Follow up testing Noctivid (1 Viewer)

[SimondeVos]

I just bought the Noctivid 8x42 the other day. Probably the first in Sweden.

Compared to some other good binos I´ve compared it with (Zeiss SF 10x42, 1 gen SV EL 8,5x42, Geovid 8x42 and Habicht 7x42) I think that Noctivid got the most vivid/lifelike/alive view of them all.

I´ve used the SF alot and its impossible to say what binocular is best. The view of the SF is really immense and its vast scope is really impressive. I get a bit seasick when Im panning with it so that made me interested in the Noctivid instead.

 

[james holdsworth]

Why is the comparison with other flat field designs - SV, SF - when the NV is obviously much more closely aligned to designs like the HT and SLC?

 

[Pileatus]

Why is the comparison with other flat field designs - SV, SF - when the NV is obviously much more closely aligned to designs like the HT and SLC?

Because market choice is limited at this price point.

I do agree with your point. I won't consider a bin with certain design characteristics which means I'm immediately biased against certain models. I wouldn't purchase an SLC/HT/Noctivid but I sure know why others will. Suum cuique or my real favorite...Illegitimi non carborundum. Anyone remember Gallia est omnis divisa in partes tres from their Latin studies?

 

[Iceberg slim]

Martin:

I prefer someone with more experience. Canip has offered his, and that
seems reasonable.

A side by side evaluation, is much better than a memory from years
ago.

Think about that for a minute.

Jerry

More experience at what???

 

[chill6x6]

Why is the comparison with other flat field designs - SV, SF - when the NV is obviously much more closely aligned to designs like the HT and SLC?

I can only say from my aspect....the SV is the binocular to BEAT, flat-field or no flat-field. That's the reason I constantly compare the NTV to the SV.

 

[Torview]

I can only say from my aspect....the SV is the binocular to BEAT, flat-field or no flat-field. That's the reason I constantly compare the NTV to the SV.

And its great to read what you think Chuck given the arsenal of optics you have and the balanced nature of your posts.

Not diminishing others views but not many put so many choices together in the field over a long term.

 

[NDhunter]

More experience at what???

I am wondering about side by side observations from memory.

Those are my favorites....

Jerry

 

[DavidBowman]

Could owners flesh out what they mean by "noticeably better" and "performed better" than an SV ?

I`m really interested to understand better.

I certainly did`nt need to focus less, factoring in the ever so slightly shallower dof on the 8.5x SV.

Also the SV for me (was brighter) certainly showed less C/A, and was of course sharp over the whole field, and has the most neutral colour balance I`v encountered.

Looking for more insight not a mine is better than yours argument.

Hi, just trying to answer your questions and not get into brand-based argument. As best I can tell, when I look through the SVs and the NVs, what I see is that:
The NVs are very noticeably brighter (which you'd expect based on transmission figures)
Both are razor sharp (though the SVs are sharper to the edge of the field)
I don't notice CA in either, though I can "force" it at field edge by getting off-axis with the NVs
The NVs give a very three-dimensional image which makes the SV image look flat
The colour in the SVs seems colder, less rich and definitely less accurate than the NVs. Leica's testing shows the NVs to be "closer to the point of colour-neutrality than any binocular yet built" and I'd agree with that.

Clearly, when spending £2,000+ on a binocular I spent a lot of time trying out other bins for comparison and had no hesitation in getting the NVs. I am personally blown away by the NVs but its always good to get alternative views, hence lots of bino swapping with my birding mates, most of whom use SVs. You would have to take this on trust but not one of them has preferred the SVs and one disgruntled friend who'd just bought SVs said " If I'd looked through NVs I'd never have bought these".
So, I think they are both great bins but I do think the NVs have a clear edge. Maybe not surprising as Leica's engineers took apart SVs, SFs and HTs and were commissioned to build a bino which could deliver the "best image yet seen in a roof prism binocular"
Cheers David

 

[DavidBowman]

I just bought the Noctivid 8x42 the other day. Probably the first in Sweden.

Compared to some other good binos I´ve compared it with (Zeiss SF 10x42, 1 gen SV EL 8,5x42, Geovid 8x42 and Habicht 7x42) I think that Noctivid got the most vivid/lifelike/alive view of them all.

I´ve used the SF alot and its impossible to say what binocular is best. The view of the SF is really immense and its vast scope is really impressive. I get a bit seasick when Im panning with it so that made me interested in the Noctivid instead.

