A Rifleman's Optics

While still living in New Mexico’s Gila region, guiding Coues whitetail hunters in New Mexico, Arizona and Sonora, Mexico, I spent an inordinate amount of time behind tripod-mounted binoculars. High-end 15x56mm glass was standard issue. West German-made, rubber-armored Zeiss dominated, with a few aus Jena Doctor Optics scattered in there. Swarovski Optik arrived with their 15x56 SLC in 1999, making those early Zeiss (which had been used hard since the early ‘80s) look clunky by comparison. We equipped those powerful binos with screw-on tripod mounts and used them to dissect distant ridgelines and probe for bedded bucks. We carried them in our packs to deploy after reaching a commanding vantage while standard 10x40s hung around our necks.  

Swarovski’s first 15x56 SLC showed us how streamlined such powerful glass could be while providing the optical excellence that has always accompanied the Austrian brand. The company has conducted several optical upgrades since 1999, so hanging out with serious Coues hunters and guides revealed more Swarovski’s than other brands in time.

Swarovski had already introduced the 12x50 EL, more recently the 12x42 NL Pure, but they didn’t really live up to the expectation established by those earlier “15s.” For those hunters who wanted more, Swarovski introduced the 14x52 NL Pure – the newest addition to the company’s flagship series.

I suppose Swarovski could have called these 15s, and no one would have been the wiser, but it’s not really their style. In reality the 14x52 NL Pure provides magnification closer to 14.5 power than 14, so no one is complaining… The NL Pure lineup also includes a 10x52mm option by the way, for those looking for unsurpassed low-light viewing but not in the habit of mounting binoculars on tripods in search of elusive game situated thousands of yards away.   

Swarovski’s 14x52mm NL Pure won’t need to be carried in packs where our big glass once rode. Measuring about 6.9-by-5.2-by-3 inches and weighing just 36 ounces/2.25 pounds, they can be comfortably carried on a chest harness or the provided neoprene neck/shoulder strap. They easily fit in most chest pouch systems. Mounting them on a tripod, in my opinion, is still the best way to get the most out of them while addressing vast country. Their light weight makes hand-holding them feasible, making a one-optic system viable while hunting Coues, mountain sheep or mule deer.

The new 14x52 NL Pure provides a 93-meter/279-foot field of view at 1,000 yards and superior edge-to-edge clarity. This provides a marked improvement over the viewing we received from our old 15x systems. Continued optical refinements provide brighter viewing in poor light and sharper resolution in high-contrast situations, such as probing deep shadows during bright days. Swarovski’s new tripod adapter system makes them easier to deploy, including a unique front-locking design that is stronger and more solid than past systems. The adapter includes an Arca-Swiss base and is threaded to accommodate a tripod plate.

This is a serious optic for serious hunting - but it also comes with a serious price of $3,499.00.

The slightly smaller 52mm objective lenses, to my eyes at least, seem to do the job that once required 56mm front windows and offer a noticeable light-gathering edge over the original 42mm NL Pure objective lenses in this series. Swarovski Optik, of course, uses some of the best glass in the industry and advanced Swarobright lens coatings to further accentuate light transmission (91 percent in this case), twilight factor (27) and image quality. Compared to the massive (and heavy) 56mm objective lenses of the past, 52mm seems a good compromise between exceptional light-gathering abilities and a lighter, more portable design. The 52mm lenses translate to a generous exit pupil (3.6mm), providing an edge in low-light situations, allowing more light to reach the eye and resulting in brighter, clearer images.

Swarovski’s NL Pure series all provide exceptional edge-to-edge clarity, and adding more magnification did not change that. This allows holding the optic still and moving the eyes about the field of view, covering more ground faster and more thoroughly. NL Pure design is all about ergonomics; their unique body geometry and compact single-bridge hinge provide superior feel, balance, and control, which also leads to more productive glassing. The twist-down eye cups include click stops, twisted in fully for use with eyeglasses, the outermost position providing 17mm of eye relief.

NL Pure controls are straightforward and efficient. The diopter adjustment allowing both eyes to obtain simultaneous sharp focus is found on a thin rearward ring with a raised tab and white hash marks with +4 to -4 notations found inside the binocular hinge. The main focus knob is large and well-knurled and turns smoothly while allowing focusing down to 3.8 meters/12.5 feet. The objective lenses are covered by snap-in covers, tethered to the bottom of the barrels, and a one-piece ocular lens cover that tethers to the neck strap to prevent loss. A top-quality, contoured neoprene neck strap is provided, as well as a zippered storage/protective pouch with an adjustable shoulder strap. The binocular neck strap includes locking-lever adjustments between the wider neoprene and narrower nylon webbing connection straps and Swarovski’s streamlined twist-and-lock carry-strap sockets remain – all overengineered in classic Austrian fashion.

Swarovski Optik’s new 14x52 NL Pure binoculars represent a substantial investment, obviously. Still, they should prove ideal for hunters who pursue low-density game in very large habitats – Coues whitetails, mountain sheep, timberline mule deer and the like – or for shooters who want something handier than a bulky spotting scope. Swarovski’s best-in-class optical performance and thoughtful ergonomics make them an easy choice for serious hunters looking to lighten their load this season. Adopting a one-binocular system that can be easily hand-held or mounted on a tripod for a longer look.