Swarovski CL Pocket 10x25 Binoculars Review (Compact & Lightweight)

Magnification: 10X
Power Variability: Fixed
Objective Diameter: 42 mm
Close Focus Distance: 8.2 feet
Dimensions: 4.3 x 3.9 x 1.8 inches
Weight: 12.3 ounces
Field of View: 294 feet/1000 yards
Eye Relief/Exit Pupil: 17 mm/ 2.5 mm
Optics Coatings: Fully Multi-Coated
Glass: Swarovski Glass
Prism System: Schmidt-Pechan
Focus System: Center
Waterproof/Fog-proof: Yes/Yes
Eye cups: Twist up
Tripod adaptable: No
Rangefinder: No

Best Uses: Hunting, For the Range, Birdwatching, Wildlife Observation, Event Observation, Sight Seeing

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Swarovski CL Pocket Binocular Review

This Swarovski CL Pocket 10X25 has SwaroBright and is optically competitive with its full size siblings. Its fully waterproof and fog-proof frame within its compact dimensions gives hunters looking for an unobtrusive optic something affordable to buy... finally.

For a Swarovski with a price tag that's under $1000, you'd think there would be a bigger review base online. It seems hunters are willing to spend more than a $1000 more for a full size optic.

But, this pocket 10X25 has a few reviews at the moment, and although that's not many, can you guess what the rating is? If you guessed anything lower than a two thumbs up you ought to be pinched. You critics ought to give credit where credit is due.

As one of the only Swarovski compact binoculars in the Swarovski line up, the decision to review it was an easy one.

And, there's a spot for a compact binocular review because there's a market for it. Hunters just like you find compact binoculars a real handy tool to tote around for hours and hours of non-stop glassing and hunting.

Why choose anything bigger for the same optical, high-functioning performance?

By now, I know you're probably wondering what has this little thing earning a reputation up and down Upper Crust Street with a low-budget price tag? Let's see exactly what's up its sleeves with the following Q&A.

Pros:

Excellent glass quality
Excellent quality coatings
Compact and lightweight
Fully weatherproof/submersible
Schmidt-Pechan prism

Cons:

Price

CL Pocket 10X25 Binocular Q&A:

What is SwaroBright?

This is Swarovski's term for their phase coating on their prism assemblies. The specially formulated coating provides excellent color resolution as it protects color fidelity as a result of using light from the whole light spectrum.

This means, from sun up to sun down, you're going to get any tint or hue of color for optimum image quality no matter what time of day it is.

As a side note, Swarovski rightfully boasts of being the first optics manufacturer on the planet to use this type of coating technology in series production.

What are the dimensions of the CL Pocket binocular?

This is a compact binocular that should be able to do exactly what its name implies - fit in your pocket. With a promise like this, how big do your pockets have to be, right?

Well, to set the record straight, here's the exact dimensions straight from the horse's mouth.

Length: 4.3 inches
Width: 3.9 inches
Height: 1.8 inches
Weight: 12.3 ounces

You can already tell that this thing is going to fit comfortably in your hand without you ever thinking twice about weight.

I also want to point out that it's extremely convenient and nice to come across an optics brand that actually posts this information.

My measuring skills may not be up to par for most of you out there who want this info.

So, instead of leaving it to the fate of my big, clumsy fingers and a tape measure that's buried deep somewhere in the garage, you know the above numbers are good - no errors here.

Are there any other finishes available?

How convenient that you ask - yes. While we've seen the green finish of the EL 42, and the EL Range, there will be no surprises to see that this CL also has the green finish too.

However, the colored armoring is interrupted by the black finish of the binocular frame.

Other finish colors are also Sandbrown and Black, which both also have perfect 5 star ratings!

If you wanted these other finishes, the nice thing about it is, it doesn't affect the price. For the same $880 (approx) price tag, you can have any available finish you choose.

I would highly suggest though that Swarovski join the camo movement. They might find their sales will soar like never before.

Is there a full size Swarovski CL binocular?

