black crow
Well-known member
When I turned 65 I decided that I should finally have and use the best alpha quality binoculars I can find. It's been a long time coming. I'm not used to spending more than $500 for a pair of binoculars. I use binoculars 2-5 hours a day most days of each year. So I convinced myself even at +$2000 they made good value sense. After a fair amount of research I decided to buy a pair of 8x32 Swarovski ELs. I wasn't planning on buying a 10x right away because I had to emotionally get used to shelling out so much $$ but someone here PMed me and told me about a demo pair of Leica Ultravid 10x32 that were $650 off new price. For some reason it was the right moment because I knew very little about Leica but without hardly a moments thought I just bought them. A true impulse buy.
I was certain the Swaros would be the better binocular. Unfortunately I don't have the skills to do in-depth reviews so I won't embarrass myself by trying. However I was completely surprised by the Ultravids amazing sharpness, lack of any flaring that I could see, no rolling ball as in the Swaros and absolute ergonomic perfection because I seem to be able to hold these little beauties steadier than any other 10x I've ever used. I hike hard up mountains each day and on a harness they are almost unnoticeable until needed. The clincher however is the rich colors I see in them. Real depth and fullness. It's almost an emotional thing. I really think these are the best binoculars I've ever looked through and I've looked through several other alphas including the Zeiss 8x and 10x42 SF (belong to a neighbor) and Swaro 8x50B (inherited and recently sold) and Kowa Genesis 8x33 (bought used) along with the 8x32 EL .
There are areas where the Swaro EL certainly excel over the Leica but overall I must admit to myself I prefer the Leica. It's been total surprise to me. I received the Swaro about two days ahead of the Leica and was so pleased and awed I was certain I'd never see a better binocular so I even had a bias of sorts that had to be overcome.
Anyway I most highly recommend these small, lightweight, elegant beauties for their absolutely beautiful images. Everything I look at goes WOW right back at me. I'm really excited (see me gushing
) and in awe and now a huge fan of Leica . If they ever make a Noctivid in 8x32 I don't think I could stop myself from buying one.
I was certain the Swaros would be the better binocular. Unfortunately I don't have the skills to do in-depth reviews so I won't embarrass myself by trying. However I was completely surprised by the Ultravids amazing sharpness, lack of any flaring that I could see, no rolling ball as in the Swaros and absolute ergonomic perfection because I seem to be able to hold these little beauties steadier than any other 10x I've ever used. I hike hard up mountains each day and on a harness they are almost unnoticeable until needed. The clincher however is the rich colors I see in them. Real depth and fullness. It's almost an emotional thing. I really think these are the best binoculars I've ever looked through and I've looked through several other alphas including the Zeiss 8x and 10x42 SF (belong to a neighbor) and Swaro 8x50B (inherited and recently sold) and Kowa Genesis 8x33 (bought used) along with the 8x32 EL .
There are areas where the Swaro EL certainly excel over the Leica but overall I must admit to myself I prefer the Leica. It's been total surprise to me. I received the Swaro about two days ahead of the Leica and was so pleased and awed I was certain I'd never see a better binocular so I even had a bias of sorts that had to be overcome.
Anyway I most highly recommend these small, lightweight, elegant beauties for their absolutely beautiful images. Everything I look at goes WOW right back at me. I'm really excited (see me gushing
) and in awe and now a huge fan of Leica . If they ever make a Noctivid in 8x32 I don't think I could stop myself from buying one.
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