Leica Duovids

[Buster]

Anyone here have experience with the 8-12x42 Leica Duovid binoculars? I'm seriously considering reducing my current inventory (Leica 8x42 BA's, Nikon 10x42 Venturer's) and buying a pair of these.

Anyone know if these have the same basic optical components as the Ultravids? Anyone know the exact weight of the 8-12x's? Some sites list them at 37oz, while others list them at 34oz. If they're 34oz, they wouldn't be any worse to pack than my Nikon Venturer 10x42's....

Thanks for any info.

[reckoner1]

I have a 8-12 Duovid. Bought it about a year ago as I found the concept interesting.

I like the binocular. It is a little heavier than others but not a big deal.

I had a 10*42 ultravid for a week and compared the two.

To my eyes the Ultravid was just a touch better optically. As well the Ultravid has a slightly wider field of view (when comparing similar powers).

The Duovid manual lists the weight as 1040 grams = 36.68 ounces.

[Toothless9]

Anyone here have experience with the 8-12x42 Leica Duovid binoculars? I'm seriously considering reducing my current inventory (Leica 8x42 BA's, Nikon 10x42 Venturer's) and buying a pair of these.

Anyone know if these have the same basic optical components as the Ultravids? Anyone know the exact weight of the 8-12x's? Some sites list them at 37oz, while others list them at 34oz. If they're 34oz, they wouldn't be any worse to pack than my Nikon Venturer 10x42's....

Thanks for any info.

Hello, I just got a pair of the 8-12x42 Duovids. I have looked at the Ultravids, ELs and the Premiers LXLs and while all were excellent, I picked the Duovids for there versatility. I love looking at 8X and then being able to go to 12x for a little more detail. The weight is noticeable but I don't look for a very long time at any one thing. If I had to pick a fixed mag 42mm bino, I felt the Nikon Premeirs were just a tad better than the Swaro ELs. If you don't mind the weight and you want to carry only one bino, this bino can do it all. (I like this so much, I even sprung for the tripod mount to view at 12x for extended time). Price is the only drawback though.

[Toothless9]

Forgot to mention, the coatings should be the same as the Ultravids according to their catalog.

[postcardcv]

I've been using the 8-12x42 Duovids for almost two years now and am very happy with the optical performance of them. When I was looking for new bins I comapred them side by side with the BM's and found them to be as good (though with a slightly reduced FOV), so decided to go with them for the added versatility of the second mag.
I'd still agree that they are excellent bins - yes they're on the heavy side (1100g with neck strap and rainguard according to my scales), but are very well balanced and easy to use fo rlong periods of viewing. However as I almost always have my scope with me I have found that I rarely switch them to 12x, so this feature is a bit wasted on me (I was sure I'd use it alot when I got them). If I was buying now I'd go for the Ultravids (or quite possibly the BN's), as I'd rather have the wider FOV than the second mag.
If you will use both mags then the Duovids are an excellent choice, if not go for the Ultras instead.

[postcardcv]

Having thought a bit more about these bins I have realised that I am not using them to the full potenial - as I almost always have a scope I have only used the 12x mag twice this year... so I've decided to sell them and think again about bins that would be more suited to me. If you don't carry a scope with you the whole time these are very useful, but they're just not right for me....

so if anyone wants a bargain pair... http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=39422