This is the third review I have done on Swarovski binoculars. The SLC new 8x56, is another example of superior optics that need to be seen to be appreciated. I used these binoculars hunting moose and elk this fall in Alberta and the nighttime capabilities impressed me greatly.

It's so good to watch tomorrow's fields and see what is there tonight. The 8x56 is perfect for this. Often, I could clearly watch deer, elk and coyotes well after dark had set in. This makes for sleepless nights full of anticipation.

The 8x56 is not a great choice if you hike and want to keep the load light. They are heavy, unlike the wonderful EL 8x32's (my pick as the best hunting binocular) or the pocket 8x20's (I don't leave camp without these).

If your hunting is the type that does not take you miles and miles by foot and you want the best low light vision possible, then the SLC new 8x56 may just be the right choice.

Each fall we have lots of clear sky at night and the planets are in view. Camped out in remote locations I was able to watch the show that the planets gave us this year with great detail- the clarity really came through watching the planets.

Many evenings when the hunt was over I would sit and glass the fields for the late arriving animals. The 8x56 is a clear winner for this. On moonlit nights I could see wonderful interactions that we rarely watch in the daytime. Comparing the 8x56 to my old stand-by and superbly bright 7x50's was not really a contest. The Swarovski 8x56 definitely had the brightest and the clearest images. I noticed the extra weight is an advantage in holding the binoculars steady. It is definitely easier to hold steady a heavy binocular than a light pair at any magnification.

Like the other full size Swarovski binoculars the 8x56 SLC's now have the very convenient and sturdy twist-in eyecups that allow those of us with glasses to get a full field of view without those rubber fold-downs on other makes that always break in a year or two. The single-piece rain guard cover is hinged so that they are able to fit properly, no matter what width the binoculars are set at.

The neck strap is sized for comfort and holds the fully adjustable eyepiece cover so that it never gets lost. The front eyepiece protectors fit the individual tubes and simply flip down out of the way while still attached to the binocular- they never get lost. I think that this type of lens protection system is useable, as it is always there and convenient. These lenses are expensive and deserve protection that is convenient to use.

I used the SLC new 8x56 binoculars for several months before writing this review. They performed flawlessly in all weather conditions, from hot summer days to weeklong rain in -25C temperatures.

The individual eye focus is under the main focus wheel and it does not get accidentally changed through use. By pulling up on the wheel you make your adjustment, push the wheel down and forget about it. It can not get accidentally changed.

If you want the brightest image available as well as superior optics in a rugged and comfortable frame, the SLC is definitely a good choice to consider. I prefer the lighter smaller Swarovski EL 8x32 binoculars for all-round use, however these are superb for low light use and certainly are the top choice if you want the best binoculars for low light viewing.

Swarovski Product Comparison


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Magnification	8x	8.5x	8x
Objective lens diameter (mm)	32	42	56
Objective lens diameter (in)	1.26	1.65	2.2
Exit pupil, diameter (mm)	4.0	4.9	7
Exit pupil, diameter (in)	0.16	0.19	0.28
Eye relief (mm)	15	18	22
Eye relief (in)	0.59	0.71	0.87
Field of view, real (m/1000 m)	140	130	115
Field of view, real (ft/1000 yds)	420	390	345
Field of view, real (degree)	8	7.4	6.6
Field of view, apparent (degree)	62	62	52
Shortest focusing distance (m)	2.1	2.5	9
Shortest focusing distance (ft)	7	8	30
Diopter compensation (dpt)	+-3	+-3	+-2.5
Interpupillary distance (mm)	56-74	56-74	59-72
Interpupillary distance (in)	2.2-2.91	2.2-2.91	2.32-2.83
Twilight factor (DIN 58388)	16	19	21
Length, approx. (mm)	138	165	215
Length, approx. (in)	5.4	6.5	8.47
Width, approx. (mm)	114	123	128
Width, approx. (in)	4.5	4.84	5.04
Height, approx. (mm)	60	64	71
Height, approx. (in)	2.4	2.52	2.8
Weight approx. (g)	610	820	1240
Weight approx. (oz)	21.5	28.9	43.7

Pete Ward


Handy, ergonomic and exceptionally versatile - the SLC binoculars by Swarovski Optik are among the most-used binoculars ever. But the SLC series can now offer a multitude of tangible benefits. SLCnew - this means an innovative design with improved ergonomics - for greater versatility and functionality.