Swarovski dG (5 Viewers)

[John A Roberts]

Prototype - Monocular With Integral Digital Camera

In post #3 of the new thread ‘Birdfair 2019’ ( https://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=380056 ), Daniel/ dwatsonbirder showed an image downloaded from Twitter
It’s about a prototype monocular that includes a digital camera that is bluetooth enabled to download images

The original Tweet by Dan Rouse dated 16 August can be found here: https://twitter.com/danerouse?lang=en

As can be from the screen grab, the prototype in its present form is about the size of an SLC x42
As to its prospects or technical details, I couldn’t find any more information


John

 

[Binastro]

Image stabilised?

B.

 

[typo]

Image stabilised?

B.

No, just an 8x monocular with parallel camera system and wifi connectivity for up to six mobile phones. My test shot was on a coot at about 35m. The image was very poor, quite atrociously blurred, and I though unrecognizable. Perhaps not the most challenging species, but I thought it was still impressive that the Merlin app managed to get it right first time.

The technical guys doing the demo seemed to think it's primary application would be educational.

David

 

[Rotherbirder]

The technical guys doing the demo seemed to think it's primary application would be educational.

David

Thank goodness for that; I thought Swarovski had expanded into the toy market for a moment!?

RB

 

[Binastro]

If this Swarovski monocular is pointed at a person, does it give the person's name, age etc.?

It could probably do this, if this was wanted.

B.

 

[Rotherbirder]

... also automatically updates up to 500 user-customisable birding 'lists' and sounds a discreet alarm when the user needs his nappy (diaper) changing!

RB

 

[etudiant]

In post #3 of the new thread ‘Birdfair 2019’ ( https://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=380056 ), Daniel/ dwatsonbirder showed an image downloaded from Twitter
It’s about a prototype monocular that includes a digital camera that is bluetooth enabled to download images

The original Tweet by Dan Rouse dated 16 August can be found here: https://twitter.com/danerouse?lang=en

As can be from the screen grab, the prototype in its present form is about the size of an SLC x42
As to its prospects or technical details, I couldn’t find any more information


John

That thing is huge!
It seems a step back from the Sony DEV-50, which could take pictures and video, while sporting a 12x zoom capability. Admittedly, it did not have the Merlin link, but that is perhaps because it predates the Merlin launch.

 

[John A Roberts]

Hi Etudiant,

Although it's described in the Tweet as a prototype, it seems much more likely to be at the proof of concept stage
i.e. to have been assembled from commercial off-the-shelf components to see if and how the idea would work in the field, rather than what it will be like in production
e.g. see here: https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/307454


John

 

[etudiant]

Hi Etudiant,

Although it's described in the Tweet as a prototype, it seems much more likely to be at the proof of concept stage
i.e. to have been assembled from commercial off-the-shelf components to see if and how the idea would work in the field, rather than what it will be like in production
e.g. see here: https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/307454


John

That makes eminent sense, a lash up under a shell.
I'd think the challenge for Swaro is not technical, but social.
They have successfully conditioned birders to view a Swaro as a lifetime item, one which will be restored or even improved for nothing under Swaros generous warranty if anything goes wrong.
Melding that perception with fast changing and not always robust electronics technology is problematic. Zeiss and their Photoscope is a cautionary example of the perils of mixing optics with digital electronics.

 

[John A Roberts]

Hi again Etudient,

I agree. Especially for premium optics manufacturers there does seem to be a fundamental tension between:

A) the expectations of those willing to pay for premium optics
- including for a significantly higher price, added reliability and durability including ongoing technical support, leading to longevity, and

B) the reality of the rapid turnover of electronic ‘devices’
- constant improvements in capability, along with added capabilities and increased miniaturisation, leading to rapid obsolescence


As to how Swarovski might develop the monocular, its choices in relation to rangefinder binoculars are interesting

Compared to Zeiss and Leica, the EL Range models have:
- superior optical transmission (see my recent post: https://www.birdforum.net/showpost.php?p=3883587&postcount=19 )
- in the most compact/ traditional roof prism style envelope (albeit with the bulges on the rear), see the attached images
(the Swarovski images are from: https://www.gunmart.net/scopes-and-optics/binoculars/swarovski-8-x-42-el-range ) *

The underlying idea seems to be that, while someone is going to buy a RF binocular for the particular capability, it’s mostly going to be used as any other binocular


John


* and the 3 model image is from a special reprint of the German publication Jagdpraxis from March 2013. However the PDF no longer seems to available on the net

 

[etudiant]

Hi again Etudient,

As to how Swarovski might develop the monocular, its choices in relation to rangefinder binoculars are interesting

