Updated Swarovski Range and CL pockets. (1 Viewer)

[ticl2184]

Apologies if somebody has already posted about this, but it appears Swarovski is offering an updated version of both the Swarovski range and CL pockets.

The Range now offers the Swarovision optical formula with a wider field of view of 120m for the 10x and 140m for the 8x. Additionally they boast a rangefinding capacity of 10-2000m.. That's well over a mile.
I don't believe the optical formula of the compacts has been changed, just the cosmetic appearance.
However, they have done away with the sand and black colour options and just offer a green and anthracite version in either wn-wild-nature, or mo-mountain. Both now come with eyecup protectors...
See pics attached..

Swarovski really do work hard on updating there product lines of late. At one point in time you could only look forward to a new or updated binocular version every 10 years or so, but Swarovski now seem to be tweaking or introducing a new product line almost every 5 years or so now.. Part of me applauds these new innovations and updates, but the other part of me is a bit cheesed off to think that I will have to potentially upgrade the current versions I have to keep upto date with the new product designs and improvements...

Cheers Tim

 

[bkdc]

The lack of compatibility with the Kestrel Elite is going to hobble marketing for the new Range. Leica still is the leader.

 

[John A Roberts]

Fact Sheets for 3 updated products

The individual brochures for the:
• CL Pocket
• EL Range TA (the FRR - a version of the FRP forehead rest - can be fitted), and
• dS II sight
can be found at: https://myservice.swarovskioptik.com/s/product-category-page?language=en_US

Click on the option in the right hand column
That goes to a page with pdf’s in a choice of languages - click to open
Then click on the button at the top/ centre to download


John

 

[John A Roberts]

More on the CL Pocket Upgrade

A) For quick visual identification, a comparison of the upgraded and the original versions
As can be seen the RA on the barrels has been modified including more contouring, and the bridge has been reshaped

B) The specification page, which states:
'The changes made relate to design and accessories, with no differences between the optical parameters of the CL Pocket binoculars range,
introduced in September 2013'

C) The Green and Anthracite versions along with their accessories

D) & E) A more dramatic image of each version


John

 

[John A Roberts]

More on the EL Range TA

The EL Range TA (Tracking Assistant) is the newest addition to Swarovski’s Range(finder) series of binoculars
It’s a significant development as it incorporates both optical improvements and electronic/ range finding ones

It was preceded by the original EL Range in 2001 and then the FieldPro version in 2014
The FP version had the original optics and electronics, but with:
• changed control details (including the laser button) and logo placement, and
• new neck strap and objective cover attachments

For easy visual identification, see:
A) The original EL Range and the EL Range Field Pro
B) The EL Range Field Pro and the EL Range TA
The second image is from: https://www.gohunt.com/read/skills/new-for-2021-swarovski-el-range-with-tracking-assistant#gs.rq2h7n


To keep things short(ish), as the primary optics will be what’s of interest to most BF readers, I’ll mainly confine my remarks to them

More information about the range finding functions can be found on the main pages for the TA on Swarovski’s site
There’s also a set of explanatory videos at: https://myservice.swarovskioptik.co...CVhWAM/el-range?language=en_US&tabset-26764=2

- - - -
Original EL Range Optics

To the best of my knowledge, the original EL Range has:
• An objective of 4 lenses in 3 groups, in a 1, 2, 1 configuration (a single lens followed by a doublet and then a single focusing lens), and
• An eyepiece of 4 lenses in 3 groups, again in a 1, 2, 1 configuration

As the above information is from Swarovski’s patent application, it must be considered with some caution, as the optics may have been later modified
See all the details in post #11 at: https://www.birdforum.net/threads/pre-swarovision-el-vs-slc-hd.375673/

However, in relation to the objective, the same pattern - though not necessarily the exact same lenses - is shared by: the EL SV of 2009;
the new SLC of 2010, and; the NL of 2020 (previously the x42 and larger models used 3 lenses: an achromat plus a single focusing lens)


