Problem with green coating of EL SV 8x32 (2 Viewers)

[Scott98]

So are USA Swaro re-skins done in the US?

The USA Swaro mothership is in Rhode Island I think they can do just about any servicing there.

 

[Andy Adcock]

Anybody know? I wonder, does a certain level of repair require the old armor goes?

I had one eye piece detached and the cover on the focus wheel was slipping, not sure if they need to remove the armour to change an eye piece? Perhaps they have to access the barrel to replace or refit the eye piece in which case the armour would have to go.

 

[SGBirder]

LensCoat for Spotting Scopes, LensCoat

Maybe there'll be a market for LensCoat for binoculars.. specifically Swarovski

 

[Owlbarred]

LensCoat for Spotting Scopes, LensCoat

Maybe there'll be a market for LensCoat for binoculars.. specifically Swarovski

I use this thin lightweight adhesive camo on my Canon 100-500mm. Easily cut and applied with no glue residue if removed -- works great. I was thinking of using it on the exposed metal rings on the barrels of a used Retrovid that was for sale. Would care less about appearance. Worthless though for an EL/NL.
Thin adhesive camo

 

[SGBirder]

I use this thin lightweight adhesive camo on my Canon 100-500mm. Easily cut and applied with no glue residue if removed -- works great. I was thinking of using it on the exposed metal barrels of a used Retrovid had I bought it. Could care less about appearance. Worthless for an EL/NL.
Thin adhesive camo

Why worthless?

 

[Moocher]

Thanks for sharing. The photos and the video were enlightening. Even the barrels were replaced (2:45): incredible service!!!
BTW I certainly miss Eagle Optics....

 

[Moocher]

These are my 8x32 EL SV after 3 years of use where they are cared for. Always returned to the case when not around my neck. Swarovski replaced armour FOC other than outgoing postage. Now, 5 years on, the armour is again splitting and in need of repair. Not what I expect from an alpha product.

 

[Stuarts vision]

These are my 8x32 EL SV after 3 years of use where they are cared for. Always returned to the case when not around my neck. Swarovski replaced armour FOC other than outgoing postage. Now, 5 years on, the armour is again splitting and in need of repair. Not what I expect from an alpha product.
View attachment 1541295

OMG, whoever decided to change the armouring to be more biodegradable needs sacking. Swarovski will lose some brand loyalty customers over the armouring issue.

 

[dorubird]

These are my 8x32 EL SV after 3 years of use where they are cared for. Always returned to the case when not around my neck. Swarovski replaced armour FOC other than outgoing postage. Now, 5 years on, the armour is again splitting and in need of repair. Not what I expect from an alpha product.
View attachment 1541295

I am sorry! But this is the real problem with austrian armor biodegradable, particularly on these models of binoculars, which with time become sticky and cracked!
You can vote here:

Poll - Trying to get some numbers on Swarovski rubber armour issues.

There are a few threads going on about the problems with Swarovski's biodegradable armour. I just wanted to know how many are actually having problems with it. Please post a photo of your binoculars if they are splitting/peeling /cracking, particularly the NL owners because so far I have only...

www.birdforum.net

 

[seawatcher]

These are my 8x32 EL SV after 3 years of use where they are cared for. Always returned to the case when not around my neck. Swarovski replaced armour FOC other than outgoing postage. Now, 5 years on, the armour is again splitting and in need of repair. Not what I expect from an alpha product.
View attachment 1541295

But at least Swarovski are aware of the issue and replace free of charge. I know it is a pain to send them in, but mine were returned door-to-door, free of charge, with a turnaround of 8 weeks. Given that this was in the middle of the Austrian summer holiday, then the time taken was pretty quick.
If mine start to look shabby again after some use, then I won't bother sending them in. There is a certain field-cred to running around with a tattered and bashed, but optically fully-functioning, pair of binoculars. As they have surely used the same biodegrable compound, then I expect the armouring will indeed disintergrate through time.
SW

 

[Andy Adcock]

Whenever you get them "serviced", lets us know how they fix them please. With same armour as bought or maybe some new materials.
I got an EL´s in 2021 so far no issues with the armour.

How can you recognise the new materials?

I've just had my EL 8.5 x 42 WB (what does WB mean?) model fixed at Swarovski and they've come back with new armouring, despite that not being the issue. I can only guess that they had to remove the old in order to fix my other problem.

Obviously, there is a chance now that my 'bins' have been downgraded with an inferior armour which will start to fall apart, I wonder what my rights are here if this happens? They were about fifteen years old and there were no issues at all with the armour.

 

[Patudo]

(what does WB mean?)

"Will Break"?

 

[Andy Adcock]

"Will Break"?

Or if I'm lucky 'won't'

 

[Paultricounty]

These are my 8x32 EL SV after 3 years of use where they are cared for. Always returned to the case when not around my neck. Swarovski replaced armour FOC other than outgoing postage. Now, 5 years on, the armour is again splitting and in need of repair. Not what I expect from an alpha product.
View attachment 1541295

Wow your not kidding, that’s crazy.

Though I would say that in areas that are not cracking and peeling it does look like some rough use on the parts that are not peeling. Just sayin

 

[wa5eml Bob]

I bought my EL SV 8x32 new in May 2019 and I have just noticed that the green plastic coating has started to peel off just where my right thumb touches the barrel. Has anyone noticed the problem of the green material peeling off, either there or elsewhere on the binoculars.

These are the first alpha binoculars that I have owned and I am extremely disappointed as my previously owned binoculars of lesser repute have never had this sort of problem. Of course the optical performance of the Swarovski bins remains excellent.

Mike

I had that problem with the Swarovski 8x42 EL and with my Canon IS. Both Manufactures made it good replacing the rubber coating. That damage can be caused by insect spray as I understand. Try and keep your hands clean when using them.
Bob

 

[Moocher]

Wow your not kidding, that’s crazy.

Though I would say that in areas that are not cracking and peeling it does look like some rough use on the parts that are not peeling. Just sayin

Seriously, no rough use at all. They have always been looked after.

 

[Moocher]

I had that problem with the Swarovski 8x42 EL and with my Canon IS. Both Manufactures made it good replacing the rubber coating. That damage can be caused by insect spray as I understand. Try and keep your hands clean when using them.
Bob

I never use insect repellent or any other chemical product at all when out with optics.

 

[tenex]

(what does WB mean?)

Weitwinkel, wide angle (industry standard 60°+ AFOV, not so "wide" compared to some earlier models)
Brillenfreundlich, eyeglass friendly (high enough ER)
These designations are no longer in wide use as most everything is WB these days.

 

[Grando]

Presumably Swarovski are constantly working on the formula for their new armour, so we can hope that they develop a more-durable eco-friendly recipe going forwards.

 

[Paultricounty]

Presumably Swarovski are constantly working on the formula for their new armour, so we can hope that they develop a more-durable eco-friendly recipe going forwards.

Don’t get me wrong I love Swarovski equipment and the company, but this has been going on for close to 10 years. It appears that there’s no cook in the kitchen.

Paul