Swarovski Optik from the Austrian Tyrol area has released some interesting news: the product is called dG 8×25 (short for Digital Guide). They claim it’s the first long-range optical device that allows you to identify and document your sightings. With the help of the Internet and clever apps, you can also share your discoveries with other people.

With the Swarovski Optik dG app, you can connect your dG device to your mobile devices (smartphone). You can also use apps like the Merlin Bird ID and dG Mammals, to help you identify and share your sightings.

The dG reminds me a little of a smaller version of the Trijicon Ventus X (World’s First Handheld Device with Advanced Wind Mapping and Range Detection), but the functionality is of course completely different.

From the Press Release:

Stay Curious – SWAROVSKI OPTIK proudly presents the world’s first optical device to offer digital animal identification

SWAROVSKI OPTIK’s latest innovation is a smart one: with the new dG (digital guide), the Tyrolean family business is proud to present a genuine world first. It is the very first long-range optical device to allow you to combine your viewing with automatic animal identification, documenting, and sharing.

When used with the intuitive dG app, the dG with built-in camera is the ideal companion for anyone who is keen to learn more about nature. From April 1, 2020, the dG will be available from selected retailers and online at swarovskioptik.com.

“The fascination of nature lies in its details. The exciting new dG not only provides you with unique experiences but also helps you to identify the birds and mammals you see.

On top of that, the digital guide makes it easy to share your observations with other like-minded nature-lovers. We are inviting everyone to take a closer look, to explore the world in all its facets, and to be enchanted by the preciousness of the moment.

The digital guide helps to open people’s eyes to the beauty of the world, so that they may fall in love with Mother Nature again. This appreciation of our planet awakens a deep desire to protect and maintain our environment in every human being,” affirms Carina Schiestl-Swarovski, Chairwoman of the Executive Board at SWAROVSKI OPTIK.

Discover nature
Thanks to its 8x magnification, the dG makes it easier to identify birds and animals at longer distances. With the simple push of a button, your observations are transferred to the dG Mammals or Merlin Bird ID app for automatic identification. Your smartphone instantly reveals which animal you have seen.

Treasure moments
The high-quality optics will provide you with some amazing moments. At the touch of a button, the integrated, high-resolution camera (13 MP) allows you to photograph and save your observations. The dG is very easy to use, and all the key functions can be operated via a single button.

Share the joy
An integrated Wi-Fi hotspot allows several people to follow the live stream of your sightings within a range of 5 meters. And, of course, you can share all your photos and videos on social media via your phone.

Here’s a video to show how it might work:

 

You can find the Swarovski dG Product Page here.

The price mentioned on the US homepage is “from 2,310.00 USD“.

I am not an active bird watcher but I feed them in my garden and I do observe them occasionally through my binoculars. I am however notoriously bad at remembering their appropriate names and species, so this product might be a perfect fit in my case. The only drawback might be that it probably won’t work through a window?

The comments are open. What do you think of the product and apps?