YOUR PASSION FOR HUNTING TAKES YOU INTO ROUGH TERRAIN, REMOTE AREAS, AND DIFFERENT COUNTRIES. EVERY OUNCE LESS IN YOUR BACKPACK CAN MAKE A HUGE DIFFERENCE IN COMFORT ON SHORT OR LONG TOURS. COMPACT, LIGHTWEIGHT, AND POWERFUL LONG-RANGE OPTICS OPEN UP GREATER FREEDOM TO ENJOY YOUR ADVENTURES. SANDRA SCHWENINGER AND MATTHEW HICKS, PRODUCT MANAGERS AT SWAROVSKI OPTIK, TALK ABOUT CHALLENGES IN DEVELOPMENT.
Cars, televisions, and smartphones are all increasing in size, but optics are bucking the trend. In the great outdoors, other requirements simply take precedence. Sandra Schweninger, Product Manager with SWAROVSKI OPTIK, explains: “We’re not seeing any great demand for increasingly large products. But we are noticing a trend for ever-more powerful long-range optics.”
NEW TRENDS, NEW REQUIREMENTS
Trends affect practically every area of life – and to a certain extent this is true for hunting too. Certain types of hunting that had more of a niche appeal 20 years ago are now attracting growing numbers of followers. Matthew Hicks, Product Manager at SWAROVSKI OPTIK, cites backcountry hunting as well as the physically challenging mountain hunting. These developments are also driving new requirements for long-range optics. He explains: “Hunting has evolved. Many hunters are not just looking at optical performance, but also at criteria such as weight, size, or durability.” And this is hardly surprising as every ounce counts, especially on extensive tours.
Matthew Hicks highlights the Z8i line in this respect – in particular, the Z8i 1.7-13.3x42 and the Z8i 3.5-28x50: “These products are slimmer, lighter, more powerful, and more compact in comparison with competing devices.” He adds, however, that: “Here at SWAROVSKI OPTIK, we are not always on a mission to make small or compact products.” As his colleague concludes: “We want to deliver the best-possible response to our customers’ needs."
GROUND-BREAKINGLY LIGHT
Weighing less than 700 grams (25 ounces), the EL Range 32 is a rugged companion on challenging hunting tours and will help you to ensure an ethical and precise shot in every situation.
Whatever the application and hunting situation, hunters can find the perfect package every time in SWAROVSKI OPTIK’s wide product portfolio.
