I'm sorry, but the Curios aren't serious bins (2 Viewers)

[PatR]

It is so unfortunate you got a faulty Curio. It seems now Swarovski having quality control issues at least with Curio.

Strangely, I follow most of your ideas however, it seems not fair to compare the optics in Curio with Papilio. I had the Papilio for more than a year and got a Curio recently. I think the Curio is a wonderful little pair of binoculars that can compete even with full size binoculars. The performance of optics in Curio is phenomenal and lately I was thinking to sell my NL 8x42. Of course I see the magnification difference when compared both of them but I loose nothing when using Curios in real life. Strange enough when I use Curios I don’t wish for more magnification which I do when I use NL. I don’t know about the sample variations of Papilio, but my one dosent have that edge to edge clarity of Curio. Even the sharpness is far behind. I think you may get that stereoscopic view due to the edge fall off and lower magnification. When I use Papilio I always feel like watching the image from far behind but don’t get that feeling with Curios. Maybe our face types are too much different which make these different impressions about those binoculars. I think others also can add something for this comparison.

Like everything in life there are disappointments and things do go wrong. The problems that it would appear SW have with QC are not what you would expect with a premium and costly item but s*** happens. It is how the manufacturer deals with the problem that becomes the key factor.

My recent experience with the manufacturer, and its lamentable (and ironically titled) After Sales Care, of the "Best Four By Four By Far' brings me out in a cold sweat.

I bought the Curio's based on the glowing review by the OP, (and others), and after physically testing them with my own hands and eyes. I thought they were superb and am delighted with them.

I do understand the OP's frustration and hope that mine continue to perform in one piece, especially after all the effort I took to smuggle them past my Beloved.

As for comparing them against the Papilio, I have the 8.5x21's and whilst they are lovely little bino's, especially at the close focus distances they were designed for, I do believe the Curio's to have more than an edge over them especially in my part of Mid-Wales where their water/weather resistance is oft tested.

 

[Dennis Mau]

It is so unfortunate you got a faulty Curio. It seems now Swarovski having quality control issues at least with Curio.

Strangely, I follow most of your ideas however, it seems not fair to compare the optics in Curio with Papilio. I had the Papilio for more than a year and got a Curio recently. I think the Curio is a wonderful little pair of binoculars that can compete even with full size binoculars. The performance of optics in Curio is phenomenal and lately I was thinking to sell my NL 8x42. Of course I see the magnification difference when compared both of them but I loose nothing when using Curios in real life. Strange enough when I use Curios I don’t wish for more magnification which I do when I use NL. I don’t know about the sample variations of Papilio, but my one dosent have that edge to edge clarity of Curio. Even the sharpness is far behind. I think you may get that stereoscopic view due to the edge fall off and lower magnification. When I use Papilio I always feel like watching the image from far behind but don’t get that feeling with Curios. Maybe our face types are too much different which make these different impressions about those binoculars. I think others also can add something for this comparison.

The focus knob on the Curio is glued on. GLUED on! It looks like a little spot of superglue. I would not buy a Curio again with build quality like that. There is no way that the knob is going to endure a lot of use without falling off again.

If I ever purchased an alpha pocket binocular again, it would definitely be a Leica Trinovid 8x20 or Ultravid 8x20. IMO they have much better build quality and I have never had a focus knob fall off while using them. I find the Papilio 6.5x20 so close to the alpha pocket binoculars optically, I see no need for them.

 

[Dennis Mau]

Dennis, I totally agree with your assesment of the Papilio, except its view isn't quite as bright as the Curio. As far as its focusing knob, the Papilio has the smoothest of any focusing knob on any binocular I have ever used regardless of price.

I still prefer my VP 8x25 over both the Curio and Papilio which are both lacking with their AFOV. The VP has a much more immersive view than the Curio and are easier for me to hold steady, perhaps because they are a bit bigger. After a 3 week trial, I reurned the Curio. If I only have room for one binocular I carry the VP. BTW, I have had no issues with its focusing knob or diopter setter.

