Hi ER is not everything, or everyone wants. By making it big, it would need to compromise or change some other size/data too, Leica binoculars are in a very compact size while being top quality and practical, it is also what some would like too. Leica does not need to make every category the same as other brands.
Many do find the so-called ER is enough on Leica binos and the package is fine for them. So Leica do have it's own characteristic features.
Not everyone wears size 10 shoes!
spiralcoil,
True! Mine are size 13.
I also have large hands, which narrow and short roofs do not fit well.
Are you're saying is if Leica increases the ER, they will need to make Leica binoculars longer and/or wider?
Minox is known for its compact-sized binoculars (and cameras).
Here's how the 8x43 HG APO stacks up against the 8x42 Ultravid HG in dimensions, ER and FOV:
Dimensions (width/height)
8x42 Ultravid HG 4 3⁄4" x 5 5⁄8"
8x43 HG APO 5.15" x 6.02"
Eye Relief
8x42 Ultravid HG 15.5mm
8x43 HG APO 19mm
FOV
8x42 Ultravid HG 7.4*
8x43 HD APO 7.2*
The Minox is over a 1/4" wider but only a little more than an eighth of an inch longer. The FOV is very close.
Here are the midsized models compared:
Dimensions (width/height
8x33 HG 5.15" 5.27
8x32 HD 4 5⁄8" x 4 5⁄8"
Eye Relief
8x33 HG 16.5mm
8x32 HD 13.3mm
FOV
8x33 HG 8.1*
8x32 HD 7.7*
In the midsized models, the difference in width is about the same as the full sized models, which is not much, but in height, the HD is the "shorty". But it's also the "shorty" in ER.
Some eyeglass wearers might be able to squeeze by with 15.5mm in the full sized HDs (provided that's all useable), but much less so with 13.3mm in the midsized HDs, as posts above attested.
While Leica has Minox beat by an inch worm's head, it suggests that Leica could increase the ER on the Ultravids without significantly losing their compactness. IOW, it seems that you can have your cake and eat it too.
The only reason I can imagine that Leica isn't accommodating eyeglass wearers is that it would require an EP redesign, which would add cost to already costly binoculars. But what's $200-$300 extra at this price point? Particularly, with Swarovski already past the $2K threshold.
I will let the experts weigh in here, perhaps there's something I'm missing... like a few screws.
Brock