I've been on the fence about these for over a year now. If I'd have found an in-depth review such as this before now I would have bought them already. Best video on this product by far.
Wholeheartedly agree and endorse the high praise you give these lovely little bins. I’m a spectacles wearer and these work so well with all my different glasses. I agree they’re so stylish and ergonomic. I love that they’re do much lighter and slimmer than, fur example, the Leica UVHD+ which I also tried. The Leicas simply didn’t work for my glasses. However much I fiddled there was always a load of dark curved shadows and I couldn’t get the images from the two barrels to merge into one circle. By comparison the Leicas are heavy, clumsy and rather old fashioned and £500 more expensive! No, I’m so happy to have chosen the Companion CLc and I fell in love with them straight away
Just picked these up today and they are beautifully made with superb optics. Will be taking these on every holiday abroad and trips and walks around the UK from now on.
Totally agree and they are correctly named companion! I use them for Hikes and Trips as well. Ergonomics handle like full size and food print and weight are that of compact binoculars. Glad you like them!
I have the previous version of these and they are optically superb. However I noticed that the focusing wheel is wobbly and imprecise which is inexcusable on these high priced binos. You won't have this problem in Japanese binos.
With these new CL bs have no focus knob slop or wobblyness. In fact, I would say the focusing is superior and smoother than my Monarch HG 8x24s, but not as good as my full size Zeiss Victory SF 8x42s
My Swaro 8x25 are great but these 8x30 are probably a bit better overall.The next step up would be the 8x42. Personally I’d skip the 8x30 and go for the 8x42. If you want compact I’d get the 8x25 or even the 7x21 as they are truly pocketable.
@@redpillnibbler4423 yes. I bought the Zeiss VP 8x25. And save money for a good 8x42 . I tried the Curio also. Loved it. But i think VP 8x25 is a bit better for bird watching. I love my VP 8x25
@@redpillnibbler4423 I am in doubt. The Zeiss Victory SF 8x42 or Zeiss SFL 8x40. (Last one is much less expensive). I want to spot birds and deer also in low light and evenings. What do you recommend?
I have only compared them against the zeiss victory pocket. The Pockets are optically superior but too fiddly to use comfortably. The CLs really handle like a full size pair of binos.
Victory SF 8x42 is optically superior to the Zeiss SFL 8x40. SFL wins on size and price (possibly slightly more neutral colors with the SFL as well). Low light the SF 8x42 will be better than the SFL 8x40 on both accounts of larger objective and better glass of the SF 8x42. If it were me I would take the SF 8x42 or 8x32 over the SFL 8x40 for superior optics. Then you never have to worry about having best optical quality
Gee I hope the adjustments dont ever losen up on you with the way you play with them ! Nice review thanks. What are your thoughts on carrying them in a/the case without the lens covers? With over the years experince I will verify that Swarovski has excellent customer service.
Thanks for watching! I actually never carry the binos without lens covers. I had them off for the video so they would be easier to handle. I fiddled with the adjustments more than usual for demonstration during the video. Nonetheless, glad you enjoyed the video!
Glad you enjoyed it! Hope it Helped! If you are considering theses you may find my other video useful: th-cam.com/video/-1p2rBuywMU/w-d-xo.html I discuss 12 different binoculars and how I ended up with Zeiss SF 8x42 and these Swaro CL B 8X30 binoculars
The 8/30 CL companion is around £1080, while the NL pure 8/32 is around £2240 (UK, June 2024). I have a pair of the 10x32 NL pure, and as good indeed as the CL companion undoubtedly are, they are in a different category when compared side by side with the NL Pure.
if you can get an NL for close to the price of the Companion 8x30 I would hands down go for the NLs. NLs will be bigger. I have the Zeiss SF 8x42 as a full size and the Companion as a compact. The NL 8x32 could be both in one. Sometimes I wonder if I should have got 1 alpha 8x32 for everything.
@@MediaPipeDream how do the monarch hg 42mm compare to other top binos? I haven't tried them. I love a 32mm for carrying for long periods, though a more compact and lighter 42mm would be great.
Are the cheaper 8x33 Kowa Genesis Prominar binoculars better than this Swarovski? I have the 10x33 Kowa Genesis Prominar XDs and images really pop. Hope to upgrade to the NL Pures 10x32s and 12x42 NL Pures with one swappable forehead rest In the near future.
Sorry for the delayed response, seeing this comment now. IMO the monarch HG 42mm did not compare favorably to other top alpha binos (Zeiss SF and Swaro EL). I did a detailed review on the Monarch HG 8x42: th-cam.com/video/mOwbNugybqg/w-d-xo.html . Center sharpness and Chromatic aberration were really the Achilles heel of the Monarch HGs. The weight and form factor, however, are in a class of its own for being a 8X42.
@@MediaPipeDream I totally quit buying Nikon brand after they got out if the scope business and no longer honor their past lifetime warranty. Their binoculars only have a short term limited warranty now.
I've been on the fence about these for over a year now. If I'd have found an in-depth review such as this before now I would have bought them already. Best video on this product by far.
Glad I could help! Totally worth it. Very compact and stands up to the competition. Enjoy!
Just ordered them from my local dealer-with a nice discount.
I may make the unboxing last a whole weekend.
These are awesome. I’ve had mine a month now and I’m in love with them
Wholeheartedly agree and endorse the high praise you give these lovely little bins.
