Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Old alpha ??? vs. new ??? binos

I just picked up a 22 your old set of 10x42 SLC's and they are back at Swarovski getting a couple issues fixed and new lenses with updated coatings. Given their substantial age I am still on a high that I actually own a pair of alphas.

It get me wondering though, for those of you with ageing alphas and modern, likely non alpha binos as well I'm curious to hear what models match up from an optics standpoint. What features have really gotten better, and less expensive over time vs things that will always set the big guys apart no matter the vintage.
Thanks,
Nick

Hi evans,

If Swarovski make a service to your SLC, including new lenses, well, you are done! A 100% New ALPHA binocular. Period.

Good luck!

PH

Yup, this is true. They'll basically recreate them into a new binocular.

In answer to your question, the biggest change over the years has been in lens coatings. This helps color quality, clarity, light transmission and ease of cleaning

I am just a bit resentful he is marking a set of nineties era glass as 'old'.

Thanks PH, I appreciate the confidence boost.

I think I've finally gotten to a point that I won't be looking to flip these for the next "best" thing when they come back. I really ask more out of curiosity to those of you with long term alpha experience what your take on the new mid price crop of binos is. Any out there you find yourself grabbing instead of your first gen EL, BN Trinovid, or Zeiss B/GAT?
Nick

Sorry JSTUART, of course I meant that bino technology just seems to have come so far since these were made... then again I was 11 when these left the factory.
Nick

The image on some of the budget binos has gotten really good and sometimes approaches the alphas, but often times the build quality, QC, eyecups, and focus adjustment (smoothness) do not compare.

Umm, Nick that isn't helping!

Having been at the factory a couple weeks back, I'd say PH is on the right track.

We were shown the room where they do warranty/refurbs, and they explained how they try to put everything back to factory specs for that model. However, if they no longer have the parts/lenses that it came with, they have to use current materials. So, if you accept that progress doesn't march backward, you'll be getting at least the quality of what it came with, if not upgraded materials.

They also explained that it was a positive-pressure room, to account for any dirt/debris that came in on optics that had been out in the field.

My guess is you'll be awfully pleased, and can have great confidence in the binocular they return to you.

FC

You cant go wrong with Swarovski. I have owned dozens of Swarovski binos and scopes. I have sent 4-5 in for factory service and cleaning, everyone has come back in like new condition at no charge. I posted a picture today of my rifle on the hunting forums that was blown to pieces this hunting season. I had a Swarovski 6x42 on top of it in talley rings and bases. The scope was torn from the receiver still in the rings and the tube was bent at a 20 degree angle, the eyepiece fell off in my hand when I picked it up. I sent it back to swarovski, got it back in a few months. New tube, lenses, a list of internal parts. No charge. I firmly believe Swarovski has the best customer service in the world, not just optics. Thats why I only own Swarovski products.

I had a 7X42 SLC that after having them 20 years I sent in to be repaired.The only thing they did not change was the actual frame.Everything else was up graded to the latest parts available then.All it cost me was the price of shipping them in and they were back to me in two weeks.

I have a 10 year old 10x42EL Swaro and a 15 year old 15x56 SLC Swaro, still alpha grade and I have no intentions to update. A hunting friend let me use his non alpha new bino on a varmint trip a couple weeks ago old good glass is still good glass

Exactly. When my early/mid 90's refurbished 7x30 and 8x30 SLC's came back from Swaro I couldn't beleive how much better they were. I'm not really motivated to go looking for new ones.......

Casey

At my age I'm finally getting used to those sort've things.......


Casey

I got the email today from swarovski. All issues have been fixed that fall under their warranty; new armor, focus issue fixed, and new nameplate. Now for $175 they will replace all lenses, prisms, diopter, eyecups, and covers. Most will be replaced by newer generation parts. Not that I didn't trust you guys but I had no idea they were going to touch the prisms and other internals.

Absolutely no question now, I can't wait to see them!

Nick

For US $175.00 you end up with new binoculars, you would be a raving lunatic not to go with that option.

Kudos to Swarovski for providing far more than required (this is the benchmark others can aspire to), and well done to you for letting us know.

Hi Nick,

Agree with JSTUART, indeed!!!

The German made HG series Minox - I have 8.5x43 ASPH and 10x43 - are superb. To the comparison issue, new Swarovskis side by side look and feel the same quality to my hands and eyes.

I was looking for a reason to switch, but couldn't find one. I've used them both extensively and find they hold up to rough use very well, are excellent ergonomically and mechanically.

Can't/won't speak to their scopes or other optics, but these two binoculars are superb.

Here is a site from the Cornell University Ornithology Lab that rates binos.

http://www.birds.cornell.edu/bbimages/lb/2013/autumn/bins/Binocular_Review_top_picks.pdf

Note especially the top of the second tier binos, especially the Zeiss Conquest HDs. The clarity/crispness really does seem as shown, that is, in the same league as the alphas.

The Zeiss Conquest HD 8x32, is is astoundingly good, for around $900.