Ultravid 8x42 BL? (1 Viewer)

[Hermann]

Anyone here to offer some information on the Ultravid 8x42 BL? It's still on the Leica page, but with little real information. I know it didn't get the "+"-upgrade and doesn't have AquaDura coatings. It's also apparently not "HD" (even though that doesn't really mean all that much AFAIK). I'd be interested in hearing about the optical quality, compared to so some other alphas.

The reason I'm asking is that the BL is quite attractive because of its low weight. About 700 gr. for a 42mm binocular is pretty good.

Hermann

 

[jan van daalen]

Anyone here to offer some information on the Ultravid 8x42 BL? It's still on the Leica page, but with little real information. I know it didn't get the "+"-upgrade and doesn't have AquaDura coatings. It's also apparently not "HD" (even though that doesn't really mean all that much AFAIK). I'd be interested in hearing about the optical quality, compared to so some other alphas.

The reason I'm asking is that the BL is quite attractive because of its low weight. About 700 gr. for a 42mm binocular is pretty good.

Hermann

When Leica launched the HD serie, they kept the old Ultravid alive as the L.
What a real pitty is, is that the genuine Ultravid in a 32L version would be a killer, but they never did that. Leica's way are mysterious....

Personally I find the L the most attractive design (together with the classic 7x42 Dialyt) ever.

Jan

 

[Troubador]

When Leica launched the HD serie, they kept the old Ultravid alive as the L.
What a real pitty is, is that the genuine Ultravid in a 32L version would be a killer, but they never did that. Leica's way are mysterious....

Personally I find the L the most attractive design (together with the classic 7x42 Dialyt) ever.

Jan

If that 32 Leather Uvid had been available I can tell you that Troubadoris would have chosen one rather than the GA. In appearance it is closest to the classic and elegant original Trinovids.

Lee

 

[dwatsonbirder]

This is optically a very nice bin, I've had a look through a friends and compared it directly with my SLC 7x42. Nice wide field of view, sharp, colours fairly neutral from memory. The other two things that impressed me were the feel of the bin - light in the hand and good ergonomics, and perhaps most impressive (personally) was the eye relief - I could actually see the whole field of view with me glasses on, something I can't achieve with my 8x32 Trinovids. If one came up at a good price and I was in the market I'd certainly consider purchasing one. Aesthetically this bin is up there with the Dialyt 7x42 - a stylish classic looking bin, especially in green.

 

[Hermann]

Aesthetically this bin is up there with the Dialyt 7x42 - a stylish classic looking bin, especially in green.

Interestingly, they talk about this edition incorporating "the best of contemporary technology" but they don't say if it uses Schott glas or has AquaDura coatings. But then this edition clearly isn't so much about optical quality, it's mainly (or only?) about style. An edition for the serious collector.

BTW, I agree with Jan and Lee: An Ultravid 8x32 BL would have been a very interesting binocular. But the 8x42 and 10x42 have got their own charm as well.

Hermann

 

[dwatsonbirder]

I agree Hermann, it is certainly style over substance but man, what style! I'm sure it is a competent performer, though I doubt any will end up in the hands of those sweating it out in the rainforest or bush bashing on the coast

 

[ceasar]

Anyone here to offer some information on the Ultravid 8x42 BL? It's still on the Leica page, but with little real information. I know it didn't get the "+"-upgrade and doesn't have AquaDura coatings. It's also apparently not "HD" (even though that doesn't really mean all that much AFAIK). I'd be interested in hearing about the optical quality, compared to so some other alphas.

The reason I'm asking is that the BL is quite attractive because of its low weight. About 700 gr. for a 42mm binocular is pretty good.

Hermann

Herman,

I have one. I purchased it as a Demo from Camera Land. It had been taken with other binoculars to an Optics show and although the box I received it in was unopened I was told that it had to be sold as a Demo and "pre-owned." I saved quite a bit of money. It did come with an 11 year warranty because of that.

It didn't get the + upgrade but it does have Aqua Dura coatings according to the manual I got with it.

The Technical Data in the manual states that it has the same coatings on the lenses and the prisms that the regular HD binoculars have: HDC and Aquadura on the outer lens surfaces and HLS and P40 phase correction coating on the prisms.

It's weight is given as approx. 710g to approx. 790g for the regular HD rubber-armored models. They are the same width. The BL's height is 4mm shorter "with eyecups screwed in" and its depth is 1mm smaller "with eyebase set to 65mm" than the rubber covered HDs are.