Compared to Zeiss and Leica, the EL Range models give:
- superior optical transmission (see my recent post: https://www.birdforum.net/showpost.php?p=3883587&postcount=19 )
- in the most compact/ traditional roof prism style envelope (albeit with the bulges on the rear), see the attached images
(the Swarovski images are from: https://www.gunmart.net/scopes-and-optics/binoculars/swarovski-8-x-42-el-range ) *

The underlying idea seems to be that, while someone is going to buy a RF binocular for the particular capability, it’s mostly going to be used as any other binocular

John

Thank you for that info and link, I'd no idea that Swaro was even offering a rangefinder glass.
The glass seems like an excellent baby step into the world of opto-electronics for the firm. Plus the design priority of bino first, rangefinder second leads with their strong suit.
Any idea of how well it is selling? Management would probably insist that it perform in the market place before they allow a larger effort.

 

[John A Roberts]

Etudiant,
Well not a ‘baby step’ . . .

Swarovski Optik has both a long and extensive history of integrating optics and electronics

A) During the 1970’s and 1980’s
Swarovski produced a series of military grade products specifically for Austrian forces
Items included various periscopes for armoured vehicles and an illuminated collimator sight for artillery use
And also:
- a mounted periscope laser rangefinder, and
- the NS-B monocular night vision device


B) From the mid-1980’s
For at least 35 years Swarovski has offered various commercial products:
198? - ZE-B 610 acoustic sight *
1984 - NS-B monocular NVD (in a different housing to the military version)
1991 - FG1 monocular laser rangefinder
1994 - RF1 monocular laser RF
1995 - NC1 & NC2 monocular NVD’s
1996 - LRS telescopic sight with laser RF
2004 - Laser Guide monocular laser RF
2011 - EL Range binocular laser RF
2017 - dS telescopic sight with laser RF

* dating from the 1980’s to perhaps the early 1990’s, it's a telescopic sight modified so that blind people can participate in target shooting with air rifles!
- see the attached description from here: https://www.gunmart.net/shooting-advice/events/shows/firearms-at-the-northern-shooting-show
- and for more detail see here: https://disabledshooting.org.uk/get...g-disciplines/acoustic-shooting/overview.html

Unsurprisingly, many people are unaware of the earlier products. Since they included state-of-the-art technology, many were very expensive,
and would have been outside the consideration of most individuals. They would have mainly been purchased by organisations - either government or business


C) From 2012
Swarovski Optik has established a new business entity called Swarotec, see: http://www.swarotec.com/en
Under it, Swarovski provides an extensive range of services to businesses:
- see the attached summary
- and for more detail, especially about opto-electronic capabilities, see here: http://www.swarotec.com/en/technologies

For some perspective as to the scale of Swarosvki Optik, its turnover in 2018 was €156 million, and it employs just under 1000 people
And for information about its operations - especially the stress on investment, modernisation and efficiency,
see my post and comments about Swarovski’s recent 70th Anniversary video: https://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=375640



John

 

[etudiant]

Etudiant,
Well not a ‘baby step’ . . .

Swarovski Optik has both a long and extensive history of integrating optics and electronics

A) During the 1970’s and 1980’s
Swarovski produced a series of military grade products specifically for Austrian forces
Items included various periscopes for armoured vehicles and an illuminated collimator sight for artillery use
And also:
- a mounted periscope laser rangefinder, and
- the NS-B monocular night vision device


B) From the mid-1980’s
For at least 35 years Swarovski has offered various commercial products:
198? - ZE-B 610 acoustic sight *
1984 - NS-B monocular NVD (in a different housing to the military version)
1991 - FG1 monocular laser rangefinder
1994 - RF1 monocular laser RF
1995 - NC1 & NC2 monocular NVD’s
1996 - LRS telescopic sight with laser RF
2004 - Laser Guide monocular laser RF
2011 - EL Range binocular laser RF
2017 - dS telescopic sight with laser RF

* dating from the 1980’s to perhaps the early 1990’s, it's a telescopic sight modified so that blind people can participate in target shooting with air rifles!
- see the attached description from here: https://www.gunmart.net/shooting-advice/events/shows/firearms-at-the-northern-shooting-show
- and for more detail see here: https://disabledshooting.org.uk/get...g-disciplines/acoustic-shooting/overview.html

Unsurprisingly, many people are unaware of the earlier products. Since they included state-of-the-art technology, many were very expensive,
and would have been outside the consideration of most individuals. They would have mainly been purchased by organisations - either government or business


C) From 2012
Swarovski Optik has established a new business entity called Swarotec, see: http://www.swarotec.com/en
Under it, Swarovski provides an extensive range of services to businesses:
- see the attached summary
- and for more detail, especially about opto-electronic capabilities, see here: http://www.swarotec.com/en/technologies

For some perspective as to the scale of Swarosvki Optik, its turnover in 2018 was €156 million, and it employs just under 1000 people
And for information about its operations - especially the stress on investment, modernisation and efficiency,
see my post and comments about Swarovski’s recent 70th Anniversary video: https://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=375640



John

Super informative, thank you!
Have to say it shows Swaro has surprising capabilities, rather more than generally recognized.

