Summer is officially over but there are plenty of leaves on the trees here in Alabama. As I've mentioned before during the Summer and early Fall months a 7X42 binocular may be preferable as ones primary birding binocular. Some of the advantages a 7X42 frequently offers are increased FOV, faster target acquisition, larger exit pupils, often more eye relief, and a steadier image. I find the 7X42s especially useful in heavy foliage or when usual birding distances are close(such images below). I've had the good fortune to use two such binoculars, often side by side for the past four months.
Leica Ultravid HD Plus 7X42
I purchased the UV HD + in June. I have used it the most of any binocular I have since that time. Below are some stats on this binocular:
Weight- 26.4 ounces objective covers OFF, 27.4 ounces ON
Eye cups- 5-positon
Eye relief- 17mm(Leica's measurement)
FOV- 8 degrees, 420 feet @ 1000 yards (Leica's measurement)
Transmission %- 88.2% (courtesy House of Outdoors)
Diopter compensation- +/- 4 (Leica's measurement)
IPD- 55-77mm(Leica's measurement)
Close focus- 9.5 feet
Warranty- 3 year Passport Protection Plan and Limited Lifetime
Meopta Meostar B.1 7X42
I purchased the B.1 7X42 in June as well. Just a few weeks after the Leica. The B.1 7X42 came all the way from Germany as I could find none available in the USA. I have used the B.1 ALMOST as much as the UVHD+. Below are some stats on this binocular:
Weight- 32.1 ounces objective covers OFF, 32.6 ounces ON
Eye cups- 2 position
Eye relief- 21.8mm(Meopta's measurement)
FOV- 7.84 degrees, 411 feet at 1000 yards
Transmission %- 90.9%(Courtesy House of Outdoors)
Diopter compensation- +/- 3 (Meopta's measurement)
IPD- 56-74mm(Meopta's measurement)
Close focus- 8.5 feet
Warranty- 30 years US purchase...10 years elsewhere?
Armchair and in the field comparison
I'll start with some of things that are obvious, mostly from the info above.
Weight:
The Leica is obviously the lightweight here. A 32 ounce 7X42 is petty chunky by todays standards. Many are going to reject the Meopta on that point alone. I can only speak for myself but....I hardly notice it. I thought I would but with a nice harness such as RYULH I don't even notice the difference during carry. Even during use I didn't notice the weight difference. But I can't argue with facts...the Meostar is a good bit heavier binocular.
Eye-cups:
One thing I DO notice is eye-cups. This is the first Meopta 42mm binocular I've owned and I was surprised to note it has only two position eye-cups. That is, all the way UP and all the way down. No in-between. The Ultravid HD + probably has the best in the business. I count 5 positions including all the way up and down. I also find there are more than that. Just BEFORE the eye-cup clicks in one of the positions it can rest THERE. So I use mine just before all the way down. The B.1 required the use of o-rings to get the correct eye-placement setting for me.
Eye-relief:
Both binoculars probably have plenty for most eyeglass users. The Meopta should have P-L-E-N-T-Y for most ANY eyeglass wearer! Highly recommended for those that need a little extra!
Diopter adjustment:
IMO no one beats Leica here. The best. The easiest to adjust. The Meopta IS very good though with a central adjustment with click indentations.
Hinge tension:
Both great with the Meopta slightly greater than the Leica.
Focus adjustment:
Really, both are great. If my Nikon EDG II is a 10, both of these are probably a 8.5-9. No complaints whatsoever. The Meopta requires a little more effort but very nice. I really like the Leica's wide knob that easily allows two finger placement. The Meopta is comfortable too. I will say the Meopta's adjustment IS a little slower and requires a little more input to focus when changing distances.
In the field observations:
Let me start by saying these are both really nice binoculars. I like them both. Would be happy with either. BUT there are a few differences. One is FOV or perceived FOV. Both the 7x42 AND the 8X42 Meopta B.1 list the FOV at 411 feet. So the 7X42 isn't doing all it COULD be doing and one can tell because you can see the inside of each barrel when viewing. I handed the B.1 to more than one observer that were using 8X42s WITH less actual FOV but both had the impression the Meopta had less FOV. I explained to them how to tell and both couldn't believe the Meostar actually had more FOV until they proved it to themselves. ACTUALLY FOV differences between the UVHD+ and the Meostar is nine feet. Nine feet you'll never miss or appreciate. The Meostar DOES actually present a flatter FOV being correct very close to the edge of FOV. The Leica less so. But, here goes.....I believe the UVHD+ DOES present an ever so slightly increase in image quality in the center 50% or so of the FOV. There, I said it! Be that as it may, I would never see it except in side by side direct comparison and it is absolutely meaningless in bird identification OR viewing pleasure. I also felt the Meostar offered slightly better glare control. Not much difference but a slight improvement. Have I missed anything??
Conclusion
I like 7X42 binoculars. For most of my birding ESPECIALLY in the Summer and early Fall I find them to be in their element. You'll see in the pictures below some of areas I frequent. Either of these fine binoculars are a nice choice. Based on lower weight, multi-range adjustable eyecups, and US availability I find the Ultravid HD Plus the more desirable binocular. Other than that, that's about it. Difference in price however is about $1000. $1000. I'm not so sure I can see it. If you MUST have the best, the Ultravid HD Plus is the way to go BUT it actually may make more sense to purchase the Meostar B.1 7X42 AND a Conquest HD 10X42 for one's $2000. Then you have all the bases covered!