I’m a spectacles wearer and these work so well with all my different glasses. I agree they’re so stylish and ergonomic. I love that they’re do much lighter and slimmer than, fur example, the Leica UVHD+ which I also tried. The Leicas simply didn’t work for my glasses. However much I fiddled there was always a load of dark curved shadows and I couldn’t get the images from the two barrels to merge into one circle. By comparison the Leicas are heavy, clumsy and rather old fashioned and £500 more expensive!
No, I’m so happy to have chosen the Companion CLc and I fell in love with them straight away
I have a pair of the 10x25 CL Companions and am also thinking about these in 10x. They are fantastic binos.
Just picked these up today and they are beautifully made with superb optics. Will be taking these on every holiday abroad and trips and walks around the UK from now on.
Totally agree and they are correctly named companion! I use them for Hikes and Trips as well. Ergonomics handle like full size and food print and weight are that of compact binoculars. Glad you like them!
I have the previous version of these and they are optically superb. However I noticed that the focusing wheel is wobbly and imprecise which is inexcusable on these high priced binos. You won't have this problem in Japanese binos.
With these new CL bs have no focus knob slop or wobblyness. In fact, I would say the focusing is superior and smoother than my Monarch HG 8x24s, but not as good as my full size Zeiss Victory SF 8x42s
Problem solved on the new version. Precise, smooth, no wobble.
Nice bino!
But is that much better than a more compact 8x25? swaro or Zeiss Victory Pocket?
My Swaro 8x25 are great but these 8x30 are probably a bit better overall.The next step up would be the 8x42.
Personally I’d skip the 8x30 and go for the 8x42. If you want compact I’d get the 8x25 or even the 7x21 as they are truly pocketable.
@@redpillnibbler4423 yes. I bought the Zeiss VP 8x25. And save money for a good 8x42 .
I tried the Curio also. Loved it.
But i think VP 8x25 is a bit better for bird watching. I love my VP 8x25
@@redpillnibbler4423
I am in doubt. The Zeiss Victory SF 8x42 or Zeiss SFL 8x40. (Last one is much less expensive). I want to spot birds and deer also in low light and evenings. What do you recommend?
I have only compared them against the zeiss victory pocket. The Pockets are optically superior but too fiddly to use comfortably. The CLs really handle like a full size pair of binos.
Victory SF 8x42 is optically superior to the Zeiss SFL 8x40. SFL wins on size and price (possibly slightly more neutral colors with the SFL as well). Low light the SF 8x42 will be better than the SFL 8x40 on both accounts of larger objective and better glass of the SF 8x42. If it were me I would take the SF 8x42 or 8x32 over the SFL 8x40 for superior optics. Then you never have to worry about having best optical quality
Gee I hope the adjustments dont ever losen up on you with the way you play with them ! Nice review thanks. What are your thoughts on carrying them in a/the case without the lens covers? With over the years experince I will verify that Swarovski has excellent customer service.
Thanks for watching! I actually never carry the binos without lens covers. I had them off for the video so they would be easier to handle. I fiddled with the adjustments more than usual for demonstration during the video. Nonetheless, glad you enjoyed the video!
Great video
Glad you enjoyed it! Hope it Helped!
If you are considering theses you may find my other video useful: th-cam.com/video/-1p2rBuywMU/w-d-xo.html
I discuss 12 different binoculars and how I ended up with Zeiss SF 8x42 and these Swaro CL B 8X30 binoculars
Companion 8x30 is only slightly cheaper than NL pure 8x32. Is it more worthwhile to get NL pure in your opinion?
The 8/30 CL companion is around £1080, while the NL pure 8/32 is around £2240 (UK, June 2024). I have a pair of the 10x32 NL pure, and as good indeed as the CL companion undoubtedly are, they are in a different category when compared side by side with the NL Pure.
if you can get an NL for close to the price of the Companion 8x30 I would hands down go for the NLs. NLs will be bigger. I have the Zeiss SF 8x42 as a full size and the Companion as a compact. The NL 8x32 could be both in one. Sometimes I wonder if I should have got 1 alpha 8x32 for everything.
Compare them to kowa genesis 33mm you'll be surprised..
It did briefly consider the genesis 8x33. However, for
@@MediaPipeDream how do the monarch hg 42mm compare to other top binos? I haven't tried them. I love a 32mm for carrying for long periods, though a more compact and lighter 42mm would be great.
Are the cheaper 8x33 Kowa Genesis Prominar binoculars better than this Swarovski?
I have the 10x33 Kowa Genesis Prominar XDs and images really pop. Hope to upgrade to the NL Pures 10x32s and 12x42 NL Pures with one swappable forehead rest In the near future.
Sorry for the delayed response, seeing this comment now. IMO the monarch HG 42mm did not compare favorably to other top alpha binos (Zeiss SF and Swaro EL). I did a detailed review on the Monarch HG 8x42: th-cam.com/video/mOwbNugybqg/w-d-xo.html . Center sharpness and Chromatic aberration were really the Achilles heel of the Monarch HGs. The weight and form factor, however, are in a class of its own for being a 8X42.
@@MediaPipeDream I totally quit buying Nikon brand after they got out if the scope business and no longer honor their past lifetime warranty. Their binoculars only have a short term limited warranty now.