking out the open door across the road at shop notices and at a brick wall some 100m distant, they were oh so good. I wanted them.

However the Opticron forced me to be objective about my limitations. My conclusions over nearly an hour were that the 14x52 for me are too high a magnification to hold steady enough, and too much weight to carry very far.
Perhaps they are aimed to sell more in the hunting & astronomy markets.

I continue to use the 12x42NL as my main birding tool.

The forehead rest I bought and tried for some months, but found it an unnecessary irritant.

 

[Owlbarred]

An embarrassed Superman during a whispered overheard confession: "To be honest, I can't handhold a 14x52 steady for more than a nanosecond."

 

[Yarkho]

I tried the NL 14x52 with forehead rest in the local optics temple/shop and was quite impressed. Not sure it is a regular birding bino though, more for long-distance viewing or astronomy.

I can handhold a 12x50 Meostar if I am not upset/stressed/after workout but normally I prefer to use the 10x42.

My advice would be to try the NL 14x52 in a shop. Experience cannot be replaced with anything.

 

[N7XW]

All great responses, thank you. I have yet to find a 14x52 on display that I can try out. I may have to broaden my search.

 

[Swedpat]

Taking in consider some people at this forum claim that they comfortably handhold 20x80s the 14x52 should be considered as an ideal model for free hand use...

 

[ReinierB]

I had the EL 12x50 and found a NL 12x42 for a good price and sold the EL 12x50. And quess what, I sometimes regret this choice!
The larger FOV, the weight loss, the slightly better ergonomics and the head rest made me making the choice.
But the EL 12x50 is very handsome beast! And the larger exit pupil is nice.
I had them both for a while and couldn't effort/justify keeping them both. Both have their plusses.

If you want the NL 14x52 to add to your EL 12x50, it makes more sense. Especially if you need the more reach. For me, 12x is still comfortable hand-held and 14x could be nice (I tried it once), but it is less allround and a bit too shaky and a bit too small FOV for my taste.

Btw, I am still figuring out what I prefer, the NL 12x42 with or without headrest. Somehow I find it less comfortable with headrest.

 

[Swedpat]

I had the EL 12x50 and found a NL 12x42 for a good price and sold the EL 12x50. And quess what, I sometimes regret this choice!
The larger FOV, the weight loss, the slightly better ergonomics and the head rest made me making the choice.
But the EL 12x50 is very handsome beast! And the larger exit pupil is nice.
I had them both for a while and couldn't effort/justify keeping them both. Both have their plusses.

If you want the NL 14x52 to add to your EL 12x50, it makes more sense. Especially if you need the more reach. For me, 12x is still comfortable hand-held and 14x could be nice (I tried it once), but it is less allround and a bit too shaky and a bit too small FOV for my taste.

Btw, I am still figuring out what I prefer, the NL 12x42 with or without headrest. Somehow I find it less comfortable with headrest.

I read some said all NL 42mm models have same eye relief. This means even 12x42 should work well with eyeglasses because 8x42 does. I have tried EL 12x50 and the ER was far from sufficient, though.
Have you tried 12x42 with eyeglasses?

 

[ReinierB]

I read some said all NL 42mm models have same eye relief. This means even 12x42 should work well with eyeglasses because 8x42 does. I have tried EL 12x50 and the ER was far from sufficient, though.
Have you tried 12x42 with eyeglasses?

I have the NL 12x42 and I tried the 14x52. I do not wear glasses. So eye relief is not one of my concerns.
It's true that the eye relief of the EL 12x50 is smaller. I don't know if the eye relief of the 12x42 is the same compared with 8x42 and 10x42. What I do know, is that the NL 12x42 is slightly shorter than the NL 10x42. I don't know exactly why.

 

[laurencejackson]

I have the NL 12x42 and I tried the 14x52. I do not wear glasses. So eye relief is not one of my concerns.
It's true that the eye relief of the EL 12x50 is smaller. I don't know if the eye relief of the 12x42 is the same compared with 8x42 and 10x42. What I do know, is that the NL 12x42 is slightly shorter than the NL 10x42. I don't know exactly why.

That’s interesting, having owned all the NL x42s, I never clocked the 12s as being shorter? I can confirm for me there was no difference in eye relief between the 8, 10 and 12x and I found the eye placement ideal with these 42s unlike the 10x32s.

And yes, I really do regret selling them!

 

[Yeti Man]

The cheapest way to add Image Stabilization is to wear a baseball hat and grasp the bill.