Curio 7x21 vs. CL 8x25 pocket (1 Viewer)

[ReinierB]

I like them both, but I have decided to just keep the Curio 7x21. The strap is just a little too short for my liking, because I like to wear binoculars bandolier style.
Does anybody have a good idea? Longer ones (preferable detachable like those of the trinovids) for sale anywhere?

 

[aix123]

I like them both, but I have decided to just keep the Curio 7x21. The strap is just a little too short for my liking, because I like to wear binoculars bandolier style.
Does anybody have a good idea? Longer ones (preferable detachable like those of the trinovids) for sale anywhere?

Sorry, can't help you with the strap question.

I opted for the Curio, too. Decided to send it back (along with returning the Pocket 8x25) because of the paint chip, but will be ordering it again it very soon, when I've decided between black and orange/silver. I hadn't previously considered orange. It will probably have the advantage of not showing fingerprints on the silver. I think the black Curio is particularly prone to that, and they seemed quite hard to wipe off - not that it's too important. And the orange colour looks quite nice, though I've not seen one in the flesh. I'll try to get a look of one before buying, as I don't want to be sending items back through the post all the time.

 

[Trinovid]

...will be ordering it again it very soon, when I've decided between black and orange/silver...the orange colour looks quite nice...

I really like the orange one as well, but preferring quiet appearances went with the 'invisible' black. Hope your new arrival shows up without any issues.

 

[Thotmosis]

I like them both, but I have decided to just keep the Curio 7x21. The strap is just a little too short for my liking, because I like to wear binoculars bandolier style.
Does anybody have a good idea? Longer ones (preferable detachable like those of the trinovids) for sale anywhere?

Check out the peak design leach.

 

[aix123]

I opted for the Curio, too. Decided to send it back (along with returning the Pocket 8x25) because of the paint chip, but will be ordering it again it very soon, when I've decided between black and orange/silver. I hadn't previously considered orange. It will probably have the advantage of not showing fingerprints on the silver. I think the black Curio is particularly prone to that, and they seemed quite hard to wipe off - not that it's too important. And the orange colour looks quite nice, though I've not seen one in the flesh. I'll try to get a look of one before buying, as I don't want to be sending items back through the post all the time.

For anyone interested, I finally chose the burnt orange Curio. Usually, for any binocular, I'm happy with green, or black if need be, and wouldn't consider other colours if they happened to also be an option. For anyone with a black Curio, it's very nice looking, of course. At first I was wary about ordering orange because I hadn't actually seen the colour except in photos and videos. I thought it might be too bright for me, which is how it looks in many videos. But on Swarovski videos and photos it comes across as a nice subdued orange, which I thought would be great, if it was accurate. I wasn't sure if Swarovski, like many companies, had altered the photos a little, in this case to give the orange more of a cool, trendy look.

Very pleased that Swarovski's videos and photos are very accurate. The orange is indeed subdued (hence the 'burnt' orange, duh). I really like it. And it doesn't show finger prints on the silver metal.

And by chance, the focus wheel also seems better and more consistent than the black Curio which I briefly had. Though the wheel on the black Curio wasn't bad at all - I'm being fussy.

On a minor point, as I said somewhere on this forum about the black Curio which I returned, the gap between the rubber casing and the eyepieces can be uneven and even at times seem quite wide. I've fixated on it a bit too much, tbh. With the orange Curio the gap is the same, and sort of uneven - but I'm getting over it, because I'm so pleased that I like the orange and silver combination.

 

[PW42]

A word of warning re the orange which I also have. They are great but the orange will mark* - two of us on the forum have suffered from this. It was almost certainly caused by the two leather parts of the strap. In the end Swarovski replaced the armour and, touch wood, no problems since having kept the leather bits and binos well apart.

*I might of course have been unlucky so perhaps I should say "may mark".

 

[aix123]

A word of warning re the orange which I also have. They are great but the orange will mark* - two of us on the forum have suffered from this. It was almost certainly caused by the two leather parts of the strap. In the end Swarovski replaced the armour and, touch wood, no problems since having kept the leather bits and binos well apart.

*I might of course have been unlucky so perhaps I should say "may mark".

Thanks. I'll think I'll only be using a wrist strap - which for me is usually a piece of cord I cut to length, believe it or not. It's worth knowing that it may mark, but if it does, in some way, I think I'll still be a fan of the colour and of the silver.

 

[Dyrlege]

I really like the orange one as well, but preferring quiet appearances went with the 'invisible' black. Hope your new arrival shows up without any issues.

Actually, the orange blends well in the forest!

 

[Maximc1]

Actually, the orange blends well in the forest!

Before buying my pair of burnt orange Curios I noticed that a black pair that was a demo at a birding store where I tried them had smudges on the barrels from people handling them. Prior to that I'd been leaning toward buying a black pair.
I called Swarovski and was told the majority of Curios sold are the burnt orange color so I decided to order a pair in that color. As mentioned above, when seen in person the orange color is a muted tone of orange and not overly bright or intense. They haven't shown any smudges or finger prints from use and I've been very happy with their performance, both optically and ergonomically. They replaced a pair of 8x20 Ultravids and I have no regrets.

