Torview
Well-known member
Hi all,
I`v spent quite some time with my CL now, alternating each time between my SV and the CL when out birding and walking my Lab Ben, and as I walk him every day on and around Dartmoor I always take a binocular with me, lots of Cuckoo`s calling currently on my patch.
Alternating between the CL and the SV gives the CL a very high bar to be judged by, however it acquits itself very well, although never actually able to equal the SV.
The build quality and feeling in the hand is top notch, here it definitely equals the SV, and feels every inch an "Alpha", just smaller, the magnesium body feels incredibly solid and robust, and covered in Swarovski`s new armour secure in all weathers. The action of the eyecups feels precise when raised, although an intermediate position or two would have been helpful for some no doubt.
The focus action is the smoothest I`v ever had in a Swaro, perfectly weighted, equal tension in both directions with no backlash or stiction, shame about the almost useless diopter adjustment, I don`t know who signed off on the design, or the thinking behind it, simply the worst solution to a diopter I`v owned.
The view is bright, very sharp, almost to the very edge left and right, much softer top and bottom of the view, but overall pure Swaro in colour and contrast for anyone used to the latest SV`s, C/A is almost absent for me, and looking up at soaring Buzzards gives a lovely clean view free from any colour fringing.
Glare is very well controlled, much better than I experienced in my 32mm SV, actually the front elements are surprisingly deeply recessed so this may help.
The ergonomics I`m sure will work for a wide range of users, I would have liked another 1cm or so of length, but on the whole a well judged size.
Personally I`d recommend the new CL without reservation, I can`t think of anything else that offers so much quality in both build and optics in such a small and useful binocular, the markets first "Alpha" 30mm ? I think so.
John.
I`v spent quite some time with my CL now, alternating each time between my SV and the CL when out birding and walking my Lab Ben, and as I walk him every day on and around Dartmoor I always take a binocular with me, lots of Cuckoo`s calling currently on my patch.
Alternating between the CL and the SV gives the CL a very high bar to be judged by, however it acquits itself very well, although never actually able to equal the SV.
The build quality and feeling in the hand is top notch, here it definitely equals the SV, and feels every inch an "Alpha", just smaller, the magnesium body feels incredibly solid and robust, and covered in Swarovski`s new armour secure in all weathers. The action of the eyecups feels precise when raised, although an intermediate position or two would have been helpful for some no doubt.
The focus action is the smoothest I`v ever had in a Swaro, perfectly weighted, equal tension in both directions with no backlash or stiction, shame about the almost useless diopter adjustment, I don`t know who signed off on the design, or the thinking behind it, simply the worst solution to a diopter I`v owned.
The view is bright, very sharp, almost to the very edge left and right, much softer top and bottom of the view, but overall pure Swaro in colour and contrast for anyone used to the latest SV`s, C/A is almost absent for me, and looking up at soaring Buzzards gives a lovely clean view free from any colour fringing.
Glare is very well controlled, much better than I experienced in my 32mm SV, actually the front elements are surprisingly deeply recessed so this may help.
The ergonomics I`m sure will work for a wide range of users, I would have liked another 1cm or so of length, but on the whole a well judged size.
Personally I`d recommend the new CL without reservation, I can`t think of anything else that offers so much quality in both build and optics in such a small and useful binocular, the markets first "Alpha" 30mm ? I think so.
John.
