Swarovski CL Curio 7×21

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Specifications:

Objective diameter:  21 mm
Magnification:  7 x
Exit pupil: 3 mm
Eye relief (acc. to spec): 16 mm
Usable eye relief (measured from rim of eyecup): 14.5 mm
IPD: 50 – 74 mm
RFOV:  7.7  degrees = 135 m
AFOV: 51 degrees
Minimum focus distance (according to spec.): 2.5 m
Focus type: CF (direction of rotation from close to infinity: > clockwise)
Degrees of rotation of focus wheel from 3m to infinity (measured): 505 degrees
Range of diopter adjustment (acc. to spec.): +/- 4 dpt*
Excess travel of focus wheel beyond infinity position (according to spec.): 4 dpt*
Prism system:  Schmidt-Pechan
Waterproof: yes
Weight (measured, with eyepiece cover and strap): 276 g
Made in: Austria
*range of diopter adjustment not affected by position of focus wheel

 

Remarks:

With the “Curio”, Swarovski tried to go a new way: tiny dimensions (same size as the famous Ultravid 8×20, see separate post https://binocular.ch/leica-ultravid-8×20-br/), but an exit pupil of 3 mm (instead of 2.5mm in the Ultravid), and slightly better steadiness than the 8x Ultravid due to the 7x magnification. The Curio convinces, both optically and mechanically. The image brightness is close to that of a good 8×25 model, but the Curio still fits even in a shirt pocket. The Curio appears to have been designed by a famous designer and looks very nice and classy indeed; things like the focuser, diopter adjustment knob or screw-down eyecups work very well (despite the lack of intermediate clickstops).

The Curio is a very fine instrument which competes well with the Ultravid 8×20, current holder of the top spot in pocket binoculars.

Ratings:

Review:

An initial review can be found here:
https://www.cloudynights.com/topic/793024-cl-curio-7×21/#entry11521624

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