Swarovski CL Companion 8x30

Travelling light but need a high-quality binocular to check out any birds seen on your trip? Then Swarovski has just the optic for you, in its CL Companion 8x30.

About two-thirds the size of its flagship Swarovision EL32 8x32 binocular, this petite and light handful is built to the expected 'Swaro' quality and has the high-standard glass and coatings that have made the company's reputation worldwide. In use, the image is bright and clear, and almost entirely free from chromatic aberration. Some compromise has been made with a somewhat narrow field of view and the close focus is less than one might expect from a full-size high-end optic, but overall the performance is certainly top of the range. The eyepieces have a one-click stop, which may not suit those who prefer a shorter eye relief, but I've personally only ever used fully open or closed.

Distant objects and birds were visible in virtually undistorted detail in field tests, even in the dull conditions of our spasmodic summer, and the rapid and smooth, approximately full-turn-and-a-quarter of the focusing wheel from close to infinity meant that rapidly moving flying birds could be followed with ease. The image is impressively bright and clear, and there is barely any noticeable curvature of the image across the field of view.

The complete unit fits easily in the hands and bigger jacket pockets, and the weight is comparatively unnoticeable around the neck and in use. Available in 10x30 format and in three colours (green, black and sand-brown), most shops and online retailers are doing money-off deals on these bijou bins, ideal for the luggage weight conscious flyer or the space-deprived traveller.