Still, I take my Papilio with me along with my 12x42NL on hikes, more than the VP. I like surveying the area first with the Papilio before focusing on on distant bird with my NL. It's nice for focusing on a closer butterfly that isn't within focusing range of the NL. Is there any other binicular that can focus down to 18 in?
Does the Papilio have alpha optics? No. But it is surprising how well it performs for just around $100. It's optics are sharp out to about 95 percent of the FOV with no CA. It's only major flaw it is not waterproof to any degree and although quite small, it isn't very pocketable. It's easy to hold steady and isn't at all finicky with eyeplacement. It even has click out eyecups and a tripod socket.

My Zeiss VP 8x25 focus wheel broke after off about 4 months of use, so I would not buy one of those again either. The eye cups on the Zeiss VP 8x25 are WAY too short for the ER if you don't wear glasses. I had to float them about 1/2 inch in front of my face to avoid blackouts. Also, the diopter would move every time I put it in the case and took it out. Very poor design IMO.

I would wager if the transmission on the Papilio was measured it would be just as high as the Curio because it is a porro. It seemed every bit as bright to me. In fact, brighter because the EP is larger. My friend and I compared his Curio to my Papilio, and we both agreed there wasn't a lot of difference in brightness or the sharpness of the view. The Curio controls CA pretty good because it has good glass, but there is some CA on the edge. The Papilio surprised me being a porro it has practically no CA in the center or on the edge.

 

[b-lilja]

I'm definitely curious if SW will come up with a long term solution to this that works. The way my knob now wiggles makes me think there's no axle that it attaches to...that is more the norm. If this is just face glued, it's going to be a long term prob.

If anything pocket bins should be better built as they go through a rough life in pockets, etc.

I feel bad for Pat and any others that followed my recommendation- it is ironic as I was going to write an otherwise glowing update. I believe I did express feelings these were not the toughest in my initial review...

 

[Dennis Mau]

I'm definitely curious if SW will come up with a long term solution to this that works. The way my knob now wiggles makes me think there's no axle that it attaches to...that is more the norm. If this is just face glued, it's going to be a long term prob.

If anything pocket bins should be better built as they go through a rough life in pockets, etc.

I feel bad for Pat and any others that followed my recommendation- it is ironic as I was going to write an otherwise glowing update. I believe I did express feelings these were not the toughest in my initial review...

There is NO axle or spline that holds the knob on in the Curio. It is GLUED on and that is it. Once the glue lets go, your knob comes off. Don't twist it too hard.

 

[PatR]

I'm definitely curious if SW will come up with a long term solution to this that works. The way my knob now wiggles makes me think there's no axle that it attaches to...that is more the norm. If this is just face glued, it's going to be a long term prob.

If anything pocket bins should be better built as they go through a rough life in pockets, etc.

I feel bad for Pat and any others that followed my recommendation- it is ironic as I was going to write an otherwise glowing update. I believe I did express feelings these were not the toughest in my initial review...

Don't feel bad at all, I bought them after much research and testing and am delighted with them. But as I said s*** happens, it's just a bugger when it happens to you!

I hope that all's well ends well and that SW react promptly and to your complete satisfaction.

 

[Dennis Mau]

Don't feel bad at all, I bought them after much research and testing and am delighted with them. But as I said s*** happens, it's just a bugger when it happens to you!

I hope that all's well ends well and that SW react promptly and to your complete satisfaction.

There is no excuse for the lack of build quality. I have never seen a focusing knob attached with just glue. There should be a spline or an axle to hold the knob on more securely and keep it from twisting off when you focus.

 

[Viraj]

I would wager if the transmission on the Papilio was measured it would be just as high as the Curio because it is a porro. It seemed every bit as bright to me. In fact, brighter because the EP is larger. My friend and I compared his Curio to my Papilio, and we both agreed there wasn't a lot of difference in brightness or the sharpness of the view.

After reading yours and @BabyDov s posts I have tested them again side by side (Even though I bought Papilios more than one year ago I have never used them outside and kept them inside a box with silica gel due to the lack of waterproofing). Then I found out it was the eyecup position which made the view of Papilio dimmer. However, in side by side comparison, with adjusted eyecups, still the Curio is bit brighter, color are punchier, significantly sharper and edge to edge clarity is better. So, I don’t think it has same transmission values. Maybe I am having a cherry Curio and a lemon Papilio 😀 Even the build quality of Papilio dose not match with Curio. I feel Papilios are more plastique. Anyway, with Curio I feel like I finally found my dream binoculars.