 

[aix123]

Before buying my pair of burnt orange Curios I noticed that a black pair that was a demo at a birding store where I tried them had smudges on the barrels from people handling them. Prior to that I'd been leaning toward buying a black pair.
I called Swarovski and was told the majority of Curios sold are the burnt orange color so I decided to order a pair in that color. As mentioned above, when seen in person the orange color is a muted tone of orange and not overly bright or intense. They haven't shown any smudges or finger prints from use and I've been very happy with their performance, both optically and ergonomically. They replaced a pair of 8x20 Ultravids and I have no regrets.

It really is a lovely color. I'm very impressed by it.

I've not seen the NL Pure in the flesh in burnt orange. It would interesting for me to see an even larger expanse of the colour and see how it looks and feels, so to speak. I recently bought a green NL Pure 8x32. No regrets, but now I'm curious.

 

[Andrecouty7]

Hi, I think the orange color is more for a woman. but I think I would go for the black one... also, the two silver pins on the side are less striking with the black model. but maybe I change my mind if I see them with my own eyes.

 

[Dyrlege]

Hi, I think the orange color is more for a woman. but I think I would go for the black one... also, the two silver pins on the side are less striking with the black model. but maybe I change my mind if I see them with my own eyes.

I feel safe enough in my masculinity to have an orange curio AND an orange ATC😂

 

[Andrecouty7]

+ for the curio: It is small , comfortable for it size , small focuser , wide field of view , 7x magnification and good optics . Only downside is it the price.....but it's a swarovski - the Mercedes among binoculars.

 

[Andrecouty7]

Yea... maybe I go for orange....if I see them, but without any woman around....kidding.

 

[dorubird]

Only downside is it the price.

There are three more downsides:
1. Cannot focus closer than 2.5m. Some people are not interested in this aspect, but since it is a small all-round outdoor binocular that can be worn on all kinds of occasions, it is a pitty that it does not have this quality for nature lovers.
2. AFOV is a bit narrow at only 51 degres, similar to the already narrow Ulravid 8x20 AFOV
3. Also, the ergonomics could be better (haptics feeling of the finish, accessing the focus etc).

 

[Viraj]

+ for the curio: It is small , comfortable for it size , small focuser , wide field of view , 7x magnification and good optics . Only downside is it the price.....but it's a swarovski - the Mercedes among binoculars.

I think every penny you spend is worth this little gem. Personally, the view through Curio 'wow' me more than the view through NL 8x42 which is more than 4 times more expensive. I like the orange one even though it is prone to get stains.

 

[Rg548]

Hi, I think the orange color is more for a woman. but I think I would go for the black one... also, the two silver pins on the side are less striking with the black model. but maybe I change my mind if I see them with my own eyes.

I would normally have chosed the black ones, but I tested an orange pair, and really liked it when I saw it.
I would buy orange, given the choice.
BTW ....I'm 6ft4" with hands like spades...... firstly, I like the orange, secondly I couldn't give a s**t what any man or woman thinks about that

 

[ReinierB]

Curio 7x21 vs. CL 8x25

I chose the Curio mainly for it's size and it is really pocketable. I actually prefer the CL 8x25 in all other areas: ergonomics, comfort, magnification.
Maybe it sounds strange, but I am thinking to add the CL 8x25 as well. The 7x21 as true pocket bin, the CL 8x25 for all the other occasions when I like a very small bin just hanging on my neck / bandolier style / on my belt.

Black vs. orange

For me it was a no-brainer. I don't like the orange curio. I actually don't understand it's appeal. But that is just my taste. Nothing to argue about. I really like the looks of the black Curio.

 

[Swedpat]

Curio 7x21 vs. CL 8x25

I chose the Curio mainly for it's size and it is really pocketable. I actually prefer the CL 8x25 in all other areas: ergonomics, comfort, magnification.
Maybe it sounds strange, but I am thinking to add the CL 8x25 as well. The 7x21 as true pocket bin, the CL 8x25 for all the other occasions when I like a very small bin just hanging on my neck / bandolier style / on my belt.

Black vs. orange

For me it was a no-brainer. I don't like the orange curio. I actually don't understand it's appeal. But that is just my taste. Nothing to argue about. I really like the looks of the black Curio.

I may get a Curio and if so a black. I agree about the difference between 7x21 and 8x25.
And I reason that 7x21 is a true pocket glass and as a good next step is Zeiss SFL 8x30, which is slightly larger and with even better hold comfort than CL 8x25. Still so compact and light weight that it it feels ok to carry around. AND: I prefer single hinge design.

 

[bluebird100]

I have the Curio CL 7x21 pair as pocket alternatives to something I normally carry that is way bigger. The exit pupil of 3mm, wide field, brightness and clarity makes me think these are much bigger optically. A truly superior optic.