This is my first review here, so please excuse my review if it is too long for a general post. That having been said, lets get started. I intend this to be a most exhaustive review of the new Leica 8 x 20 BL Ultravid binoculars. I have owned or utilized all of the big three binocs at this compact size, and in many instances, my review will compare across these brands. Please keep in mind these are my opinions and subjective rankings; they may differ entirely from someone else's...
The review will cover Fit and Finish, Mechanics, Optics, Presentation, and Summary.
Fit and Finish: First impression when you open the box containing the BL's - looking mighty fine! These binoculars feel absolutely sturdy, much more so than the S-brand pocket binoculars and the Z-brand as well. In fact, I much prefer metal construction than fiberglass, reinforced carbon, plastic by any other name blah. Im rather familiar with the use of carbon fiber in bicycles, and again, Im all for metal in my long-term tangible assets (whether high-class glass is an asset is for another post). Yeah carbon is rigid, stiff, whatever, but when you bust you a$$, the frame is gonna snap all nasty, whereas metal frames may just bend or dent. Anyway, lets continue. All the (p)leather seems in place, no obvious glue stains or smeared lubricants. As far as I know, these BL's come in any color you could want, as long as it is black. The black finish is the black chrome found on Leica M6's and M7's, while the leather is the leather found on those models as well. This is a significant distinction. If you have handled the earlier 8 x 20 trinovid bl's, or leica's excellent cm camera, then you know that the "leather" on these items is actually hard plastic with a leather like texture. It just looks like leather, without any other leather attributes. The Ultravid BL's leather is the softer, more rubbery leather with a more "leather-like feel". Step up from the plastic pleather. Still, don't know why they didn't just use real leather at this price point. Stenciled lettering for serial number, etc. is perfect. Even the red dot is centered well with no adhesive residue present. Overall 9.5 out of 10, 1/2 point subtraction for the pleather.
Mechanics: Perfect scores here. Perfect. The new diopter control design is the best Ive seen. I used to knock my S-brand bins out of diopter all the time with the little wheel in front and bigger wheel in back (front meaning closer). The rotating eyepiece style is better and good at holding the diopter setting, but results in another seam where water can enter binos..This system uses a pushbutton under the bridge. Only when the pushbutton is pressed will the diopter change. otherwise is locked fully. In addition, there are not indents, its continuous through the range of dipoter settings. Focus is fast and smooth, eyepieces rotate in and out with no sound or undue friction, and eyepieces slide in and out with slight twisting action. The bins are built like little miniature tanks. Put them up against any other brand at this size, and they are gonna win. Oh, and they are waterproof to 5m. Mechanics 10/10.
Optics: I currently own the 8 x 20 trinovids as well, and got the Ultravids as a replacement. I had a chance to compare them both. The trinovids are some absolutely fine binocs, but the ultravids win, hands down. The coatings on the lenses in the ultravids is obviously different. In the trinovids, the coatings seem to be on the green to yellow side. On the ultravids, yellow or blue shows up, with more of the latter, green is usually only seen if looking at the prism. They are brighter than the trinovids. they also seem to have a wider field of view, slightly. I dont know if this is true, but it seems that way. In many ways, looking through them reminds me of looking through the leica 8 x 32's. Sharpness? the best I have seen in this class. And i have seen a lot. Color? Right on the money. Exact.
Binocular people are typically very very picky people. Concerned with the most minute details. Just see some of the posts on here about microscopic flakes of goo on lens prisms and such. Almost too small to be seen. Yes, I can say I am not too different when it comes to optics myself. I am picky about my optics. I have traded up from Z-brand to S-brand to L-brand trying to find compact, do everything, take anywhere binocs. I can finally say, I don't feel a need to trade up anymore. the ultras are that good. Optics: 10/10
Presentation: Earlier leica stuff came in horrid white boxes with an instruction book and little else. not much for the money. These BL's however, surprised me. Not only do they come in a nicer box, but they arrive with a beautiful leather case, strap, and eyepiece covers. Yes eyepiece covers for the 8 x 20's. The strap is not much to talk about, but the eyepiece covers do attach to it. The leather case is remarkable. Opens like a clamshell and the binocs can slide in an out vertically, so they can be used on a belt. Way better than a zip-around nylon case. The leather case is a huge value-added bonus. As is a lifetime passport warranty. Lifetime. 15 years from know your bins get run over by a tractor? just send in the part with the serial number, as long as they are registered of course. 1 point off of presentation for not including a leather strap or objective covers, but still damn good! Presentation 9/10
Summary: Ive used them all, and hands down the new ultravids are the best out there. Im not trying to convince you of this, i dont work at leica, and Ive already bought mine. but if you are on the fence trying to decide which way to go with compact bins, you owe it to yourself to at least give the ultravids a looksee... My ranking order for current 8 x 20 bins: Ultravid #1, Trinovid #2, Z-brand #3, S-brand #4, N-brand #5.
