Bought Swarovski Binos!!!

Family Man (Guest) · Sep 9, 2003

Went last night and bought the Swarovski 10x42 SLC. It was a long decision in the making. As I have said before, I bought a set of Zeiss 10x40 ClassiC from Cabelas for comparison. If the Swarovski were no better in a side by side comparison I planned to stick with the Zeiss.

I took the Zeiss ClassiCs with me to the store and stood outside between sunset and dusk with the ClassiCs, SLCs, and the Swarovski ELs. Tried all three on various targets stacked on top of each other until it was too dark to see. In the end the SLC won out for the following reasons:

I did not have to change the focus setting when shifting from a mid-distance view to a long-distance view (this was not true of the ClassiC).

The SLC was a tad brighter to me in the low light conditions.

The SLC was, to me, clearer than the EL (I know, go figure).

I liked the fact that the Swarovskis had a locking diopeter (sp?) adjustment and softer eye cups (additional) which the Zeiss did not.

In the end I was just more comfortable with the Swarovski for a once-in-a-lifetime bino purchase. Someone else might have done all the same things I did and decided on something else. That's fine too.

The most important lesson is that you have to try the glass yourself. To me the ELs were noticably less bright and clear than the SLCs. This makes no sence from a technical standpoint, but to my eyes that is the way it is.

Now I look forward to years of using these exceptional binoculars knowing that they are the best possible purchase for me.

Raptor (Guest) · Sep 9, 2003

Family Man,
I have the same pair and am very pleased with them. Get yourself a lens pen and a can of compressed air (the computer duster stuff) to keep your binos clean and dust free.
-Raptor

Foreman4x4 · Sep 9, 2003

Good deal FamilyMan. Glad you were able to get what you wanted. You really can't go wrong if you stick with Leica, Zeiss or Swarovski. Those SLC's should provide a lifetime of service. Mind if I ask where you ended up buying and what kind of price you found?

Bura Nut · Sep 9, 2003

Family man, I am happy you found a pair of upper end bino's that fit your specific needs. I have the 10's and 15's and am partial to Swarovski because they fit me well in all the catagories you mentioned. You will be happy you did it........., Allen Taylor......

cowboye · Sep 9, 2003

I concur what BuraNut said, the only problem is I gave the ones I won to my father......Which in my opinion was a well deserved moved, the least I could do for all that he has taugh me along the way.....Now I just gotta gets some for myself!...Dwayne

Foreman4x4 · Sep 9, 2003

Cowboye, you giving those Swarovski's you won to your dad was simply awesome! You know the old saying, "Good things come to those who wait". I'll bet you're rewarded ten fold for being so generous. The best part is, every time your dad uses them, he'll not only have the benefit of a top quality product, but he'll be reminded of a special person, who cares about him a great deal.

FamilyMan, prepare to be spoiled. Someone said it best on another board when they wrote, "no one ever uses a top quality bino and says what's all the fuss?".

huntsonora · Sep 9, 2003

Congrats on the Swarovskis, they are my favorites but again its all personal preference. As for the lens pen mentioned in a previous post, do not use that on those binos. They are horrible for the finish, they will trap dust and particles and just destroy your lenses. You might think you have all of the dust off but if you dont you are up the creek. I would get the duster,compressed air, that was mentioned and use lens paper and a non abrasive Swarovski approved cleaner and be extremely gentle. Congrats on your great purchase and way to do your homework.

Drummond

Family Man (Guest) · Sep 10, 2003

Huntsonora,

Thanks for the advice on lens cleaning. Glad you said something because I had been planning to get one of those Leopold pens to use on the lenses. Can you explain more what your objection to them is?

When you recommend "use lens paper and a non abrasive Swarovski approved cleaner and be extremely gentle", were you referring to those palm size squirt bottles you can get at eyeglass stores?

Thanks for the help.

Mark

Family Man (Guest) · Sep 10, 2003

Found the Swarovski 10x42 SLC at two stores here in town (Missoula), Sportsman's Warehouse and Bob Ward and Sons. Decided to get them at Bob Wards because they were $10 cheaper (what the heck, ten bucks is ten bucks) and because they were kind enough to let me use them outdoors for better than 45 minutes while I was in the decision making stage.

When I went in to make the purchase I was disappointed to find out that they only had two in stock, a black pair on the shelf, and a green pair in the display case. I had my heart set on the green and let them know that I was a little concerned about buying the display model. After some discussion, they offered to take $50 off the price and assured me that these binos don't get handled all that much by customers (other then me). After some consternation I decided to take them. After the price reduction they came in at $1,009 (no sales tax here). It will be a long time before I spend that kind of money on myself again.

