Interesting to see that you swapped your trusty SFL 8x40, I thought it was going be a keeper. What was it that made you want the change? I can only assume the size or Leica colours because the sharpness, brightness, handling and focuser all seemed very good in the one that I looked through.
How do you find the focuser on the 8x32 by comparison? I have now tried several Ultravids (in my continued 7x42 search) and never yet found one that didn't have a somewhat stiff and jerky focuser that felt like it would get on my nerves when using it for birding. That includes an 8x32, 10x50, 8x42 and 3x 7x42s. Either I have been unlucky or become spoilt by smoother focusers.
Yes, it is funny how that came to be. The SFL8x40 is a really great binocular so the decision was not exactly a practical solution to an existing problem.
It was more of an emotional return to the Leica Ultravid.
To cut to the chase: I have come full circle back to the UVHD+ 8x32 after about four years: my original quest was for a 8x32 (or thereabouts) stellar bino.
Like yourself I have really wanted the UVHD+ 7x42 to work out for me, had one sample with a binding focuser, one sample with a jerky focuser and the last sample with a very good focuser. But, reality showed me that the AFOV felt a little "dated". It became apparent when comparing to any other modern 8x32 so - again - I felt there was not suitable replacement for the "top position" in the compact format.
A few years back I did a comparison with the 8x32 UVHD, the FL and the Meopta 8x32. Back then the UVHD 8x32 did not work that well with my glasses, and the AFOV of the FL 8x32 felt a bit small when comparing to some of the more recent offerings. Both the UVHD and the FL gave me some ocular glare with my glasses on top of that. So I ruled them out and have kept the Meopta around. But the Leica had the nicest image of them all.
I was more set on the 7x42 which never really panned out anyway. UVHD 8x32 got off the shortlist completely.
Since there was never a "perfect and compact" 8x32 I ended up with the SFL8x40.
It was honestly a total fluke that had me looking through the UVHD 8x32 as I ran into an old friend at the bino shop.
He was looking at a smaller option to his Swarovski 8.5x42 and when we tried a few different options I handed him the UVHD 8x32 and while swapping binos I had the 8x32 in hand and took a look through it again and was suprised that I had a VERY good view through it with my slimmer profile glasses.
Huh? I thought. Did not expect that.
So the second time I went in to look at the larger SFL 50's (bringing my own 8x40) I did have the Ultravids as a comparison and looking through the UVHD 8x32 and 10x32 I really felt there was no viewing penalty between the SFL 8x40 and the UVHD's. After a third visit to do a isolated comparison I felt "at home" with the size of the UVHD 8x32 - it is very similar to the little Meopta I have at home so I gave it a weeks thought before committing.
I was thinking of the 10x32 UVHD since it was equally nice to handle but I decided that what I really have use for is a high calibre 8x32. There was some jitter with the UVHD 10x32 and I have the excellent Meopta 12x50 so there was only one practical option: the 8x32.
Just like with the Meopta 8x32 there is something in the image rendering that I prefer. And the Leica packs a little more punch in the contrast.
So - is it ALL Roses and Kisses with the UVHD?
No, there are some nits to pick:
Focuser: it is good. I would even say it is very good. But not SFL or Trinovid good. For me the Ultravids are all two-fingers-on-the focuser binos.
It was a slight hassle for moving targets on the 12x50 but in a 8x I find it works just fine. I could actually track birds going downhill from the house with good hit rate and keep tracking fairly well. As well as with the small Meopta which has a smooth one finger operation focuser.
There is a hint of jerkiness using one finger on the Ultravid focuser, even on the 8x32. But two fingers land on the focuser naturally.
With two fingers the operation on all the recent Ultravids I have looked through have been very good and quite smooth.
Just a few years back I would say it was a bit of a hit and miss between samples in focuser feel and action.
But I think I was so used to one finger operation that apart from two cases of obvious binding and noticeable jerkiness I think the rest would pass the muster with two fingers if I had tried them again.
Another slight drawback with the UVHD+ 8x32: I still get some slight reflections from the oculars in certain light conditions.
It was a bit of a dealbreaker four years back with my older glasses as those reflections were significantly worse.
Today, on a cloudy day, I was suprised to have some slight reflections from my glasses and a slight, red crescent glare at times.
It does not pop up very often and given that there is no perfect binocular I can live with that.
The trade offs are worth it for the small package and large performance. It is a perfect size to bring out with the APO Televid 65.
I have not had any major bino revelations over the last couple of years, but I have come to appreciate my Meoptas even more and I have rekindled my passion for the Ultravids, even though there are only a few of them that fit me.
You never know what is on the horizon but I am glad the UVHD 8x32 at least finally ticked the compact option box. I am still a little surprised at the difference switching glasses made for the ease of choosing binos.
