School me on Swarovski CL Companion

[AK4570]

As the title says, school me... 10x30 preference but would love to hear about the 8's as well.

Pros, cons, "don't do it man", whatever you've got...

Thanks,
John

 

[AK4570]

Huh, just realized that was my first post...

Well...

Hi!

 

[Brightwhite]

I've had the same questions. For me I have been thinking of an 8x pair for hunting in areas where I hunt the timber most of the hunt, or don't do a lot of glassing. Looking forward to everyone's replies.

 

[Trial153]

I don't mind the 8x30 at all, especially in cover. The 10x30 however are bit dim for me at first and last light. This held true for not only the CL but across the board with 30 and 32 mm binos I have tried

 

[duckpopper]

I've been highly impressed with the little 8x30 CL campanion compared to my main pair of SLC 8x42 HDs. They are extremely bright and sharp throughout the field of view and really give up little to their larger brethren. I bought the CLs for my wife to use as her main pair while archery elk and rifle deer hunting because of her small hands. As it happens I found the little CL actually fits my larger hands really well and you can hold them one handed without strain or fatigue. The field of view is smaller between the two 372 feet for the CL vs 408 feet for the SLC), but you really don't notice it much when in use. Just my 2 pennies

Also, the weight difference is huge! 17 ounces for the CL vs 28.5 ounces for my SLCs. A pair for me will be on order soon!

 

[Lawnboi]

Iv got the 8x30's. I know there's better glass out there, but I like the small size and ergonomics.

I did not even consider the 10x30.

My dream Bino is 8x32 el sv, but my budget did not allow that. The cl's should fair me for quite a while.

 

[Ryan Avery]

Swarovski 8x30 CL Review, by James Petker - Rok Blog

 

[AK4570]

Thanks, Ryan. That's exactly the kind of info I was after.

Have a great evening, all, and thanks again to everyone that chimed in.

John

 

[stephen b]

IMO- the CL is good (and 8x in a 30mm sized glass would be my choice). But, and here is where my opinion comes in- if you can pick up a recent model 8x30 Swaro SLC ( now discontinued), it is a better binocular than the CL. This is not only my opinion, but shared by many that have tested both. I compared the 2 extensively, and I would pick the 8x30 SLC with out hesitation.

Good news is you can usually pick up the SLC used for less than the new CL; and still have Swarovski's fantastic warranty.

 

[Capra]

I have the 8X30 CL

Didn't really research all of the options in the category just went with them.

I think they are great for close quarters or thick country, the glass is clear.

I wondered about the 8X32 El but its tough to justify double the cost for a glass that I'm using in a treestand.

I would buy them again without hesitation.