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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Tvc15_2000" data-source="post: 734929" data-attributes="member: 4960">My 10X25s are replacing a pair of  Pentax 10X28 DCF MP that weigh about a pound. I expected the 10X28 would be brighter since the objective is larger. I was wrong. Both the Leica and Zeiss 10X25 are noticeably brighter (in indoor lamp lighting I can read small print across the room with the Zeiss and Leica but the Pentax are too dark to pass the same test). I consider the Pentax 10x28 a good (but not great) binoc. The Pentax are outperformed  on every measure  by the smaller lighter higher quality 10x25s which cost 2 & 3 times the price I paid for the Pentax 10X28.These 10x25s perform as well as bigger binocs in optimal conditions but certainly not in all conditions - but that should be obvious. They are small and light and I have them with me when I would not have a larger binoc. Small binocs perform infinitely better than no binocs. I do use them for birding daily and I am glad I own them. It would be  these or nothing. On weekends I use larger binocs if I can carry them on the actives I am doing , otherwise I take the 10x25s, so I tend to use these more than larger binocsI have owned the Victory’s for about a year and I was curious about the Leica’s since they have such a devoted following. That curiosity led me owing a couple of larger Ultravids and the 25s. I have only had the 10x25 Leica’s several days and am still comparing. Unfortunalty I don’t own the Nikons or Swarvoski and can not compare them too.. I note here points I would have found useful in my choice. Others may find other things to focus on. My needs are simple – I want the best image I can get in a small package. They have to LIGHTWEIGHT,  totally waterproof , rugged, useable in all temperature, deploy easily. Both the Zeiss and Leica’s  satisfy my simple needs. Plenty has been written about the optical virtues of one over the other with claims of superiority from devotees of both brands.  In the short time I have been comparing them I find one pair may have a slight advantage  in one condition and the other pair has a slight advantage  under different conditions. From what I am seeing the difference is only low single digits of percentages in a given area. I see no grounds for one company to claim a major performance  break through when compared to the other company. .Others have seen larger differences and they probably have done a lot more testing than me. I do not discount their opinions. I need more testing on my part and I am not an expert!  I would not hesitate to recommend  either if the ergonomics of one appeal more than the other. That’s how close they are (to me). I alternate using each on different days and find I like the strengths of each when I am using it. I find no serious shortcoming with the Leica and the Zeiss.Differences I noticed (there are differences others not noted here):Bridge: The Leica uses a double hinge with a solid bridge. Both barrels of the Leica to swing in and out independently. It works just fine,  feels fine in the hands and is a design that is familiar in appearance to many other binoculars of this size. The Zeiss uses a single beefy hinge and an off center split bridge. To me this feels rock solid and give a lightweight binocular an extremely stable feel. The look is not conventional but I understand the design wisdom in real use. The Zeiss  feel noticeably more solid than the Leica’s (to me). As I become more accustom to the Leica’s I am starting to enjoy them too. I have nothing to base my opinion on after holding both in my hands I suspect the Zeiss are more rugged due to the design of the single hinge. I have absolutely  nothing other than my own opinion and examination to base that comment on.  Both feel very good in my hands and perform well. I am not about to dump one for the other. I am keeping them both. The eye cups: The Leica cups slide in and out with a tug. They are rubber’ery  coated. They do not lock in the open position.  I have a habit of pressing the eye cups onto the bones in my upper eye sockets and this  sometimes slides the eye cups back in! Its not a problem. It is a case of  me getting used to them. The Zeiss eye cups are sort of plastic rubbery. They slide out  and lock open with a twist (at full extension).  I like the locking open. Again, this is a non issue. It’s the owner adjusting to the design.The Leica focus knob is about 2.75 times wider than the Zeiss knob. The Leica knob is in the center of the bridge the Zeiss is closer to the left side. My assumption is due to different hand sizes and dexterity the focus knob of the Leica is preferred by some. For me it’s a slight advantage on the Leica. The Zeiss knob and focusing has not been a hindrance (even in the dead of winter). To use the diopter adjustment on the Leica you press a button under the bridge  and one barrel focuses while the other stays stable. There is a “gauge” on the front of the large focus knob so you can see the diopter setting.  The Zeiss uses a separate knob on the front of the bridge with markings on it. Both systems work well. I set the dipoter correction with my eyes and don’t use the gauge on either. While the Leica has a nice dial guage that has been commented on often I don’t see any real functional advantage of one system over the other.Focus: I love the actual focus on both. They are both equally precise and seem to be geared about the same in use. But when I measured it was 1 ¼ turns for the Zeiss and 1 ¾ turns for the Leica . For me the focus on both are excellent and easy to fine tune to a crips image. At this time I have used the Zeiss in the dead of winter 0 F / -18 C without a problem. I look forward to using the Leica’s this winter. From what I have read I can expect the same  good performance from the Leica’s.FOV: I accept the narrower FOV on these and feel it is my responsibility to practice with them and become better at finding my target. I purchased these for the small size and not the FOV and it would be silly for me to bitch about it since I went in with both eyes open. The more I use them the more I am on target when I lift them to my eyes. An afternoon tracking hubcaps on moving cars from the side of a highway  improved my skills more than a wider FOV. Viewing comfort: I have used both for long periods of time. The 10x25s are not a problem and are often my only choice. I can’t think of a more comfortable choice in 10X25s, I  have not tried the highly rated Nikon LXL 10X25 or Swarovski but I would be happy to compare them for you if you buy them for me! The small exit pupil  is not a problem for me (no way around that on a 10X25).  Both the Leica 10x25 Ultravid and Zeiss 10X25 Victory BT* are top notch. In my opinion there is probably only a few percent difference between them in some areas. You may prefer one over the other but probably won’t regret buying either.  While I need more time with them under a lot more conditions – At this point  I am happy when I pick up either pair. The major difference might be what you prefer. There is currently a $200 difference in price between the Leicas and the Zeiss (New York City area).  At this time with my limited experience  I could not point to any performance factors that justify the 1/3 price difference. Before the hormones get the better of you, be aware both binoculars suffer all the limitations and challenges all binoculars suffer from (but to a lesser degree than less costly binoculars). Challenges from back lighting, atmospheric haze, small exit pupils, glare  etc are all there , but so is  portability and crisp focus and excellent image quality for optics of this size. I am not trying to blur the differences. Others have seen larger differences than I have. My vision is good and I have several better and worse pairs of binoculars to compare these to. I do find myself frequently observing stationary water birds. usually at a distance, which is why I prefer 10 power. These small binocs provide me with plenty of detail. Under favorable lighting conditions they have a lot in common with larger top performers. But in poor conditions you will wish you had the larger objectives available. If I had to choose one and only one… I could flip a coin to choose and be happy with the results. Your needs and criteria may elevate one over the other. I recommend like me you  do all the analysis, toss and turn at night and  compare the features. Then ignore all that and purchased what your lusting for.</blockquote>

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