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I never met a 7x I liked until I met the Zeiss FL 7x42. (2 Viewers)
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John A Roberts
Well-known member
The Allbinos test including the Leica's was back in 2013 - so it's possible that Leica may have taken some remedial action since then 🤷♂️
After the test Leica responded with:
From: Leica's statement on the endurance test of 8x42 binoculars
John
After the test Leica responded with:
From: Leica's statement on the endurance test of 8x42 binoculars
John
For a number of years now, I own double digit numbers of each of the „premium“ brands and have to say that mechanically, the Leicas appear to me to have the best build quality.
I do treat all my binos as what they are, precision instruments; nevertheless I have had several mechanical repairs (focusers, eyecup and diopter mechanics) on Zeiss and Swaro binos over the years. None so far with Leica (but cleaning internal fogging also for Leicas). Just my experience, which may differ from yours (and I do still love my Swarovski and Zeiss binoculars)
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It’s nice to see that Leica responded to the Allbinos test. I am not certain that they acknowledged that the test included two, not one, Leica bins (“the sample” could mean singular bin or singular sample of multiple bins), and their reference to a lack of complaints based on waterproofness together makes this read more like a PR response than authentic - why would a lack of complaints mean anything, when 1) the public can’t know if that’s true, and 2) who spends that much money on an instrument and then doesn’t keep it the hell away from potential damage (like dropping in a stream or putting in a bathtub) except deliberate testers like Allbinos?
I acknowledge that leicas are a joy to use and seem quite well built, having had a UV8x32 for a time.
It would be interesting to see a poll of users to identify the prevalence of recent leica bin issues with environmental sealing, e.g., incidents of internal fogging and fungus. I’m sorry for the tangent.
I acknowledge that leicas are a joy to use and seem quite well built, having had a UV8x32 for a time.
It would be interesting to see a poll of users to identify the prevalence of recent leica bin issues with environmental sealing, e.g., incidents of internal fogging and fungus. I’m sorry for the tangent.
Hermann
Well-known member
First of all, this incident dates back more than a decade. And: Have you ever seen such a clear statement like the one from Leica from any of the other manufacturers? And there have been quite a few problems with other binoculars over the past decade or so. Leica/Stephan Albrecht even explained the source of the problem, and that they rectified it. So what else do you expect?
I've seen (or even heard of) only three serious problems with Leica binoculars over the past 30 years, going back to the time of the Leica BA series in the 1990s: Two binoculars leaked, and in one a screw inside the binocular came loose. I've seen (or heard of ) of far more problems with the other big manufacturers, including binoculars that had to be sent back to the maker several times because the focuser failed again and again.
Hermann
Clearly people are passionate about their brand of choice.
To answer your question, I would expect that the issue would not have arisen in the first place if the QC measures in place were as described; I expect(hope) most cases would be repaired gratis upon contacting Leica; I expect that there isn’t a way to check that the issue is nonexistent in the circulating sample short of deliberate testing; I expect the lesson here is that owner-perceived build quality is not a robust measure of all important aspects of said quality; and, I expect that continued questioning of anyone’s favorite brand will indeed garner fiery responses.
I’m done with my pressing of this question, as I have said as much as I can without taking on the job of testing myself. Enjoy your bins.
To answer your question, I would expect that the issue would not have arisen in the first place if the QC measures in place were as described; I expect(hope) most cases would be repaired gratis upon contacting Leica; I expect that there isn’t a way to check that the issue is nonexistent in the circulating sample short of deliberate testing; I expect the lesson here is that owner-perceived build quality is not a robust measure of all important aspects of said quality; and, I expect that continued questioning of anyone’s favorite brand will indeed garner fiery responses.
I’m done with my pressing of this question, as I have said as much as I can without taking on the job of testing myself. Enjoy your bins.
Hermann
Well-known member
Leica isn't my brand of choice ...
Let me repeat: That incident happened more than a decade ago. You're flogging a dead horse.
Hermann
Appear and do mean different things! They are similar to perceived and actual. I think a poll would be a good idea on different brand's reliability. Something similar to the different surveys they have on automobiles, like JD Power or Consumer Reports.For a number of years now, I own double digit numbers of each of the „premium“ brands and have to say that mechanically, the Leicas appear to me to have the best build quality.
I do treat all my binos as what they are, precision instruments; nevertheless I have had several mechanical repairs (focusers, eyepiece and diopter mechanics) on Zeiss and Swaro binos over the years. None so far with Leica (but cleaning internal fogging also for Leicas). Just my experience, which may differ from yours (and I do still love my Swarovski and Zeiss binoculars)
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If they test every single unit, why did the one pass that went to Allbinos and then ultimately failed the waterproof test miserably. It makes me question if in fact they do really test every single binocular to verify that it is waterproof.
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I have three Ultravids. I've submerged one deliberately for about an hour, have used all of them in everything from tropical rain to driving sleet, and when I'm through I clean them off in running water. I have never worried about their waterproofness and have not had any problem in that regard.
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I have recently bought a Trinovid 8x32 HD.
It, like every binocular I have bought which claims to be waterproof, spent 10 minutes in the River Vyrnwy at a depth of 1.5m.
It emerged soaked to the skin, body was blotted dry and lenses left to dry on their own.
As (water) tight as my beloveds wallet.
It, like every binocular I have bought which claims to be waterproof, spent 10 minutes in the River Vyrnwy at a depth of 1.5m.
It emerged soaked to the skin, body was blotted dry and lenses left to dry on their own.
As (water) tight as my beloveds wallet.
tenex
reality-based
Half the examples you cite involve Trinovid models up to 50 years old which were never claimed to be waterproof.
Generally someone starts such a poll in response to a worrisome accumulation of complaints (as with Swaro armor) which has not occurred with Leicas, but there's no reason you couldn't.
I have seen small problems even with Ultravids, including a not tight enough hinge, and strange cracks occasionally on the plastic sleeve covering the hinge (a photo of that was posted here). Their record overall though seems very good.
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I like your straightforward, no bee ess testing and evaluation method.
How do you know you it was exactly 1.5m? I would think in a river it would be hard to gauge accurately. You should do the waterproof testing for Allbinos!
That would be interesting. Here is a good review of it on Cloudy Nights. Maybe I will buy one and give it a go.
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I would rather put my trust in a real world "test" like this than some contrived test by Allbinos. And maybe it was deeper than 1.5m!
jan van daalen
Well-known member
Right, and was it exactly ten minutes and not nine minutes and 58 seconds.....
Must admit that I wondered what you were on about as my BS Detector filters out posts from certain posters
But you are probably right, it may have been over 1.5m as the para cord I use has stretched a bit!
But seriously I tie the cord to the bino's at one end and attach the other end to a marker bouy and leave it for 10 minutes.
That is enough time to check if there is any water ingress and also time to let Archie the Rottie stretch his legs and go to the open air bathroom!
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