Difference between Swarovski EL and SLC

Almost ready to make the plunge and buy sone Swarovski binos. Just wondering what the difference is between the EL and the SLC
Thanks

If you looking at the brand new els and slc.
The New el have the Swarovision glass
The slcs just have there Hd glass.
Go with the EL 100%

What if you are comparing the older version?

It depends on the years of them. For a couple years the el's and the slc's both had the swarobright glass. It just depends on the year. Figure out what the year of the bino are and you can figure out what glass they have. The slc's have 4 or so different versions and the el's have 2

>It depends on the years of
>them. For a couple years
>the el's and the slc's
>both had the swarobright glass.
>It just depends on the
>year. Figure out what the
>year of the bino are
>and you can figure out
>what glass they have. The
>slc's have 4 or so
>different versions and the el's
>have 2


Thanks for your time at answering my questions

I found this on another forum. It helped in my decision making. I ended up getting a used pair of SLC NEU's 10x42 and have been really impressed. You cant go wrong with Swaro's.




"The CL (Companion) line: This is Swarovski's entry level line. The components are quality BAK4 glass, fully multicoated lens surfaces, and a compact composite body. I have seen these binoculars and think they are really nice ergonomically, but they have a limited field of view, and show noticeable levels of pincushion distortion and chromatic abberration.

The SLC neu line is being phased out. This is the workhorse line from Swarovski. Glass is high-grade BAK4 with Swarovski's excellent trademarked coatings (Swarodur, Swarotop, Swaroclean). Most of the models in this line are very well optimized. They are known for wide sweets spots, deep depth of field, low distortion, and good aberration control.

The EL line was a game-changer in optic design. The EL was the first open bridge binocular design, and left other makers scrambling to copy it. The technology in the ELs is the same as the SLC neu, using the same grades of glass and coatings. The optical designs are a little different, and the images end up a little different as well.

To answer the PM I had that started this post, the differences between the EL and SLC neu are mostly in build design (open bridge vs. piano hinge) Allbinos.com rates the SLC neu 10X42 optically higher than the 10X42 EL in their testing, but it does not take into account the ergonomics of the open bridge. Personally, I think the images are extraordinarily similar, with the EL showing a little more pincushion distortion, field curvature, and edge CA. Both provide world class images.

Now Swarovski has upped the ante with their latest super-performing, super-expensive binoculars. I believe the primary reason they have gone to such lengths and expense is from competition from lower priced binoculars. In any case, the newest Swarovski bins perform at a very high level.

The SLC-HD series is similar in design to the SLC neu, but incorporates flourite glass in the objective. This reduces CA. Allbinos.com seemed to find CA in their test sample, but I have looked at the SLC-HD every chance I have gotten. I don't see it, and I am pretty sensitive to CA. The SLC-HD provides the finest binocular view in the world in my opinion. It has just enough pincushion distortion to avoid the rolling ball effect. IT has little to no field curvature. The result is super high levels of apparent resolution. It is a very impressive instrument. The single birdge design is also very comfortable to me.

The EL Swarovision series is a large, long double bridge design with every bell and whistle. The image in the Swarovision is just like the SLC-HD, except extremely flat. There is no discernable field curvature or distortion, to my eye. I can't see any CA at all. The stable image is just about perfect. The only issue with the Swarovision is the lack of distortion. It is so flat, that the rolling ball is quite pronounced to me when panning. Perhaps with time I owuld become accustomed to it. But, I don't know why I would try it, when the SLC-HD has the same image, with just enough "bend" to ease the rolling ball."

Good post.

Swarovski completely redesigned the SLC and EL swarovision from the previous SLC NEU and EL. Changes were in the lens grouping and focusing lens elements.

As stated the Swarovision also has field flattening lenses in the eyepiece and the current version of the SLC does not. The SLC is a much more compact binocular but many like the ergos of the Swarovision better. Technically the current SLC is brighter than the Swarovision as it has less lens surfaces. The brightness difference is to small to be seen though.

The most recent version of the SLC does not have HD in its name but is still HD. Swarovski lowered the price by going to a more simple focus design (does not focus as close as the SLC HD) which is not an issue for hunters.

Both are great binoculars but you need to look through/use a swarovision before buying to make sure the rolling ball distortion does not bother you. Swarovski has been trying to reduce the effect in recent models.

The Current SLC IMO is a best buy in a premium binocular.

Great posts. Thank you all so much. Now to test and then purchase

I don't know if you need the rangefinder feature but if you so consider the El Range model. they aren't the new swarovision model for optics but way more than good enough for hunting. we aren't bird watchers I'm not sure why all the concern over the slight difference in high end optics .


I bought a pair of EL Ranges and after two hunts this fall I cannot say enough good about them. perfect optics and the best rangefinder I've tried yet. all in one compact package.
















Stay thirsty my friends

Slc 10x42 hd on sale now at cabelas...$1549...... Very hard to beat that.