No HD Glass
Notwithstanding claims to the contrary, the original EL Range didn’t have HD glass
Swarovski states at the start of a training document on the EL Range:
‘Based on the EL (non-SWAROVISION) platform with improved optical properties over the previous EL models. Therefore, the EL Range does not have HD objective lenses, nor does it have Field Flattener Lens Technology found in EL SWAROVISION series’


Image Brightness and Transmission
One of the most notable aspects of the EL Range's optical performance is the listed transmission of 91%, which would be considered good
even for a non-RF binocular

However even more remarkable compared to it's contemporary RF alternatives, is both:
• The evenness of transmission within each barrel, and
• The consistency of transmission between the two barrels
See an image of the 8x42’s performance from Gijs at: https://www.birdforum.net/threads/loss-of-brightness-with-8x42-rf-ht.379668/
The performance is much as would be expected from a quality non-RF binocular
(and also see the above link for information and graphs on the performance of other RF binoculars)

The EL Range's performance seems to be primarily due to the way that the RF technology was integrated into the binocular:
by avoiding the use of a beam splitter, and; containing much of the RF mechanism underneath the main barrels
See some images of the RF mechanism by Jan in post #8 at:
https://www.birdforum.net/threads/leica-geovid-hb-b-8x42-an-independent-comparative-review.279895/

 

[John A Roberts]

EL Range TA Optics

Swarovski states that it’s applied Swarovision technology to the TA, see the image from the brochure
It specifically indicates both a wider field of view and the use of field flattener lenses

The FOV of both models has increased, with the change to the 10x42 being more significant:
• the 8x42 from 137 to 140 m
• the 10x42 from 110 to 120 m

And the 10x42 has also benefited by an increase in eye relief from 17.3 to 19 mm. In contrast, the 8x42’s has nominally decreased from 19.2 to 19 mm
See the details in the specification sheets for the TA and FP versions


Objective?
It would be reasonable to assume that the TA has the same pattern objective as the one that's both used on it's predecessor,
and also on the current EL and NL


HD Glass?
Swarovski does not specifically mention the use of HD glass in the TA, so it can’t be assumed that it is now used
Either further information from Swarovski, or alternatively field testing (especially of the 10x42), should clarify this

It seems that until recently there were technical difficulties in combing HD glass with a projected laser beam
However, the 2nd generation Zeiss RF binocular introduced in 2018 does use both FL glass and an internal laser projector
(in contrast, while Leica uses HD glass on some of it’s 2nd gen and all of it’s 3rd gen RF binoculars, they all use externally mounted lasers)


Eyepiece?
The implication of a flat field of view is a more complex eyepiece than previously used. And the 1% loss in transmission to 90%,
would be consistent with this (and for what it’s worth the transmission of the EL Field Pro is 90% vs the NL’s 91%)
However, whether the eyepiece is the same pattern as used on the EL and NL is unknown


Evenness and Consistency of Transmission?
The RF components in the TA appear to be in the same physical location as in the original version
So presumedly the transmission performance will also be of a similar even and consistent standard as the original
Hopefully Gijs will soon be able to test a unit to verify the performance

 

[John A Roberts]

FRR Forehead Rest

Like the dedicated FRP forehead rest for NL, the EL Range TA can be fitted with a forehead rest, the FRR
Fitting the rest requires first removing the battery compartment cover at the rear of the focus knob
See some images


John

 

[John A Roberts]

The increase to the FOV of the both the EL Range TA models raises some interesting comparisons:
( NL 8x42 and 10x42: 159 m and 133 m, and close focus of 2 m)

• TA 8x42 and 10x42: 140 m and 120 m

• EL 8.5x42 and 10x42: 133 m and 112 m

• SLC 8x42 and 10x42: 136 m and 110 m


Though perhaps balancing out the above:
• The TA’s minimum focus is only 5 m

• The EL Legends focus to 3.3 m (though the recently discontinued previous version focuses to 1.5 m),
and the greater magnification of the 8.5x version needs to factored in

• The SLC’s focus to 3.2 m but have just been discontinued (though to be revived by Kahles),
and they're not a flat field design - a positive or negative depending on one’s preference


Perhaps the EL Range TA confirms a new standard for Swarovski binoculars that started with the introduction of the NL x42,
and the discontinuation of the SLC x42: both wider fields of view and flat fields of view for all?


