Rob from Texas
Well-known member
I pulled the string on the CameraLandNy damaged box Trinovid HD deal. Cost was $849.99, no tax.
I had previously bought their "demo" Kowa and they turned out to be in new, pristine condition.
Not so much with the Trinovid deal. The ocular lens were smudged with finger prints and the objective lens had tiny splatters on them.
They seemed to clean up ok, ...but I'm not wild about having to wipe the lens.
Anyway, onward to the comparison of two of the (in my limited experience) better mid-priced 10x42's.
Initial View
This goes to the Trinovid. Very easy to place up to my eyes for a fully oriented and inviting view. The tracts are fine as well, just takes that extra second or two to mentally adjust and relax into the view.
Sharpness
Trinovid wins this, but barely. Both are very sharp, but the Trinovid seems to snap in perfect focus with a bit less effort.
Contrast
Trinovid wins. Extra contrast came out in small places, like bird legs, pine cones etc.
Color
Trin....ahha! Not so fast. The Tracts won this one. I was able to observe variations of color in palm tree trunks with Tracts. Of course, I would confirm them with the Trinovids. It was just that I would notice them first with the Tracts.
The neighbors roses were also a smidge more vivid with the Tracts.
Twilight Images
Tract wins here. Toric makes a point that their "flat spectrum" coatings help at twilight and they do. I was able to get more detail earlier with the Torics. So, to me, Tract wins on details in twilight, but Trinovid wins the rest of the day,...but again barely. I'd be happy with either, any time of day.
Field Of View
Very close. The Tracts are 6.5 degree and the Leica's post a 355 ft. view. (what's that? about 6.3 degrees?) Anyway, I for one, cannot discern the minor difference in FOV. Both are slightly above average, (if you don't count the new Swaro NL 10x42).
Sweet Spot
Very non-scientific guess based on my view point. To me,...it looks as though the Tract is about 80% sweet spot with a gentle roll off towards the edge. The Trinovid sweet spot is slightly bigger (85-90%?), but has a more visible roll off. Both are fine by me, as in use, I fail give notice to either one. Both handle it very well.
Glare
I tested them both at night and day. This is the second time testing the Tract and it seems damn near glare proof. I pushed the Trinovids hard on a street light to finally get some flaring, but I have very little plans to feature mercury vapor street lights as my subjects anyway.
Size
Tract has 1/4" longer barrels and 3/4" taller cups,..so yeah it's about an inch taller overall than the Leica's. Have to admit, the Leicas feel better in the hand.
Build features
Both have great feeling focus wheels. Both very firm and smooth. Leica's have initial roll back I hear,...but whoever groped mine before I purchased it, evidently smoothed it out.
The Tracts have a locking diopter. The Leica's have tremendous range on either side of neutral. Both are smooth. As for myself, as long as the diopter ring is firm, I don't really use the lock. Maybe a lock would become more important if it was integrated with the focus wheel, but these are both right barrel diopters. They are both "10's" in my book.
Eye cups. I like the large eye cups of Tracts , but then again I favor the robust, hidden adjustment mechanism of the Leica's. I can't argue with 5 very solid click stops. Advantage Leica.
The armor of both pair feels great. The Leica's armor feels thicker, at least to me. I'll really love it when it quits stinking (more on that in next section).
The Tract is 1.75 ounces heavier, but I cant feel it. It's more that the Leica is shorter and feels better holding it up to view.
I guess too, It appears the Leica has no frills, yet everything is smooth and firm. It exudes a simple robust build. Nothing against the Tracts, they seem fine, just one notch down in build maybe.
Accessories
The Tracts come with no bag. However, the Leica bag makes me wish it had come with no bag as well. That bag is a curse. It stinks to high heaven. It's some small, wanna-be-stylish, minimal thing made of lycra and latex. I can't tell you how much it smelled. Left it's odor on the binoculars. Right now it's in the garage. I might check on it next year.
Rain guards slightly tighter and deeper on the Leica's. Advantage Leica. Objectives cover about the same on both pair (with the barrel rings etc.)
Oh, and both include a padded strap,... which I won't use after making several harnesses that are more comfortable and functional.
Bottom Line
The Leicas seem a slightly better build. They feel a tad handier. But, the Tracts are equally brilliant in view. However, I like the Trinovid's more for a particular reason. I have degrading vision in my right eye. The Trinovids compensate for the condition better. I could love the Tract view all day. It's just that when I pick it up and find a subject, I'm reminded that the right barrel will never really be sharp for me. It's not the barrel, because I can flip it, and then the left barrel fails to adjust to sharpness for me. Other bino's work for my issue, my original MIJ Vipers work and these new Trinovids work. So obviously the Trinovids are a keeper (stink and all). The tracts need to find a new home. They ARE worthy of one. Great view.
