We Tried the Futuristic Binoculars that Identify Birds For You! (Swarovski AX Visio Review)

The AX Visio binoculars from Swarovski Optik claim to be able to identify birds and take photos of them for you. We gave these revolutionary bins a test at the Biggest Week in America Birding. Special thanks to Tiffany Kersten for showing us the ropes and to Swarovski for allowing us to give them a test.
You can learn more about them here: www.swarovskioptik.com/us/en/...
Gear Links (As Amazon Associates we do earn from qualifying purchases)
Panasonic LUMIX FZ80 4K Digital Camera
Used for most bird videos) - check credits as we do source some photos/videos elsewhere which is noted in the description
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Cayer FP2450 Fluid Head Tripod, 75 inches Aluminium Tripod
Derek's lighter tripod
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Andoer Video Tripod Aluminum Alloy 67 Inch
Derek's heavier tripod
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Nikon D5300
Derek's vlogging and macro camera
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Rode VideoMicPro Compact Directional On-Camera Microphone
Derek's external microphone for Nikon D5300
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Thanks to Terry Sohl for allowing us to use his range maps
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All other photos and videos by Derek and Ryan Sallmann
#Birding #BirdWatching #BadgerlandBirding

[@kaileebailee23]

I'm glad that we got an honest review even with the company rep right there. Big respect to BLB. This kind of technology is really cool and I'm sure it'll improve. Having Merlin built into binoculars is amazing even if it is inconsistent. Edit: Derek also mentioned a lot how you can use the media, I think thats a major selling point is if it can replace your camera. I actually wonder if it could be cheaper if it literally was just binoculars with a built in camera.

[@BadgerlandBirding]

We don’t know how to do anything but an honest review lol These binoculars are a really cool starting point and a lot can still be improved in the future!

[@aj2isotadxing]

The market for this is beginner backyard birders with serious money. Nice job on doing an honest assessment

[@BadgerlandBirding]

@@aj2isotadxing thanks!

[@AbHAT22]

I like that you did an honest review considering that you were allowed to review an expensive gear for free. IMHO complete waste of money.

[@BadgerlandBirding]

We always do our best to give honest reviews! Definitely not a product for everyone!

[@brianjohnson1492]

All new tech starts out expensive until, if it catches on, the manufacturing cost will come down and these should drop in price.

[@verthosand]

Holy Hanna Swarovski sent you binoculars to try? Congratulations on being top tier!

[@BadgerlandBirding]

We got to test them out at Biggest Week!

[@timjozwiak2293]

So very cool! So glad that you got to try them out! Great product ! Wish list material!!! Lol

[@bradwillis6591]

I've thought for some years now that this kind of thing was coming. What I would be really interested in is software from a major camera company that IDs a bird directly in your viewfinder on your camera. Most modern cameras have technology that locks in and focuses on the eye of a bird, so the camera knows that there is a bird there. All that needs to happen is software that can identify what it is. Birders and photographers unite!

[@live2walk]

It will just get better in time. I think what many people don't comprehend is that we are at the very start of applied AI. Think of how any technology kind of sucked in rev 1. That's where we are. 10 years from now... 50 years? It'll be completely different.

[@cabelas1987]

Fantastic bit of kit but I think I could get better results for a fraction of the cost using something like the Nikon p1000 camera and sending pics to my phone and using the merlin app that way. Less convenient but I bet with a dedicated camera the images will be better and so Merlin will yield more reliable results...

[@BadgerlandBirding]

You could always do that, but for people that aren’t that tech savvy this is an all in one option for them

[@cabelas1987]

@@BadgerlandBirding that's true and I do like it. I wonder if we might see something similar in future generations of camera?

[@neeleyfolk]

I could see a less expensive system that would just be smart binoculars that share with your phone, then just use Merlin.

[@carolshannon6449]

As always, a high quality video that is a pleasure to watch. I love the idea of this! Fun.

[@BadgerlandBirding]

Thanks so much!

[@HeathBarnard]

I could see this being very useful for birding holidays abroad.

[@user-qw5pm6lr9d]

Those were awesome!

[@cyborg8623]

I think Merlin is really cool, but it seems like it focuses on identifying a single frame which can cause it to miss some easy IDs. I still use binoculars, but need them less and less for birds with very distinctive structural differences between species (ducks, some raptors, for instance). The relocating feature for these binoculars would be great to see in a scope!

[@hollyperry3774]

Pretty cool. I would like to see how it does with shore birds. Did Ryan get a turn?

[@BadgerlandBirding]

I did get a turn!

