The new 8x30 CLl's (1 Viewer)

Peak Birder said:

I bought a pair of 8x30 CLs today. I also own a pair of 8.5x44 Swarovision and a pair of Zeiss 8x32 FLs. I can say I am really pleased with them in terms of image and build quality and of course their weight. I intend to use them for travel and when i want to travel light.
The image is very high quality and comparable to my Zeiss FLs and I would say they are generally sharper than the zeiss although a little less on FOV but in real world use i dont notice it. I may now sell my Zeiss.
Having also tried the Zeiss Victorys the the 8x30cl's are far superior.
Handling and weight are really good and you dont realise that you have them on.
In my opinion Swaro have a winner here.
Peakbirder

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Peak Birder said:

Hi, I will add some photos tomorrow to give a physical comparison and also as i get more experience over the next week i will post more comments. Just to add to my feedback are the comments from the dealer i have bought most of my bins from in the past including the CLs. They review a lot of bins and it is usual for them to be very neutral in recommending different brands of bins but on this occasion they were excited by these new bins and felt they had something from swaro that offered something new and good quality but at a price which was still expensive but competitive. The guy i was talking to today said he was considering changing his 8x32Els for a pair of the CLs. The dealer has only received one pair and i purchased them 15mins after opening and they were expecting a lot of calls today and while i was there another lady had come in to try them. My first impressions still stand that these are a great performing optics in a really small and light package using the latest construction materials, not very scientific i know but i do use binoculars alot in real world situations.
Regards
Peakbirder

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Peak Birder said:

Hi, As promissed I am writing a fuller review and have uploaded some photographs. It would seem that i have been lucky and actually got my hands on something early

I should start by saying that this is not an extensive technical review but based on real world use of the CL's and other high quality binocluars. My reason for buying the CL's was that I was looking for a light weight binocular suitable for travel as I often travel the world with business and also when I want to travel light in the UK. My main use is bird watching which i have been doing for the last 37 years. I am 48 and I wear contact lenes and glasses an equal amount and therfore my eye sight is not perfect or as flexible as a young persons My comments are based on use with galsses and contact lenes.

CA-I am not very sensitive to this normally and i do not see any noticable CA in the CLs are they are comparable to my other binoculars (Swarovisions are the best). I tested this by looking at objects against a grey sky (English summer!)

Sharpness - generally very good across the complete FOV. I still can confirm that for me they are sharper than my Zeiss 8x32FLs but not quite as sharp as my Swarovision 8.5x44.

Colour - very natural and typical of Swaro but not quite as natural as the Swarovisions. The Zeiss have a yellow cast in comparison.

Rolling ball - not surprisingly no rolling ball to be seen I had this a little with my Swarovision early days but my brain seem to adjust for it and remove it almost like people who have to adapt to vari-focal glasses - the brain is very clever at this.

FOV - A little less than my alpha binos but i didnt really notice it in real world birding situations.

Close Focus - approx 2.5M 7.5ft for me which is a little more than my zeiss FLs but unless i want to look at a very close insects I dont see as an issue.

Eye relief - no problem for me with glasses or contact lenses in. No blackouts for me which i did suffer with Leica 8x32 Ultravids in the past.

Physical attributes:
Weight - these feel really light and make good use of composite material. My Zess 8x32FL feel heavier and also more bulky. The composite material looks good and appears to be high quality, given where these materials are used these days I do not have concern over durability.

Ergonomics - fit well in my hands which are average size i would say. They are also easy to hold in one hand as i can wrap my fingers arounf the barrel which i cant do on my Zeiss.

Focusing - smooth in both directions but stiffer than my Zeiss and Swarovisions. Position and size of focusing wheel is good for me.

Dioptre setting - simple to use and does not move after set. Simple design, but not graduated. The eyepiece moves a up or down a little in comparison with the left eyepiece when adjustment is made. Setup is not as good as my alphas.

Eyecups - 2 position only (up and down!). Works for me fine but others may prefer a third posistion. This can be manually achieved by using o-rings if important. I do find that when i am wearing my contact lenses then they eycups are not quite as comfortable as my Zeiss or Swarovisions which have a larger diameter. This is a learning thing for me as alraedy they are feeling more natural when using them.

Rainguard - simple and non-articulated. Not an overtight fit and easy to use

Strap - standard swaro strap but not with the quick release adjustment.

Case - large for the size of bino but offers lots of protection, this is not very important for me as i would only use the case to transport the binos when not in use.

I hope this helps and generates objective discussion

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brocknroller said:

Peak Birder,

Thanks for posting that more in-depth review (even though some people already had their credit cards out ready to buy the CLs sight unseen based on Swaro's reputation).

Thanks for the pix too, seeing the CLs next to other bins helped illustrate your points about their size and ergonomics.

