FrancisFaustino
Member
I'm looking for a well priced 8x42. I know this subject has been discussed many times before but I just want to put this question out here for some fresh perspective. I've been agonizing over this decision for a couple of weeks now. I almost pulled the trigger on a new model Swarovski 8x42 SLC. Upon further reading, I was a bit turned off by some people's account of a notchy focus knob. I'm sure it's a minor issue and it seems that a lot of people don't mind, nor notice the problem but there are also people who are annoyed by the problem. To me, if I'm going to pay this much for a pair, I'd rather not have any such annoyances.
I'm heavily considering the Leica Trinovid HD as well. The thing that turns me off about it is people's comments that it has been cheapened compared to the previous Trinovid (2012-2015) model. I can still find the previous model but the problem is the 15.5mm eye relief. I wear eyeglasses and I prefer a bit more eye relief. With all the comments that the new HD versions have been cheapened, I still read people saying that the new HD's are sharper and brighter then the previous version. It will obviously not compare with the current Ultravids but I'm not really expecting it to. The thing that I'm worried about with the HD is the comments saying that the diopter knob is quite easy to unintentionally knock out of setting. When all is said, I'm quite sure that if I get it, I will be happy with the Trinovid HD, but with all the "cheapened" comments out there, it makes it seem like I will get the impression that I'm getting a cheap Chinese clone upon opening the box.
The other option I'm looking at is the Zeiss Conquest HD. It has a wider FOV than the Trinovid HD but not by much. I really do like the look of the Trinovid better though.
From all the reading I've done, it seems that most people agree that the SLC has the best glass in it's price range. While I do want to get the best possible image quality that I can afford, I also don't want to sacrifice other aspects such as design, build quality, and durability. Practically speaking, 5 years from now, when I'm using what ever I buy now, I don't think I will ever wished that I bought another one because the image quality is terrible. Even if that's the case, I still want to feel good about what I buy today.
I'm heavily considering the Leica Trinovid HD as well. The thing that turns me off about it is people's comments that it has been cheapened compared to the previous Trinovid (2012-2015) model. I can still find the previous model but the problem is the 15.5mm eye relief. I wear eyeglasses and I prefer a bit more eye relief. With all the comments that the new HD versions have been cheapened, I still read people saying that the new HD's are sharper and brighter then the previous version. It will obviously not compare with the current Ultravids but I'm not really expecting it to. The thing that I'm worried about with the HD is the comments saying that the diopter knob is quite easy to unintentionally knock out of setting. When all is said, I'm quite sure that if I get it, I will be happy with the Trinovid HD, but with all the "cheapened" comments out there, it makes it seem like I will get the impression that I'm getting a cheap Chinese clone upon opening the box.
The other option I'm looking at is the Zeiss Conquest HD. It has a wider FOV than the Trinovid HD but not by much. I really do like the look of the Trinovid better though.
From all the reading I've done, it seems that most people agree that the SLC has the best glass in it's price range. While I do want to get the best possible image quality that I can afford, I also don't want to sacrifice other aspects such as design, build quality, and durability. Practically speaking, 5 years from now, when I'm using what ever I buy now, I don't think I will ever wished that I bought another one because the image quality is terrible. Even if that's the case, I still want to feel good about what I buy today.