New Product Introduction Today From Swarovski ? (65 Viewers)

[jremmons]

So I was reading through some of the old release threads on binoculars such as the Swarovski Swarovision EL, Leica Noctivid, and the Zeiss Victory HT and the amount of hyperbole then is basically as bad as what we see now.

From initial reviews you'd think the NL will be 'the binocular', much like when the SV EL and Victory HT finally hit shelves you thought the same with them, based on initial reviews stating how they put all previous models to shame, the old models looked dull and lifeless in comparison, massive increases in brightness/sharpness/CA control, etc. I think we all know, this is not the case; many still use the older models/other models and the views they present are very nearly as good/better in some ways. Even empirical measurements on traits such as transmission and field sharpness don't show huge differences.

I appreciate initial reviews but really wish we could tone hyperbole down... The NL is presenting some unique changes (ergonomics, ever wider field of view, headrest, etc.), but I doubt it will be a revolution from "yesteryear's" alphas.

Justin

 

[RustyHeadedJay]

I agree! I think my 8.5x42 EL field pros are definitely better than my much older generation EL’s but there are times where I miss the older ones (not the chromatic aberration).

 

[Torview]

So I was reading through some of the old release threads on binoculars such as the Swarovski Swarovision EL, Leica Noctivid, and the Zeiss Victory HT and the amount of hyperbole then is basically as bad as what we see now.

From initial reviews you'd think the NL will be 'the binocular', much like when the SV EL and Victory HT finally hit shelves you thought the same with them, based on initial reviews stating how they put all previous models to shame, the old models looked dull and lifeless in comparison, massive increases in brightness/sharpness/CA control, etc. I think we all know, this is not the case; many still use the older models/other models and the views they present are very nearly as good/better in some ways. Even empirical measurements on traits such as transmission and field sharpness don't show huge differences.

I appreciate initial reviews but really wish we could tone hyperbole down... The NL is presenting some unique changes (ergonomics, ever wider field of view, headrest, etc.), but I doubt it will be a revolution from "yesteryear's" alphas.

Justin

Justin,

I agree, similar threads were around back when the SF launched in 2015, members were posting that they had ordered before ever getting one in the hand, I questioned at the time if people really believed they would be so much better than other models then available, it seems the SF quickly lost its celeb status, certainly I don`t see very many when out and about.

I took my time moving from EL`s to the SF but I very much like its presentation now.

I don`t doubt its going to be an excellent binocular, but I think it`ll be evolution not revolution.

John.

 

[Dennis Mau]

Justin,

I agree, similar threads were around back when the SF launched in 2015, members were posting that they had ordered before ever getting one in the hand, I questioned at the time if people really believed they would be so much better than other models then available, it seems the SF quickly lost its celeb status, certainly I don`t see very many when out and about.

I took my time moving from EL`s to the SF but I very much like its presentation now.

I don`t doubt its going to be an excellent binocular, but I think it`ll be evolution not revolution.

John.

There are a lot of positive comments on the new NL but I think we will know more once more members have tried it. Now if EVERYBODY is saying it is just sensational then you might want to try one. Wait for my definitive goat and CD testing and then you will know for sure whether to buy one or not. I have the EL 8x32 to directly compare it against so it is going to have to be pretty good to beat it.

 

[etudiant]

So I was reading through some of the old release threads on binoculars such as the Swarovski Swarovision EL, Leica Noctivid, and the Zeiss Victory HT and the amount of hyperbole then is basically as bad as what we see now.

From initial reviews you'd think the NL will be 'the binocular', much like when the SV EL and Victory HT finally hit shelves you thought the same with them, based on initial reviews stating how they put all previous models to shame, the old models looked dull and lifeless in comparison, massive increases in brightness/sharpness/CA control, etc. I think we all know, this is not the case; many still use the older models/other models and the views they present are very nearly as good/better in some ways. Even empirical measurements on traits such as transmission and field sharpness don't show huge differences.

I appreciate initial reviews but really wish we could tone hyperbole down... The NL is presenting some unique changes (ergonomics, ever wider field of view, headrest, etc.), but I doubt it will be a revolution from "yesteryear's" alphas.

