YOUR PASSION FOR BIRDING AND WILDLIFE WATCHING TAKES YOU INTO ROUGH TERRAIN, REMOTE AREAS, AND DIFFERENT COUNTRIES. EVERY OUNCE LESS IN YOUR BACKPACK CAN MAKE A HUGE DIFFERENCE IN COMFORT ON SHORT OR LONG TOURS. COMPACT, LIGHTWEIGHT, AND POWERFUL LONG-RANGE OPTICS OPEN UP GREATER FREEDOM TO ENJOY YOUR ADVENTURES. PRODUCT MANAGER SANDRA SCHWENINGER AND TARGET GROUP MANAGER BIRDING & OUTDOOR GÜNTHER KLONNER TALK ABOUT CHALLENGES IN DEVELOPMENT.
Cars, televisions, and smartphones are all increasing in size, but optics are bucking the trend. In the great outdoors, other requirements simply take precedence. Sandra Schweninger, Product Manager with SWAROVSKI OPTIK, explains: “We’re not seeing any great demand for increasingly large products. But we are noticing a trend for more powerful optics.”
"For the past few years, we've seen a strong trend towards spending more time in nature. Birding and wildlife watching are equally on the rise. The Covid pandemic has accelerated the desire to be outdoors even more. People are looking for recreation and seeking balance in nature. Premium binoculars and spotting scopes allow you to make the most of your outdoor experiences." - Günther Klonner, Target Group Manager Birding & Outdoor at SWAROVSKI OPTIK
A GREAT ACHIEVEMENT
Wildlife enthusiasts often carry a lot of equipment with them, such as backpacks and cameras. Thus, weight really matters – especially on extended tours or when traveling. Lightweight and compact optical equipment is therefore very much appreciated. Demand for ultra-compact optics poses huge challenges for SWAROVSKI OPTIK’s product developers. Packing high performance into a compact product calls for herculean efforts from optics experts and designers. “This is particularly true for products such as the CL Curio, when we were tasked with developing a device you could slip into a chest pocket. In this case, the portability of the product was almost the main challenge,” comments Sandra Schweninger.
It is important to remember limits imposed by physics. “If we were to produce binoculars with an objective lens diameter of half an inch, at typical magnification, they would have an extremely small exit pupil. The light intensity would also be impaired,” explains Schweninger. She adds that weight savings are partially achieved through raw materials, such as magnesium, aluminum, or titanium. “Of course, the optics are still made from glass, and this is the biggest weight factor in our products.”
All this makes the weight and dimensions of the ATC/STC compact spotting scope even more impressive. At just 970 grams (34.2 ounces) and 258 millimeters (10.2 inches) long, it is an indisputably powerful yet compact companion.
For many years now, the binoculars of the CL family (CL stands for Compact & Light) have been prime examples of great optical performance, packed in an extremely small size. "These binoculars are perfectly adapted to the needs of wildlife watchers. They are handy, foldable and offer the greatest viewing comfort" says Günther Klonner. If you are looking for the highest quality we offer in terms of wildlife watching make sure to check out our NL Pure 32. These compact binoculars offer even more intense nature experiences.
ONE FOR EVERYWHERE
Groundbreaking optical performance – packed into the smallest possible package: the NL Pure 32 accompanies you wherever you may go for unprecedented viewing experiences. The largest-ever field of view with almost indiscernible edges allows you to experience nature as never before.
THE FREEDOM TO EXPERIENCE MORE
Are you looking for an unassuming companion for a driven hunt that won’t get in the way when you’re shooting and is always close at hand?
The CL Companion is ideal for watching deer on a hunt and for spotting hidden details on the antlers.
ADVENTURE AWAITS
The ATC/STC impresses with spectacular depth of color and razor-sharp images.
Thought out in the minutest detail, the compact spotting scope impresses with its intuitive operation. The practical half shell allows easier positioning on a surface and unobstructed turning of the focusing and zoom wheels
EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED
Das CL Curio ist das leichteste und kompakteste Fernglas im SWAROVSKI OPTIK Sortiment. Es lässt sich in jeder Jackentasche verstauen. Entworfen vom Designer Marc Newson besticht dieses Fernglas durch besonderes Design und klare Formensprache.