Swarovski - I hope this is a fluke!

[Elkowalic]

So I ordered a Swarovski Atx with 65mm objective from Doug at cameraland.
Doug was great and gave me a good deal. I looked around a lot and found other deals, but something important to note is Swarovski’s warranty specifically says “for products purchased by US and Canadian residents from an authorized SWAROVSKI OPTIK North American dealer.” And keep your receipt to prove it.
So if you buy from an unauthorized dealer say on eBay, or from outside the US, Swarovski doesn’t technically have to cover it.

When I received my order yesterday I was shocked to find an imperfection in the glass, internally on the mating end of the objective. There were 2 marks that look like coating smears or laminate imperfections. Also, but probably not a big deal one small speck on the internal glass of the mating end of the eye piece. None of these could be removed with the included Swarovski cloth.
I set it up and tried to compare to my old Razor 20-60x85 and felt disappointed that I couldn’t see a bigger optical difference in the 2. Of course just looking at a distant hillside from my deck was a very limited comparison. Also the imperfections certainly could be affecting the image.

Waiting to hear from a customer service guy at cameraland on Monday after he talks to the Swarovski rep.
He was shocked and did say that he doesn’t even have a protocol for this situation because it pretty much never happens.
I sure hope when I get this sorted out that the Swarovski makes me want to trash the razor.

 

[MidGAHunter]

Sorry to hear that, definitely not something you'd expect for spending that much coin. I'm certain that Cameraland and /or Swaro will get you taken care of.

 

[gledeasy]

They'll take care of you.

I'll also say, give it time before feeling like it wasn't a step up in glass quality. I've personally always felt like it's harder to see a step up on initial impressions than a step down. Once your eyes get use to using a Swaro on a regular basis you'll have a hard time wanting to use the razor again.

 

[Elkowalic]

They'll take care of you.

I'll also say, give it time before feeling like it wasn't a step up in glass quality. I've personally always felt like it's harder to see a step up on initial impressions than a step down. Once your eyes get use to using a Swaro on a regular basis you'll have a hard time wanting to use the razor again.

Thanks for the input. I want to love it and I’m sure I will. I am excited about the angled. The razor was my first spotter and it is straight. I get such a kink in my neck after a little while. I noticed with the little alignment grooves on the sunshade it was really easy to acquire my target with the atx, and ergonomically it should save my neck.

 

[alpinemule08]

I have been 100% vortex until this past week whenI found an awesome deal on some new 10x42 slc on craigslist. I had no receipt, no box, no nothing. I registered my slc binos on swaros website and called the next day to verify my registry. Im free and clear as far as that goes so Im sure youll be as well. And as for glass quality, im selling all of my vortex and stepping up. I have minimal cash, but after looking through swarovski, it is not in the same class.

 

[Elkowalic]

I have been 100% vortex until this past week whenI found an awesome deal on some new 10x42 slc on craigslist. I had no receipt, no box, no nothing. I registered my slc binos on swaros website and called the next day to verify my registry. Im free and clear as far as that goes so Im sure youll be as well. And as for glass quality, im selling all of my vortex and stepping up. I have minimal cash, but after looking through swarovski, it is not in the same class.

Glad to know that they will cover you.
Cameraland is an authorized dealer so I should be ok anyway. I did get to compare my Buddy’s ATS 20-60x65 to my Razor in the field and I had no doubt that his was better. Hopefully, when I get to compare my atx to his ats, I will see just as clearly that the atx is better.

 

[pods8 (Rugged Stitching)]

I received a new pair of SLC 15x56 that had a smudge on the inner side of the objective lens, I took them back to the store and swapped for a clean pair. Sure swaro would cover it but I am not wasting my time on a brand new purchase with a service cycle, the store can deal with that.

 

[Elkowalic]

Good point. Maybe

I received a new pair of SLC 15x56 that had a smudge on the inner side of the objective lens, I took them back to the store and swapped for a clean pair. Sure swaro would cover it but I am not wasting my time on a brand new purchase with a service cycle, the store can deal with that.

Good point. Since I ordered out of state maybe I just return and order another.

 

[gr8fuldoug]

Just a follow up.