Justin

Totally on target and could even be extended to binocular marketing generally.
Read the ads in birding magazines, they are interchangeable, the item is always brightest, sharpest, true color revelation etc etc. All content free imho and not at all informative.
In this case, the NLs increased FoV is surely the main improvement, with the ergonomics enhancements (shape and headrest) icing on the cake. As IS is the most significant improvement in binocular performance since WW2 imho, I applaud any steps towards making it more available, even if it is a small one. True IS on Swaro glasses is sadly still unavailable.

 

[Gijs van Ginkel]

I have seen a lot of binoculars the past years and I am not blinded by eagerness for new introduced binoculars, but the NL's I have seen( the 10x42 and 12x42) were really very very good and I am personally very happy that Swarovski has introduced the head rest for improving stability and not a battery operated IS machine, none of the ones I have seen as yet has convinced me despite the undoubtedly better image stability.
Gijs van Ginkel

 

[Dennis Mau]

This seller on Ebay says they will have the new Swarovski NL's in all three magnifications in two weeks so you could get them Aug. 3 with shipping. They said they are shipped direct from Swarovski in Rhode Island with warranty. They are selling for retail with free shipping. IF they do have them in two weeks as they say you could get them early. Time will tell.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Swarovski-...949690?hash=item52388af77a:g:UpgAAOSwg-1fCTey

 

[jan van daalen]

This seller on Ebay says they will have the new Swarovski NL's in all three magnifications in two weeks so you could get them Aug. 3 with shipping. They said they are shipped direct from Swarovski in Rhode Island with warranty. They are selling for retail with free shipping. IF they do have them in two weeks as they say you could get them early. Time will tell.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Swarovski-...949690?hash=item52388af77a:g:UpgAAOSwg-1fCTey

Nice try Dennis. Believe it or not but there are people who say they speak with angels and there are even people who believe themB

Jan

 

[Gijs van Ginkel]

Jan, everytime I visit you in your shop I have the impression I speak with angels, so you see that there are more realities.
Gijs van Ginkel

 

[jan van daalen]

Jan, everytime I visit you in your shop I have the impression I speak with angels, so you see that there are more realities.
Gijs van Ginkel

Gijs,

You confuese the blond Ida, Romee and Conny with angels, but they are not. They are angels in disguiseooo.

Jan

 

[jremmons]

I have seen a lot of binoculars the past years and I am not blinded by eagerness for new introduced binoculars, but the NL's I have seen( the 10x42 and 12x42) were really very very good and I am personally very happy that Swarovski has introduced the head rest for improving stability and not a battery operated IS machine, none of the ones I have seen as yet has convinced me despite the undoubtedly better image stability.
Gijs van Ginkel

I certainly think the headrest in the higher magnifications will offer an advantage. I have a pair of 10x30 Canon IS and even though the optical quality/ease of use is not great, the engagement of the IS mechanism really improves perceived/fine detail. Obviously a headrest is not IS, but it should at least smooth some jitters and is an option I'd love to see available for other models.

I also do not argue that the NLs are going to be great/exceptional binoculars - but I would argue that most binoculars introduced the in past 15+ years have been exceptional (and I've personally owned a great many of them).

Your comments Gijs, in particular, do strike one chord with me in that when you tested the HT you mentioned the increased brightness was not particularly perceptible in general use over the Swarovision; given that the transmission of the NL is not going to be markedly improved over the SV, and is still below that of the HT, I would imagine your perception on improved brightness would be similarly demure. Obviously brightness is a perception of many factors combined, including color balance, so if you do note a great improvement in brightness regarding the NL over the SV (as you mentioned in another post/thread), that would indicate something of a change in the color balance or another variable.

Again, my argument is to simply hold back on hyperbole. In reference again to the Zeiss Victory HT release thread, many were arguing its superiority in a multitude of factors over the Swarovision (e.g. glare, brightness, overall resolution) despite no/limited side by side testing. Fast forward a few years and now the HT is gone from the market while (I would imagine, based upon Jan's posts, inventory in various stores, etc.) the SV remains the best selling alpha.