The CL pocket 10X25 binocular and the CL pocket 8X25 is part of only one of two series of the CL line up. The other series is the CL Companion that offers compact dimensions as well.

There is the 8X30 and the 10X30, and with their dimensions, I wouldn't consider them full-size or even mid-size binoculars. Although, their weights are pretty heavy for the compact class, they could fit into the mid-size range.

While their physical sizes are still in the compact class, they're not as small as the CL pocket binoculars. But, to get to the point, the measurements provided by Swarovski for your sake are:

CL Companion 8X30
Length: 4.7 inches
Width: 4.5 inches
Height: 2.3 inches
Weight: 17.6 ounces

CL Companion 10X30
Length: 4.7 inches
Width: 4.5 inches
Height: 2.3 inches
Weight: 18.2 ounces

What is the Swarovski CL Companion 8X30 Polaris Limited Edition binocular?

If you were to look at the CL Companion 8X30 and the CL Companion 8X30 Polaris Limited Edition, they'd look exactly the same to you. Side by side, back to back, they're the same.

And guess what, even optically, they're identical - inch to inch and feet to feet, they're optically identical.

So, what's the difference between the two CL binoculars? The Polaris Limited Edition has the fancy blue armoring that makes it a worth a couple hundred dollars more.

The metallic-looking blue is a very swanky finish, and if you're hunting and exploring in the freezing polar ice of the North and South Poles, you'll have the perfect binocular in the Polaris Limited Edition.

I guess this might be the only place my favorite camo finish wouldn't be too helpful.

Does this CL Pocket binocular come with a warranty?

Yes! Swarovski warranties all of their high-end binoculars, not that there's any entry-level ones. But, they're all covered by Swarovski's Limited Lifetime Warranty.

There's nothing lavish about the Limited Lifetime Warranty, it's pretty much the same as every other warranty from another optics manufacturer - except for... Swarovski doesn't really need to offer a warranty at all, in my opinion.

You'll never need it. Their products are perfect. To any skeptics still left, yes, I said it - they're perfect.

Noteworthy Features:

Integrated diopter and center focus knob with locking mechanism
Schmidt-Pechan prism system made with HD image quality
Temperature-controlled between -13 °F to +131 °F
SwaroBright coatings for ultimate light transmission of the full light spectrum for maximum color resolution and fidelity
Ergonomic build, compact, and lightweight, ideal for all-purpose hunting
Fully waterproof and fog-proof and can survive submersion up to 13 feet
Durable rubber armor for ultimate protection and to support a natural and ergonomic grip
Backed by Swarovski's Limited Lifetime Warranty

Our Verdict On The Swarovski CL 10x25 Pocket Binoculars

To glass it up, the Swarovski CL Pocket 10X25 binoculars are the creme de la creme of the compact optic world. If you want the best of the best out of a compact binocular, this is it. Warning: you'll have to pay for it. But it is a Swaro, it's worth it, that's why we have included the CL among our recommendations of the best binoculars priced below $1000.

If you want something cheaper from Swaro, you're out of luck, and you should probably move on to another binocular for hunting. But, if you're willing to bound and leap with the big boys with big cash, you may as well dive right into the EL Swarovision 10X42 with FieldPro. Just letting you know before hand, it's quite the price jump. Otherwise, just check out the CL Companion 10X30 if you want to stick around the safe zone - as if $1100 (approx.) is safe - for a Swarovski, this is cheap!

To really appreciate the price of the CL Pocket 10X25, you'll have to check out the Zeiss Victory Compact 10X25 binoculars. They're fantastic, little things, but you'll pay at least twice the price of the CL Pocket to afford this Victory. Besides, if you want to know the truth about the ratings and the ranks, the Swaro still bests the Zeiss.

If the best of what you can afford lands you in Swaro territory, you're one lucky son of a gun. We'd give our right kidney to own a swanky Swarovski optic. Luckily for you, you won't have to sell an organ, just pay the man and then let us play with it. Sounds like a great deal to us!

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