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The mistake of buying an Ultravid HD+ 7x42 (1 Viewer)

L

LucaPCP

Happy User
I made a terrible mistake buying a pair of Leica Ultravid HD+ 7x42. Before, I was happy with my Pocket Victory 8x25, or Ultravid 8x32 HD+... yes, they required each the proper technique, aligning them just so and holding them against by brows so, but they really delivered beautiful images... Before, I could choose which binoculars to take and enjoy the incredible industrial design of the 8x32... or the light weight of the Victory Pockets...

Now instead, I am so addicted to the 7x42 that I can hardly bear to use anything else. The view is so easy, so immediate, and the DOF larger, so I can find the birds much faster ... they are perhaps the only binocular where it's worth to scan the canopies even before having located the bird by naked eye.

Today I went hiking with a long lens, and to be light, I carried my 8x25 Victory Pocket. Once I thought they were great, but now, how I missed my 7x42.

So you have been warned. If you enjoy many different binoculars and you like using one for each occasion, do not get the Ultravid 7x42 HD+. It will spoil everything else.
 
I have just bought a second hand Zeiss FL 7x42. (I couldn’t get to the price of a new 7x42 HD+ and found an FL 2nd hand which also gets comparatively great reviews here.) Reading your post, I really hope it won’t ruin the experience of using my UV 8x32 HD (non+) or Victory 8x25 which I really like (the 8x32 the most, but the also impressive 8x25 is sometimes the one to take due to its compact size folded). :confused: One could say “just sell the other ones”, but their combination of great image and compact size and lower weight are really a joy. I guess I will see for myself as soon as I find more time to take them out on walks... :)
 
mbb said:
I have just bought a second hand Zeiss FL 7x42. (I couldn’t get to the price of a new 7x42 HD+ and found an FL 2nd hand which also gets comparatively great reviews here.) Reading your post, I really hope it won’t ruin the experience of using my UV 8x32 HD (non+) or Victory 8x25 which I really like (the 8x32 the most, but the also impressive 8x25 is sometimes the one to take due to its compact size folded). :confused: One could say “just sell the other ones”, but their combination of great image and compact size and lower weight are really a joy. I guess I will see for myself as soon as I find more time to take them out on walks... :)
Click to expand...

Good move. IME any high end 7x42 may at least "spoil" you if not "ruin" the pleasure of using other formats. For me the primary advantage of the FL is the 450'FOV (vs 420' for HD+ and Nikon EDG II) which combined with the 7x DOF makes it easier to scan, spot and follow birds and is especially helpful in following fast moving insects up close and far away.

Glad that you and the OP have joined the 7x42 club.

Mike
 
Haha, nice post and good to read how satisfied (in love?) you are with your bins. Personally I'm curious if you would have that same experience with any quality 7x42 like a swaro slc of meopta meostar, or if it's something about the Leica's specific ergonomics and optical characteristics.
 
mbb said:
I have just bought a second hand Zeiss FL 7x42. (I couldn’t get to the price of a new 7x42 HD+ and found an FL 2nd hand which also gets comparatively great reviews here.) Reading your post, I really hope it won’t ruin the experience of using my UV 8x32 HD (non+) or Victory 8x25 which I really like (the 8x32 the most, but the also impressive 8x25 is sometimes the one to take due to its compact size folded). :confused: One could say “just sell the other ones”, but their combination of great image and compact size and lower weight are really a joy. I guess I will see for myself as soon as I find more time to take them out on walks... :)
Click to expand...
Mbb, I don't think you need worry really; they will all show colours slightly differently to give you some variety and unless certain features on your 7x42 are must haves for the other sizes/models as well you should be able to enjoy each bin differently. Just because you might like chicken much more than sausages doesn't mean you need to have it every day of the year, after all: a silly analogy, I know, but I think there are features you can still enjoy in the others after the initial amazement has turned to familiarity. Trying desperately here to reignite your pleasure in your old friends.... :)
 
Ries said:
Haha, nice post and good to read how satisfied (in love?) you are with your bins. Personally I'm curious if you would have that same experience with any quality 7x42 like a swaro slc of meopta meostar, or if it's something about the Leica's specific ergonomics and optical characteristics.
Click to expand...
I think any premium 7x42 will give a wonderful viewing experience, but in terms of ergonomics worth noting that the Leica and Zeiss are significantly lighter than the Swaro and Meopta.

The Leica specifically is also the most compact, it weighs only 750g and is virtually the same size as a big 32mm. And the way the barrels taper makes it feel very slim in the hand, it really handles more like a large 32mm than a typical 42mm.
 
mwhogue said:
Good move. IME any high end 7x42 may at least "spoil" you if not "ruin" the pleasure of using other formats. For me the primary advantage of the FL is the 450'FOV (vs 420' for HD+ and Nikon EDG II) which combined with the 7x DOF makes it easier to scan, spot and follow birds and is especially helpful in following fast moving insects up close and far away.

Glad that you and the OP have joined the 7x42 club.

