Swarovski NL Pure 10×52

Specifications:

Objective diameter (according to specs.): 52 mm
Free aperture (measured): 52 mm
Exit pupil (according to spec.): 5.2 mm
Exit pupil (measured): 5.2 mm
Magnification (according to specs.): 10 x
Magnification (measured): 10 x
Technical eye relief (according to specs.): 17 mm
Technical eye relief (measured): 17.5 mm
Usable eye relief (measured from rim of eyecups fully in): 16 mm
IPD (according to specs.): 56 – 74 mm
RFOV (according to specs.): 7.4 degrees = 130 m
RFOV (measured): 7.4 degrees = 130 m
AFOV (according to specs.): 68 degrees
AFOV (measured): 68 degrees
Transmission (according to specs.): 91%
Minimum focus distance (according to specs.): 3.3 m
Minimum focus distance (measured): 3.2 m
Focus type: CF (direction of rotation from close to infinity: clockwise)
Range of diopter adjustment (acc. to specs.): +4 / -4 dpt
Rotation of focus wheel from 4 m to infinity (estimate): 550 degrees
Extra travel of focus wheel beyond infinity (according to specs.): 5 dpt
Prism system: Schmidt-Pechan
Waterproof: yes
Weight (without accessories, according to specs.): 1’020 g
Weight (without accessories, measured): 1’040 g
Weight (measured, with eyecaps, objective cover and strap): 1’159 g

Images:

Remarks:

In July of 2024, Swarovski expanded its NL Pure line with a 10×52 and a 14×52 model. At the same time, it stopped making the EL SV 10×50 and 12×50 binoculars. The new x52 NL Pure models confirm Swarovski’s ambition to offer some of the best binoculars currently available, and they early on got positive reviews from the binocular community (https://www.birdforum.net/threads/first-image-of-nl-x52s.457936/page-2#post-4653342 ). Build quality and finish are excellent, the superb image characteristics are similar to the one of the smaller NL models. One special note as this question seems to come up time and again in internet forums: in our experience, glare is not an issue with the NL 10×52.
See also separate posts about the NL Pure 14×52 (https://binocular.ch/swarovski-nl-pure-14×52/) and the smaller NL Pure versions (https://binocular.ch/8120-2/ , https://binocular.ch/swarovski-nl-pure-8×42/, https://binocular.ch/swarovski-nl-pure-8×32/).

Ratings:

Reviews:

First impression, looking at the new NL:
Typical NL body shape with the narrow waist of the x32 and x42 NL models; finished close to perfection. They sit naturally and comfortably in one’s hand, better than the EL SV 10×50; well balanced, the focuser right under the index finger. Same weight and size as the EL SV, but appear lighter and smaller.
The focuser is much better than on various EL SV models, equal force to rotate left or right; it is also smoother than on earlier NL models.
The eyecups are typical NL style and make, and they work well.

The area of the exit pupil and around it looks “Swaro-typical”, with a round EP and some faint light structures around.

Accessories etc. are similar to NLs x42, including the Field Pro package (of which BINOCULARS TODAY is still not a fan). The NLs now feature a new central hinge adapter; it appears that the new adapter will be also available for all NLs currently on the market as a retrofit. The headrest introduced with the NL x42s is also available for the NL 52.

First impression, looking through the new NL:
The immediate overall first impression when the x42 NLs came out was something like “wow, such a wide field and such great sharpness fully across it”. Since then, we might have taken these wide flat fields almost for granted; still, the new NLs impress with their wonderful, wide, bright, sharp and contrast-rich image in natural colors. Swarovski at its best!

Usable eye relief is more or less comparable to what you get in the x42 NLs, perhaps just slightly less, but should be sufficient for most people.

We found the x52 NLs behave very well in the usual stray-light situations. Slight crescent shaped reflections at the bottom of the image can be provoked when a very bright light source (strong LED torch at full power) is positioned just at the top of the FOV, so a similar thing might happen when you stare at the sun, but as you perhaps know, you are not supposed to do that anyway. Otherwise, we found the NL well baffled; there are almost ne perceptible spikes.

CA is very well corrected.

Panning produces a very slight globe effect, something to be expected with the limited amount of distortion and the width of the field of view. The effect appears clearly less pronounced than in  my EL SVs and also less visible than in the x42 NLs. Overall, we found panning very comfortable in the new NL.

The 10×52 NL produce an immersive, almost nature-like viewing experience when the eyecups are in the right position for your style of holding the bino and placing it before your eyes. You pick the bino up and are immediately taken in by the brightness and sharpness of the image. What amazed was that we had to check on several occasions whether we were holding the 42 or the 52 NL in our hand, due to the slim build and compact size of the 52s.

BINOCULAR TODAY’s verdict: These are among the best binoculars you can get at the moment. Taken as a whole, as the sum of its properties, we found the NL simply superb.