I am still just a little bit on edge about buying the display model. Anyone want to offer some encouragement and tell me I have nothing to worry about??????? (I studied the lenses extensively and they are clear of any visible marks.)

The only thing I wish is that the SLCs were as light and comfortable as the Zeiss ClassiC. Those Zeiss felt great in the hand.

Mark

Bura Nut · Sep 10, 2003

Mark, you have the same warranty etc.....and saved 50.00 so dont worry. Huntsonora: I have been using the lenspen and will throw it away, tell me what solution you use and I will go with it. I started using the lenspen because a Swarovski dealer told me it was good. I dont want to screw up the glass.....thanks...... Allen Taylor......

kilowatt · Sep 10, 2003

I am/was using the lenspen too along with the compressed air to clean the lens as well as Lens Cleaning tissues bought thru COSTCO as these small tissue have alcohol in them. Been using them on eyeglasses for some time.
Just found my owners booklet and here is what it say and it is not much.
Use their special cloth made from micro-fibres. Keep the cloth clean, if it gets dirty, it can be washed in luke-warm soapy water and air-dried.
Cleaning: When cleaning the lenses, first remove larger particles with an " optical lens brush. For the thorough cleaning they recommend breathing onto the lens surface to form a coat of condensation and then cleaning it with a soft, moist cloth. Guess this would be the cloth that came with bino's.

The Leupold Lenspen has the lens brush on one end, but the other is the flat circular coated disc so wonder what is on that surface?

I do remember last year that there was a very long post on this subject but it would be gone now out of the files I'm sure.

Brian

kilowatt · Sep 10, 2003

Here is the reply I just got back from Sandy Brewer at Swarovski concerning cleaning Swarovski glass on Bino's & SpottingScopes.
1) Can you use a Leupold Lens pen on the glass? NO!!! The repair dept has seen a lot of damage to the outer coatings from these pens.
2) Can you use a product that is made for eyeglass wearers to clean their glasses, such as a small Alcohol cloth sold in stores? We don't recommend it because alcohol is much too harsh of a chemical and may ruin the coatings on the lens.
3) Is it ok to use compressed air in a can? Yes! This is safe to use.

I would recommend you use a good eye glass cleaning solution. The chamois that we include with the product is also perfect for drying the lens and cleaning once the dust is removed. (Lens cleaning tissues really aren't recommended either.)
If you need another chamois let me know and I'll send one to you.

Sandy

Bura Nut · Sep 10, 2003

KWH: are we supposed to use any chemical like alcohol or should we just brush or blow off the lenses and then wipe with their cloth? I want to do what is right and correct........ Thanks, Allen Taylor......

kilowatt · Sep 10, 2003

LAST EDITED ON Sep-10-03 AT 11:32PM (MST)[p]Allan,
Don't know if you read the above post I made earlier as the lady answered the questions that I put before her.
DO NOT USE ALCOHOL. She said to use a lens solution I guess from a camera store. Read her last paragraph in the above statement and if you don't have a chamois(sp)send her an e-mail at [email protected] and ask her for one, just tell her that yours is not that good anymore. The owners booklet says how to wash them when they get dirty.

I will be changing the way I clean my optics from now on according to what she said.

Brian

Family Man (Guest) · Sep 11, 2003

Thanks Kilowatt for the timely information.

Compressed air cans are bulky and noisey, not the kind of thing you are likely to use in the field. But it is in the field that you are likely to get the most dust and other crud on your lenses. So, what do you do then to ensure that you have all the dust removed before cleaning with the solution/chamois?

Any thoughts???

Also, and I am not doubting what Sandy said here, but it seems strange that a reputable company like Leupold is marketing a product for cleaning lenses that might actually damage the lenses.

Mark

crazyaboutcoues · Sep 11, 2003

The process I use to clean my Ziess and Swarovsi's is compessed air to get the dust particals out and use a leopold pen over the Swarovski cloth and gently clean the lens. I looked to see if there was any scratches on the lens and there isn't any that I can tell. Can you mess a up the lens and not be able to see it?

kilowatt · Sep 11, 2003

I am going to e-mail the store where I purchased my Swarovski Spotting scope earlier this year and ask them what they suggest and also the how procedure on cleaning and see what he tells me. Hopefully I will get a reply today or tomorrow back from them and I will post it here later.