Justin

 

[dries1]

Would availability of the NL be different in the EU and the USA?

 

[Dennis Mau]

Nice try Dennis. Believe it or not but there are people who say they speak with angels and there are even people who believe themB

Jan

I am not totally confident either that they will have the NL's in stock in two weeks even though that is what they told me. There 98.2% feedback is not exactly stellar, so I am not totally trusting of them. But they have the time you will receive the binoculars posted on their eBay ad, and they can't really lie about that. I am staying with my pre-order at Eurooptics because they gave me 10% off and I have the head rest ordered also. If the binoculars are in such high demand the head rest will probably be also.

 

[jan van daalen]

Would availability of the NL be different in the EU and the USA?

Very easy to find out.
Call SONA tomorrow (like I will do to our rep).:t:

Jan

 

[dries1]

Good advice Jan for the folks in the US. Dennis this looks like something for you to follow up on.

 

[jan van daalen]

Good advice Jan for the folks in the US. Dennis this looks like something for you to follow up on.

And to any other Swaro dealer in the US.
If this turns out not to be true (as I expect) burie the guy on Ebay:C

Jan

 

[RobMorane]

So I was reading through some of the old release threads on binoculars such as the Swarovski Swarovision EL, Leica Noctivid, and the Zeiss Victory HT and the amount of hyperbole then is basically as bad as what we see now.

From initial reviews you'd think the NL will be 'the binocular', much like when the SV EL and Victory HT finally hit shelves you thought the same with them, based on initial reviews stating how they put all previous models to shame, the old models looked dull and lifeless in comparison, massive increases in brightness/sharpness/CA control, etc. I think we all know, this is not the case; many still use the older models/other models and the views they present are very nearly as good/better in some ways. Even empirical measurements on traits such as transmission and field sharpness don't show huge differences.

I appreciate initial reviews but really wish we could tone hyperbole down... The NL is presenting some unique changes (ergonomics, ever wider field of view, headrest, etc.), but I doubt it will be a revolution from "yesteryear's" alphas.

Justin

Friday, I was thinking the same.
And I really thought that it was a lot of "noise" for probably not much.

That was until I tried the 3 NL Saturday afternoon...

I actually arrived there thinking quite a lot of negative things about the new NL, and that there was no chance that I could be convinced of the opposite.

I usually believe what I see.
And boy I saw!

When I looked through them, the "sharpness" to the edge and the efficiency of the headrest hit me hard!
And the picture had more "peps" than my SLC 56 and the EL I compared to.

So no BS or marketing talk from me, they are Better, it's visible, you'll see !

 

[jan van daalen]

Got feedback from Swarovski.
It's complete bogus.
Worldwide launch/delivery at September 1.

Jan

 

[PYRTLE]

I am not totally confident either that they will have the NL's in stock in two weeks even though that is what they told me. There 98.2% feedback is not exactly stellar, so I am not totally trusting of them. But they have the time you will receive the binoculars posted on their eBay ad, and they can't really lie about that. I am staying with my pre-order at Eurooptics because they gave me 10% off and I have the head rest ordered also. If the binoculars are in such high demand the head rest will probably be also.

Perhaps this advert and the seller should be reported to that auction website as they lied to you and appear to be misleading customers. One would like to believe that Swarovski Optik look down on misrepresentation of their corporate beliefs by not supplying them with units.

 

[etudiant]

This seller on Ebay says they will have the new Swarovski NL's in all three magnifications in two weeks so you could get them Aug. 3 with shipping. They said they are shipped direct from Swarovski in Rhode Island with warranty. They are selling for retail with free shipping. IF they do have them in two weeks as they say you could get them early. Time will tell.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Swarovski-...949690?hash=item52388af77a:g:UpgAAOSwg-1fCTey

The ad notes that delivery dates are Aug 3-17th, depending.
So with a bit of hand waving, after mid August, they have your money and will expect you to wait till Sept 1.
Pretty good scam imho.