I haven't seen the regular rubber-armored models but it appears to me from pictures of them that they have somewhat differently designed eye cups than the BL model has. The former have eye cups that taper, perhaps to fit the thicker rubber covering on the objective tubes which extend up to the eye cups. The edges of the BL eye cups are straight up and down and even with the black metal uncovered objective tubes. The leather covering on the body and the rest of the objective tubes is hard and very tight. It looks good and in use it feels like a very rugged binocular. I would have no problem taking it anywhere but gloves might help on cold days.

In any case I find it very comfortable in my hands and up at my eyes. I don't wear eye glasses and I brace it up against and just under my brow ridge. I see the entire FOV with out problems. I find myself using it more and more often.

Mine says on the front of the hinge that is was made in Portugal.

Bob

PS: Here is a 5 star review of one on Eagle Optics by a guy from the Yukon Territory who says he has used his around the world.

http://www.eagleoptics.com/binoculars/leica/leica-ultravid-8x42-bl-binocular-leather

 

[etudiant]

Interestingly, they talk about this edition incorporating "the best of contemporary technology" but they don't say if it uses Schott glas or has AquaDura coatings. But then this edition clearly isn't so much about optical quality, it's mainly (or only?) about style. An edition for the serious collector.

BTW, I agree with Jan and Lee: An Ultravid 8x32 BL would have been a very interesting binocular. But the 8x42 and 10x42 have got their own charm as well.

Hermann

For that small a run (200 units), it surely would be more expensive to set up a special lower cost glass and coating sequence. I'd expect them to be similar to their normal offering.

 

[CloseFocus]

Anyone here to offer some information on the Ultravid 8x42 BL? It's still on the Leica page, but with little real information. I know it didn't get the "+"-upgrade and doesn't have AquaDura coatings. It's also apparently not "HD" (even though that doesn't really mean all that much AFAIK). I'd be interested in hearing about the optical quality, compared to so some other alphas.

The reason I'm asking is that the BL is quite attractive because of its low weight. About 700 gr. for a 42mm binocular is pretty good.

Hermann

I don't know about any current alphas, but my 8x42 Silverline is bright enough that I didn't feel the need to keep my 8x50 Ultravids. Just because they are pretty, that doesn't mean that Leica's leather binoculars are dainty. I've had mine out in pouring rain, and whatever coatings there are kept the water from beading just fine. And I wouldn't hesitate to take them off trail. I think it would take something sharp and metallic to make any mark on the binocular body or leather armor, although I wouldn't take them rock climbing. I don't know how they treat the leather, but it looks as new as the day I got it.

The focus mechanism feels different than my 8x32 UV's. The 32's have the usual metal on metal quality, but the leather line might use Teflon instead. They have the same stiction quality as my dobsonian telescopes. They focus very smoothly, but there is some resistance. If you like a focuser to spin with one finger, the leather line isnt it.

Why Leica doesn't have a 32mm line of leather binoculars is something I've been wondering for years. Leica must think that leather only appeals to people because of the snob factor, despite the obvious weight, size and comfort gain of leather over rubber armor. For now, the 42 line will have to do.

Joe

 

[gandytron]

I've been thinking about replacing my Trinnie 10x32 BNs with another x32 in the interests of size and weight when travelling. However it occurs to me that such a modestly sized 10x42 as the BL might be an alternative option given the benefit of the larger objective. I have yet to get my hands on one to try out...

 

[Hermann]

Thanks to everyone for their thoughts on the BL. I'll have a look myself and see how I get on with it.

Hermann

 

[14Goudvink]

Please report back when you have, I am thinking about a light 8x42 myself.

George

 

[fazalmajid]

I have the 8x42BL, bought in 2008 primarily for sightseeing and whale-watching on my New Zealand honeymoon, not birdwatching (I had the 10x50 Ultravid pre-HD, and wanted something lighter, though today I'd just use 8x32s). It predates the HD line (I think it was introduced in 2006), and was a regular production series, not a limited edition. Leather is significantly lighter than the rubber-armored version, and just looks so good, but of course it would not be suited for adverse weather. The molded hard case is also very elegant, but I think nowadays you get the inferior cordura case. I think they used to go for $2,200 at B&H back then (I paid just under $2,000), so the current price is a good deal. Stocks seem to be dwindling, though.

I also have the Zeiss Victory HT 8x42. Comparing the two side by side, the Zeiss are definitely brighter, have a wider FOV and have a more neutral color balance, but unless you use them in very dim conditions, they are not dramatically better. At this level, we've long passed the threshold of diminishing returns. Depending on what stock you get, you may also be entitled to the lifetime Passport warranty, unlike the newer Leica binos.

