There has been a lot of discussion about build quality and quality issues with binoculars at all price points on Bird Forum. Of course you would expect the more expensive "alpha" binoculars to have less quality problems but lately even this elite group doesn't seem to be immune from defects from the manufacturer. What brands of binoculars have you found to have better initial quality and less problems down the road? Have some brands slipped lately in quality? What's your experience been?
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What binoculars have the best build quality? (1 Viewer)
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The Leica Trinovid BN is rumored to be bomb proof.
https://www.allbinos.com/340-Leica_Trinovid_8x32_BN-binoculars_specifications.html
And here:
https://www.allbinos.com/237-Leica_Trinovid_8x42_BN-binoculars_specifications.html
See the individual reviews of them.
Of course their optics are somewhat dated by now and they have been replaced by the Leica Ultravids.
Bob
PS: Dennis,
As I recall, you had an old thread here raving about the Leica 7x42 Trinovid BN!o
as "the best binoculars I have ever used!"
http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=84073
https://www.allbinos.com/340-Leica_Trinovid_8x32_BN-binoculars_specifications.html
And here:
https://www.allbinos.com/237-Leica_Trinovid_8x42_BN-binoculars_specifications.html
See the individual reviews of them.
Of course their optics are somewhat dated by now and they have been replaced by the Leica Ultravids.
Bob
PS: Dennis,
As I recall, you had an old thread here raving about the Leica 7x42 Trinovid BN!o
as "the best binoculars I have ever used!"http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=84073
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I had several Leica Trinovids BN's and BA's in 8x32 and 7x42 and I agree they are one tough binocular. Great binocular for rough and tumble use.
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WJC
Well-known member
These days, brands mean a fraction of what they once did and as long a folks go weak in the knees about brands that weren't heard of 15 years ago—and may be gone 15 years from now—it will remain so. Today, some fine names and reputations are behind some marginal products. However, in optics, as in everything else, perception is reality—At least for those who believe everything they read. Competition is as sharp as a razor and there are WAY too many vendors for the limited business.
And, what might be a structurally superior instrument, today, may not be superior, next week.
Just a thought. :cat:
Bill
Stephen Mark
Well-known member
I would put the Kowa Genesis up against any thing else. I have had mine for close to seven years now with hard use thru the first four before my mobility became restricted. I told the story a short time back about missing a step coming off an observatory doing a full length pratfall and landing with the kowas against my chest. The result was a dent in the wood and two cracked ribs for me but not a scratch on the bins and they work perfectly. Don't try this experiment at home with your SF's, SV's, Trinovids or what ever as you wouldn't like the cracked ribs and might not like what happens to the bino.
Steve
Steve
The Kowa's have a great complete armour cover which probably helps a lot with knocks and bangs. The Kowa Genesis I had was also built very solidly. They have great optics too.
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james holdsworth
Consulting Biologist
Anecdotal is no good - find some sort of industrial / standardized testing or long-term testing involving large numbers of participants.
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How about this. The Allbino's Endurance Test of 8x42 Binoculars.
https://www.allbinos.com/18.1-binoculars_review-summary-Endurance_test_of_8x42_binoculars.html
I agree on your list. Wouldn't you put the Tract Toric HD 8x42 in there?
gunut
Registered Offender
Swarovski has the finest build quality on the market. Leica and the higher end Zeiss are very close in second, but I think the Swarovski's have just the tiniest edge in build refinement and optics.
No scientific measurements or data can really take the place of actually holding the instrument in your hands, and making your own judgements as to how well it's built.
No scientific measurements or data can really take the place of actually holding the instrument in your hands, and making your own judgements as to how well it's built.
WJC
Well-known member
3
Yo, your gunnyness ...I haven't seen a new post on Optics Talk in 3 weeks. Has that site gone the ways of the world? :cat:
Cheers,
Bill
Regarding Swarovski's "finest build quality;" a few year back there was an anecdote floating around the Swarovski u tube sites about the editor of a Birding Magazine taking her Swarovski binocular into SONA for refurbishing whereupon a woman supervisor in the refurbishing department there proceeded to tear the covering off the binocular using only her well manicured fingernails. Her nails sustained no damage.
A close examination of my SLCs convinced me that this was indeed possible!
Try that with a Leica Trinovid or Ultravid or a Zeiss Victory or a Nikon EDG or other binocular. Fingernails must retain their manicured appearance.
Bob
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"No scientific measurements or data can really take the place of actually holding the instrument in your hands, and making your own judgements as to how well it's built."
Good point and I fully agree.
Good point and I fully agree.
Bill what exactly do you mean by this? Thanks.
"And, what might be a structurally superior instrument, today, may not be superior, next week."
"And, what might be a structurally superior instrument, today, may not be superior, next week."
NDhunter
Experienced observer
Regarding Swarovski's "finest build quality;" a few year back there was an anecdote floating around the Swarovski u tube sites about the editor of a Birding Magazine taking her Swarovski binocular into SONA for refurbishing whereupon a woman supervisor in the refurbishing department there proceeded to tear the covering off the binocular using only her well manicured fingernails. Her nails sustained no damage.
A close examination of my SLCs convinced me that this was indeed possible!
Try that with a Leica Trinovid or Ultravid or a Zeiss Victory or a Nikon EDG or other binocular. Fingernails must retain their manicured appearance.
Bob
Bob:
Most binoculars have rubber armor over a metal frame. This is very common
and it is done with all.
Jerry
Regarding Swarovski's "finest build quality;" a few year back there was an anecdote floating around the Swarovski u tube sites about the editor of a Birding Magazine taking her Swarovski binocular into SONA for refurbishing whereupon a woman supervisor in the refurbishing department there proceeded to tear the covering off the binocular using only her well manicured fingernails. Her nails sustained no damage.
A close examination of my SLCs convinced me that this was indeed possible!
Try that with a Leica Trinovid or Ultravid or a Zeiss Victory or a Nikon EDG or other binocular. Fingernails must retain their manicured appearance.
Bob
Its a great story Bob and I would have loved to see this lady do her stuff, but one of our members pointed out a couple of years ago that armour is meant to be removeable to allow repairs to be done, and no doubt she knew exactly where to apply those fingernails to get the job done.
Lee
