Next from Swarovski? (2 Viewers)

[NDhunter]

The Swarovski SLC 10x42 has been one of the best selling binoculars for several years, for those that enjoy hunting
and outdoor viewing.
Not everyone likes the flat-field of the Swarovision, and the NL is not required, as a bright view is important.
The SLC 15x56 will be still be produced, I cannot imagine the firestorm if that model is discontinued. And I find no
reason for Swarovski to replace it with a NL 56. These are all reasons, I hope that there is a new CL model coming.
Jerry

 

[tenex]

I don't know, but a model does not become discontinued without reason.

But the reason isn't always obvious, or obviously good for customers; consider SLC 42 as Jerry points out, or EL 32. I miss the SLC 42 and sometimes kick myself for not getting one while I could, because I didn't really need it. (though not enough yet to buy it in brown...)

These are all reasons, I hope that there is a new CL model coming.

I still don't see in what way a CL 42 could be an improvement on the SLC, do you? I never really got the CL concept myself, and it's not an acceptable substitute for the now vanished EL 32 either. They should have kept making an SLC 30/32 also.

 

[fazalmajid]

But I know there are some suspicions that HT 42mm models may have been discontinued because Conquest HDs are optically very close but(at least 5-7 years ago) around half the price. So HT came in the "dead zone": buyers chose either Conquest HD or invested a bit extra for SFs, resulting in HTs sold too bad.
I don't know, but a model does not become discontinued without reason.

The SF came too soon after the HT, which would explain why HT sales were fairly poor due to the aborted lifecycle. The slightly higher transmission and Abbe-Koenig prisms were not compelling enough compared to the wide flat field of the SF, I certainly wouldn't have purchased my HT 8x42 if the SF had come out then.

Zeiss already has entry-level and midrange models in Terra and Conquest, so they didn't need to hand-me-down the HT and had to discontinue it just as they did with FL before, apart from the 54mm versions, for the same reasons as Swarovski kep the 56mm SLC. But > 50mm objective binoculars are too small a niche to support multiple segments and SKUs (apart from magnification). Similarly Leica still has the Ultravid HD+ x50 but no Noctivids or Trinovids in that size.

 

[Gijs van Ginkel]

Tenex, post 42,
The 42 SLC is still made by Swarovski, but it is now sold under the name Kahles: it is the same binocular made on exactly the same machines where all SLC's are made. I think that a 42 mm CL with its slim housing and comfortabel grip could become popular, but perhaps it will never come.
Gijs van Ginkel

 

[tenex]

The 42 SLC is still made by Swarovski, but it is now sold under the name Kahles: it is the same binocular made on exactly the same machines where all SLC's are made.

Yes, I think you missed my reference to "brown"...

 

[iPotential]

Yes, I think you missed my reference to "brown"...

The Kahles brown wasn't as bad in real life as I thought. I actually prefer it to the Swaro green.

The orange stripe is the only ugly part, due to poor quality.

Still glad i got one before they stop making them all together.

 

[CharleyBird]

Given the binoculars already lying around the house, I'd be most tempted by a Swaro15x50NL with built in forehead rest. Smaller, lighter than the 56 SLCs, with the NL handling and FOV, and 15x magnification.
Could it be made?

 

[Swedpat]

Given the binoculars already lying around the house, I'd be most tempted by a Swaro15x50NL with built in forehead rest. Smaller, lighter than the 56 SLCs, with the NL handling and FOV, and 15x magnification.
Could it be made?

While the forehead rest is a great idea which really helps to stabilize the image I wonder if 15x still may be too high power. Maybe next step could be a construction which rests on the shoulders with a counter weight behind the head?

 

[Troubador]

Lee, post 27,
I think the Swarovski policy seems pretty clear: top level the NL's, the 56 mm SLC's, the 42 SLC's still produced in Absam but sold under the name Kahles, but it is still the well kown SLC 42, the different EL's, the CL Companions (the new Zeiss 8x40 and 10x40 have a vague resemblance as far as body structure is concerned and I would not be surprised if Swarovski would go further with this programme by introducing 40 or 42 mm CL's) and the different compacts. Next to it the rangefinders and some special instruments like the one with built in birdrecognition software.. Alltogether a fairly broad programme in my opinion. What do you expect more or what is lacking in your opinion?
Gijs van Ginkel

Gijs, the changes to the close focus capabilty of some models, the switch of the SLC from Swaro branding to Kahles, the deletion of EL32, and some aspects of 'top line' NL8x32 and its accessories (and on which I will report in a few weeks' time in a full review) are what I find puzzling.

Lee

 

[Viraj]

The Kahles brown wasn't as bad in real life as I thought. I actually prefer it to the Swaro green.

The orange stripe is the only ugly part, due to poor quality.

Still glad i got one before they stop making them all together.

I also think the brown color is not too ugly for a binocular. Sometimes the function is more important than the color 😉 So, I am interested to know the quality of the armor and the materials used to make it. Do you have any idea whether it is the same biodegradable material used for Swaros or a different material. Personally I prefer the durability than the color or texture of it ☺️

 

[Brummie]

What do you expect more or what is lacking in your opinion?

I think what's lacking is a really wide-field, premium 50mm model. The NLs and SFs have pushed the FOV for 10x to almost 400ft, but alpha 10x50s are still at 340ft (not counting the Nikon WX).

I know nothing about optics design, but the NLs look like they could accommodate a 50mm objective model without needing a dramatically bigger overall footprint. A relatively compact NL 10x50 with close to 400ft FOV would be a pretty exceptional do-everything binocular (particularly if they included a standard 1/4-20 tripod adapter socket).

 

[The BulbMogul]

NL Pure 12x50 or NL Pure 15x50 ........? And in BURNT Orange..