Was in a nature store today and had the pleasure of testing out the Leica Line-up which I have never previously tested (10x42 models) and I was blown away / impressed with the Noctivid and only wish my current budget could afford it! I saw a used Ultravid online and wanted to test one in person before buying as I was not overly impressed with it's 'close-up' ability in the specs. But as I tested the Ultravid and found out my initial thoughts about the close-up were perhaps not as bad as I thought, I also tested the Noctivid 'side by side' (as well as Trinovid).
I know from reading forum responses that some birders see little 'optical difference' between all three, but I for one could see and feel the difference. Noctivid all the way, baby...What a binocular, ....as I am sure I could have stated about the NL or SF too.
What is interesting though is kind of an eye-opener on myself. This past summer I was on a quest to find the perfect mid-price range 8x32mm and was adamant that I wanted to stay away from Alphas. I kept telling myself that having a mid level binocular gave me 90% of an Alpha so why bother, and let me save my money! A side note, is that at one time I did own a 8x42 SLC as well as a 10x42 HT. But I was a strong opponent of investing money into Alphas this past summer. But now, .....hmmmmmmm. I want one. The moral of the story: The Alpha's are expensive but there is a reason behind those $'s....
I know from reading forum responses that some birders see little 'optical difference' between all three, but I for one could see and feel the difference. Noctivid all the way, baby...What a binocular, ....as I am sure I could have stated about the NL or SF too.
What is interesting though is kind of an eye-opener on myself. This past summer I was on a quest to find the perfect mid-price range 8x32mm and was adamant that I wanted to stay away from Alphas. I kept telling myself that having a mid level binocular gave me 90% of an Alpha so why bother, and let me save my money! A side note, is that at one time I did own a 8x42 SLC as well as a 10x42 HT. But I was a strong opponent of investing money into Alphas this past summer. But now, .....hmmmmmmm. I want one. The moral of the story: The Alpha's are expensive but there is a reason behind those $'s....