I hope I made The Right Decision

[mrobles3808]

After much consideration of wants (more than needs) I decided to go with Swarovski EL 12x50's. These will primarily be used for PRS, locating targets, spotting trace, impacts, wind calls, etc..... Will I wish that I went with the SLC 15x56 or will the EL 12x do the job?

 

[myronman3]

Looks like you nudged the budget up a smidge, eh? Lol.

I think you made the difficult choice, but the right one. You go through and talk to folks and pretty much everyone that has been down that road will offer you the same advice.....get what you really want and be done with it. IN THE LONG RUN....you are saving yourself money.

As far as 15x versus 12x...i can’t offer anything based off experience. But i do know there are a whole lot of guys that subscribe to the 8x or 8.5x and swear they’ll never go back to higher magnification. So i would think you’d be sitting pretty at 12x

 

[stello1001]

Just in general, I'm a guy who doesn't always want higher magnification a prefer a wider FOV. This is just me though. As far as PRS specific uses, I can't help you there. I will say I've shot out to 450 at steel and some Swaros 10x50 worked just fine for spotting.

 

[Sheldon N]

After much consideration of wants (more than needs) I decided to go with Swarovski EL 12x50's. These will primarily be used for PRS, locating targets, spotting trace, impacts, wind calls, etc..... Will I wish that I went with the SLC 15x56 or will the EL 12x do the job?

I’ve got the 15’s but everything I’ve heard suggests they are neck and neck so no bad choice to be made. Better optics and wider FOV with the 12’s, more magnification with the 15’s.

 

[idahoorion]

If I'm shooting I want the spotter with 15's on the tripod.

idahoorion

 

[SEMO Shooter]

I think you will be fine with the 12x50's. I have a pair of 15x56 SLC that mostly are used on a tripod and I have an older pair of 10x42 SLC that I keep in my backpack. I don't have any problem spotting hits to 850 with 10x42's.

 

[TheGerman]

Nope. You're pretty much fucked.

PM me for shipping address and Ill help you out.

 

[SBGreen0369]

pricey but well worth the money!

 

[crunchy]

Ive got a pair of the 12X50 ELs and they are the bomb. You wont regret it.

 

[DetroitRearView]

I used to run the el 12x50 on a tripod - went to the HD 15x56 - bought the 12x50 EL again a few months ago with the Outdoorsmans stud install.

Running them SXS I sold the 15’s. The EL 12x50 in my opinion is superior glass all the way around.

The 15’s are great, the EL’s are just greater...

And as I have said before great glass trumps magnification everytime.

Certainly the better exit pupil of the 12’s are a benefit as well, 4.16 vs the 3.73 of the 15’s give the EL’s an edge in low light as well.

I had nudges from my good friend and glassing mentor Jaret Owens (Alaska Guide Creations) and the serious Coues deer hunters. The majority have moved back to the 12x50 EL’s combined with the BTX85 or 95MM setup.

I don’t think you will regret your choice at all - especially if you run them on a good tripod.

 

[chasedeer]

12x50 EL’ is a fabulous choice you won’t regret it

 

[northshorelumber]

You purchased the superior product don't look back.

 

[mrobles3808]

I’m super happy I went with the EL 12’s. Had them at a match recently and not once did I wish I had a spotting scope. Flashers were on everything passed 800 yards, but I could still see impacts and misses before the flashers signaled out to 1200. I don’t see myself desiring more power for this sport, especially with the glass of the EL’s.

Sticker shock quickly wore off after I got them in the field.

 

[Conrad]

Bringing this one back up....

How well do the 12x50's pick up mirage and trace vs the 15's?

Thanks.

 

[Fishin6061]

Following. In the same decision boat. Are you as tied to a tri-pod with the 12’s as you are with the 15’s?

 

[M4guru]

Great binos. I think they're a tad more versatile than the SLC 15x. I use a set of 10x50 ELs for my do-everything binos but will occasionally carry 15x SLCs in lieu of lugging a spotter and binos. I find the 15x SLCs to be more unforgiving handheld, but not unusable.