John

 

[dwever]

The lack of compatibility with the Kestrel Elite is going to hobble marketing for the new Range. Leica still is the leader.

Leica's 2020 3200 RF Geovid does not compete favorably optically in my experience with the 2018/19 Zeiss RF, both I've had the chance to use (but the Kestrel blue toothed in I have not). Also present this September was a previous generation EL Range (rented through checkoutside.com) and things in the big three have come a long way since then. Also compared the latest Geovid to a pair of NVD's. The NVD's optically were better not surprisingly. The Leica Geovid particularly seem to be dimmer in spite of a "greater than 90% transmission" claim in their press release. The new EL Range TA I have never seen let alone used.

Do I want the Kestrel values blue-toothed inside the bins? Ok, that's potentially cool, but I don't need it, especially in gusts where above my head might be different than 600 yards down range.

Is the Kestrel capability a big enough feature to shift significant market to Leica? Not likely. I have to have two things done really well in an RF Bin, - alpha class optics and a quick and accurate holdover value in MRAD. At any rate, I'm considering leaving the RF bins at home entirely this year in favor of the 8X42 NL Pure's FOV and clarity mated with the just released dS Gen. II 5-25x52 P.

Below: September 2020 Flying in to Collinsville, AK for a wet week. Six wheelers for ground transportation. The largest beaver dam any of us had ever seen.

Alaskans say, "There's no such thing as bad weather; just bad gear." Have a great weekend everybody!

 

[sillyak]

12.2 oz and around 50% larger than the old pockets. I wish they had the same form factor as the old 8x20 BN, but with the most current glass and coatings.

 

[ticl2184]

12.2 oz and around 50% larger than the old pockets. I wish they had the same form factor as the old 8x20 BN, but with the most current glass and coatings.

Do you mean the CL pockets ?

Cheers
Tim

 

[dwever]

Are the EL Range available anywhere at the moment?

 

[jan van daalen]

Are the EL Range available anywhere at the moment?

Yes, but you have to fly to a little shop in The Netherlands

Jan

 

[sillyak]

Do you mean the CL pockets ?

Cheers
Tim

I was comparing the CL pockets to the old 8x20 B binoculars that were discontinued around 2015 or so.

The old Swarovski pockets weighed 7.6 ounces and were way smaller than the CL Pockets.

 

[bkdc]

Alaskans say, "There's no such thing as bad weather; just bad gear." Have a great weekend

I thought it was the Swedes who say there’s no such thing as weather too cold. Only inadequate clothing.

Anyone who wants 8 ounce binocs have the option of the Leica 8x20 ultravids. Amazing optics in a tiny package.

 

[Alvin01]

Are the EL Range available anywhere at the moment?

Swarovski EL Range 10x42 Rangefinding Binoculars w/Tracking Assistant 72010 shown in stock at EuroOptics, 8X42 on back order​

 

[dwever]

Are the EL Range available anywhere at the moment?

The 10X42 EL Range TA are now in stock at Midway USA with same day shipping; my choice, the 8X42’s, still waiting.

 

[jan van daalen]

The 10X42 EL Range TA are now in stock at Midway USA with same day shipping; my choice, the 8X42’s, still waiting.

Like I said, you've gotto come to the delta of Northern Europe, The Netherlands.

 

[ticl2184]

The 10X42 EL Range TA are now in stock at Midway USA with same day shipping; my choice, the 8X42’s, still waiting.

Love to get my hands on a pair just to test them out...
Ultimately a bit to heavy for me though at 995 grams plus I've just bought a pair of Swarovski 8x30 rangefinders.

Cheers
Tim

 

[quincy88]

Great photos, Dwever. Thanks for sharing. That's a great moose.
I think both the CLs and the Ranges look like an improvement in aesthetics over the current models. That target tracking thing sounds like it could be a big deal if its done well. And I also like that they put the ranging button on the right hand side.