Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics NL Pure or EL Pure

I’m going to spend some money on a set of binoculars for this fall. I hunt and guide in the Adirondacks and am planning to also spend a few days in Northern Maine hunting whitetails. I’ve pretty much decided on biting the bullet and getting a set of Swarovskis, specifically either the 8.5x42 El Pure or the 8x32 NL Pure. I don’t spend too much time in a tree stand and the areas I hunt are heavily forested.

Anyone have experience with these 2 binoculars that can offer a recommendation based on real world experience? I’ve looked at the specs so am aware of the differences.

Thanks.

Frank

EL Pure? Surely you mean EL SV.

That said, I've had the EL SV 8.5x42s, and now have the 10x42 NL Pures. No flies on either, but the ergos of the NL's is what swayed me to move up.

I have 10x42s NLs and 8.5x42 ELs. For your money the ELs are a better choice. NLs have very slightly better glass and better ergonomics and a wider field of view. I prefer the EL eyecups more than the NLs. If you can afford NLs that’s one thing if money is a consideration the ELs will not disappoint.

I’m a fan of the 8x32EL. Great glass, best eye relief out there, very trim and a superb view. Harder to find these, but when you do, grab one.

I use a pair of the 10x32 EL’s and love them. Can’t say I would want anything more out of a pair of binos. I haven’t use the Pure model, but when I was buying the guy at the camera store, who is also a hunter said it wasn’t worth the extra money for the Pure model.

I have a pair of 12X42 NLs and a pair of 10X42 ELs. Before I give you advice, I don't know your eyes. Everybody has different eyes and have different preferences. NLs are extremely sensitive and take a bit of input to get them to be set for you eyes. They are amazing once you get them set up. I have not had the opportunity to look through the 8X32NLs but the guides really like the 10X32NLs. The ELs have more eye relief and seem to be favored by eyeglass wearers. They are easy to operate and very affordable in the scheme of things. I would look at the Zeiss Victory SF8X32s as well. While they are not Swaros they were designed by a Swaro engineer who fell in love with a Zeiss family member. He took a lot of the proprietary technology of the ELs and put it in the original SFs so they(SFs, ELs, and NLs) are cousins if anything. It is kind of the reverse of the Hapsburgs.

What about the CL Companion?

Looking at 8X for general use.
Maybe buy one for kids too, since they travel.

I sold my 8.5 ELs after buying 10x42 pures. The field of view of the two is exactly the same at 399 feet. I spent a lot of time comparing them and the pures are more clear and crisp. Same field of view, better glass, a touch more magnification, and better ergonomics. Get the pures.

Looking to replace a pair of Leica 10x42 Geovids (lost in a truck fire in June!).

Are the Swarovskis, either EL or Pure, worth the additional $$$ over the Leicas?

There are EL and NL Pure, but no such thing as EL Pure.

I believe the EL’s have been discontinued, but probably still some old stock laying around.

The 10x42 Pure’s I looked through had even better eye relief and eye box than the 10x42 EL. I would like to spend more time with them.

Each new generation of binos are generally incrementally better than the previous generation, but it’s always going to depend on the individual and his eyes.

A guy may prefer the 8x42 in one brand, the 10x42 in another brand. Same goes for the 32mm.

Swarovski customer service is unparalleled.

I think only the X32 EL’s were discontinued? The SLC line was discontinued. Eta; except the X56.

This is useful. Thanks.

For whitetail hunting in fixed stands, how do the 10x42 NL Pures compare to EL 10x50 (or 12x50EL) when low light performance is the main objective?

I know both are good but are they similar or does one stand out? Weight and Cost are not a factor in the question.

Correctomundo

The field of view is larger on the NL's. You really need to go someplace and look through both if possible. To me the NL's are the pinnacle of current binoculars, but for $3000+ they should be.

If you are interested in an 8x30 CL Companion, PM me. I have one in excellent condition that I may part with.