Brian

crazyaboutcoues · Sep 11, 2003

Thanks Kilowatt

huntsonora · Sep 11, 2003

Well, I am a little late responding to this but Kilowatt nailed it. You can buy a lens solution from eyeglass stores. The thing I use instead of compressed air is a small round brush, if you squeeze it air is forced out and works well on fine dust. I keep it in a ziplock bag to keep it clean. Have a good one,

Drummond

kilowatt · Sep 11, 2003

Here is the response I got back from the dealer I bought my optics from.

Typically camera lens cleaners are suitable for binoculars and spotting scope lenses. LOOK for fluid and tissue recommended for Multi-Coated optics.

Drum, where and what kind of brush do you use that has air come out when you squeeze it? Is this from a camera shop?

Will check out the best shop tomorrow and see what they have locally here.

Brian

Family Man (Guest) · Sep 11, 2003

I emailed Leupold and told them of the concern in using their Lens Pen and Swarovski's advice not to use it. This is what they emailed back to me:

Mark,
It's critical to get all the dust off the lens before using the pad of the Lens Pen. If dust remains on the lens, it is possible to cause scratches. The Lens Pen contains a brush for that purpose.

Another option for lens cleaning is acetone. It should be applied with a cotton swab. The advantage of acetone is in its evaporation. You don't need to dry the lenses because it evaporates as you apply it. This is a very effective lens cleaner.

I don't know of any reason why Swarovski lenses would be any more likely to scratch. From what we've seen, their coatings are excellent.

Garth

Leupold Customer Service
Product Specialist Group
Phone (503) 526-1400

huntsonora · Sep 11, 2003

LAST EDITED ON Sep-11-03 AT 05:02PM (MST)[p]This is what the brush I am talking about looks like:

I will put it in a baggie to keep it clean. I use the solution and the cleaning chamois that comes with the binoculars. I apply the solution and very gently wipe off.

Drummond

Foreman4x4 · Sep 11, 2003

FamilyMan, well I did it. I sold my Leica's and went a head and ordered the Nikon Venturer's. They should be here Monday. I sold my Leica's for $100.00 more than I paid for them, so I came out pretty good. I found 10x42 Nikon Venturer's with a full USA warranty online out of one of the New York camera shops for $799.89. I called BearBasin Outfitter's and they matched their price so I ordered through them. The Leica's are great glass, but I never cared one bit for their fit and feel. The salesman at BearBasin said he believes the Nikons are just a tad bit clearer than a comporable Leica. The one drawback to the Nikons is definately their weight.

D13er · Sep 11, 2003

I've had my 10x42 slc's for ten years and they have been abused for ten years. They ride in my truck 365 days a year and I clean the lenses like an idiot, with my shirt tail. Swarovski's warranty is unbeatable. They will clean them and replace the eyepieces and rubber armor for free and will replace all 4 lenses for $100. I had the old style diopter adjustment that didn't lock and they updated that for free also. They have been dropped, drug, thrown and gone swimming and they have never failed.

JB

Family Man (Guest) · Sep 12, 2003

Well Foreman, I hope that one day you will find "bino happiness". Just kidding. Congrats on the new purchase.

I know what you mean about the light weight and good feel you are looking for. That was the one area where I thought the Zeiss ClassiCs were head and shoulders above the rest.

Mark

Family Man (Guest) · Sep 12, 2003

Was looking in my binocular box last night and found an order form for Swarovski accessories. One of the things listed was a Swarovski Lens Cleaning Kit. The description was as follows:

"Kit includes cleaning fluid, retractable camel hair brush, and premium quality lens cleaning paper. (SONA recommends this cleaning over repeated chamois cloth use.) #49195 Price $21.95 Shipping Code B"

This seems to be the thing to use if Swarovski is selling it. From the picture the lens solution bottle and retractable brush are both compact size so should be easy to carry around (in a ziplock as Drumond recommended).

Shipping Code B means it will cost you $5 shipping. Phone number to order is 800-426-3089.

Thanks everyone for all your help.

Mark

Raptor (Guest) · Sep 12, 2003

When cleaning mine, I use the brush on the lens pen first and then blow off the smaller particles with the compressed air duster. I'll wipe the lens with the swaro lens cloth as the last step.
-Raptor

cowboye · Sep 12, 2003

Thanks Kilowatt, Huntsonora, and the rest of you guys for all the info on the glass cleaning, etc...I'll be sure to pass all the info on to dad for the care of the Bino's...Dwayne