"Hello and welcome to another episode of Optics Trade debates. Today, we are going to answer one of the most commonly asked questions we receive, that is: Where are Leica binoculars made?
Let us begin with some history behind Leica binoculars. Leica has been producing binoculars since 1907, which is for more than 113 years. Before, they were producing microscopes and other optics. During the whole century of their production, they have become one of the leaders in the premium class of sport optics. They are one of the big three: Leica, Swarovski, and Zeiss. What makes them famous is that they were chosen by NASA for their mission to the moon. The astronauts at that time used the Trinovid binoculars. The second big milestone among many was the introduction of the first laser range finder on the civil market. In 1992, they introduced the first Geovid, which ordinary people (not military employees) were able to buy.
Their main production facility is in Wetzlar, Germany, and it is called Leitz-Park. They also have a factory in Portugal since the early 70s. It is about an hour’s drive from Porto in Portugal, and they have quite a big factory there – about 700 employees. Leitz-Park was opened recently – 5, 6 years ago. We wrote an article about this factor, so do check it out. They also have a museum there, as well as a hotel and a restaurant. They invested more than 20 million euros in the factory in Portugal. They also do a lot of research and development in Portugal, not only in Germany. They say that the quality of products that came from Portugal is on the same level as those that come from Germany.
So, all binoculars are made either in Portugal or in Germany. This is also the reason why their binoculars are not the cheapest (they start at €500). Which binoculars are made in Germany? The Noctivid, Ultravid, Duovid, and some other special series. Every other series, like the Geovid, Trinovid, and all the Compact series, are produced in Portugal. The Ultravid Compact is also made in Portugal. All in all, it is safe to say that they produce much more binoculars in Portugal than they do in Germany. Those made in Portugal are not that different from the ones made in Germany, they are astonishing as well."
Let us begin with some history behind Leica binoculars. Leica has been producing binoculars since 1907, which is for more than 113 years. Before, they were producing microscopes and other optics. During the whole century of their production, they have become one of the leaders in the premium class of sport optics. They are one of the big three: Leica, Swarovski, and Zeiss. What makes them famous is that they were chosen by NASA for their mission to the moon. The astronauts at that time used the Trinovid binoculars. The second big milestone among many was the introduction of the first laser range finder on the civil market. In 1992, they introduced the first Geovid, which ordinary people (not military employees) were able to buy.
Their main production facility is in Wetzlar, Germany, and it is called Leitz-Park. They also have a factory in Portugal since the early 70s. It is about an hour’s drive from Porto in Portugal, and they have quite a big factory there – about 700 employees. Leitz-Park was opened recently – 5, 6 years ago. We wrote an article about this factor, so do check it out. They also have a museum there, as well as a hotel and a restaurant. They invested more than 20 million euros in the factory in Portugal. They also do a lot of research and development in Portugal, not only in Germany. They say that the quality of products that came from Portugal is on the same level as those that come from Germany.
So, all binoculars are made either in Portugal or in Germany. This is also the reason why their binoculars are not the cheapest (they start at €500). Which binoculars are made in Germany? The Noctivid, Ultravid, Duovid, and some other special series. Every other series, like the Geovid, Trinovid, and all the Compact series, are produced in Portugal. The Ultravid Compact is also made in Portugal. All in all, it is safe to say that they produce much more binoculars in Portugal than they do in Germany. Those made in Portugal are not that different from the ones made in Germany, they are astonishing as well."