Swarovision Coatings... (2 Viewers)

[ticl2184]

Question to Swarovski. .

Do the Field Pro Swarovision binoculars have improved coatings enhancing light transmission, colour, contrast and resolution compared with the original SV''s ?

Why do I ask because I've just spent about an hour comparing my 2011 10x42 and 2013 8x32,
SV with his 2017 Field Pro bins of the same models..

Frankly to my eyes the difference was dramatic. ...Almost 3D like ....The colours jumped out and the resolution was awesome ...So it's left me slightly cheesed off....Why because I specifically asked a Swarovski rep a few years ago if the coatings had been upgraded....He replied the coatings are continually being tweaked but any difference is imperceptible to the eye...
I will take photos next time...

PS
Interested in getting a pair of 10x25 CL''s. ....I'm trying to find out if they have swarovsion technology built in and in they have the water proof lense coatings in addition to Apo glass....

Any replies will be kindly received ...

Cheers Tim

 

[Troubador]

I specifically asked a Swarovski rep a few years ago if the coatings had been upgraded....He replied the coatings are continually being tweaked but any difference is imperceptible to the eye...
Cheers Tim

Tim

Some years ago during a rehearsal for a stage play, Ian Mckellan was given directions that said a 'an imperceptible smile crossed his face'. He remarked at the time that if it was imperceptible then he didn't think he would f**king bother.

Why would Swaro bother if the result was imperceptible?

Ok perhaps it was shorthand for gradual improvements that, taken individually aren't dramatic, but these build up into noticeable differences over time. Possibly.

Lee

 

[ticl2184]

Cheers Lee ...

Nice to hear from you again...

I'll be at Bird fair in a few weeks and hopefully find some answers....

I'm not bothered if Swarovski have improved there coatings in regards to my question .....Just be nice for transparent answer ....No punn intended ...


Tim

 

[Torview]

Hi Tim,

I felt the FP clearly improved as you describe.

 

[ticl2184]

Cheers Torview. ...I noticed that as well

 

[Theo98]

Tim,

I agree with Lee. Each incremental improvement in a coating is probably imperceptible, but over several years, they do add up. Swarovski has confirmed with me (while in Absam) that they are in constant R&D, making glass and coating improvements that "might" be measurably better, but not visually better on their individual own. Thus, no big fanfare or announcement of an updated change.

Collectively, I have also observed side-by-side differences (better Contrast, higher Definition, deeper Color, less veiling Glare) between my 2012 10X50 SV and a 2017 10X50 FP, and my 2015 8X32 SV and a 2016 8X32 FP models. Under these direct comparisons, my perceptions of any "just noticeable" optical improvements didn't temp me to "trade-up" (Yet)! However IMO, the ergonomic improvements (support attachments, focus smoothness, diopter lock, armor changes and objective attachments) have certainly changed and have more impact with the updated V3 Field Pro models.

No doubt, Swarovski has been slowly moving in the right direction, but I'd have to state for individuals to still compare and "Try Before Buying"!

Ted

 

[ticl2184]

Cheers Ted. .

Cumulative effect of incremental coatings improvement's. ....
Well ...I think I'll just hold onto mine and wait for the 4th generation EL's to be released

 

[Troubador]

Tim,

I agree with Lee. Each incremental improvement in a coating is probably imperceptible, but over several years, they do add up. Swarovski has confirmed with me (while in Absam) that they are in constant R&D, making glass and coating improvements that "might" be measurably better, but not visually better on their individual own. Thus, no big fanfare or announcement of an updated change.

Collectively, I have also observed side-by-side differences (better Contrast, higher Definition, deeper Color, less veiling Glare) between my 2012 10X50 SV and a 2017 10X50 FP, and my 2015 8X32 SV and a 2016 8X32 FP models. Under these direct comparisons, my perceptions of any "just noticeable" optical improvements didn't temp me to "trade-up" (Yet)! However IMO, the ergonomic improvements (support attachments, focus smoothness, diopter lock, armor changes and objective attachments) have certainly changed and have more impact with the updated V3 Field Pro models.

No doubt, Swarovski has been slowly moving in the right direction, but I'd have to state for individuals to still compare and "Try Before Buying"!

Ted

Hi Ted

No doubt most manufacturers do this. Certainly Zeiss has a manager whose job it is to continuously improve their T* coatings and surely Leica has one too.

Lee

 

[Troubador]

Cheers Lee ...

Nice to hear from you again...

I'll be at Bird fair in a few weeks and hopefully find some answers....

I'm not bothered if Swarovski have improved there coatings in regards to my question .....Just be nice for transparent answer ....No punn intended ...


Tim

Yes and you Tim. Hope we bump into each other at Bird Fair. I will be wearing a pale beigey fishing style gillet with a Zeiss pin badge. Lets have a coffee if we meet up.

Best wishes Lee

 

[Patudo]

... I've just spent about an hour comparing my 2011 10x42 and 2013 8x32,
SV with his 2017 Field Pro bins of the same models..

