pruitthall
Member
Have to say it's a great time to be a birder with the fantastic assortment of sub $500 roofs available these days. But I did have a question I wanted to post to those more learned than myself.
My primary optics are Leica Ultravids, 8x42, and the family has three other 8x42s we use at our main residence and our mountain home, so everything 'floats' between the homes, save the Leicas, which I always have with me.
Our three other bins are a year old Nikon Monarchs, a new set Leupold Cascade and an even newer (just acquired) Vortex Diamondbacks. I use the Leupolds extensively in heron watching up in the mountains, the better half considers the Nikons 'hers' and our boy uses the Diamondbacks.
Reason I'm writing, is the seemingly almost insignificance in the view between all four of these binoculars. Granted, they're all the same power and have specs that are very similar (big reason for this selection) but I'm still shaking my head at just how 'universal' the look is between them all. Granted, the Leica can still 'wow' me occasionally, but I'll always wonder now why I spent more on that one set than the entire batch of others cost me put together! And Leupold and Vortex's warranties are actually better. And, I did have to send the Ultras back once...they're the original NON-HD version and the armoring came loose. No issue, they took care of me, new binocs, new warranty, but that did make me pause about spending $2k for something that more 50 year old eyes just cannot always make out the difference, especially compared to what is available today for less than $300.
My question is really two, one technical, one non-technical:
1--I know who makes my Leicas and my Nikons. Who makes the Leupolds and who makes the Vortexes?
2--Is it just me or have the new offerings just gotten that much better? Of the three other bins, I'm particular to the Leupolds and the Vortexes and I'm still surprised about that.
Any comments from anyone, I'd appreciate in advance. Sorry for the 'general' posting in the Leupold group, but I didn't know where else to put it, and, I do use the Leupolds the most, so maybe it's the appropriate settings.
Many thanks!
My primary optics are Leica Ultravids, 8x42, and the family has three other 8x42s we use at our main residence and our mountain home, so everything 'floats' between the homes, save the Leicas, which I always have with me.
Our three other bins are a year old Nikon Monarchs, a new set Leupold Cascade and an even newer (just acquired) Vortex Diamondbacks. I use the Leupolds extensively in heron watching up in the mountains, the better half considers the Nikons 'hers' and our boy uses the Diamondbacks.
Reason I'm writing, is the seemingly almost insignificance in the view between all four of these binoculars. Granted, they're all the same power and have specs that are very similar (big reason for this selection) but I'm still shaking my head at just how 'universal' the look is between them all. Granted, the Leica can still 'wow' me occasionally, but I'll always wonder now why I spent more on that one set than the entire batch of others cost me put together! And Leupold and Vortex's warranties are actually better. And, I did have to send the Ultras back once...they're the original NON-HD version and the armoring came loose. No issue, they took care of me, new binocs, new warranty, but that did make me pause about spending $2k for something that more 50 year old eyes just cannot always make out the difference, especially compared to what is available today for less than $300.
My question is really two, one technical, one non-technical:
1--I know who makes my Leicas and my Nikons. Who makes the Leupolds and who makes the Vortexes?
2--Is it just me or have the new offerings just gotten that much better? Of the three other bins, I'm particular to the Leupolds and the Vortexes and I'm still surprised about that.
Any comments from anyone, I'd appreciate in advance. Sorry for the 'general' posting in the Leupold group, but I didn't know where else to put it, and, I do use the Leupolds the most, so maybe it's the appropriate settings.
Many thanks!