However, I totally agree with you about the thing with focus knob. It is smooth in Curio however smoother in Papilio. Also I agree with the topic of the thread. They are not serious birding binoculars but they are perfectly match for my type of birding.

 

[Dennis Mau]

After reading yours and @BabyDov s posts I have tested them again side by side (Even though I bought Papilios more than one year ago I have never used them outside and kept them inside a box with silica gel due to the lack of waterproofing). Then I found out it was the eyecup position which made the view of Papilio dimmer. However, in side by side comparison, with adjusted eyecups, still the Curio is bit brighter, color are punchier, significantly sharper and edge to edge clarity is better. So, I don’t think it has same transmission values. Maybe I am having a cherry Curio and a lemon Papilio 😀 Even the build quality of Papilio dose not match with Curio. I feel Papilios are more plastique. Anyway, with Curio I feel like I finally found my dream binoculars.

However, I totally agree with you about the thing with focus knob. It is smooth in Curio however smoother in Papilio. Also I agree with the topic of the thread. They are not serious birding binoculars but they are perfectly match for my type of birding.

What worries me about the Curio is when it is colder and the focuser knob gets a little harder to turn, and the glue gets weaker, is the knob going to break loose? I think it is very possible. The Papilios are fully armored, so they don't get cold in your hands, and it protects the binoculars. The Curios have no protection from scratching, and they are very cold in the winter to use without any armor. It would be interestin to see what the transmission of the Papilio actually is.

 

[Viraj]

What worries me about the Curio is when it is colder and the focuser knob gets a little harder to turn, and the glue gets weaker, is the knob going to break loose? I think it is very possible. The Papilios are fully armored, so they don't get cold in your hands, and it protects the binoculars. The Curios have no protection from scratching, and they are very cold in the winter to use without any armor. It would be interestin to see what the transmission of the Papilio actually is.

That’s true. Curios would not be suitable to use in winter. So I will switch to either of M7 8x30 or UV 10x32 in Winter. Otherwise, I will definitely use Curios in Winter considering the bright view it offers that was not the case with my old pair of pocket binoculars (Club 8x20). Papilios are comfortable to hold but significantly bigger than Curios. In my situation, I don’t think much about the focus knob issue as it would maximum take 15 euros to send them to get the repair done. I can use my older binos until I receive them back. 10 years of use is more than enough for me with the amount of money I paid.

 

[Dennis Mau]

That’s true. Curios would not be suitable to use in winter. So I will switch to either of M7 8x30 or UV 10x32 in Winter. Otherwise, I will definitely use Curios in Winter considering the bright view it offers that was not the case with my old pair of pocket binoculars (Club 8x20). Papilios are comfortable to hold but significantly bigger than Curios. In my situation, I don’t think much about the focus knob issue as it would maximum take 15 euros to send them to get the repair done. I can use my older binos until I receive them back. 10 years of use is more than enough for me with the amount of money I paid.

You could probably just put a spot of superglue on the knob and glue it back yourself. It just slides off.

 

[monkeygrip60]

I've had my Curios for 4 months with regular use and pocket usage and no problems to date. They are a great companion for my nl32 pure, which I also recommend.

 

[Dennis Mau]

I've had my Curios for 4 months with regular use and pocket usage and no problems to date. They are a great companion for my nl32 pure, which I also recommend.

I wonder why some knobs come off and others don't? Maybe Swarovski has changed the design of the later Curio's, so the knobs are better secured. The one I received with the knob loose in the box was towards the first part of production.

Maybe they added a spline or axle, so they are better secured. I asked Swarovski about the issue, even sending them a picture, and they never gave me a straight answer, as usual. They seemed to be hush, hush about it, like the cracking armor issues. I guess they don't want any bad publicity. Maybe you are lucky in that your pair was glued better than the thread starter and my pair.

