Just ordered a companion for my 12x50 Ultravids (1 Viewer)

[BobP63]

I currently own a pair of Leica Ultravid 12x50 HD's and I find them an excellent choice for viewing raptors and other wildlife found in the wide open spaces of Kansas. Unfortunitly once I move into areas of denser cover the suitability of a 12x binocular becomes questionable at best. I've been debating for several months now as to which alpha binocular would be a perfect stable mate for the Ultravids to provide the widest range of viewing possibilities. Today the debate ended when I ordered a new pair of 8.5x42 Swarovisions from B&H.

I've sampled the 10x42 version of the Swarovisions and never encounter the rolling ball effect, hopefully it will be a non-issue on the 8.5's as well. Can anyone confirm when Swarovski switched from the functional bag to the new padded case, B&H still lists the functional bag in their product description. Should have my new SV's by Wendsday, really looking forward to being able to leave my glasses on so I can stop playing where's Waldo after positioning the binoculars.:t:

 

[Ingle1970]

I think the upgraded case became available for the SV when the SLC-HD was released, i dont know the specific date but someone on the forum will know.
I would check to see if your SV also has the upgraded eyecups ...

 

[brocknroller]

I currently own a pair of Leica Ultravid 12x50 HD's and I find them an excellent choice for viewing raptors and other wildlife found in the wide open spaces of Kansas. Unfortunitly once I move into areas of denser cover the suitability of a 12x binocular becomes questionable at best. I've been debating for several months now as to which alpha binocular would be a perfect stable mate for the Ultravids to provide the widest range of viewing possibilities. Today the debate ended when I ordered a new pair of 8.5x42 Swarovisions from B&H.

I've sampled the 10x42 version of the Swarovisions and never encounter the rolling ball effect, hopefully it will be a non-issue on the 8.5's as well. Can anyone confirm when Swarovski switched from the functional bag to the new padded case, B&H still lists the functional bag in their product description. Should have my new SV's by Wendsday, really looking forward to being able to leave my glasses on so I can stop playing where's Waldo after positioning the binoculars.:t:

Bob,

You should have no problem picking out Waldo with the 8.5x Swarovisions. Heck, I can see him naked eye :

http://thefullfool.files.wordpress.com/2010/09/wheres-waldo1.jpg

As far as the "rolling stone"... one other BF member said that he didn't see it in the 10x version, but did in the 8.5x.

Another posited that "rolling ball" is more easily seen at higher power.

So there's a mess of speculation out there about the SV ELs. Since the pincushion in your eyeballs determines how well you will handle the "rolling ball," the only way to know for sure is to get a pair in your hands and up to your eyes.

Good Luck! I hope they work out for you.

Better get insurance on your bins if you live in Tornado Alley, which from the map seems to encompass most of Kansas, otherwise, your bins might end up in Oz! (Wamego).

Brock

 

[BobP63]

I have an older Swarovski Optik Observation catalog dated 07/2008 that first introduced the new Swarovision EL. Even in this early catalog it listed the eyecup as having a third, intermediate, position between full in and full out. To be honest when looking at the SV's in the store I only tested them at either extreme glasses on and glasses off never even checked for an intermediate position. Are the upgraded eyecups simply the three position cups firsted listed in the catalog? If so I'm surprised it took so long to include what was listed as an original design feature. I've found several posts in which people received the upgraded eyecups from Swarovski after the fact, has anyone yet received a new SV with the upgraded eyecups already installed, if so how recent was the purchase? I've had good service from Swarovski in the past so I know worse case I'll just have to contact them to receive the parts, I'm more curious now if the intermediate position will provide a better view with my glasses.

 

[BobP63]

Bob,

You should have no problem picking out Waldo with the 8.5x Swarovisions. Heck, I can see him naked eye :

http://thefullfool.files.wordpress.com/2010/09/wheres-waldo1.jpg

Brock

Just checked and I spotted Waldo in record time, hopefully this bodes well for future outings with the 8.5's.

Thanks Brock.

 

[Dale Forbes]

I have an older Swarovski Optik Observation catalog dated 07/2008 that first introduced the new Swarovision EL. Even in this early catalog it listed the eyecup as having a third, intermediate, position between full in and full out. To be honest when looking at the SV's in the store I only tested them at either extreme glasses on and glasses off never even checked for an intermediate position. Are the upgraded eyecups simply the three position cups firsted listed in the catalog? If so I'm surprised it took so long to include what was listed as an original design feature. I've found several posts in which people received the upgraded eyecups from Swarovski after the fact, has anyone yet received a new SV with the upgraded eyecups already installed, if so how recent was the purchase? I've had good service from Swarovski in the past so I know worse case I'll just have to contact them to receive the parts, I'm more curious now if the intermediate position will provide a better view with my glasses.

Dear Bob, the first Swarovisions were shipped with one intermediate position - the position favoured by most European faces (in my experience). The new intermediate position has been shipping for a couple months now and is designed mainly for eye-glass wearers who have rather flat glasses. i.e., roughly said, 2 positions for eye-glass wearers and 2 for non-eyeglass wearers.

btw, that Waldo was really easy to find. Did you see Wally in Apocalypto? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jT3woa2INr8

Happy birding,
Dale

 

[BobP63]

Thanks Dale,
My new Swarovisions will be in hand later today, hopefully they'll be the latest iteration. If I'm understanding you correctly there are now 4 positions with the upgraded eyecups?

Finding Waldo in the video was a bit more challenging, but it's very clear and detailed when you do. The experience is much like using my 12x in denser cover, it takes a while to locate your target but once you do.....