Ultravid 10x42

[Otto McDiesel]

A couple of weeks ago i bought a pair of 10x42 Ultravid.
Let me tell you that they are superb. The shape, size, and weight are perfect, and my hands just like to hug them and won't let them go. I can hold these binoculars steady, much steadier than my beloved Nikon 10x35. The focus is SMOOTH, SOFT, AND WITH NO PLAY. The position of the focuser, the feel of it, the wide size, and the depth of field are all perfect, i can switch from close birds to far birds with ease. The diopter adjustment is so great, i don't need any glasses or contact lenses anymore.
Brightness, sharpness, clarity, ease of view, colors, they are all excellent.
These are better than the 3 samples of Zeiss FL that i have looked through.
Everything feels and looks perfect. I love them. I have used them from well before dawn to well after dusk and i could ID sandpipers from far away and in almost darkness. Small warblers and gnatcatchers on top of tall trees are a pleasure to look at. On top of it, i like the view, the colors, contrast, everything. The flat/sweet spot of distortion free image is wide enough, edge performance and all that stuff is not an issue for me. I could follow fast flying birds with ease and pleasure.
Also, the accessories (straps, bags, caps) are probably the best among all binoculars.
I should have bought them before their price went up by almost $400. I am happy, and i love them.

[Robert Ellis]

It is too bad about the recent mark-up. Seems it came just as both of us decided we wanted one. Unlike you I am still waiting.

[xenophobe]

Great choice! I've had my 10x42 Ultravids for about 5 weeks now. Absolutely best 10x on the market, IMO. I bought the BL version and I'm really glad I did. I love the diminuitive leather hard case that comes with mine, it makes bringing them around everywhere I take them a much easier task. I can also hold them steady, much more than any other 10x I've owned or tried, and even more steady than many other 7x and 8x I've looked through. I would definitely recommend them.

[ChrisSearle]

I've had mine for six months or so now and they seem flawless. Personally, I found it difficult to see much optical difference between the top brands but the Ultravids seem to have the build quality of a tank, unlike a number of thier competitors....

[Otto McDiesel]

the Ultravids seem to have the build quality of a tank, unlike a number of thier competitors....

you mean like the cheap plastic Zeiss that the denco dude seems to like so much?

[salty]

we ultravid owners know all about the superior optics and build quality, no need to make others jealous.........oops, i have a feeling this thread may of started something now!

[xenophobe]

Build quality is definitely unreal, then add the No Fault Passport Warranty. No need to worry about dropping them off a cliff (if you can retrieve them) or even running over them with your car, scratching/breaking your lens, etc... Apparently Zeiss will not fix normal wear and tear for free.

And I'm too hooked on the view to deal with sending them off for a week or more for a lens issue that is apparently only cosmetic.

[Toothless9]

you mean like the cheap plastic Zeiss that the denco dude seems to like so much?

Wow, I finally got to look through a pair of 8x42 FL's and although very bright and clear, I felt they were too plastically feeling as well. For $1500, I felt they should feel like $1500 binos. Are they completely composite construction or magnesium? The salesman didn't know. I recently got a pair of Douvids 8+12X42 and absolutely love them.

[Robert Ellis]

Otto, how do you find the focus knob? My fingers seem to fall with my index right on the flat spot where the two sections come together, leaving it tractionless. The thumbrests put my hands right there, I would have to consciously change my hand position to get my fingers placed on either side of the joint. Bummer that. At least I am saving money for other things, or else I would've found out too late.

[Bradley B]

I should have bought them before their price went up by almost $400. I am happy, and i love them.

Otto, I am looking at a pair available locally. Couldn't agree more and am prepping to sell my new Nikon 10x32 HGs as a down payment (any takers?).

May I ask what your cost was for your pair, and where?

Thanks, Bradley

[Gaz Shilton]

Wow, I finally got to look through a pair of 8x42 FL's and although very bright and clear, I felt they were too plastically feeling as well. For $1500, I felt they should feel like $1500 binos. Are they completely composite construction or magnesium? The salesman didn't know. I recently got a pair of Douvids 8+12X42 and absolutely love them.


Yes!!!!Someone else who loves the Duovids.

[Otto McDiesel]

Otto, I am looking at a pair available locally. Couldn't agree more and am prepping to sell my new Nikon 10x32 HGs as a down payment (any takers?).

May I ask what your cost was for your pair, and where?

Thanks, Bradley

$1699 or so, at Bass Pro shops in Springfield MO. I did go there and tried every single pair of premium 10x42 that they had, including 2 samples of Zeiss FL and 3 samples of Ultravids.