 

[iseegeorgesstar]

Anyone have any integrity experiences with the nikon 8x20 hgl ? Bought it new recently but I'm so pleased with the nikon micro 6x15 I bought that I'm not sure I need or want the ngl. Now all this talk about long-term durability of pocket binos makes me wonder about the ngl's.

 

[Dennis Mau]

Anyone have any integrity experiences with the nikon 8x20 hgl ? Bought it new recently but I'm so pleased with the nikon micro 6x15 I bought that I'm not sure I need or want the ngl. Now all this talk about long-term durability of pocket binos makes me wonder about the ngl's.

I have had several Nikon 8x20 HG L and 10x25 HG L and never had a bit of problem with the focus knob, and I don't foresee you having any problems. By the way, those are two excellent pocket binoculars and are often overlooked for the more well known Leicas and Swarovski. The Nikon 10x25 HG L is amazingly good and very sharp on-axis.

 

[PatR]

Anyone have any integrity experiences with the nikon 8x20 hgl ? Bought it new recently but I'm so pleased with the nikon micro 6x15 I bought that I'm not sure I need or want the ngl. Now all this talk about long-term durability of pocket binos makes me wonder about the ngl's.

My Nikon HGL 10x25’s are 20 years old. They have been all over the world on operations, been slung around my neck when I have been slung out of aircraft at 10000 feet and have survived ‘twixt -40 in the Arctic and +35 in the mountains of Afghan. They are scratched all over but nothing has fallen off and the optics are as new. They have done all I have asked for and more.

The reports of failings with pocket binoculars on this forum are obviously of concern to the owners but they are not indicative of the genre. There are hundreds of thousands out there that have given, and continue to give, sterling service.

If the half a dozen or so reports of problems with Curio’s, Victory Pockets et all is enough to put you off purchasing or keeping a pair of pocket binoculars……………then get rid or don’t buy.

Or choose a pair that has a long warranty. Caveat emptor and all that.

 

[PW42]

If I ever purchased an alpha pocket binocular again, it would definitely be a Leica Trinovid 8x20 or Ultravid 8x20. IMO they have much better build quality and I have never had a focus knob fall off while using them. I find the Papilio 6.5x20 so close to the alpha pocket binoculars optically, I see no need for them.

It's all down to luck of the draw.

No problems with my Swaroski binoculars including the Curio to date. My Ultravid 8x20 has had to go back to Leica when a part fell off (good service from them btw), had another bit fall off (replacement for self fitting by Leica supplied) and the dioptre still isn't right - still like them though even though the Curio now gets more use.

I can't blame QC for my Trinovid 8x20 having to go back to Leca - I drove over them. Survived remarkably well and Leica didn't charge for repair!

 

[ticl2184]

I'm heartbroken. The optics are great, they are handy. But if they break...

Just finished a week walking the Cotswolds with my wife. Terrific birding throughout. Had these handy numbers in my pocket the entire time. Enjoyed many many great views... but by the end, loose focus knob, as well as a very laggy focus - 1/4 turn almost to get it to engage in other direction.

Used, but most definitely not abused. Sorry - I absolutely know this wouldn't have happened with my old 8x20 uvids.

Let me down in the middle of a 3 week trip. At least I have the 8x30 SFLs which I know I can trust.

I wouldn't post like this but saw several focus posts on these - Swarovski needs to get on top of this immediately.

Anyone else find the cult of Euro built bin quality a bit ironic at times?

Swarovski build quality isn't what it used to be sadly....


Cheers

Tim

 

[Paultricounty]

Hi John,

Perhaps a variation on:
'Once is an accident, twice is a coincidence, three times is a pattern'.


John


It was paraphrased by Ian Fleming in Goldfinger as: 'Once is happenstance. Twice is coincidence. Three times is enemy action'.
See some discussion of the original in relation to leadership, in: Great advice from a sketchy source

Do you expect me to talk? No Mr Bond , I expect your focuser to fall off. 😏

 

[Paultricounty]

Even though I've had zero problems with my Curio, the little 8x20 Ultravid is still my overall favorite. Glad to have them both, but with your experience, the post from Mono and mention of others having had problems with them, I'm starting to worry a bit now.

Let’s look at the bright side , they’re not overly heavy $3000 Swaros, they’re just $1000 pocket bins.