Swaro has sent a pick up tag in order to expedite this and get everything corrected. As soon as we got Swaro notified about this they immediately contacted the OP and took care of things.

 

[hammerguy]

Just a follow up.

Swaro has sent a pick up tag in order to expedite this and get everything corrected. As soon as we got Swaro notified about this they immediately contacted the OP and took care of things.

What do you think expected turn around time should be?

 

[gr8fuldoug]

What do you think expected turn around time should be?

Swaro sent an Air pick up tag for it so they should have it back in a day after the op sends it and they'll flip it right around

 

[BRTreedogs]

In the middle of summer broad daylight most optics compare closely.
Wait till poor weather or close to dark. That's where the difference is made.

 

[Elkowalic]

I guess I should say that my post title was more of a Rhetorical statement. Of course, I am certain, it was a fluke. This is my first Swarovski glass, but I know they have an impeccable reputation for quality and service. As it worked out this issue isn’t causing me any big problems time wise.
Also in fairness if you look from the wrong angle you probably wouldn’t even see the imperfections.
Like I said Doug was great. I feel like Cameraland and Swarovski have given immediate and appropriate attention to the issue. No big deal. Sometimes crap happens. I give Cameraland and Swarovski an A for service!
As far as the comparison to my Razor, I know with more time to compare it will blow the Razor out of the water. My friends ATS 20-60x65 was clearly in a different class next to the Razor so I’m sure the ATX will be that much better.

 

[tranathi]

Swarovski has one of the best customer service & warranty out there. Glad to hear you're already being taken care of. I have an EL rangefinder and STX spotting scope from Swarovski. These are top-notch equipment.

 

[thanks4thefish42]

Swaro service is incredible. I now own 4 used Swaro optics including a 25 year old AT 80 scope. I got the scope from a friend and it started to rattle with a long screw inside loose. Back within a week like new no charge. Just grabbed a 10x42 EL on ebay and was sent new eye turrets gratis,
The service is just amazing but best if you call. Ive been dealing with David there. Vortex service has also been awesome.

 

[kiddogy]

only issue I ever had with SLCs was the eyecups wore out . swarov replaced them with only a phone call and it only took a few days for them to show up.

elkowalic .. look through the swarovs and razor in low light conditions . I suspect you will notice a world of difference. that's where swarovs shine.

 

[thanks4thefish42]

In the middle of summer broad daylight most optics compare closely.
Wait till poor weather or close to dark. That's where the difference is made.

I now have 3 versions of the EL Swarovision glasses. I've read that the SLC versions actually work better in shadows and are for hunters and the SV are for birders and better details?

For darkness I have a pair of Fujinon Polaris 7x50's that have 95% light transmission that are amazing on dark nights to see stuff out at sea. Much to heavy for hunting at 3.5 lbs but the views are on a par with the Swarvoskis. Not usually found off of large ships for some reason. Those and my Vortex are at the shops getting repairs. For simple objects binoculars seem to break a lot. Makes Swarovski a good choice. Yep I'm becoming a big fan of them.

 

[fatrascal]

As an example, go to Walmart and look at the televisions on display. You can't see much difference from one TV to the next but when you take the better TV home and watch it for 3 months and then you go back to Walmart and look at the other TV's. Now you can see the difference. Your eyes get accustomed to quality and you see the flaws in a lesser quality easier as time goes by. Same with spotters. You could put a $500.00 dollar spotter next to your swarovski spotter in broad daylight and you wont see the difference. But use it for awhile and make a new comparison later and you will see it. I've had several people tell me that they couldn't see a difference between my swaro's and their Bushnells or Vortex etc. But after hunting with me for a few days they see it. I'm not putting Bushnell and Vortex down by any means because they have their place and treat many people good including myself before I made the upgrade. But there is truley a difference.
Swarovski warranty. I once rolled my backpack accidentally down a mountain and when I got to it I pulled out my spotter and the Ocular (big end) lens was oblong instead of round and the eyepiece wobbled. Sent it to Swarovski planning on paying for repairs since it was my fault which I made sure they knew. They repaired it and sent it back for free. I was pretty happy about it to say the least. Fatrascal.