Is the Duovid still relevent? (1 Viewer)

[QPM]

Hi all! I am a novice birder, but an avid outdoorsman and have been thinking of upgrading my binoculars. I have come across a pair of Duovids (8-12) that are very interesting. I have read genearl pros and cons but still have a question. At roughly 1/2 of MSRP they appear to be a good deal, but given how far lens coatings have come in the past 20 years, are they still relevant? Would they compete with the other contenders? (BX-4, Vortex Razor HD, Zeiss Conquest.... maybe Kowa Genesis, Meopro air, Meostar and Vortex UHD as budget stretch options)

I just have to think that advances in light transmission as affected by modern production techniques and coatings may render the 'good deal' aspect of the Duovids irrelevant.

Thank you!

 

[greekgeek]

Well, my Ultravid BR's are still relevant to me. They lack the incremental improvements in coatings and even HD glass of their successors, yet the reality remains that the views are simply beautiful. I'd buy them again in a heartbeat.

As I say that, I just was "wowed" by a pair of 1988 "Alphas". Not in comparison to anything else, but in the moment of viewing. Totally usable and enjoyable.

No shame in enjoying some of yesterday's finest glass in the world. If you like the Duovid design concept and can accept the weight and narrow FOV, I'd say go for it and don't spend a moment fretting over what might be "missing" compared to the latest and greatest in glass & coatings. Sometimes great is good enough.

All that said, a Zeiss conquest HD for the circa $600-700 they may be found new for right is probably your best value bet for all use cases.

Even the HDX can be had for ~$799 right now and it's a stunning value now that the weight has dropped along with all the ergonomic improvements.

 

[Canip]

My modest 2 ct:
The Duovid models are a wonderful example of excellent mechanical and optical craftsmanship. But looking at their specifications and performance characteristics (esp weight or chromatic aberration), I consider them today more a collectors item. Of course, you can use them in the field, but you get better deals on modern optics. If you are collecting binoculars (like me), the Duovid is very nice to have in your collection ; if not, I would get myself something else.

 

[Peter.home]

Probably not these days. I had a pair ~10 years ago for a specific birding application (surveying from ferries).

For a similar price and weight, you could get a Zeiss conquest, and 2nd hand kowa tsn501. Better at 8x or 10x, then 18x - 40x offering more, although you'd need a tripod or something to rest it against for the higher magnification.

 

[Thotmosis]

I like my Duovid 8-12x42 and though it’s not as bright and immersive as my 12x50HD+ i like its versatility, compactness and wonderful sharp and creamy view. I don’t know if that makes sense at all.

IMHO still very usable on a day to day basis. For me the perfect travel binocular (with a 32 or 20 mm as backup).

 

[ticl2184]

I love my Duovids and use them everyday.

I just wish Leica had upgraded them with HD glass and improved the fov and light transmission.
Otherwise they are perfect for me.

Cheers
Tim

 

[QPM]

I love my Duovids and use them everyday.

I just wish Leica had upgraded them with HD glass and improved the fov and light transmission.
Otherwise they are perfect for me.

Cheers
Tim

Thanks, Tim. They came today; you point out the main things I noticed. They are a bit heavy, too. FOV might be sufficient for birding, but when I am glassing while hunting the wider is better. Had the updated the glass and light transmission I might have overlooked the FOV, but I think they cons just add up to out weigh the pros.

 

[bungart]

I had a 8-12x42 set for a number of years as my deck binocs. I wish that I hadn't sold them. They were very good glass. I bought a set of Swaro 8.5x42 EL's for the deck which are great. But the Leicas were fine.

 

[edwincjones]

Still relevant, but...........

I had the 10 + 15 x 50 model
pros
-high quality glass and construction
-useful to have two binoculars in one
-alpha or near alpha quality
cons
-heavy
-narrow FOV

I sold them as I was no longer using them
A lighter weight optic with wider FOV is easier to use

edj

 

[quincy88]

I would think that they are as relevant today as they ever have been. There isn't anything like them, so they are the best ever dual magnification binoculars. Go for it.

 

[edwincjones]

I was at the TX Gulf coast looking at a heron with the 10x,
a heron I could ID, but which one?
I went to 15X and it was clear as a Reddish Heron
I could have done the same with two binoculars, or a bino and scope, but....................

edj