Just send them off for this first thing:

Outdoorsmans Swarovski EL Stud & Install

The most secure and efficient method of adapting EL binoculars to a tripod. Works on EL and EL Range binoculars Designed for use with the Outdoorsmans Binocular Adapter Stud is installed directly into the bridge of the binocular with not damage or heavy modification. Does not void warranty from...

outdoorsmans.com

With the Jim White 2.0 pan head it's a great combo for observing with binos.

 

[Conrad]

I archery elk hunt, rifle hunt, and shoot some matches here and there. I own 10x42 EL Ranges and a Sig 2400 ABS. Last year I got a little tired of the bulk of the EL Ranges while elk hunting, as they just aren't really needed, and I much prefer operating a hand sized RF when holding my bow, so I literally was carrying 2 RF's.

My thought is to drop down to 8x32 EL's and a RF for most of my hunting, and run a larger set of binos for actually setting up to glass for mule deer and have something to spot with during matches. Sometimes the EL Range is handy for confirming targets at matches, but maybe not as big of a deal as it once was. I have shot Steel Safari in the past so I'd keep them for that probably.

So, not exactly looking for a do all pair of binos. I more so want to know which set (12 or 15) is better at the specific task of picking up trace, reading mirage, and spotting animals far away?

Thanks.

 

[Conrad]

Hey Diver,

I'm not sure if you accidentally deleted your post, but I read it in my email, and really appreciate the feedback. I'll go ahead and re-post your reply.

Diver160651:

Hands down the big 15x56 of Swaros or Meopta, is going to be the ticket for spotting trace in a bino package. Same for animals far away. We set up binos on tripods and glass from BLM roads. I can not tell you how many times, people with nice 10 or 12s have to ask to use my class to confirm if what they are seeing is actually a bull and not dead fall or a weird rock. That said there are still times, we switch over to the spotter. Like all, this is just my opinion: With spotters and various binos in the mix, I feel safer with the PLRF and rapidly evolving tech, to be separate to provide way more flexability.

If I was unemployed and could only have one gun, for hunting and one for matches.. this is the order in which I would hang on to my gear; Top being the last to go:
RRS Tripod
Swaro 15x56
Swaro ATX 65 (I can pack this)
Swaro 10x42
Swaro ATX 85 (for me, near road only- had one, sold it now just bought another LOL)

FYI on my bow I am using the Garmin A1 laser sight - but still have a range finder next to my binos

 

[Diver160651]

Hey Diver,

I'm not sure if you accidentally deleted your post, but I read it in my email, and really appreciate the feedback. I'll go ahead and re-post your reply.

Diver160651:

Hands down the big 15x56 of Swaros or Meopta, is going to be the ticket for spotting trace in a bino package. Same for animals far away. We set up binos on tripods and glass from BLM roads. I can not tell you how many times, people with nice 10 or 12s have to ask to use my class to confirm if what they are seeing is actually a bull and not dead fall or a weird rock. That said there are still times, we switch over to the spotter. Like all, this is just my opinion: With spotters and various binos in the mix, I feel safer with the PLRF and rapidly evolving tech, to be separate to provide way more flexibility.

If I was unemployed and could only have one gun, for hunting and one for matches.. this is the order in which I would hang on to my gear; Top being the last to go:
RRS Tripod
Swaro 15x56
Swaro ATX 65 (I can pack this)
Swaro 10x42
Swaro ATX 85 (for me, near road only- had one, sold it now just bought another LOL)

FYI on my bow I am using the Garmin A1 laser sight - but still have a range finder next to my binos

Also I made a typo I have Swaro 8x42s not the 10s

FYI I like the EL12s, but for some reason (for my eyes), the SLC15x56 picks up trace better in regards to the match question, and they are a bit cheaper. I think trace is less of a perfect resolution task than a lighting variance. So I don't know if the 15x56 light transmission of 93% vs. the ELs at 90% or the twilight of 29 vs. 22.4 comes into play. But most-likely, the visual disturbance (trace) is just larger, just as the trace is even easier to see in a high-end spotter.

^ Edited to add. There are specific tasks that one set of binos might slightly outpace the others. For instance, my comments on trace or DetroitRearView comment about how he resolves the ghosts of Northern Mexico, because of the field-flattener in the ELs. We are splitting hairs so closely at this level; you need to start factoring in size and weight or going back and forth while looking through the glass. I wear glasses, so when I take them off to spot, my magnification is effectively less; that's why I say to my eyes.. etc.