Your post supports my original assertion (which was not an "armchair review," as per one member's slanderous comment). That assertion was that Swaro's marketing strategy, as explained in their CL announcement video, doesn't seem to be working, at least so far from the posts on this forum, which was to market the CLs to people who do not already own an alpha, but who are looking for a more affordable way to enter "the Swaro family".

Instead, those who already own alphas (including SV EL owners) are interested in buying the CLs as a lightweight alternative to the full sized bins. Swaro is getting repeat business on the coattails of the SV EL.

It's too soon in the game to predict if this trend will continue, perhaps eventually we will see "first timers" buying the CLs, who might be waiting for those with deeper pockets to be the "guinea pigs" and post their reviews before breaking open their piggy banks and spending $929 on an "entry level" alpha.

Hopefully, Swaro will be able to tap into both market segments, particularly if the "street price" for the CLs in the US is below the 8x30 SLCneu, which is still selling at select stores and on eBay for $899.

My other point earlier was that for birders on a budget who are looking for a main birding bin, there are good quality bins to be had around this price (or even less) on the used market.

Now that you own a CL, let me ask you: If you could only afford one pair of binoculars, and had around $1,000 as your budget, would you buy a CL as your main birding bin or something else?

Thanks again for your review. Enjoy birding with it around the world and in the "Peak District" (had to look that up, link below for us Yanks).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peak_District

Brock

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Peak Birder said:

Hi, As promissed I am writing a fuller review and have uploaded some photographs. It would seem that i have been lucky and actually got my hands on something early

I should start by saying that this is not an extensive technical review but based on real world use of the CL's and other high quality binocluars. My reason for buying the CL's was that I was looking for a light weight binocular suitable for travel as I often travel the world with business and also when I want to travel light in the UK. My main use is bird watching which i have been doing for the last 37 years. I am 48 and I wear contact lenes and glasses an equal amount and therfore my eye sight is not perfect or as flexible as a young persons My comments are based on use with galsses and contact lenes.

CA-I am not very sensitive to this normally and i do not see any noticable CA in the CLs are they are comparable to my other binoculars (Swarovisions are the best). I tested this by looking at objects against a grey sky (English summer!)

Sharpness - generally very good across the complete FOV. I still can confirm that for me they are sharper than my Zeiss 8x32FLs but not quite as sharp as my Swarovision 8.5x44.

Colour - very natural and typical of Swaro but not quite as natural as the Swarovisions. The Zeiss have a yellow cast in comparison.

Rolling ball - not surprisingly no rolling ball to be seen I had this a little with my Swarovision early days but my brain seem to adjust for it and remove it almost like people who have to adapt to vari-focal glasses - the brain is very clever at this.

FOV - A little less than my alpha binos but i didnt really notice it in real world birding situations.

Close Focus - approx 2.5M 7.5ft for me which is a little more than my zeiss FLs but unless i want to look at a very close insects I dont see as an issue.

Eye relief - no problem for me with glasses or contact lenses in. No blackouts for me which i did suffer with Leica 8x32 Ultravids in the past.

Physical attributes:
Weight - these feel really light and make good use of composite material. My Zess 8x32FL feel heavier and also more bulky. The composite material looks good and appears to be high quality, given where these materials are used these days I do not have concern over durability.

Ergonomics - fit well in my hands which are average size i would say. They are also easy to hold in one hand as i can wrap my fingers arounf the barrel which i cant do on my Zeiss.

Focusing - smooth in both directions but stiffer than my Zeiss and Swarovisions. Position and size of focusing wheel is good for me.

Dioptre setting - simple to use and does not move after set. Simple design, but not graduated. The eyepiece moves a up or down a little in comparison with the left eyepiece when adjustment is made. Setup is not as good as my alphas.

Eyecups - 2 position only (up and down!). Works for me fine but others may prefer a third posistion. This can be manually achieved by using o-rings if important. I do find that when i am wearing my contact lenses then they eycups are not quite as comfortable as my Zeiss or Swarovisions which have a larger diameter. This is a learning thing for me as alraedy they are feeling more natural when using them.

Rainguard - simple and non-articulated. Not an overtight fit and easy to use

Strap - standard swaro strap but not with the quick release adjustment.

Case - large for the size of bino but offers lots of protection, this is not very important for me as i would only use the case to transport the binos when not in use.

I hope this helps and generates objective discussion

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Peak Birder said:

I would certainly consider them based on their performance as my only pair. Given latest technology etc 8x30 binoculars threaten the traditional view that 8x40 bins are the best for birding unless operating at light extremes.
.....[snip]
I think this is an interesting non-Chinese product that could well generate interest for swaro in a new Market segment and in addition to existing swaro customers.
Key is to try them and see what you think.

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