12x50 Razor or Swaro 15x56 SLC

[Rumhunter84]

I'm leaning pretty hard towards 12x50 euros for 1300.00 there on sale right now at cabelas i'm almost saving a 2k if you buy new 1k if you buy used hard decision ??????

 

Then get a swro spotter !

[Zeke-BE]

Get the euros!!! Save you a ton of money then look through your buddies Swaros for 10 minutes and you will see just the edge of the glass ever ever ever so slightly just barley better then your euros, but nothing at all noticeable, especially when you are focusing on glassing for animals you won't even notice it or even can pick it up.

[AZ_SAWBUCK]

Well here is tally so far on replies. Pretty much a three way tie on suggestions to the question. I'm surprised there wasn't more votes for the Razors.

 

Swaro SLC 15x56 6

Swaro EL HD 12x50 6

Cabelas Euro 15x56 6

Razor 12x50 HD 1

 

 

The more I think about it.........A guy might be better off saving and buying some used Swaro 15x56 HD's. The fall is a long ways off.

[Cell4soul]

I will definitely be following this thread. I am hoping to upgrade binoculars soon. I have listed a bunch of items for sale to try putting together the funds....this is only way I can justify doing it right now with the wife after dumping a bunch of money into my rifle build. To the OP, keep us informed on what decision you make and how it turns out.

[coues32]

You can glass off hand with 12 else,close to the same as 10s.

 

You can see as good with 12 els vs 15 slc non HD's at distance,plus you get better clarity and brightness with els.

 

12 els vs swaro 15hd you can notice the 3x increase,clarity and brightness of 15hds are on line with 12els.

 

If you want a all around glass 12 els

8x32 if you need neck glass

 

Never looked thru meopta ,no comments on them

[lancetkenyon]

I honestly cannot hand hold 12s and see as much as with 10s, too shaky for my liking. Just me. But I can see a big difference in 15s on a tripod to 12s on a tripod.

 

I have 10x42s, 15x56s, and a 20-70x82 spotter. All have there pros and cons. All get used....a lot.

[Rumhunter84]

I honestly cannot hand hold 12s and see as much as with 10s, too shaky for my liking. Just me. But I can see a big difference in 15s on a tripod to 12s on a tripod.

 

I have 10x42s, 15x56s, and a 20-70x82 spotter. All have there pros and cons. All get used....a lot.

 

 

What Brands are your optics again ? I know you said once before

[lancetkenyon]

Meopta. For the $1k minimum savings, they are the best bang for the buck of the top tier brands. 98% of the Swaros.

[Green Bullet]

i personally think we're having the wrong debate. Having a pair of 12s around your neck and 15s for glassing doesn't make alot of sense to me...the delta btw the two in capability is too little.

 

If i were in your shoes, i'd keep the Nikon 10s around your neck and upgrade the 15s to the Swaros or 15 Euros. You've received alot of feedback already so take your pick...i think Swaro 15s for $1500 used is a good buy and when you want to sell them they'll hold their value better.

 

When you're ready to upgrade the glass around your neck stick with 10s but a better brand. For me, i like lite glass around my neck for up close and personal situations, less clutter around my neck, less to worry about banging around, etc...when i'm going to sit behind the glass for a couple of hours and work an area i use my 15s not 12s or 10s. When you're really going long range you want 15s not 12s in my opinion....i want to see well from 1000 yards away not just recognize it's an animal with 12s.

 

Now with all that said, if you're really hung up on 12s around your neck, then you'd need to ditch the15s and get a spotter so you have a nice delta capability wise but considering what you have now i think that's going to cost you more money.

 

I had Nikon 10s Monarches and Kaibabs, bought Swaro 15s first, then bought Razor 10s around my neck and put hte Nikon's in my truck for "emergencies" and this worked out well for me. The Razors are really good in my opinion...i couldn't justify the money for the Swaros as i'm not all that sensitive to quality when i'm using lower power glass (but i'm not saying put garbage around your neck to be clear).

 

Good luck

[cjl2010]

Does it make sense to carry 10s 15s and a spotter? Would 12s and a spotter eliminate the double binos? I carry a spotter and 15s in my pack but want to be able to have something around my neck. 10s 15s and a spotter seems like a pain!

 

Would 12s eliminate the need for 10s around your neck and 15s for tripod?

[coues32]

12 els will take the place of non HD 15 Swaros on a tripod.

And you can wear them on your neck and even glass off hand.

 

And yes I used to pack neck,15s,and spotter.

[Hatchet Jack]

Seems like it's pick your poison. I did the 10x 15x last year and I still found myself wanting a spotter more than a handful of times. I even left the 10x in the truck one day to save weight and I missed having them. I've never packed 12x but I imagine the drawbacks would be trying to handhold for quick scans or when you're glassing longer range and need the extra 3x. But it would sure be nice to only buy and pack one set binos. I have heard a few guys say they gave up the 15x for EL 12 and were happy. As for me I'm going 10x 15x and 66 spotter this year. I better hit the gym.

[cjl2010]

Just seems like a pain. I can't decide if I want to upgrade my 15s this year to HD, which is a big improvement over the non HD swaros, or save longer and get 12s to wear in a chest rig and dual purpose them off a tripod. Having a spotter I would assume replaces the need for the extra 3 power.

[coues32]

I have both 12 els and 15hd, 12s get a lot of use

[cjl2010]

I have both 12 els and 15hd, 12s get a lot of use

Are they easy enough to hand hold for quick scans as your are hiking?