I didn't find the focusser in favour of some direction, and this goes for the EL as well as the SLC. However, I did notice some notchiness in the focusser which disappeared with use in the EL, and not yet completely in the SLC. I didn't remember it because in practice I don't notice, but yes, I think you've cornered me here. OK, there is a fault in the SLC. One.
Renze
Ah, hah! The Swaro "Achilles Heel" strikes again! -
The more people I ask about Swaro focusers, the more responses I get about "notchy" focusers or turning harder in one direction than the other.
I've experienced both on the 8.5x EL, and the harder to turn issue with the 8x30 SLC. I didn't spend enough time with the 8x32 EL to put it through its paces, but it seemed to be the smoothest focuser of the three.
So I started out thinking the two under par focusers I tried were exceptions, but then I began reading reviews and comments that pointed out these same issues with other SLCs and ELs, and even the SV EL, and now an SLC-HD.
Then I thought it's a matter of perception. Some people are more sensitive to focus smoothness than others, but then one BF member tried three Swaros in a store and found sample variation in terms of the smoothness in the focusers, so that pretty much clinched it that this was an concrete issue.
Took some heat for mentioning it on BF (not being a member of the "Club" and all), but now the evidence is strong enough to make a case in a court of common peeves.
It's obviously not a make it or break it issue for you, and hopefully it will work itself out like it did with the EL.
I suspect there would be even more reports on sites like Optics Talk and 24hrcampfire since SLCs and ELs are popular with hunters, but since hunters focus at a distance, not up close where more focusing is necessarily, they are probably less aware of the issue, and they often wear gloves so the focuser is not as palpable as it would be with bare hands.
My purpose is not to diss Swaro bins, which are among the finest instruments made, but to point out (more to Dale and any other Swaro reps that might read these comments than potential buyers) that there is an issue that needs to be resolved by the time I save up enough money to buy a Swaro 8x32 EL!
I feel that when you get to this price point, everything, including the focuser, should operate smoothly and stay that way for a long time before it needs servicing.
Brock