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Ultravid HD+ 7x42 fair used price (1 Viewer)

G

GoldenBear

Well-known member
I'm considering the purchase of a used Ultravid HD+ 7x42 and was wondering what others would consider a fair used price. I'm not terribly familiar with this bin and don't see that many used, so I don't really have much of an idea.

I checked the serial no. with Leica and confirmed a 2015 date of manufacture, and that it has no service history. They also verified it's a legit +/Plus model.

Condition is always subjective, but I would grade it 9 out of 10. Couple very minor nicks or marks... most of the wear is on the straps lugs where metal attachments were clearly used.

Also few very faint scratches or "cleaning marks" on the objectives. Minor enough that I'm not sure one could call them scratches, but nonetheless they are there.

Any thoughts on secondhand values would be greatly appreciated.
 
So here are my very random thoughts on this subject....

So have you looked at the binoculars in person? I can say that the binoculars I have that I would rate 9/10 would not have really ANY usage marks to speak of, lens or body and would be mechanically excellent.

I would think any UVHD+ plus would be considered pretty current as in coatings, improvements, etc. So IMO an excellent condition 2015 model would be worth as much as an excellent condition 2019 model. Condition of binocular would be of primary importance and not necessarily age.

IMO the retained value of binocular brands is generally Swarovski>Zeiss>Leica. Leica's seem to depreciate more initially.

So, IMO an excellent condition UVHD+ would probably fetch around $1100-1200 USD +/- a few.

HTH..
 
chill6x6 said:
So here are my very random thoughts on this subject....

So have you looked at the binoculars in person? I can say that the binoculars I have that I would rate 9/10 would not have really ANY usage marks to speak of, lens or body and would be mechanically excellent.

I would think any UVHD+ plus would be considered pretty current as in coatings, improvements, etc. So IMO an excellent condition 2015 model would be worth as much as an excellent condition 2019 model. Condition of binocular would be of primary importance and not necessarily age.

IMO the retained value of binocular brands is generally Swarovski>Zeiss>Leica. Leica's seem to depreciate more initially.

So, IMO an excellent condition UVHD+ would probably fetch around $1100-1200 USD +/- a few.

HTH..[/QUOTE

I have looked through them a bit and they seem outstanding. I would call the condition used not abused, but I'm not sure they're quite 9 out of 10 (that's actually how the seller is rating them). It's subjective.

They want $1,527 for them, and I'm not sure the condition rates the price. Of course I snagged my virtually mint Victory HT's for $1,100 (which I consider one of the best bargains ever), so I kind of judge bins deals against that. Probably not fair as I think I got really lucky on that one.
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I have the Leica 7x42 HD plus and it is probably my most enjoyable binocular. I wear eyeglasses and have astigmatism so need them to get a sharp view. I also have the Zeiss 10x42 SF but it is not as easy to look through as the 7x42 especially in twilight. I would love a 10x that has that easy view like the 7x42 and am thinking about trying the 10x50 Swarovision. I looked through one at the store and really liked it but would have to try for a few days to see for sure. I just wanted to comment on how much I liked the 7x42 and think you would really like it and especially so for someone who wears glasses.
 
I've watched those on the auction site now and again. They seem to go for between $1100 - $1300 when sold as auction. Which is rare. It sounds like you are buying them local? If you're paying cash, you could ask for a discount -- if they sold on-line there'd be all sorts of auction and/or paypal fees.

You see them on birdforum.net now and then too.

Marc
 
Robert Moore said:
I have the Leica 7x42 HD plus and it is probably my most enjoyable binocular. I wear eyeglasses and have astigmatism so need them to get a sharp view. I also have the Zeiss 10x42 SF but it is not as easy to look through as the 7x42 especially in twilight. I would love a 10x that has that easy view like the 7x42 and am thinking about trying the 10x50 Swarovision. I looked through one at the store and really liked it but would have to try for a few days to see for sure. I just wanted to comment on how much I liked the 7x42 and think you would really like it and especially so for someone who wears glasses.
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Hi Robert, just a thought about your own 10x wishes (i.e.off topic). I have read and heard that the 10x50 UVHDplus - along with the 7x42 that both of us own - is a very highly/possibly best regarded UV, so consider that as well as the 10x50 SV. It is a bit cheaper too but I have not used one or tried one out personally.

Have a look at Roger Vine's Scope Views reviews of both these 10x50s:
http://www.scopeviews.co.uk/Leica10x50HDPlus.htm
http://www.scopeviews.co.uk/Swaro10x50EL.htm

Might be difficult to decide, depending on your preferences! Happy shopping.

