If memory serves, Swaro used to highlight their committment to producing the best possible glass by introducing upgraded coatings when available, rather than waiting for new models. It does not seem unreasonable that they could have refined their eyepieces similarly, but that is surely no reason for a recall.
Practically, given that Swaro is famous for restoring/upgrading binoculars sent in for service to sometimes better than new condition, I would expect sensitive customers could get their older 8.5x42s upgraded pretty easily. Just send them in for service when needed.
Swaro once revealed the exact serial number when they changed over from the slower focus ELs to the faster focus ELs. And some users have returned their older, slower focus ELs for an upgrade to the faster focuser. Not sure if this was done for free or if there was a fee involved.
I've also read posts from SLC owners with who got their older non-WP optics upgraded to WP. So what you said is generally true about Swaro's willingness to upgrade older bins; however, from Holger's post, it seems they want to keep "mum" on the question of whether or not they changed their distortion pattern in the SV EL.
I realize this is rather speculative, and I'm sure that point will be hammered on if it already hasn't, however, as more reports come in from those susceptible to RB
not seeing it in the 8x32 and 10x32 models, I have to wonder if there's a change afoot.
Perhaps Tim, who recently posted on the Zeiss subforum (8x32 SV EL vs. 8x42 HT), that he saw more RB in the 8x32 SV EL model than he did the 10x42 was looking at an earlier version of the 8x32 before Swaro "shaved its mustache".
Even if a change was made, there would still be "old new stock" out there with the original distortion pattern along with the clean shaven "new new stock" just as there are repeats of "Jeopardy" with Alex Trebek with a mustache and new shows with him w/out his mustache.
I think the only way we're going to close this "x-file" is if the same user gets hold of two SV EL samples and reports seeing RB in one but not in the other, and for the still skeptical takes photos through the bins to show the difference.
Or maybe like they did with the serial number of the changeover from slow to faster focusing ELs, Swaro will eventually tell us when they changed the distortion. They could be holding off announcing that until the old SV EL stock has been exhausted the way Zeiss is denying they have plans to make an 8x32 HT until dealers sell off most of the 8x32 FLs.
As my old friend Fox used to say, "The truth is out there."
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