I find small high quality optics like these return a lot of fun for the money. Maybe more than other larger optics because you can carry them all the time. Many times I get a phone call or email about a bird alert and I see the bird because I have the 10X25s with me. What good are those big 10x50 FL glass bins if you don’t have them with you? I would not be birding at all during lunch at work if it were not for the high quality 10x25s offered by Leica, Nikon and Zeiss I have owned/used all 3.
Good review -->
http://www.alula.fi/images/alula1-2006_GB42-47_net2.pdf
Maybe these are not the right magnification you are seeking but they are so good I feel it’s worth a mention.
Have you considered the Nikon LXL 10x25?
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/348637-USA/Nikon_7507_10x25_Premier_LX_L_.html The reports I read rated them above the 8x20s.
I have owned the Zeiss 10x25, Ultravid 10x25, and my significant other owns the Nikon LXL10x25
My needs are for a high quality, small, durable, waterproof binocular for when I am traveling light, such as bicycle touring, backpacking etc.
Ultravid 10x25 is as good as is gets when compact size is a priority. At that size there are some compromises but not many. I find the eye cups are sort of cramped. But I am not complaining. I have used these bins on several week long bicycle tours, and backpack trips and they are perfect for the job.
My significant other owns the Nikon 10x25 LXL - we compare them all the time. The Nikon 10x25 is a bit larger than the Ultravid but very portable and every bit as good under most conditions PLUS it is less expensive than the Ultravid (21% less expensive than the Ultravid 10x25). The Nikon lifetime warranty is the right thing to do for customers.
In my opinion the Nikon LXL 10x25 is better in low light conditions such as an indoor concert last week than the Ultravid (about only about 3% better). But the Nikon is worse in harsh back light conditions than the Ultravid (only about 3%) . I find myself in back light conditions all the time so the Ultravid ranks a bit higher for me. In reality – at the concert we both saw equally well. In back lighting I believe I have a slight advantage using the Ultravid. No big deal.
Keep in mind 3% is 97% equal! When you compare price/performance - Nikon comes out on top.
I have owned and sold the very high quality Zeiss 10x25. It s a great performer and has a lifetime transferable warranty. The Zeiss has the best case available for quick access and any owner of these small optics might want to consider the Zeiss case
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/328208-REG/Zeiss_52_90_33_Victory_10x25_Binocular_Pouch.html It’ is a belt case - carried horizontally - the major benefit is quick access due to the Velcro flap. Tear it open and grab it. Quick removal and quick storage. PERFECT If your on a bicycle. Nikons case is leather and has a magnetic closure. Leather made no sense to me. I am in the rain too much. Leica's case is nylon and protects very well but is a bit difficult to remove the binos from (until I stretched them with a shoe tree). Zeiss got it right if quick deployment is a priority.
Color is great on all of these (compared to all the other X25 offerings). What you prefer is up to you but I observe the Nikons as exaggerating color a little. That makes for a “wow” view but I believe the Leica’s are more accurate - some would say boring.
I would vote for the Ultravid and Nikon over the Zeiss on the back lighting/flare category. Within Nikon and Ultravid – I give the nod to Ultravid based on back lighting. I give the nod to Nikon on ease of view. Your preference may vary.
The Nikon offers top performance @21% lower price than the Ultravids. Nikon outperforms the competition in its price range. Between the Nikon, Ultravid and Zeiss (in alphabetic order) there are slim differences all are worthy optics with some personality differences.
Nikon has chosen to put he focus knob on the front of the bridge, far from your nose.
Zeiss put a VERY small focus knob, off center on the off center bridge, close to your nose. Its not a problem
Leica put it in the center of the bridge above your nose.
Once you adjust your brain, all 3 are easy to use.
All three will fit in your shirt pocket. All 3 can be used all day without eye strain. Nikon POPS into focus. Leica is slightly smaller and is as good or better optically. Zeiss is solidly built, and if you exclude back lighting performance (its noticible when compared to the others) its an equal performner in other conditions. Perhaps Alexis can comment on the Zeiss flare control on the newer models.
Both my significant other and I carry the 10x25s in our brief cases for lunchtime birding and while bicycling on a week long bicycle tours. For us they are a must have in order to get the most out of our fun time..
None of these are equal to or even close to a 10x32 or 10x42. If you think you will end up owning several pair of binoculars - the 10x25 Leica, Nikon and Zeiss might be considerations for your list.
http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=71055
http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=73203
A larger bin at half the price which I own and like is the Pentax DCLV. It not quite compact enough for bicycle riding but will fit in a brief case. Good image – not up to the performance of the 3 above but good glass for the money and the quality of image won’t be a limit on your birding. Its bright, has good color. More sensative to back lighting than the above bins.
http://www.eagleoptics.com/index.asp?pid=5180
Good birding
TVC
