Swarovski SLC

Roof prism, 8x30, 10x42, 10x50, and 7x42

These are wonderful binoculars, with impeccable optical qualities:

• waterproof

• nitrogen purged

• nitrogen filled

• phase corrected

They also have outstanding fit-and-feel characteristics, including an easy-grip rubber shell, locking diopter adjustment that won't get knocked off its setting, and unlosable objective lens caps that attach to the binoculars.

Michael could hardly put the 10x50s down to test anything else, because he loved their luminous brightness and the full picture that they afforded him. He'd never found a 10-power binocular that worked so well with his glasses. To enjoy that view he was willing to carry the 41.6-oz. weight.

We also love the optical quality of the 10x42 and 7x42 SLCs. These binoculars weigh in at 30.7 and 33.5 oz., respectively, and such weights are not unusual in binoculars with such superior resolution and brightness.

The Swarovski 8x30s, however, which weigh just 19 oz., excites particular admiration and envy. We give it top marks among the medium binoculars. Although the 8x30s give a brilliant picture in daylight, the image may dim at dusk, because the exit pupil is only 3.7 mm.

An oddity of the 8x30 model is the focus knob's placement at the far end of the central shaft. However, many birders like being able to focus with the ring finger, leaving the index and middle fingers free to stabilize the binoculars.