I'm using the 8x20 Ultravid so much that it got me thinking of buying another pair to leave in the car, but also wondered if I could get by with one of the 'lesser' Trinovid models for that purpose. My assumption of course, is that everyone here has owned everything, and therefore has more experience based opinions on these comparisons, so please share if you would.
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Is the older Trinovid 8x20 still a decent binocular? (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Trinovid
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I have both the 8x20 Trinovid and Ultravid. The differences are subtle to my eyes, unless you compare them side by side. Better ergonomics for the Ultravid, wider AFOV and better eye relief, less curvature of field, and better close focus. The Trinovid is a bit more compact and has a better strap.
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Same here. I have both. The Ultravid is better but the Trinovid is still very good.
bobf711
Well-known member
I had a fall today (no lasting damage to me, just pride) while walking the dog and had the misfortune to land on my 8x20 Trinovid bins which were in a bag over my shoulder. It seems the collimation is out as they now demonstrate double vision.
I'm going to look into getting them repaired and if that isn't viable/recommended I will probably buy the same again. I just wondered if there are any other compacts which might be recommended, as I can't say I've looked through any others? I wear glasses so eye relief is important, but the Leica's seem fine in that respect.
(I do have other binoculars for birding but keep these just for walking the dog).
I'm going to look into getting them repaired and if that isn't viable/recommended I will probably buy the same again. I just wondered if there are any other compacts which might be recommended, as I can't say I've looked through any others? I wear glasses so eye relief is important, but the Leica's seem fine in that respect.
(I do have other binoculars for birding but keep these just for walking the dog).
Mike F
Well-known member
@bobf711, I would suggest just getting them fixed, I managed drop mine a few years ago and although there was no visible damage the collimation was off. I contacted Leica Mayfair and they told me just to bring them in and that they could fix the collimation there – no need to send them off to Portugal as they’re not gas filled. They corrected them for free. Very good service.
bobf711
Well-known member
Thanks Mike - that's good to know.
I'll give them call as I'm not local and rarely in London these days.
To tell the truth one of the reasons I'm interested in buying the Trinovid is to be able to compare them side by side, and in the process get some binoculars to permanently keep in the car. On the other hand, I really like the strap that comes with the Ultravid and I'd happily buy yours if you've still got it.
If I get a good chance at another set then I'm absolutely going to get them, and I like the way you think too!
Thotmosis
Well-known member
I had a Trinovid 10x25 and got the opportunity to replace them with a Ultravid 10x25. I like the Ultravid better: better optics, beter ergonomics (focus knob!), better diopter and also don't forget: the UV is waterproof and the Trinovid is not. But if I could buy a good second hand Trinovid 8x20 for a nice price I would buy it in a heartbeat, they are very good but the Ultravids are better.
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The new Swarovski CL Curio 7x21 are comparable, but brighter. Not enough of an improvement over the Ultravids to justify the upgrade, but coming from Trinovids, perhaps. Twice the price is a bitter pill to swallow, for sure. The Leica Monovid (half an Ultravid) is another option, with the usual caveats about monoculars. To be frank, the Zeiss Victory Pocket 8x25, while nowhere near as compact as the Leica 8x20s, have nonetheless replaced them in my jacket pocket as they are compact enough and significantly more comfortable to use. In fact, they also replaced my Leica Ultravid HD 8x32.
bobf711
Well-known member
I thought about the Zeiss compacts as my main bins are Zeiss (in fact, I have three pairs). I had read though that the Zeiss compacts didn't seem to feel too well made so haven't looked any closer at them just yet. It would be good to be able to get the leading contenders all together for comparison.
Following Mike F's suggestion above, I discovered we have a Leica shop in Manchester (I had long forgotten) so took my 8 x 20s in there to see what they thought. They agreed the collimation seemed off and agreed to get them serviced for me. They suggested it may well be done under warranty and said that at worst I may be asked to cover shipping costs as they will be going to Portugal.
Whilst there I was able to have a look at some 8 x 20 Ultravids. They did feel better than mine in the hand but I can't say the image seemed that much better than mine (when they didn't suffer double vision, of course).
To be frank, the CL Curio have replaced the Zeiss Victory 8x25 because they are so much smaller but gave me a very similar view. Of course, losing the diopter knob on the 8x25 helped but I had already switched before.
Interesting. I wear glasses and that seems to make a big difference as to whether one likes the VP 8x25 comfort or not. I also have long eyelashes that get caught up in pocket binocular eyecups if trying to use them without glasses.
I tried the Curio 7x21 side by side with the Ultravid 8x20 in a store and didn't find much to differentiate them, other than the brightness on the Curio, but I find the VP 8x25 much more comfortable to use than the Ultravid.
I tried the Curio 7x21 side by side with the Ultravid 8x20 in a store and didn't find much to differentiate them, other than the brightness on the Curio, but I find the VP 8x25 much more comfortable to use than the Ultravid.
Won't know much about them until they get here but I do have a set of 8x20 Trinovid on the way. As I understand from the forum the ones with the Leica emblem in the middle have the newer coatings and are optically preferred, so that's what I got. If the comparison is like with my 8x32 models, there won't be a large difference and hopefully they'll work for a glove box binocular that doesn't fill the whole thing up.
dorubird
The unskilled mechanic blames his tools!
Trinovid 8x32b,
Trinovid 8x20 BCA is a very balanced choice. For the money you pay, you will have binoculars not far from Ultravid 8x20, but even smaller and more compact
MiddleRiver
Well-known member
Are you saying the Trinnie is more compact than the UV 8x20's? I've considered upgrading for IQ but I really do appreciate the 8x20 BCA size as it is truly pocketable.
I wonder if anyone has posted a pic of the two side-by-side?
dorubird
The unskilled mechanic blames his tools!
MiddleRiver,
Yes, Trini is slightly smaller than Ultravid due to Ultravid's focus wheel which makes it a bit wider and thicker than Trinovid.
