About a month ago, I purchased a pair of SLC WB 8x42s. Outstanding optically, but after only a few days the focus wheel started to squeak, and felt pretty rough when turned in either direction. So, I sent them off to Swarovski, and in 2 weeks I received them back repaired under warranty. Silky smooth and no squeaks.
Fast-forward to last night. I received an email from Swarovski with an attached survey, asking me to rate my experience/satisfaction with the binoculars. At the end of the survey, there was space to enter any additional comments or questions, so I entered the following and returned the survey to Swarovski:
"I am concerned that the focusing mechanism on my new SLC WB 8x42 binoculars was rough and squeaky - it was corrected by Swarovski Repair under warranty, but I am now reading numerous reports of "rough/squeaky focusers" in the new SLC WB line. I am considering the purchase of another pair of SLC WB binoculars (10x42), but I am concerned that I may receive another new pair with focuser problems. Is Swarovski aware of this issue, and if so, is anything being done to prevent this problem in manufacturing? Thanks, Steve"
Ten minutes ago, I received the following personal reply from a Swarovski Customer Service representative:
"Good morning. Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to reply back to us. Austria has already redesigned the focus wheel on the new SLC WB Line so there will be no more issues with the rough & squeaky focus wheel. You must have purchased one of the first built new SLC. If you have any other concerns or questions please feel free to contact me."
Sounds like Swarovski has acknowledged the problem, and is now shipping binoculars with redesigned "smooth, squeak-free" focus wheels. It might take a little time for the existing (old design) examples to sell through the retail channels. Might make sense for anyone contemplating the purchase of a SLC WB to find out how long the specific example has been in stock, just to make sure you get a new & redesigned focusing mechanism?
Steve
Fast-forward to last night. I received an email from Swarovski with an attached survey, asking me to rate my experience/satisfaction with the binoculars. At the end of the survey, there was space to enter any additional comments or questions, so I entered the following and returned the survey to Swarovski:
"I am concerned that the focusing mechanism on my new SLC WB 8x42 binoculars was rough and squeaky - it was corrected by Swarovski Repair under warranty, but I am now reading numerous reports of "rough/squeaky focusers" in the new SLC WB line. I am considering the purchase of another pair of SLC WB binoculars (10x42), but I am concerned that I may receive another new pair with focuser problems. Is Swarovski aware of this issue, and if so, is anything being done to prevent this problem in manufacturing? Thanks, Steve"
Ten minutes ago, I received the following personal reply from a Swarovski Customer Service representative:
"Good morning. Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to reply back to us. Austria has already redesigned the focus wheel on the new SLC WB Line so there will be no more issues with the rough & squeaky focus wheel. You must have purchased one of the first built new SLC. If you have any other concerns or questions please feel free to contact me."
Sounds like Swarovski has acknowledged the problem, and is now shipping binoculars with redesigned "smooth, squeak-free" focus wheels. It might take a little time for the existing (old design) examples to sell through the retail channels. Might make sense for anyone contemplating the purchase of a SLC WB to find out how long the specific example has been in stock, just to make sure you get a new & redesigned focusing mechanism?
Steve