 

[Binastro]

There are many optical and electronic devices made for military use by firms completely unknown to most binocular users.

If they can be bought by civilians they need a licence, which might only be given to University physics departments or similar.

Some lenses, for instance, are in the million dollar class or more.

Regards,
B.

 

[etudiant]

There are many optical and electronic devices made for military use by firms completely unknown to most binocular users.

If they can be bought by civilians they need a licence, which might only be given to University physics departments or similar.

Some lenses, for instance, are in the million dollar class or more.

Regards,
B.

My current value measure is $200,000 for a fully loaded engineering man year.
So I have no problems with million dollar lenses or billion dollar carriers.
What interests me is the path to profitable commercial sales of advanced optical technology.
That is a very tough nut to crack.

 

[PYRTLE]

[QUOTESwarovski produced a series of military grade products specifically for Austrian forces
Items included various periscopes for armoured vehicles and an illuminated collimator sight for artillery use
John[/QUOTE]

I looked through a pair of military, armour housed 30 x 80 binoculars that were produced by Swarovski for the British Army and mounted on a Land Rover used during the 1970s and 1980s in Northern Ireland. They had a carrying handle / sighter incorporated into the roof of the housing. Fantastic image.

 

[John A Roberts]

Picking up on my comment in post #10 as to the tension between:
A) the expectations of longevity that many have of premium optics, and
B) the life span of many electronics . . .

One of the photography blogs that I occasionally visit is that of Roger Cicala’s Lensrentals: https://www.lensrentals.com/blog/
In it Roger recently posted an article ‘Why Side-Mount Buttons and Ports Break on Cameras’

It gives an interesting insight as to the construction, and consequently the limited durability/ eventual failure of consumer electronics - which is of course one of the reasons for their affordability
And as with many of the posts on the site there are also interesting observations in the comments section

n.b. the blog also includes many articles showing various cameras and lenses taken apart in stages to show their internal construction
- both interesting and often unsettling in terms of the above, especially if you own the particular model


And a few additional points of interest on the blog:
A) Early on, Roger wrote extensively both about the history of optics and of photography. To get a manageable listing, type ‘history’ in the search field

B) Roger’s company employees an advanced MTF testing procedure to ensure the optical quality of the lenses it rents. For an explanation see: https://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2018/06/developing-a-rapid-mtf-test-for-photo-and-video-lenses/

C) There are many other sophisticated articles about optical issues (with much way beyond me). For those interested, use the ‘Geek Article’ button at the top of the page to get a lsiting


John

 

[John A Roberts]

Hi Pyrtle (post #16),

You’re remembering the Swarovski 30x75 DT (doppel teleskop) binoculars used by the British military
They differed in cosmetic detail to the commercial versions, as can be seen in the images
(the first image is from a 2017 ebay listing by camera-gentleman)
(the second from Henry Link, see: https://www.birdforum.net/showpost.php?p=2348796&postcount=6 )


John


p.s. the military version's image makes clear the use of the body and eyepieces from the Habicht hand held binoculars
(and while it's also clear that the DT used the Porro prisms from the Habicht, I'm uncertain as to what lenses were used in the eyepieces)

- - - -

*** and a CORRECTION re post #12: The acoustic sight's designation is ZE-B 618 (not 610) ***

 

[gibbons025]

https://at.swarovskioptik.com/en_US/birding/blog/The_best_of_both_worlds_B#

 

[John A Roberts]

Gibbons' link is to Swarovski Optik’s website which states:
- the monocular is being referred to as the digital guide (and see an additional image)
- it can take a photo
- then identify a bird in it using the Merlin Bird ID app developed by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- and also livestream and share the content
(and presumedly it also has the ability to upload data - including updates to the app)

The product launch is scheduled for the first half of 2020

And the page also includes a link which lists opportunities for hands-on use at various birding events in Europe and the US

The name Digital Guide would follow the Swarovski practice of stressing brand continuity by echoing the names of earlier products
- in this case the monocular Laser Guide


John