[@brianjohnson1492]

I don't dislike these... but I can't afford them, it would be cool if you could rent them for a day or two. Thanks for the demo Ryan and Derek!

[@BadgerlandBirding]

That would be cool!

[@Jonathantuba]

Very nice technology. Looks great product for relatively inexperienced birder, with money - but for myself as principally a wildlife photographer, getting a high quality image is the most important, and I can then always identify the bird when back home on the computer if I don’t recognise in the field. So I do like this product, but not for my use case.

[@cabelas1987]

I agree, as a wildlife photographer myself I feel the same way. I've never really set my cameras up to send images straight to my phone but if I did I could just take a nice image and send it straight to Merlin for id on my phone in the field. It's a cool bit of kit but not worth it for me, that's for sure.

[@markshen3280]

Swarovski makes the most expensive and most beautiful crystals in the world.

[@kasperk679]

to expensive for beginner birders (what the binos are excellent for) and for more experienced birders as well. For the same amount of money, you can buy binos, a scope and a phone holder (all from Swarovski). so this product is for a select group of enthausiasts. otherwise, i see the product gone within a couple of years.

[@LiamsManual]

Might need to sell a kidney to buy one of these, I keep getting flamed on reddit for mis-identifying birds

[@markshen3280]

During outdoor bird / mammal observation with this binoculars, will it sync with a hand phone, and / iPad , provided that there is internet connection ?

[@BadgerlandBirding]

It uses Bluetooth so I don’t think it needs internet to sync up

[@leedee4968]

😊 entertaining🎉 yep if I had Badgerland Birding around all the time I would not need those binoculars😊

[@BadgerlandBirding]

Haha we do our best!

[@LucianObsidian]

you have a lot of confidence in the lens mount lul. what are you using to mount your phone to the binocular? the ones i've tried are garbo

[@BadgerlandBirding]

@@LucianObsidian haha I’m not sure which one that was, it was Tiffany’s, but I like the one by Move Shoot Move.

[@Shrock568]

Identifying birds is part of the experience of birding and using AI takes that away. It’s much harder to learn how to identify a bird if AI just tells you what it is while a field guide shows you how to identify it yourself. I am not saying it’s wrong to use AI to identify birds I just takes away part of the birding experience.

[@stevensaunders4982]

Thanks for your honest review. I’ve thought these might be nice if I was going to Costa Rica, Vietnam Nam or on a safari, but seeing they have trouble IDing in the canopy may not actually work. Plus the weight is a factor. Did you like how they felt in your hands?

[@BadgerlandBirding]

They have a nice feel but they are a little bulkier than a standard pair of binoculars. If you’re going with a local guide they should have a good grasp on what species are present

[@fmbga]

Got to caution you, electronics tend not to do well in really humid places. They will likely survive, but my job (for one of the big manufacturers) is servicing those that do not. Jungle is not a happy place for optics.

[@stevensaunders4982]

@@fmbga thanks for that input. I really don’t see myself getting a pair, I’ve been downsizing and going lighter. I have a pair of the NL Pure 8x30 and really like them. I spent a day with the Zeiss SFL 8x30 & 10x30 last May and have been coveting their small size & weight. I’d buy both of these for a jungle trip before the new Swaro

[@ihatemarcusdejongha1526]

The ID feature doesn't really make sense as it really doesn't benefit serious birders at all and a casual birder probably won't want to spend all that money. However I have always wanted binoculars that can double as a camera

[@BadgerlandBirding]

Actually a lot of beginner birders are retirees so they have the extra capital for something like this

[@justastaronblox5823]

People definently buy stuff like this, companys dont make stuff that there isnt any demand for.

[@ihatemarcusdejongha1526]

@@BadgerlandBirding Yes I know, that's why I said casual. Love all your videos btw!

[@ihatemarcusdejongha1526]

@@justastaronblox5823 That's surprising. I don't know any birders in my city that are a fan. It'll be interesting to see how it does

[@BadgerlandBirding]

@@ihatemarcusdejongha1526 thanks so much! We really appreciate it!

[@davidthebirdguy517]

Personally, not a fan of them. I think this takes the fun out of birding. I've been birding since I was 9 and have learned so much over the years. It almost feels like you're cheating if you are just handed the ID. I think the struggle of birding is fun, making mistakes, learning birds, field marks and memorizing them as well as using techniques that were made years ago. I love using these techniques that were creating years ago, It makes me feel like I'm a Kung Fu master using ancient skills XD. However, with all that said, I will say that THIS IS SO COOL! The techy part of me is really showing lol. I think for me the most useful feature is the one that allows you to pin a location and hand it to another birder. I could see how this could benefit a beginning birder but not for long term. Plus I tend to not trust the tech especially this kind where you are sometimes not getting the best looks, or you are following a warbler in the tree or you have a 1st winter gull a mile away, etc. Overall cool but I'd say let's stick to the traditional way it's done.👍

[@seaseagle]

This is first generation software. It is sure to improve.