I agree with you about the view through the NV. Leaving all technicalities aside, what most strikes me most is the beauty of the view through the NVs - it just seems to add to the sheer pleasure of birding.
Cheers David

 

[Torview]

Thanks David, (post 208), with so many people declaring the NV taking a lead on the SV clearly there is substance to the position.

Sadly for me, despite repeated attempts I just can`t achieve the same enthusiasm, so I`ll be sticking with the SV.

The King is dead, long live the King.

 

[Canip]

Thanks David, (post 208), with so many people declaring the NV taking a lead on the SV clearly there is substance to the position.

Sadly for me, despite repeated attempts I just can`t achieve the same enthusiasm, so I`ll be sticking with the SV.

The King is dead, long live the King.

All my sympathy, Torview !
(worse things can happen to you on this earth than having to "stick with the SV")

 

[jgraider]

All my sympathy, Torview !
(worse things can happen to you on this earth than having to "stick with the SV")

It's still a Leica though. Another great product backed by pathetic CS and warranty (Leica USA of course). This is why Swaro is kicking their butts at the check out counter.

 

[Hermann]

It's still a Leica though. Another great product backed by pathetic CS and warranty (Leica USA of course). This is why Swaro is kicking their butts at the check out counter.

Look, you've complained about a thousand times about Leica here and elsewhere. Don't you think it's about enough?

And, by the way, even if you don't seem to understand this, there are plenty of people in this forum who've got totally different experiences with Leica.

Hermann

 

[jgraider]

Look, you've complained about a thousand times about Leica here and elsewhere. Don't you think it's about enough?

And, by the way, even if you don't seem to understand this, there are plenty of people in this forum who've got totally different experiences with Leica.

Hermann

At least you've maintained a positive attitude about it. Thanks!

 

[dwever]

At least you've maintained a positive attitude about it. Thanks!

Positive attitude or not, Hermann's point is well taken.

 

[james holdsworth]

Look, you've complained about a thousand times about Leica here and elsewhere. Don't you think it's about enough?

And, by the way, even if you don't seem to understand this, there are plenty of people in this forum who've got totally different experiences with Leica.

Hermann

Get on the Maven / Tract bus and all complaints will end.

 

[jgraider]

Positive attitude or not, Hermann's point is well taken.

Trust me when I say it pisses me off too. I was a diehard Leica user for over 15 years. The ONLY reason I will not buy a NV is because when I decide to sell it and move on to something else, the next buyer will get screwed, and I'll take a beating on the price.

The Trinovid BA/BN was my favorite glass I've ever owned....toughest binoc ever built, great glass.

 

[Troubador]

My financial advisor often says I should not let the income tax law-tail wag my dog. He means I shouldn't let our income tax laws rule how much cash we draw down from our pension investments.

Seems some of you guys (not getting at you JG as you are far from alone in this) have your choices made for you by a brand's customer service / warranty performance.

We all make our own, sometimes odd, choices when it comes to spending our cash but it seems to me to be really 'putting the cart in front of the horse' to be so dominated by customer service as it stands today when in 5 years or 10 years time it could be different and you might never have a reason to call for customer service support anyway.

Just saying, not criticising.

Lee

 

[DavidBowman]

It's still a Leica though. Another great product backed by pathetic CS and warranty (Leica USA of course). This is why Swaro is kicking their butts at the check out counter.

It might be different here in the UK, where, speaking to my local dealer, Leica have developed a good reputation for service. Two personal examples are:
1. When I dropped my original 5 year old Ultravids onto concrete, one eye cup cracked, though they remained optically perfect. I took them into Focalpoint Optics and they were sent to Leica with an indication that it would be weeks before I'd get them back. A week later, Leica sent me a brand new pair for no charge. Unbelievable service.
2. In August I pre-ordered my current NVs from Focalpoint and had a good offer, from a private individual, for my UV HD +. I sold the HD + but knew the NVs wouldn't come till later in November. The Leica rep for Focalpoint had a pair of UV HDs delivered, for me to use, within two days, free of charge. Again, amazing service.

In contrast, I know there have been major problems with Zeiss's service in relation to some of the problems with the SFs. So, at least in the UK, I would have no worries about Leica's approach to customer service.
Cheers David

 

[The-Wanderer]

So, on CS there is only one alpha maker, Swarovski. While I have no grounds for critisizing their CS, their products fall below my expectations.