Hi,
I bought my Ultravid 8x42 BL because the styling goes directly back to Leica's beautiful first Trinovid-series. Although the second series, made from the nineties on, was/is optically great and built like a brick, I never could get over their weight and clumsy ergonomics. Also, the Ultravid is THE alternative to the Swarovski EL. Look at Ultravid's massive central hinge bar, and then see the big hole between Swaro's barrels! (note: the irony here is that Leica in the late fifties manufactured a precursor to the Trinovids that very much reminds one of the Swarovski EL! You can find a picture of this rare creature in Seeger's Ferngläser im Wandel der Zeit. Also check eBay, there's a live auction from Austria going at the moment - for a few hours yet - that lists the thing too).
Another reason I fell for the Ultravid BL was the case. It's the nicest one I've ever seen and used, very well thought out and perfectly functional. I throw the cased bins in my rucksack, stow some fruit, candy, bread, books, bycycle pump and what have you next to it, and never worry about a thing. Certainly wouldn't consider doing this with a Swaro (no case at all!) or the big, angular cases of other brands.
Renze