[@BadgerlandBirding]

That’s true 👍

[@tommywalker742]

Nah, Swarovski just degraded its brand by putting these out. I could see getting the patent to get their foot in the door but these aren’t ready to be marketed for retail yet.

[@limoucheu8522]

A good stabilizer is more important for me. I will say that I prefer using a book and building my knowledge yer after year than using an automatic tool. Is it more clear like this? Sorry english is not my mother tongue.

[@BadgerlandBirding]

What?

[@robmetzger8616]

Will they continue to upgrade and improve?

[@BadgerlandBirding]

I would think so. This is the first time they’ve made anything like this to my knowledge 🤷🏽‍♂️

[@toddleech1055]

i wonder if things obstruct the bird like branches if that messes with it. this is pretty damn cool .. i wonder if it will have firmware updates available like camera's do. i bet as time goes by they get better and cheaper in price.

[@BadgerlandBirding]

It definitely gives a better ID with a better pic!

[@keikokenziesirasta7086]

It needs image stabilisation and auto focus.

[@ColleenVR]

This is interesting but recovery of r&d prices it far beyond most people's means. A toy for affluent birders with innovative features, but doubt that those with advanced experience and knowledge would find much use for it. For new birders the fun out in the field is about discovery of sights and sounds never before encountered. If that is dished up the moment you focus these binoculars then what's the point?

[@Anonymous_507]

You can get a A1, A9 iii, Z9, Z8 with that money

[@BadgerlandBirding]

It is a loooooot of money

[@gwarlow]

Looks like I’m waiting for the Chinese knockoff… 😂 Thanks for this review. Cheers!

[@BadgerlandBirding]

Haha 🤣 oh I’m sure they’re coming.

[@filippocanaliderossi8721]

Can they also identify horses on a race-track?

[@BadgerlandBirding]

You’ll need the AX-Horsy-os for that

[@pencilpauli9442]

One day, such tech will be integrated into a pair of spectacles and interface with the brain, like Joe 90. The problem is, I won't be around to experience it, and I don't have 5k to drop on some cool binoculars right now. Life is so cruel 😭😭😭😭 lol

[@Melanittanigra]

If you showed someone this 20 years ago they'd think its amazing but unfortunately everyone has a smartphone now so it is kind of silly. You could afford a high end DSLR, a supertelephoto lens AND a cheap smartphone with Merlin for $5k

[@ColleenVR]

So true 😂 and, you'd get much better images with that DSLR that would further assist with identification - plus you expand your skill set with photography. Win-win.

[@patrickmolloy6994]

good. some broken links tho

[@BadgerlandBirding]

Which links?

[@edhickl205]

You talk about the camera function but don't say much about the quality of the photo. Would you leave you camera and solely relay on the AX Visio???? I wouldn't so it means I now would need to carry another charger/battery in addition what I carry now. Plus given my experience with Merlin and its ID accuracy I'm not ready to spend the $$$$s. My view of AI today is that it will make people less likely to truly learn bird IDing. Had a couple of occasions where a younger birder tell me that the bird they heard was something Merlin ID incorrectly. And was incisstant that my visual id could not be correct cause Merlin said.....

[@BadgerlandBirding]

We show the photos in the video so it’s up for the viewer to decide if the quality is what they want or not. You do realize you aren’t required to buy the product right? 🤔 we’re just showcasing its features, pros and cons, and making people aware it exists

[@edhickl205]

@@BadgerlandBirding and I truly appreciate your candor about the product- pros and cons. Your review is one of the first ones to lean into limitations -accuracy, price, weight, etc as well as pros too. Just wanted to share my personal experiences with new technologies and new birders. Most folks understand the limitations of new technology. There are some though who won't fully understand, comprehend or otherwise accept limitations of new technology. I do use new technology as part of a full arsenal of tools to enjoy birding- paper guide books, eBird, on-line media, etc.

[@thewhofan8020]

Smart technology is slowly making us dumber. Use a field guide and learn to identify birds by sight and sound.

[@matthew-jy5jp]

It's not a tool of innovation if nobody can afford it.

[@BadgerlandBirding]

@@matthew-jy5jp sure it is 🤷‍♂️

[@ColleenVR]

​​@@BadgerlandBirdingI guess we'll see on its s-curve then