They don't have AquaDura, only the older "High Durable Coating (HDC)", which means they will resist scratches as well but not shed raindrops as effectively. High Lux System and P40 phase-corrected prisms.

 

[dwever]

At this level, we've long passed the threshold of diminishing returns.

Indeed.

 

[ceasar]

I have the 8x42BL, bought in 2008 primarily for sightseeing and whale-watching on my New Zealand honeymoon, not birdwatching (I had the 10x50 Ultravid pre-HD, and wanted something lighter, though today I'd just use 8x32s). It predates the HD line (I think it was introduced in 2006), and was a regular production series, not a limited edition. Leather is significantly lighter than the rubber-armored version, and just looks so good, but of course it would not be suited for adverse weather. The molded hard case is also very elegant, but I think nowadays you get the inferior cordura case. I think they used to go for $2,200 at B&H back then (I paid just under $2,000), so the current price is a good deal. Stocks seem to be dwindling, though ................................

...............................................


They don't have AquaDura, only the older "High Durable Coating (HDC)", which means they will resist scratches as well but not shed raindrops as effectively. High Lux System and P40 phase-corrected prisms.

See my post above, #7. I got mine in February 2014. They came with the cordura case and one connecting prong on the buckle broke off of it a few months after I got it. It still closes properly without it. I suppose I could write Leica for a replacement but if I have to purchase a new one from Leica I'm sure I could save money getting a case elsewhere. But, the big red dot is on this case.:smoke:

The Manual of Instructions included with it says that it has Aqua Dura coatings.

I assume Leica makes occasional runs of new Black Line binoculars when necessary and puts the current coated glass into them.

I note that in the PDF of its specifications on the Leica website it does not show Aqua Dura as a coating on them but the PDF is dated with the statement "As of June 2012 / Specifications are subject to change without notice."

Bob

 

[CloseFocus]

See my post above, #7. I got mine in February 2014. They came with the cordura case and one connecting prong on the buckle broke off of it a few months after I got it. It still closes properly without it. I suppose I could write Leica for a replacement but if I have to purchase a new one from Leica I'm sure I could save money getting a case elsewhere. But, the big red dot is on this case.:smoke:

The Manual of Instructions included with it says that it has Aqua Dura coatings.

I assume Leica makes occasional runs of new Black Line binoculars when necessary and puts the current coated glass into them.

I note that in the PDF of its specifications on the Leica website it does not show Aqua Dura as a coating on them but the PDF is dated with the statement "As of June 2012 / Specifications are subject to change without notice."

Bob

The manual that came with my Silverline says it has AquaDura and "High Durable Coating (HDC)" coatings. The technical data is listed under the "8x42HD/BL" column. So I guess there's a chance that the newer L models may even be HD Ultravids. Anyway, I can't find anything that says that they're not HD's, or that they are for that matter.

 

[CloseFocus]

My manual also specifies that the housing is "Magnesium Housing with Titanium Axle / HD Models rubber-armored". As to what that says about the leather models, I have no idea.

 

[ceasar]

My manual also specifies that the housing is "Magnesium Housing with Titanium Axle / HD Models rubber-armored". As to what that says about the leather models, I have no idea.

I think that means that they all have a Magnesium Housing and Titanium Axles. The straight "HD" model's exterior is identified as being "rubber-armored."

The Black Line and Silver Line models exteriors are self explanatory as they are described as such after the "HD."

Bob

 

[CloseFocus]

I think that means that they all have a Magnesium Housing and Titanium Axles. The straight "HD" model's exterior is identified as being "rubber-armored."

The Black Line and Silver Line models exteriors are self explanatory as they are described as such after the "HD."

Bob

It looks like Leica is trying to disguise the fact that the L line isn't HD by specifying that only the rubber armored line is, by putting that tidbit of information in the totally unrelated "Housing" category. Unless they consider rubber armor to be housing. Or am I reading this wrong?

Joe

 

[NDhunter]

It looks like Leica is trying to disguise the fact that the L line isn't HD by specifying that only the rubber armored line is, by putting that tidbit of information in the totally unrelated "Housing" category. Unless they consider rubber armor to be housing. Or am I reading this wrong?

Joe

The recent Trinovid, does not have HD coatings either, and from most
reviews is very similar in performance to the Ultravid HD.

I suppose the UV BL and the Trinovid use(d) the same lenses.

I don't think most will know any difference.

Jerry