I had previously bought their "demo" Kowa and they turned out to be in new, pristine condition.
Not so much with the Trinovid deal. The ocular lens were smudged with finger prints and the objective lens had tiny splatters on them.
They seemed to clean up ok, ...but I'm not wild about having to wipe the lens.
Anyway, onward to the comparison of two of the (in my limited experience) better mid-priced 10x42's.
Initial View
This goes to the Trinovid. Very easy to place up to my eyes for a fully oriented and inviting view. The tracts are fine as well, just takes that extra second or two to mentally adjust and relax into the view.
Sharpness
Trinovid wins this, but barely. Both are very sharp, but the Trinovid seems to snap in perfect focus with a bit less effort.
Contrast
Trinovid wins. Extra contrast came out in small places, like bird legs, pine cones etc.
Color
Trin....ahha! Not so fast. The Tracts won this one. I was able to observe variations of color in palm tree trunks with Tracts. Of course, I would confirm them with the Trinovids. It was just that I would notice them first with the Tracts.
The neighbors roses were also a smidge more vivid with the Tracts.
Twilight Images
Tract wins here. Toric makes a point that their "flat spectrum" coatings help at twilight and they do. I was able to get more detail earlier with the Torics. So, to me, Tract wins on details in twilight, but Trinovid wins the rest of the day,...but again barely. I'd be happy with either, any time of day.
Field Of View
Very close. The Tracts are 6.5 degree and the Leica's post a 355 ft. view. (what's that? about 6.3 degrees?) Anyway, I for one, cannot discern the minor difference in FOV. Both are slightly above average, (if you don't count the new Swaro NL 10x42).
Sweet Spot
Very non-scientific guess based on my view point. To me,...it looks as though the Tract is about 80% sweet spot with a gentle roll off towards the edge. The Trinovid sweet spot is slightly bigger (85-90%?), but has a more visible roll off. Both are fine by me, as in use, I fail give notice to either one. Both handle it very well.
Glare
I tested them both at night and day. This is the second time testing the Tract and it seems damn near glare proof. I pushed the Trinovids hard on a street light to finally get some flaring, but I have very little plans to feature mercury vapor street lights as my subjects anyway.
Size
Tract has 1/4" longer barrels and 3/4" taller cups,..so yeah it's about an inch taller overall than the Leica's. Have to admit, the Leicas feel better in the hand.
Build features
Both have great feeling focus wheels. Both very firm and smooth. Leica's have initial roll back I hear,...but whoever groped mine before I purchased it, evidently smoothed it out.
The Tracts have a locking diopter. The Leica's have tremendous range on either side of neutral. Both are smooth. As for myself, as long as the diopter ring is firm, I don't really use the lock. Maybe a lock would become more important if it was integrated with the focus wheel, but these are both right barrel diopters. They are both "10's" in my book.
Eye cups. I like the large eye cups of Tracts , but then again I favor the robust, hidden adjustment mechanism of the Leica's. I can't argue with 5 very solid click stops. Advantage Leica.
The armor of both pair feels great. The Leica's armor feels thicker, at least to me. I'll really love it when it quits stinking (more on that in next section).
The Tract is 1.75 ounces heavier, but I cant feel it. It's more that the Leica is shorter and feels better holding it up to view.
I guess too, It appears the Leica has no frills, yet everything is smooth and firm. It exudes a simple robust build. Nothing against the Tracts, they seem fine, just one notch down in build maybe.
Accessories
The Tracts come with no bag. However, the Leica bag makes me wish it had come with no bag as well. That bag is a curse. It stinks to high heaven. It's some small, wanna-be-stylish, minimal thing made of lycra and latex. I can't tell you how much it smelled. Left it's odor on the binoculars. Right now it's in the garage. I might check on it next year.
Rain guards slightly tighter and deeper on the Leica's. Advantage Leica. Objectives cover about the same on both pair (with the barrel rings etc.)
Oh, and both include a padded strap,... which I won't use after making several harnesses that are more comfortable and functional.
Bottom Line
The Leicas seem a slightly better build. They feel a tad handier. But, the Tracts are equally brilliant in view. However, I like the Trinovid's more for a particular reason. I have degrading vision in my right eye. The Trinovids compensate for the condition better. I could love the Tract view all day. It's just that when I pick it up and find a subject, I'm reminded that the right barrel will never really be sharp for me. It's not the barrel, because I can flip it, and then the left barrel fails to adjust to sharpness for me. Other bino's work for my issue, my original MIJ Vipers work and these new Trinovids work. So obviously the Trinovids are a keeper (stink and all). The tracts need to find a new home. They ARE worthy of one. Great view.
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