Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Swarovski SLC 10x42 Chronology

Looking at a potential trade offer and need some history on Swaro SLC's. How many versions are out there and about what years were they introduced?

They have been around a long time. Best way is to age them using the srial number. Post 2003 (I think had 'Swarobright" for optical enhancement). The website www.betterviewdesired.com use to rate them as the "industry standard" in their class. I own a pair as well as the 8X30s (and a Leica Geovid) and they will be the last pair of binos I think I need to buy. Simply outstanding.

Look for a late SLC NEU version made in 2008-2009, most up to date lens coatings before they went to the SLC HD. You can tell by the serial number when they were made.

When the SLC NEU came out they put brighter and more color neutral lens coatings in the binoculars, also stated that they improved the quality of the lenses. Also changed the rubber armor coloring (forest green with black center on top).

There is no point IMO buying an older pre NEU SLC.

I disagree, for the same money yeah it's a no brainer picking up a newer pair but there's nothing wrong with the older ones if the price is right.

Nick:

Which size SLC are you asking about? There are some differences in when they were introduced.
The larger SLC's first came out in the early 90's. Changes along the way, and one important change
was Swarobright - dielectic prism coatings started in 2002. After that, coatings changes, the
Swaroclean easy-to clean, coating was added in 2006, that may be when the Neu model with the final armor change was added.
There is a step up in the latest ones, with improved coatings in the latest 2008-9 models.
I would want one at least a 2002-3 with Swarobright. You add the number 30 to the first 2 digits
of the ser. # to determine yr. of mfr.

The 8x30 SLC was different in its history, started earlier, Swarobright added in 2003. Newer is
better. I have owned several of these along the way, and the latest ones are great.

The newest ones have a nice step up in light transmission, they are brighter, and the early ones had a yellow cast.
I hope this helps.

+1. That's about the stupidest thing I've ever read.

+1

While the newest model would be best, it comes down to a cost/benefit thing. Everyone has a different cost/benefit point. If all the guy can afford is a $800 pair of binos, I would highly recommend him buying an older set of SLC instead of waiting (for who knows how long to get additional money - years?) to afford the newest model.

You guys didn't let me down, lots of great info... After some back and forth with the guy we couldn't reach a deal. The binos were 10x42 manufactured in 1998 and he was asking $850 on craigslist. There was enough wear on the armor that I know they hadn't been just sitting on the shelf for 14 years. I still offered a NIB Rem 700 SPS but he wasn't into it and I didn't feel good about doing any more.

They wouldn't have Swarobright, so not worth $850.00, IMO.