Frankly to my eyes the difference was dramatic. ...Almost 3D like ....The colours jumped out and the resolution was awesome ...So it's left me slightly cheesed off....Why because I specifically asked a Swarovski rep a few years ago if the coatings had been upgraded....He replied the coatings are continually being tweaked but any difference is imperceptible to the eye...

I find it verrrry interesting indeed why one should be "cheesed off" that a company like Swarovski is continually striving to improve its products, and has clearly (no pun intended, lol...) succeeded in doing so?

 

[ticl2184]

Indeed Lee..

Were have to catch up this time ..I'll be there on Friday and Saturday ...Not sure what I'll be wearing ...Probably a Zeiss SF beige cap...

Patudo. ...Cheesed off because I was told there's no perceptible difference to the eye when there obviously is.....Plus cheesed off that to upgrade both my bins to the field pro is £1500, when there is apparently no difference to the coatings ...
Heh....What do I know ....I've only got 20/30 vision, build telescope's and been buying alpha bin's for the last 20 years ...

 

[Vespobuteo]

I noticed that the ATX scopes had a slightly warmer "bias" than older ATS samples when the ATX were new on the market. Perhaps the same changes have been applied in the binoculars? But it was nothing I noted when trying early FP models though. High transmission in the blue spectrum is good in low light (mesopic vision*), but might be a disadvantage in haze/foggy conditions, at least for scopes at longer distances.

If it's important you could always try these bins with haze and anti-glare filters:

http://www.yukonoptics.co.nz/pulsar_expert_vmr.html

*https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mesopic_vision

 

[Patudo]

...How reasonable is it for users of 2011 Swarovski binoculars to expect the company to essentially stand still for a four-year period (much less six years!) - especially when the competition sure as hell won't be? I am impressed, and excited, that there seems still be significant room for improvement in glass and coatings; I'm glad the engineers and designers are on a different page to the reps.

 

[Binastro]

All of the older Yukon normal optics, binos and scopes that I have tried have poor coatings.
It would be interesting if the 8x40 with internal filters has high transmission, but probably not.

Also their build quality is very variable. Optically and mechanically.

But they are innovative with their designs.

Up till now their enthusiastic advert claims just don't stand up to what one actually gets.

 

[chill6x6]

Tim,

I agree with Lee. Each incremental improvement in a coating is probably imperceptible, but over several years, they do add up. Swarovski has confirmed with me (while in Absam) that they are in constant R&D, making glass and coating improvements that "might" be measurably better, but not visually better on their individual own. Thus, no big fanfare or announcement of an updated change.

Collectively, I have also observed side-by-side differences (better Contrast, higher Definition, deeper Color, less veiling Glare) between my 2012 10X50 SV and a 2017 10X50 FP, and my 2015 8X32 SV and a 2016 8X32 FP models. Under these direct comparisons, my perceptions of any "just noticeable" optical improvements didn't temp me to "trade-up" (Yet)! However IMO, the ergonomic improvements (support attachments, focus smoothness, diopter lock, armor changes and objective attachments) have certainly changed and have more impact with the updated V3 Field Pro models.

No doubt, Swarovski has been slowly moving in the right direction, but I'd have to state for individuals to still compare and "Try Before Buying"!

Ted

Exactly why I decided on the latest FP version of the SV 10X50. Not only THAT but while I purchased from Doug at CameralandNY, the binocular actually was SHIPPED from SONA! Soooooo....pretty confident it's Swarovski's latest/greatest.

 

[BruceH]

A couple of years ago I compared my 2015 non Field Pro (FP) 12X50 EL SV with a very early 12X50 EL SV and could not detect any difference. I will look for an opportunity to compare to the newer Field Pro generation to see if pick up a change.

The Field Pro generation came out near the end of 2015 so my non FP is only a few months older than the first Field Pros.

 

[arran]

I spoke recently with the local Swarovski rep and he confirmed , that there was no coatings update in the swarovision since its introduction
Furthermore , as was told and confirmed by a local renowned distributor, coatings might get worse overtime by UV radiation and general use , even if bins are well looked after!
This is seen when used from same production period!
E.g I have an old Swarovsion 8,5x42 from my brother who passed away and stayed in the cupboard for 6 years
In the same period I bought my 8,5x42 and after 6 years lens surface is just spic &span
Just comparing the 2 gives me the impression that the explanation could be right
Mine that has been used is less contrasty than the one kept safe for a longer time

 

[ticl2184]

Thanks for that Arran.....
I use both an objective and eyepiece cover when out and about and clean the optics with the Swarovski lense cleaning kit....
Difficult to understand how coatings can degenerate over only 6 and 4 year's respectively, to be noticeable ?

Thanks for the comment though

 

[Binastro]

I have not heard that coatings degenerate with UV. I will ask two professionals.

UV radiation improves thorium glass, and in large doses can reverse discolouration.

P.S.
I think my friends are on holiday and I won't disturb their tranquility.
It will have to wait, unless someone else knows if UV radiation affects coatings.

 

[ticl2184]

I don't think coatings can degenerate so quickly ....

If the binoculars sealing is compromised, you can get fungus growing on the coatings and if you really rub hard on the air exposed coatings it's possible..

I imagine its just the cumulative effect of new coating formulas over several years ...