BirdForum is the net's largest birding community dedicated to wild birds and birding, and is absolutely FREE!

Register for an account to take part in lively discussions in the forum, post your pictures in the gallery and more.

Reply to thread

Message: <blockquote data-quote="yarrellii" data-source="post: 3905797" data-attributes="member: 137633">So I finally opted for the little 8x30 CL Companion (instead of the EL 8x32, which was my other option, once the Nikon MHG 8x30 where ruled out due to unease of view/use). I found the 8x32 EL a bit bulky and heavy for a x32 (provided that you can have something like a Nikon MHG 8x42 for a mere 50 g more and a little more bulk... Actually, the CL 8x30 and the MHG could be a nice combo; maybe pairing the 8x30 CL with a 10x42 MHG).I've been using the CL (in anthracite colour) for some time now, and here are some thoughts. I hope it can be of reference/help for someone (or else spark conversation).ImageNice, crisp, really sweet, although I think the Habicht were sharper/crispier on axis. But then, the CL have a much wider sweetspot than the Habicht. Colours are natural and shapes pop boldly as you scan the landscape. My favourite use for these so far is following little passerines among the branches: the sharpness of both birds and the bark and branches of trees (and the texture of leaves and cones) makes for a really enjoyable experience.I am not particularly sensitive to CA, but I can tell you there is a noticeable amount of it here, even in the centre of the image if the conditions are challenging (bird on a branch with sun on its back, swallow on a wire). I don't usually care about CA, but I could see this being a deal breaker for someone who is easily bothered by it. One minor (but interesting) thing: I use the binos together with my smartphone for ID/reference/date purposes (obviously, I don't have any aspirations about image quality). The pictures from the CL show the biggest amount of CA (by a large margin) I've seen on a picture taken through a medium/high quality binocular. A bit disappointing given the prize. Again, not the end of the world, but it's remarkable how the camera can pick up CA quite dramatically on these (pictures through the Habicht were just stunning).ComfortI tried these in a shop and found the viewing comfort exceptional; really easy to find the right position. The "optical box" (whatever that means) seemed to work. However, over time I'm becoming a little concerned, because I seem to find the eyecup a bit too narrow/small. I had the same issue with the 8x32 Meopta Meostar (otherwise a device with a really sweet view, although a little on the heavy side). It's probably the shape and size of my eyelashes, but I wish the eyecups where a couple of millimeters wider. I had a similar experience with the 8x30 Habicht, until I wrote to Swarovski and they sent me the green wider eyecups from the rubber GA version. I'm afraid the CL won't have a similar solution, but I've written to Swarovski asking about it either way (if anyone has a hint or idea about this, do chime!).Another less-than-ideal bit about the eyecups is that they only have one position, with no intermediate stops: it is fully up or nothing. Just like I discovered with the 8x32 Victory FL, I find that an intermediate position gives me greater viewing comfort with these, so I usually have them halfway through. This is not ideal, but kind of works for me.The strap is really comfortable, and the size is a very good compromise; it would be a bit silly to make a light and small binocular and fit it with a huge and fluffy strap, but I hate when the strap provided is really tiny and you get marks on your neck. This one just nails it for me. As for the FP system, well, I don't think it gives me anything a good old metal loop and strap didn't provide. Personally I wouldn't pay a cent for it.Build/handlingOne has to read and re-read the weight figure on the spec sheet in order to believe it, because the binoculars do seem heavier than the advertised 490 g. When you hold them in your hands, you get a feeling of quality materials, a hefty piece of equipment (I'm not sure I've seen such a thread on BF, but we could start one about binoculars that feel lighter/heavier than they actually are). The magnesium bridge feels very solid and reassuring, and the rubber armour oozes quality. Really, it is something worth mentioning. The attention to detail is remarkable. You feel you paid a considerable amount of money but you get a considerable amount of quality. For example (little details that leave you in awe): the tethered objective covers are made of not one, but two different materials. A harder-than-usual rubber for the bending bit (with two different thicknesses on the ring around the tube) plus a hard plastic on the center of the lid itself (which is hard, like plastic hard). Understated, classy. No one would notice, but someone thought about it. BTW, the objective covers work great (the rain guard is a bit on the narrow side, so it's not 100 % ideal).While using the binoculars, the barrels are slim enough to allow for very comfortable grip. They feel a little longer than the Nikon Monarch 7 8x30 which I really enjoy using, and those are really pricy millimeters that pay back in ease of use; the CL really ticks the box for me when it comes to holdability.The focus wheel is on the slow side (I prefer the Nikon M7 approach), but again, not the end of the world.I have read strong opinions about the diopter setting: yes, it's true, it's not the best solution, but it doesn't bother me particularly.Last (and least), aesthetics and brand experience.Honestly, for a brand that pays so much attention to detail and the look and feel of binoculars, the CL look too bling (for me at least). The font they used on the metal bridge feels like it's going to look outdated already by next year (let alone in 5 - 10 years)... it looks outdated for me just now. The naked metal bridge is so in-your-face, a complete lack of understatement (something that one can otherwise feel in other parts of the binocular and in the brand strategy as a whole). So: I don't especially like the look of the binoculars, but hey, I want to look through them, not at them (in this respect, I much prefer the look of the Nikon MHG 8x30, not to mention a Leica Ultravid).Packaging and unboxing experience of these make Apple products feel dodgy and somewhat cheap. Mind you, this is something I wouldn't pay for (I like what comes in the box, I don't care about the box itself), but I think it is worth mentioning,because it can be important for some people (or it can be important if these were a gift: and what a gift experience this would be for the person who received it).</blockquote>

Verification