Just upgraded carry bino's from 8x30SLC's to 8.5x42EL Swarovision. Clarity of lighter SLC's is great, but the colors just pop amazingly well on Swarovision's, plus low light is noticeably better.
Have 15x SLC's on tripod. Nothing finds game better or is clearer than these to me. The colors arent as vivid as swarovision, but the magnification matched with clarity makes up and then some, even at low light despite much smaller exit pupil.
No matter what bino's, in the west you need a spotter to judge game. I use 65mm STS, nice mix of quality and packability, though I have heard enough good things about the big Vortex scope that I'd like to try it some day in the field.
Any of the big three(Swaro, Leica, Zeiss) should be considered for top glass. Many others one notch down to look at depending on current economics that are very close.