Did Swarovski Once Use Carbon-Fiber In Binocular Bodies? (1 Viewer)

45northmt

Well-known member

• Sep 4, 2018

• #1

Am I absent minded in my older age, or did Swarovski once tout the use of carbon fiber (or something similar) in the SLC binocular body? I had several, including my favorite 7x30. Anyone know? Thanks.

 

Last edited: Sep 4, 2018

NDhunter

Experienced observer

• Sep 4, 2018

• #2

No, not many binoculars have used carbon fiber, but Nikon has it in the Travellite V. A lightweight compact.

In the top end, Zeiss used fiberglass reinforced polycarbonate in the Victory FL series.

Jerry

 

Last edited: Sep 4, 2018

Troubador

Moderator

Staff member

Supporter

• Sep 4, 2018

• #3

Take a look at the interview with Milos Slany of Meopta for the views of a product developer on the potential of carbon fibre in bino tubes. Sounds like there are a number of issues to be explored and mastered.

Lee

 

45northmt

Well-known member

• Sep 4, 2018

• #4

Certainly appears to be a large amount of some sort of fiber used in the older SLC'S:

 

G

Gijs van Ginkel

Well-known member

• Sep 4, 2018

• #5

45northmt, post 1,
I am not sure, but Swarovski may have used it in the first SL series (the mother series of the later SLC).
Gijs van Ginkel

 

NDhunter

Experienced observer

• Sep 4, 2018

• #6

The thread from 8-19-2010, talks about the "SL models vs. the SLC models".

Henry posted a photo, of the SL. It shows the polyurethane casing, so that may be the entire frame from this material, I am not sure.

Maybe someone can post a link to that thread and post.

Jerry

 

H

henry link

Well-known member

• Sep 4, 2018

• #7

My old Swarovski catalogues from the late 1980s and early 90s indicate that the MkI and MkII 8x30 and 7x30 SLCs had a "robust and deformation proof fiber-glass reinforced polycarbonate housing" covered with a "soft, easy-to-grip, non-slip polyurethane shell."

The descriptions of updated 8x30/7x30 SLC body styles in later catalogues doesn't mention the housing material.

 

G

Gijs van Ginkel

Well-known member

• Sep 4, 2018

• #8

northmt, post 1,
In 1980 Swarovski started production of the 7x42 SL and 10x40 SL porro binoculars. The flyers write: "Gebaut von innen nach aussen, das heist, der bestehende optische kern wird mit Polyurethan ummantelt". That suggests a non-metallic body.
As Henry already wrote in post 7, Swarovski started in 1985 production of the 8x30 SLC roof prism binoculars, which had a "Robustes und verwindungsfestes faser verstärktes Gehäuse aus Polylcarbonat".This 8x30 SLC was followed by the 7x30 SLC roof prism binocular.
Gijs van Ginkel

 

45northmt

Well-known member

• Sep 4, 2018

• #9

Gentlemen, thanks for your responses... I thought I was correct, just a decade sooner than I remembered. Memory is a funny and slippery thing...