Swarovski AX Visio 

As the first smart binoculars, the AX Visio with integrated apps open up access to nature and learning experiences with useful extra functions and different identification options – combined with outstanding optical observation quality.

Overview of Functions 

Thanks to integrated apps, the AX Visio binoculars function independently and separately from a smartphone. Smartphone apps are required to change settings and transfer data between the AX Visio and a smartphone.

Integrated AX Visio Apps

- Bird ID

- Mammal ID

- Share Discoveries

- Compass

- Camera (Photo & Video)

- Butterfly ID*

- Dragonfly ID*

- 3rd party developer interface

* currently for Europe

Smartphone Apps - Android

- SWAROVSKI OPTIK Outdoor App 

- Merlin Bird ID

- SWAROVSKI OPTIK Wildlife ID

Smartphone Apps - iOS

- SWAROVSKI OPTIK Outdoor App 

- Merlin Bird ID

- SWAROVSKI OPTIK Wildlife ID

Merlin Bird ID

The integrated Bird ID app in the AX Visio and Merlin Bird ID, developed by Cornell for smartphones, are two different apps. Bird ID is based on Cornell’s model and learning data, but has been modified and optimized for

integration in the AX Visio.

New Version of Merlin Bird ID

With the launch of the AX Visio, there is a new version of the Merlin Bird ID app. Only this version supports communication with the AX Visio. It is therefore important to install this new Merlin Bird ID app on your smartphone.

Wildlife ID

The Swarovski Optik Wildlife ID smartphone app is the model on which the integrated Mammal ID, Butterfly ID, and Dragonfly ID apps in the AX Visio are based.

Swarovski Optik Outdoor App

The SWAROVSKI OPTIK Outdoor App allows you to transfer data to your cell phone and manage settings. The Live View feature (turn the mode selection wheel on the AX Visio to the camera symbol) makes it possible to share the view with up to four other smartphones using a QR code. The Outdoor App needs to be installed on these devices as well to be able to connect to the Live View with the AX Visio. In the app, select “I don’t have an AX Visio” (Settings – Connectivity) and scan the QR code shown on the master device. No identification is possible in Live View mode. When installing the app, please accept all system prompts (permission for access to photos, location, etc.), otherwise you will not be able to use all the functionalities of the app (for example, no photos can be saved). We recommend always running the updates available in the App Garden of the SWAROVSKI OPTIK Outdoor App.

Identification

Two different sizes of circle can be selected for identification support (using the arrow button). For a good identification result, it is important to select the size of circle that best captures the entire bird.

With Geolocation, the geographic location is factored into the identification process. This always runs automatically in the background if there is an available GPS signal (usually no signal in buildings). Without GPS, just one segment of the circle will be shown in bold in the field of view. As soon as there is a signal, depending on the detection quality, up to 4 segments are shown in bold – the more segments displayed in bold, the higher the probability of a correct result. The number of quarter segments shown with the identification result indicates the reliability of the result – the more segments, the more reliable the result.

For sharp images and successful identification, it is important to set the manual focus clearly before starting the identification process. As soon as the process is initiated (press the release button halfway), the AX Visio's autofocus starts to work. From this point onwards, any further fine adjustment of the focusing wheel is counterproductive for a successful analysis and good image result.

Other factors that influence identification are the size and distance of the bird, blurring caused by shaking, as well as the light and environmental situation.

Share Discoveries

For most effective use of this function, we recommend approximately the same physical location for observing and transferring. In other words, the second person should not be too far from the observation position (max. 1 meter/3.3 feet).

Basic Settings

In the case of any kind of visual impairment, a correct diopter setting is important to allow the AX Visio's camera to provide sharp images. Otherwise, the camera’s autofocus is unable to compensate for blurring.

The first time you connect your AX VISIO to your smartphone in the SWAROVSKI OPTIK Outdoor App, you will be prompted to enter a 6-digit code, which is displayed in the AX VISIO. This code is requested during the app onboarding. After clicking on “Look for AX Visio”, click on the serial number displayed. The pairing process then starts, and the code is displayed in the AX Visio.

The display is situated in the right optical channel of the AX Visio. The brightness of the display can be adjusted in the SWAROVSKI OPTIK Outdoor App under Settings (5 levels). The AX Visio automatically adjust the selected brightness of the display based on ambient light levels.

Camera and Saving Images

With its 13 MP sensor (4208 x 3120 px), the AX Visio's integrated camera provides a 4K resolution (1920 x 1080 px) for videos. The internal memory of 8 GB can store around 1,700 photos or 1 hour of video in full quality.

Photos can be loaded using the Outdoor App, Merlin Bird ID, or Wildlife ID app. All photos are automatically sent to a special AX Visio folder created in the smartphone memory. In each case, all photos are transferred from the AX Visio.