I recently bought the new cl. I compared them in all the sceneries I could replicate, low light, rain; bright short and long.
My current small on the the go bino is the swar 8x30 slc neu. Side note, I have compared them to most other 8x30/32 binos and few, at the time, beat them. Zeiss victory fl and swar el of course. These beat conquest and my beloved meopta. These blew away the orginal cl for certain. This older unit always had great clarity and resolution near to the edges.
The new cl is something special for sure! Resolution looked similar until I looked past 400 yards and the cl beat them. They are slightly but noticeably brighter under all light conditions. The coloring is el like not tinted, natural - they way my old slc neu are. Basically equal to better optically depending on who's looking. The fov is so improved to 396 from 372, and my slc are 405.
Cl is over 3 oz lighter. It has a bigger eye relief and more forgiving eye box for eye glass wearer it is much better like I am.
The one thing I was surprised, the barrels are almost too small for holding while glassing. I'd get used to it for sure but weird feeling. Like the larger feel. On the other hand carting at your side, I like the single hinge.
I took them back within the 30 days cabelas policy. When I sell my beloved slc 8x30 I will be buying these. Not cause they are superior, I think slightly better optically but so much easier for an eye glass wearer.
John