Maybe I should take my own advice at times!
Leica Ultravid HD Plus 7X42
I purchased the UV HD + in June. I have used it the most of any binocular I have since that time. Below are some stats on this binocular:
Weight- 26.4 ounces objective covers OFF, 27.4 ounces ON
Eye cups- 5-positon
Eye relief- 17mm(Leica's measurement)
FOV- 8 degrees, 420 feet @ 1000 yards (Leica's measurement)
Transmission %- 88.2% (courtesy House of Outdoors)
Diopter compensation- +/- 4 (Leica's measurement)
IPD- 55-77mm(Leica's measurement)
Close focus- 9.5 feet
Warranty- 3 year Passport Protection Plan and Limited Lifetime
Meopta Meostar B.1 7X42
I purchased the B.1 7X42 in June as well. Just a few weeks after the Leica. The B.1 7X42 came all the way from Germany as I could find none available in the USA. I have used the B.1 ALMOST as much as the UVHD+. Below are some stats on this binocular:
Weight- 32.1 ounces objective covers OFF, 32.6 ounces ON
Eye cups- 2 position
Eye relief- 21.8mm(Meopta's measurement)
FOV- 7.84 degrees, 411 feet at 1000 yards
Transmission %- 90.9%(Courtesy House of Outdoors)
Diopter compensation- +/- 3 (Meopta's measurement)
IPD- 56-74mm(Meopta's measurement)
Close focus- 8.5 feet
Warranty- 30 years US purchase...10 years elsewhere?
Armchair and in the field comparison
I'll start with some of things that are obvious, mostly from the info above.
Weight:
The Leica is obviously the lightweight here. A 32 ounce 7X42 is petty chunky by todays standards. Many are going to reject the Meopta on that point alone. I can only speak for myself but....I hardly notice it. I thought I would but with a nice harness such as RYULH I don't even notice the difference during carry. Even during use I didn't notice the weight difference. But I can't argue with facts...the Meostar is a good bit heavier binocular.
Eye-cups:
One thing I DO notice is eye-cups. This is the first Meopta 42mm binocular I've owned and I was surprised to note it has only two position eye-cups. That is, all the way UP and all the way down. No in-between. The Ultravid HD + probably has the best in the business. I count 5 positions including all the way up and down. I also find there are more than that. Just BEFORE the eye-cup clicks in one of the positions it can rest THERE. So I use mine just before all the way down. The B.1 required the use of o-rings to get the correct eye-placement setting for me.
Eye-relief:
Both binoculars probably have plenty for most eyeglass users. The Meopta should have P-L-E-N-T-Y for most ANY eyeglass wearer! Highly recommended for those that need a little extra!
Diopter adjustment:
IMO no one beats Leica here. The best. The easiest to adjust. The Meopta IS very good though with a central adjustment with click indentations.
Hinge tension:
Both great with the Meopta slightly greater than the Leica.
Focus adjustment:
Really, both are great. If my Nikon EDG II is a 10, both of these are probably a 8.5-9. No complaints whatsoever. The Meopta requires a little more effort but very nice. I really like the Leica's wide knob that easily allows two finger placement. The Meopta is comfortable too. I will say the Meopta's adjustment IS a little slower and requires a little more input to focus when changing distances.
In the field observations:
Let me start by saying these are both really nice binoculars. I like them both. Would be happy with either. BUT there are a few differences. One is FOV or perceived FOV. Both the 7x42 AND the 8X42 Meopta B.1 list the FOV at 411 feet. So the 7X42 isn't doing all it COULD be doing and one can tell because you can see the inside of each barrel when viewing. I handed the B.1 to more than one observer that were using 8X42s WITH less actual FOV but both had the impression the Meopta had less FOV. I explained to them how to tell and both couldn't believe the Meostar actually had more FOV until they proved it to themselves. ACTUALLY FOV differences between the UVHD+ and the Meostar is nine feet. Nine feet you'll never miss or appreciate. The Meostar DOES actually present a flatter FOV being correct very close to the edge of FOV. The Leica less so. But, here goes.....I believe the UVHD+ DOES present an ever so slightly increase in image quality in the center 50% or so of the FOV. There, I said it! Be that as it may, I would never see it except in side by side direct comparison and it is absolutely meaningless in bird identification OR viewing pleasure. I also felt the Meostar offered slightly better glare control. Not much difference but a slight improvement. Have I missed anything??
Conclusion
I like 7X42 binoculars. For most of my birding ESPECIALLY in the Summer and early Fall I find them to be in their element. You'll see in the pictures below some of areas I frequent. Either of these fine binoculars are a nice choice. Based on lower weight, multi-range adjustable eyecups, and US availability I find the Ultravid HD Plus the more desirable binocular. Other than that, that's about it. Difference in price however is about $1000. $1000. I'm not so sure I can see it. If you MUST have the best, the Ultravid HD Plus is the way to go BUT it actually may make more sense to purchase the Meostar B.1 7X42 AND a Conquest HD 10X42 for one's $2000. Then you have all the bases covered!
Maybe I should take my own advice at times!