Leica is not getting the attention it deserves (4 Viewers)

[etc]

Just looking at the number of topics in each category, Leica is behind both Swarovski and Zeiss, each of which has about the same number of topics. Not that the forum is an indicator of how well it does nationwide or world-wide But.

I haven't owned a Leica in a decade and a lot has changed in a decade. From what I remember, what I loved about it was not just the extreme sharp view but also how durable it was built, the armor, how compact and tough as a brick. The old Trinovid was not light and that's what liked about it. When you held it, it felt like holding a real quality optical instrument.

The Ultravids that followed the Trinovid had the old Trinovid internals, just different packaging. As far as I can tell, the latest-greatest Ultravid is more compact than the best model from either Swaro or Zeiss. Without a sacrifice in performance. Now that is amazing.

I think the fact that 1990's or 2000's Trinovids can compete with latest-greatest from any maker is a testatement to how overengineered they were. Granted, the latest-greatest from major Alpha brands exceed old Leicas in many parameters, yet they fail to capture Leica's Gestalt. (new or old).

 

[jgraider]

We guided hunters, over 150 of them in a 15 yr span, and could count the number of Leica owners on one hand, and those were mostly Geovids. Swarovski rules the alpha market, deservedly so IMO.

 

[etc]

Interesting.
Why do you think that is?

I plotted Swarovksi, Leica and Zeiss into trends.google and indeed, Swarovski is on top, with Zeiss not far behind, with Leica a distant third. In any time frame, 2004-present or the last 12 months.

If I had to have just one alpha, the choice would be tough. But Swarovksi 8.5x42 is the top contender, mainly due to its unique 8.5x power that nobody else seems to match.
With Zeiss HT 10x54 in the second, or maybe 1st place, not sure. With the understanding these aren't even in the same category and do not compete against each other. But, I got the HT and it's captivating.

I would not be terribly disappointed if all I had to use for the rest of my life was a 10x50 Trinovid.

 

[jgraider]

IMO, Leica's USA service has a very unpredictable past, with lots of horror stories. I've had a couple myself with them so I wrote the off a while ago. I also don't think they've had an original idea in many years. They're always trying to play catch up, and their marketing here is terrible, and their USA warranty is pathetic and noncompetitive. I don't even know where to go to look at a Leica binocular anywhere near here. The closest Cabelas hasn't had any in a long time.

 

[pbjosh]

I also like the Leica aesthetic and the build quality, and while the views are nice, I think they've been pretty well out-classed in product offerings for some time, unfortunately. It would be lovely to see them compete more but perhaps they don't have the resources, or perhaps their attention is directed elsewhere? I've wanted to add a Leica to the (very modest) stable, so to speak, many times over the years, but have never found one that meshed up with what I was looking for... they are lovely products, but I always find a better tool from someone else.

 

[alan.dang]

The unpredictable nature is one reason Nikon struggled in the alpha space.

I will say that many Leica Camera retailers also stock the sport optics. The customer service at Leica Stores across the US is very good overall. One thing that is challenging is even finding out about the warranty. There isn’t a clear passport warranty or even what the terms are nowadays.

That said, one of the unique things about buying Leica is that many of the Leica Stores let you trade in unused camera gear for store credit.

 

[dries1]

IMO I really don't think that one who has a Leica UVHD+ in any of the models/formats or the Noctivids is lacking.

 

[Nethero]

The unpredictable nature is one reason Nikon struggled in the alpha space.

I will say that many Leica Camera retailers also stock the sport optics. The customer service at Leica Stores across the US is very good overall. One thing that is challenging is even finding out about the warranty. There isn’t a clear passport warranty or even what the terms are nowadays.

That said, one of the unique things about buying Leica is that many of the Leica Stores let you trade in unused camera gear for store credit.

Recently I received clarification from the director/head of Leica NA’s customer service regarding their warranty.

Back in February I had posted on BF about a bad experience I had with Leica’s support and service. I warned people to think twice about investing so much money in such expensive optics when their warranty was a crapshoot years after the purchase.

My post was seen by Leica’s PR firm in Europe and within days I was contacted by Leica and they offered to do the previously quoted $550 worth of work (that should have been covered by warranty) for free.

While this was a wonderful surprise, I decided to push further and ask clarification on their warranty.

They offer lifetime warranty on their sports optics to the original purchaser.

They only offer ONE YEAR of warranty on USED or DEMO optics sold by authorized retailers.

No warranty on used or demo gear sold by non-authorized dealers.

This cemented my fears that even buying used or demo gear was fruitless because if ever a problem would arise, you would pay astronomical prices to fix it.

Let me repeat myself, DEMO binoculars and spotting scopes only have a one year warranty. So those noctivids that I live so much will never become a reality for fear of potential future service costs.

 

[jan van daalen]

I think it is a matter of "where am I coming from".
Until the launch of the Swarovski EL the top performance in the optical world was dominated by decades by two brands and two brands only, Leica and Zeiss.
Both brands leaned back, ignoring the new kid on the block and kept telling the folks "We are the best".
The answer from Zeiss was the Victory line in FL, HT, Range, SF, Harpia and they went East with the Conquest, Terra and Gavia line. This brought media attention and Forum discussions.
At the same time Leica updated the good old Trinovid, called it Ultravid, "upgraded/milked" that model up to the HD+ and as a answer to the SF/SV the NV saw the light. OK, let's not forget the Geovid Perger line. No news from scope country.
There is not so much to tell about the Ultravid upgrades, which leaves the Perger and the Noctivid which were not best sellers compared to the EL and HT Range. Also the NV lost it from the SF/SV and now NL.
IMHO is Leica a emotion brand. Sales represent that. Sons and daughters buy Leica with the remark: "yes, dad had one. He was so pleased with it".
The not with that emotion burdened customer compares the three brands top lines and it's there where it goes wrong for Leica. It's much less sold which means much less Forum feedback as a result.
Just my 2cents.