Tom
 
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Robert Moore said:
I have the Leica 7x42 HD plus and it is probably my most enjoyable binocular. I wear eyeglasses and have astigmatism so need them to get a sharp view. I also have the Zeiss 10x42 SF but it is not as easy to look through as the 7x42 especially in twilight. I would love a 10x that has that easy view like the 7x42 and am thinking about trying the 10x50 Swarovision. I looked through one at the store and really liked it but would have to try for a few days to see for sure. I just wanted to comment on how much I liked the 7x42 and think you would really like it and especially so for someone who wears glasses.
Click to expand...
I have an Ultravid 7X42 BR from 2004 along with the 10X50 SV. We also have 8X bins.

The 10X50 SV has more eye relief than the 7X42 UV, is sharp across the FOV and ergonomically quite comfortable for a 10X50. For maximum comfort, I wear the strap across my shoulder (bandolier style). It's a great binocular!
 
Pileatus said:
I have an Ultravid 7X42 BR from 2004 along with the 10X50 SV. We also have 8X bins.

The 10X50 SV has more eye relief than the 7X42 UV, is sharp across the FOV and ergonomically quite comfortable for a 10X50. For maximum comfort, I wear the strap across my shoulder (bandolier style). It's a great binocular!
Click to expand...
The SV 10x50 is a great binocular indeed. But I like the SV 12x50 even more (I own both). Food for thought.
 
PeterPS said:
The SV 10x50 is a great binocular indeed. But I like the SV 12x50 even more (I own both). Food for thought.
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I did look through the 12x50 also but for me it didn’t have that easy comfortable view with my glasses that the 10x50 had. Both great but for me I prefer the 10x50
 
Robert Moore said:
I did look through the 12x50 also but for me it didn’t have that easy comfortable view with my glasses that the 10x50 had. Both great but for me I prefer the 10x50
Click to expand...

And since this thread has quickly gone off topic, I'll add that if you need glasses to view through binoculars steer clear of the Leica 12x50! Otherwise I believe that it's a very viable alternative.
 
Robert Moore said:
I did look through the 12x50 also but for me it didn’t have that easy comfortable view with my glasses that the 10x50 had. Both great but for me I prefer the 10x50
Click to expand...

Hello Robert,

you are right, I have the 12x50 and am also eyeglass wearer, that 12x50 is so straight with glasses that 10x50 is better in this point!
With the 12x50 binoculars there are hardly any alternatives to the EL for eyeglass holders.

Andreas
 
Robert Moore said:
I did look through the 12x50 also but for me it didn’t have that easy comfortable view with my glasses that the 10x50 had. Both great but for me I prefer the 10x50
Click to expand...

The 12X50s work for me with eyeglasses however the 10X50 does have more ER and an easier view I suppose. The 12X50s really don't have a lot to spare in the ER department. They ARE probably the best option for an eyeglasses wearer that wants a 12X50.
 
chill6x6 said:
The 12X50s work for me with eyeglasses however the 10X50 does have more ER and an easier view I suppose. The 12X50s really don't have a lot to spare in the ER department. They ARE probably the best option for an eyeglasses wearer that wants a 12X50.
Click to expand...

This thread has drifted a lot, and now is talking about 12x50 binoculars.

So, I will hijack further, if looking for a quality 12x50, consider the Meopta Meostar HD, they are very good. I have been very impressed.

I don't think you have to look at a Swarovski, these cost about 1/2 the price.

For most users, this size is not used much, not an everyday carry.

Jerry
 
Pileatus said:
I had my 10X50 SV out last night for several hours of stargazing. The number of "unseen" stars that are revealed in the 10X50 is truly amazing. I'll be out again tonight!

Mount can be seen here...https://www.birdforum.net/showpost.php?p=3943758&postcount=50
Click to expand...

I bought a brand new Swarovision 10x50 at Cabela’s and it is just stunning for daytime and for Astronomy. On a tripod for Astronomy I think there is no doubt it is the best 10x view you can get. It is better color corrected than my Zeiss SF which I thought couldn’t be possible in a binocular. When looking at Jupiter and going in and out of focus the Swarovski shows Jupiter as pure white inside and outside of focus and the Zeiss can’t quite do that.
 
That 7x42 second hand price seems high from a UK perspective, but mainly because Leica's binoculars are occasionally much discounted.
Last year those 7x42 UV+ were briefly sold here at £1200, 40% under RRP. And they were not older shop stock, the dealer got them from Leica to send. A loss-leader?

It's noticeable that Leica new prices vary much more than Zeiss or Swarovski. Currently for example the Swaro 12x50 are the same price in every UK dealer, whereas the Leica 12x50 vary by £400, one dealer pricing them slightly higher than the Swaro.

Do you think this is due to the popularity of Swarovski in the market & steady sales, or a reflection of dealers' relationships with the brands?
 
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