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Now I've Done It! (2 Viewers)
- Thread starter Maljunulo
- Start date
My response from Swarovski.
Good Morning Richard
The serial number that you provided is in fact a legitimate Swarovski product but was sold from a gray market dealer this product is does not carry the Swarovski north America warranty and would have to be sent directly to Austria, we suggest you return the product and purchase from an authorized dealer. We would not be able to provide parts or accessories as well as we would not be able to take this product here in our facility for repair.
Thank you
Greg
I’m going to roll the dice and keep them.
I do wonder what (if any) differences there are between the “send to Austria” version and the “repair in US”versions.
Anyone?
(This is, for me, a black mark against Amazon, and I am a bit surprised that they allow it.)
Addendum: More correspondence.
Good afternoon,
There is no difference between repair, you would have to ship it to Austria yourself, we cannot work on these in the US. As for sending you parts for this pair due to it being a gray market dealer outside of the US we cannot send parts under warranty for this, we highly recommend you return your product and buy from an authorized dealer in the US.
Thank you.
Greg
Bugger!
I guess I’m SOL on the eyecups.
Good Morning Richard
The serial number that you provided is in fact a legitimate Swarovski product but was sold from a gray market dealer this product is does not carry the Swarovski north America warranty and would have to be sent directly to Austria, we suggest you return the product and purchase from an authorized dealer. We would not be able to provide parts or accessories as well as we would not be able to take this product here in our facility for repair.
Thank you
Greg
I’m going to roll the dice and keep them.
I do wonder what (if any) differences there are between the “send to Austria” version and the “repair in US”versions.
Anyone?
(This is, for me, a black mark against Amazon, and I am a bit surprised that they allow it.)
Addendum: More correspondence.
Good afternoon,
There is no difference between repair, you would have to ship it to Austria yourself, we cannot work on these in the US. As for sending you parts for this pair due to it being a gray market dealer outside of the US we cannot send parts under warranty for this, we highly recommend you return your product and buy from an authorized dealer in the US.
Thank you.
Greg
Bugger!
I guess I’m SOL on the eyecups.
Caveat emptor. As some folks regularly say here, if the price is too good to be true...
That said, I agree Amazon (US) should have noted the provenance of the product it was selling. It should be pretty trouble-free, but hopefully you saved enough on the purchase price to cover one trip to Austria. Fortunately you won't have to worry about deteriorating armour (although haven't some folks reported the leatherette getting sticky...?).
It's the form factor that makes these and other 8x30s so delightful to handle. Modern high performance 8x32s (NL, SF) seem to have gotten to the size of some of the x40s of the past - and to be fair they are more capable in many respects, and larger prisms and complex eyepieces are part of that, but part of the pleasure of the x30 class of binocular has traditiionally been its light weight and small size. A good 8x30 porro is light, effortless to use, I barely feel its weight on my neck or in my backpack. This is the best handling porro size for me, anything much larger starts getting clunky, while the x30 handles almost like a roof.
Welcome to the ranks of the geriatrics!
That said, I agree Amazon (US) should have noted the provenance of the product it was selling. It should be pretty trouble-free, but hopefully you saved enough on the purchase price to cover one trip to Austria. Fortunately you won't have to worry about deteriorating armour (although haven't some folks reported the leatherette getting sticky...?).
It's the form factor that makes these and other 8x30s so delightful to handle. Modern high performance 8x32s (NL, SF) seem to have gotten to the size of some of the x40s of the past - and to be fair they are more capable in many respects, and larger prisms and complex eyepieces are part of that, but part of the pleasure of the x30 class of binocular has traditiionally been its light weight and small size. A good 8x30 porro is light, effortless to use, I barely feel its weight on my neck or in my backpack. This is the best handling porro size for me, anything much larger starts getting clunky, while the x30 handles almost like a roof.
Welcome to the ranks of the geriatrics!
Hang on there. I resemble that remark!
Thank you.
I'm quite taken with the little glass, but I will make unhappy noises at Amazon, and see what they will do.
I do not chase warblers (or anything else) through the pucker-brush. Sit, watch, and see who shows up is more my style. Or I hunt from the car. Many things that are not frightened by a vehicle, will flee at the sight of a dismounted human.
Good optics are fun to use, and reveal things that we would never know were there without them. And superb optics are even more fun.
One good thing about the Habicht is that once you set IPD and focus, you sure don't have to worry about it getting disturbed. Every time I pick up the SF I have to fix the focus. For me, infinity works 90+% of the time.
PS. I'm probably among the most "geriatric" here, and it's just something that one accepts.
I'm quite taken with the little glass, but I will make unhappy noises at Amazon, and see what they will do.
I do not chase warblers (or anything else) through the pucker-brush. Sit, watch, and see who shows up is more my style. Or I hunt from the car. Many things that are not frightened by a vehicle, will flee at the sight of a dismounted human.
Good optics are fun to use, and reveal things that we would never know were there without them. And superb optics are even more fun.
One good thing about the Habicht is that once you set IPD and focus, you sure don't have to worry about it getting disturbed. Every time I pick up the SF I have to fix the focus. For me, infinity works 90+% of the time.
PS. I'm probably among the most "geriatric" here, and it's just something that one accepts.
Paultricounty
Well-known member
Don’t worry about it, US Swaro doesn’t service Habicht’s anyway, other than cleaning, all repairs go back to Austria. US Swaro doesn’t sell Habicht’s either, they have to be ordered from overseas. The only question is whether you can send to US Swaro and they’ll send them to Austria or if you would have to ship yourself. I had a focuser adjusted and US shipped them back to Austria.
Live and learn.
In any event, I’ve lusted after a Habicht for about 25 years. I now have one, and I’m going to hang on to it.
I took it out on one of my regular circuits this evening, and it performed beautifully.
I’m very, very happy with it, in spite of its idiosyncracies.
Small, light (but dense) with a beautiful crisp, contrasty image.
Personally....I wouldn't give it two seconds thought about where a Habicht came from. I can't imagine any issue coming up with it in our lifetime. Now an NL? No way would I buy that sucker except from a US dealer. That would be a guarantee the armoring would peel off!
Chuck
Thank you very much for your comment, which I find reassuring. Actually, I have gotten a lot of reassurance from folks here.
I am glad I bought it, and I have no intention of returning it. It is a delight, but I can see why not for everyone. It suits me fine. I took it out on one of my regular circuits last evening, leaving the SF at home, and it left absolutely nothing at all to be desired. There is a lot of “optical oomph” packed into a very small package.
I found an old thread where a poster compared having a Habicht to having a ‘68 Shelby Mustang.
Thanks again.
Richard
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I'm not surprised at all. Amazon is horrible. I never do business with them if I can possibly help it. Totally evil, monopolistic bully of a commercial entity.
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Paultricounty
Well-known member
I have to say overall I’ve had very good experiences with Amazon. If I ever have a problem with someone or something I can get them on the phone in ten minutes or less. They replaced a one year old pool pump at no cost and free shipping. I did have a problem with three binoculars I bought, all three went back , but no problems with refund. Beware of 6th ave electronics for anything.
Amazon for me and many others has become a problem with doing business because you can’t always find out if an item is MIC.