Jan

 

[dries1]

Nethero,

Are you speaking about Leica in the EU or the USA, since you stated that Leica's PR firm in Europe contacted you.

 

[Nethero]

USA. I’m in Ohio and sent it to Leica North America.

It was a representative from Leica’s PR firm in Europe who saw my post and reached out to me. Whether Leica NA uses their own PR firm, I don’t know, but that is what my experience was.

 

[A2GG]

Leica binoculars are my all time favorite. I don't care that they're not the most popular or that people feel they don't measure up to the latest premium offerings.

I didn't know much about the brand when I first began to shop higher end binoculars. I only knew they made cameras.
The Ultravids impressed me right from the start. I've owned a Trinovid and an Ultravid both 42mm and stopped using full size binoculars a couple of years ago due to weight; I prefer smaller, lighter weight binos these days. Unfortunately, the Uvid HD+ 8x32 doesn't have enough ER for me. If I didn't wear glasses I'm sure I'd be using the 8x32 HD+ right now. If I was ok with full size, heavier binoculars I would probably have a Noctivid 8x42 or Ultravid HD+ 7 or 8x42. I admire certain models from Zeiss and Swarovski, but I just love the Leica image and designs of their binoculars.

 

[PYRTLE]

They offer lifetime warranty on their sports optics to the original purchaser.

I'm intrigued by this as I understood that for some time all these European companies now only offer 10 years warranty, even on the flagship models.
Thanks.

 

[dries1]

Pat,

Leica USA offers a Lifetime Warranty to the original buyer (at least this is what is printed on paper). I believe in the EU it is 10 years.

Nethero, my understanding is that a certified Demo from Leica USA carries a 10 year Warranty. These are provided to the authorized dealer directly from Leica to be sold as Demos.

 

[chill6x6]

When Leica comes out with a state of the art binocular, they will get the attention. Nothing WRONG with what they have but what they have is mostly old news.

 

[Nethero]

Pat,

Leica USA offers a Lifetime Warranty to the original buyer (at least this is what is printed on paper). I believe in the EU it is 10 years.

Nethero, my understanding is that a certified Demo from Leica USA carries a 10 year Warranty. These are provided to the authorized dealer directly from Leica to be sold as Demos.

Dries1,

Per my emails, verbatim:

Director of Customer Care- “Regarding the warranty on used equipment, it’s one-year from date of purchase.”

Me- “Does that apply to demo units as well? I suppose a better question for me to ask could be are demo units considered used even though they were never sold or left the dealers store?”

Director of Customer Care- “Yes, demo units are considered used.”

 

[dries1]

The email is not specific to certified demos from Leica. Either way, I have never had any problems with Leica Service, they have always treated me very well.

 

[jgraider]

Doug at Cameraland sells Leica demos, and always lists the warranty as 1 year only. When I ask him about it (I bought a Geovid demo and had terrible service from Leica USA) he blames it on Leica Camera polices set in Germany which I'm sure is true, and very uncompetitive.

 

[Brink]

Regarding Leica service - I was birding with a buddy of mine a few years back and he left his ultravids on the roof of the car and we got a few miles down the road before he realized it. They got ran over and one barrel was pretty dented at the objective end and the focuser was turning rough (but they were still usable). Leica sent him a brand new pair. I thought that was pretty solid.

 

[Mike F]

Recently I received clarification from the director/head of Leica NA’s customer service regarding their warranty.

Back in February I had posted on BF about a bad experience I had with Leica’s support and service. I warned people to think twice about investing so much money in such expensive optics when their warranty was a crapshoot years after the purchase.

My post was seen by Leica’s PR firm in Europe and within days I was contacted by Leica and they offered to do the previously quoted $550 worth of work (that should have been covered by warranty) for free.

While this was a wonderful surprise, I decided to push further and ask clarification on their warranty.

They offer lifetime warranty on their sports optics to the original purchaser.

They only offer ONE YEAR of warranty on USED or DEMO optics sold by authorized retailers.

No warranty on used or demo gear sold by non-authorized dealers.

This cemented my fears that even buying used or demo gear was fruitless because if ever a problem would arise, you would pay astronomical prices to fix it.

Let me repeat myself, DEMO binoculars and spotting scopes only have a one year warranty. So those noctivids that I live so much will never become a reality for fear of potential future service costs.

I honestly question both of those statements. Leica warranties are now 10 years on new binoculars (and probably other products) not lifetime, and would be the same on ex-demo products as well. Check with a few European Leica stores. Here's a link to a current Leica Mayfair ex-demo NV. It states 10 years warranty.

Noctivid 8x42 black, boxed - Ex-Demo

The essentials: Excellent condition Boxed Includes front caps, case 10 years warranty SN: 2145446 SKU: 40384 Product description: This item may be viewed at Leica Store Mayfair. For more image requests, please contact...

store.leica-camera.com