So, if I understand correctly, yesterday´s alfas (Victory FL) are still better than todays' top of the sub-alfas (Trinovid HD)? I guess one day the main stream must catch up, like how a cheap modern car can perform better on the road than an old sports car (But, still, new cars tend to die after 10yrs...)
I am worrying that maybe I put all my money in something that is about to be outdated, the FLs. But I have had some bad experience with the mechanics of mid-level binoculars. They have been excellent optically, and mechanically at first, but then the diopter begins to drift, or focus screw develops a play, or grease comes into the tubes etc. Maybe that would not happen to a Leica Trinovid HD, I guess it is above mid-level. But it seems to have a construction that much resemble almost every other sub-alfa or mid-level binocular. The few reviews I have found talk about their very nice optics (although with cheaper glass that the Ultravids) and a robust feel. But for how long?
Second hand 10x42 ultravids is no option for me as they have too long min focus distance for my purpose. And I worry about Leica, I had a pair of ultravid 10x25, made in Portugal, but the color flaked off and they did not feel as quality. I sold them. But I have always liked the view through Leica, nice colors and contrast. Some say the Victory FLs are a bit washed out in the colors and low contrast. Is that true?.
I also see that used Swarovski SLC HD sells for about this price, and have the same specs. Are they a generation more modern than the Victory FL?, and is that to their advantage?
Best would of course be to to look through all the models side by side, but they are hard to find in shops nowadays, especially the FLs.
I hope I am not drifting off from the original thread by these questions. But I think it is about comparing the new Trinovids with the various better known reference binoculars in the same price range.
Difficult to choose...
I have two lower power binoculars (Zeiss Dialyt 7x42 and Nikon Eii 8x30) so I am aware of that "old" can still be good. But so much is happening in glass, coatings etc right now.