The review will cover Fit and Finish, Mechanics, Optics, Presentation, and Summary.
Fit and Finish: First impression when you open the box containing the BL's - looking mighty fine! These binoculars feel absolutely sturdy, much more so than the S-brand pocket binoculars and the Z-brand as well. In fact, I much prefer metal construction than fiberglass, reinforced carbon, plastic by any other name blah. Im rather familiar with the use of carbon fiber in bicycles, and again, Im all for metal in my long-term tangible assets (whether high-class glass is an asset is for another post). Yeah carbon is rigid, stiff, whatever, but when you bust you a$$, the frame is gonna snap all nasty, whereas metal frames may just bend or dent. Anyway, lets continue. All the (p)leather seems in place, no obvious glue stains or smeared lubricants. As far as I know, these BL's come in any color you could want, as long as it is black. The black finish is the black chrome found on Leica M6's and M7's, while the leather is the leather found on those models as well. This is a significant distinction. If you have handled the earlier 8 x 20 trinovid bl's, or leica's excellent cm camera, then you know that the "leather" on these items is actually hard plastic with a leather like texture. It just looks like leather, without any other leather attributes. The Ultravid BL's leather is the softer, more rubbery leather with a more "leather-like feel". Step up from the plastic pleather. Still, don't know why they didn't just use real leather at this price point. Stenciled lettering for serial number, etc. is perfect. Even the red dot is centered well with no adhesive residue present. Overall 9.5 out of 10, 1/2 point subtraction for the pleather.
Mechanics: Perfect scores here. Perfect. The new diopter control design is the best Ive seen. I used to knock my S-brand bins out of diopter all the time with the little wheel in front and bigger wheel in back (front meaning closer). The rotating eyepiece style is better and good at holding the diopter setting, but results in another seam where water can enter binos..This system uses a pushbutton under the bridge. Only when the pushbutton is pressed will the diopter change. otherwise is locked fully. In addition, there are not indents, its continuous through the range of dipoter settings. Focus is fast and smooth, eyepieces rotate in and out with no sound or undue friction, and eyepieces slide in and out with slight twisting action. The bins are built like little miniature tanks. Put them up against any other brand at this size, and they are gonna win. Oh, and they are waterproof to 5m. Mechanics 10/10.
Optics: I currently own the 8 x 20 trinovids as well, and got the Ultravids as a replacement. I had a chance to compare them both. The trinovids are some absolutely fine binocs, but the ultravids win, hands down. The coatings on the lenses in the ultravids is obviously different. In the trinovids, the coatings seem to be on the green to yellow side. On the ultravids, yellow or blue shows up, with more of the latter, green is usually only seen if looking at the prism. They are brighter than the trinovids. they also seem to have a wider field of view, slightly. I dont know if this is true, but it seems that way. In many ways, looking through them reminds me of looking through the leica 8 x 32's. Sharpness? the best I have seen in this class. And i have seen a lot. Color? Right on the money. Exact.
Binocular people are typically very very picky people. Concerned with the most minute details. Just see some of the posts on here about microscopic flakes of goo on lens prisms and such. Almost too small to be seen. Yes, I can say I am not too different when it comes to optics myself. I am picky about my optics. I have traded up from Z-brand to S-brand to L-brand trying to find compact, do everything, take anywhere binocs. I can finally say, I don't feel a need to trade up anymore. the ultras are that good. Optics: 10/10
Presentation: Earlier leica stuff came in horrid white boxes with an instruction book and little else. not much for the money. These BL's however, surprised me. Not only do they come in a nicer box, but they arrive with a beautiful leather case, strap, and eyepiece covers. Yes eyepiece covers for the 8 x 20's. The strap is not much to talk about, but the eyepiece covers do attach to it. The leather case is remarkable. Opens like a clamshell and the binocs can slide in an out vertically, so they can be used on a belt. Way better than a zip-around nylon case. The leather case is a huge value-added bonus. As is a lifetime passport warranty. Lifetime. 15 years from know your bins get run over by a tractor? just send in the part with the serial number, as long as they are registered of course. 1 point off of presentation for not including a leather strap or objective covers, but still damn good! Presentation 9/10
Summary: Ive used them all, and hands down the new ultravids are the best out there. Im not trying to convince you of this, i dont work at leica, and Ive already bought mine. but if you are on the fence trying to decide which way to go with compact bins, you owe it to yourself to at least give the ultravids a looksee... My ranking order for current 8 x 20 bins: Ultravid #1, Trinovid #2, Z-brand #3, S-brand #4, N-brand #5.