Mike
Click to expand...
The Zeiss FL 7x42 is reputed to be outstanding, many say better than the Leica 7x42.

The only "drawback" of the 7x42 is that, with such a relaxing view, I am sometimes observing for some time the life and interactions of birds. I have a family of Oak Titmouse who nested in my garden, and now are going foraging all together, and I am learning about their family dynamics... so sometimes, after minutes of holding them up, my arms tire a bit -- they would tire even with 8x32 note, it's only that with 8x32 I was not really following a group of birds for minutes at a time.

The Leica HD+ 8x32 have a slightly more contrasty and punchy view. With the 7x42, I feel more like spending time studying what I am watching, less conscious of the binoculars, so to say.
 
The only Leica glass I have ever tried was a Noctivid for a brief look, and they didn't strike me any way in particular compared to the others.
 
eitanaltman said:
I think any premium 7x42 will give a wonderful viewing experience, but in terms of ergonomics worth noting that the Leica and Zeiss are significantly lighter than the Swaro and Meopta.

The Leica specifically is also the most compact, it weighs only 750g and is virtually the same size as a big 32mm. And the way the barrels taper makes it feel very slim in the hand, it really handles more like a large 32mm than a typical 42mm.
Click to expand...
Ah yes, the Zeiss, knew I forgot an important one :) Agreed on your points made. Though to me size is more important than weight, I've experienced weight can help a more steady view.
 
The view is incredible, imo it has the most impressive natural view of any bin I’ve ever used. The only downfall for me was the apparent FOV, if Leica could kept that view and make it a 60 plus apparent fov it would be the best in the world imo. The 7x42 and 10x50 have already been Leica’s stand outs imo.
 
I honestly don't even notice the AFOV in actual use, it's one of those things that's only really apparent in comparison with other binoculars.

If I could wave a magic wand though, why not? And while you're at it maybe a wee bit less pincushion. That's all I'd really care to change.
 
Agree, this binocular is so close to perfection imo. Again, the view can’t be put into words, it has to be seen.
 
These are some binoculars. Ever since I got them last year I have not used my other binoculars very often. Another thread here on the board is entitled something like "Leica doesn't get the attention they deserve" - I haven't followed it really but I think that statement is particulary true with regard to the UV 7x42. Leica is not about superlatives. In a marketing sickened world this may be a problem. For me, the 7x42 stands out for some rather subjective features (or the sum of them) which can't be measured. It is not what can be communicated through numbers on paper that makes them my favourite pair of binoculars. I don't feel the need, though, to get rid of my other bins. They're great all the same. In fact, I enjoy indulging in some sort of binocular polygamy. I can still appreciate the better panning of the UV 10x32 or the Zeiss or the glare control of the 10x32, for example. I had considered various 8x42s for quite while before I got the 7x42 but now I can't see me buying an 8x42 - or anything else - anytime soon. The 7x42 is just it.
 
jafritten said:
These are some binoculars. Ever since I got them last year I have not used my other binoculars very often. Another thread here on the board is entitled something like "Leica doesn't get the attention they deserve" - I haven't followed it really but I think that statement is particulary true with regard to the UV 7x42. Leica is not about superlatives. In a marketing sickened world this may be a problem. For me, the 7x42 stands out for some rather subjective features (or the sum of them) which can't be measured. It is not what can be communicated through numbers on paper that makes them my favourite pair of binoculars. I don't feel the need, though, to get rid of my other bins. They're great all the same. In fact, I enjoy indulging in some sort of binocular polygamy. I can still appreciate the better panning of the UV 10x32 or the Zeiss or the glare control of the 10x32, for example. I had considered various 8x42s for quite while before I got the 7x42 but now I can't see me buying an 8x42 - or anything else - anytime soon. The 7x42 is just it.
Click to expand...

Based on my preferences, I agree if someone wants or has a 10x32-50, then pairing any of those with a 7x42 covers more ground than an 8x42. The 8x slot could then be filled with a 20 - 25mm pair to round out a versatile trifecta. YMMV.

Mike
 
A side note, the bins that give close to the same spatial infinite dof view of the 7x42 Leica’s that I’ve owned is the original Nikon venturers in 8x42, not lxl,..the new Swaro 8x42 slc is incredible, then there’s the big 50’s in the slc old 8x50 and new slc 56.
 
mwhogue said:
Based on my preferences, I agree if someone wants or has a 10x32-50, then pairing any of those with a 7x42 covers more ground than an 8x42. The 8x slot could then be filled with a 20 - 25mm pair to round out a versatile trifecta. YMMV.

Mike
Click to expand...
I agree. An 8x20 is a good complement to a 10x and the 7x42. I must say, though, that I don't care much about the 8x magnification - I like the 8x20s for their compactness. Honestly, I can't really tell a 7x mag from an 8x mag. To me, the gain in magnification is negligible but the decrease in DOF is a bit of a downside. Sadly, there is no Ultravid 7x20...
 
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