Paultricounty
Well-known member
It’s a Leica man, there’s serious bling here 😂.Ultravid snob appeal is unparalleled, particularly on cruise ships.
It’s a Leica man, there’s serious bling here 😂.Ultravid snob appeal is unparalleled, particularly on cruise ships.
Nah, just got that from a Opticaexotica Utube review of a Leica, man.Bling?
Is that code for "As Flash as a Rat with a Gold Tooth." ?
The Curio is the only binocular I've bought new from a vendor, but after becoming my #1 for a couple of weeks the Ultravid found its way back into that spot, where it remains to this day. I'll never get rid of the Curio, and could be happy if it was my only binocular, but happier yet to have the Ultravid.I bought a Curio after testing most of the pocket, and not so pocket, binoculars side by side.
Which confirms that the best binocular in any class or price range is the one that suits you best.The Curio is the only binocular I've bought new from a vendor, but after becoming my #1 for a couple of weeks the Ultravid found its way back into that spot, where it remains to this day. I'll never get rid of the Curio, and could be happy if it was my only binocular, but happier yet to have the Ultravid.
Why did you change your mind? I have often looked at them because they are 7x which I would like better than 8x in a pocket. I never bought a pair, though, because I thought they'd make my Ultravids redundant.The Curio is the only binocular I've bought new from a vendor, but after becoming my #1 for a couple of weeks the Ultravid found its way back into that spot, where it remains to this day. I'll never get rid of the Curio, and could be happy if it was my only binocular, but happier yet to have the Ultravid.
I really like lower magnification and together with many of these other positive statements in the forum finally decided to get them. From the moment I opened the box and looked across the street I was struck with how easy the eye alignment and how crisp and bright the view.Why did you change your mind? I have often looked at them because they are 7x which I would like better than 8x in a pocket. I never bought a pair, though, because I thought they'd make my Ultravids redundant.
I found Ultravid 8x20 BR at a good price and I couldn't resist. I tested it for a while and now I will share my Ultravid impressions and images with you. (I will make soon a detailed comparison between Ultravid 8x20 and Trinovid 8x20)
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Mechanical presentation
Ultravid eyepieces covers fit perfectly, having loop for the strap it is very useful not to lose them!
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Ultravid eyepiece cups have two positions: folded and extended! The rubber is soft. The outer diameter is 30mm
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Ultravid Focus system. It has an exact and pleasant rotation, without lost motion. For pocket binoculars, the wheel is very convenient, being easy to access.
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Ultravid diopter adjustment is done without taking off binoculars from the eyes, so very convenient and efficient. This is due to the small button that disengages the focus. Has a margin of +-3.5 diopters
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Ultravid Housing finish is carefully crafted with quality rubber armor, pleasant to the touch. It is a beauty!!
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Ultravid interior finish is impeccably matte blackened and vibrated with grooves
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Ultravid hinge is double with a very good resistance
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Ultravid resistance in water is 0.5 bar (up to approx. 5m depth). The material of the case is aluminum (bino weight with straps and caps aprox. 255g.). Operating temperature-25 degrees C. +55 Cdeg
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Ultravid ergonomics are impressive for such small binoculars. It is comfortable due to the larger and easy to access focus wheel.
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Optical presentation
Ultravid outer lenses are covered with High Durable Coating and hydrophobic AquaDura for very easy maintenance and resistance against fogging. I am extremely satisfied with this aspect, because a pocket binocular, during travels, has many unexpected situations.
Ultravid eyepieces have a tobacco-colored anti-reflective coating with a very high efficiency. From some angles you practically have the impression that the lens disappears. The diameter of the lenses is 16.5mm.
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Ultravid 20mm objective lenses have an olive colored coating with small purple hues. The roof prisms are covered with an blue/green coating, High Lux System and phase correction coating P40
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Ultravid resolution is very high. A very sharp pair of binoculars! The clarity extends to about 90% of the FOV. Only the last 10% decrease a bit in resolution, but not annoyingly
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Ultravid light transmission. I am amazed that in some tests (https://www.houseofoutdoor.com/) it has very high light transmission, higher than we are used with a Leica bino.
Ultravid contrast is very high. Ultravid 8x20 belongs to the category of binoculars with strong contrast with very deep black.
Ultravid glare resistance. With the light source near the FOV, or in the background, this small binoculars have no problems. This is due the very well blackened tubes inside, but also due the well-chosen coating and optical diaphragms in front of the prisms.
Ultravid colors saturation are vivid and strong. Especially in a sunset light, the colors take a special saturation beauty!!
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Ultravid Chromatic aberrations are minimal and only on the edges. For me it does not present any kind of problem.
Ultravid eye relief is 15mm from specification, but I think it is maybe a little higher because it is very comfortable with my glasses, having easy access to the entire AFOV.
Ultravid field of view is 6.5 with an AFOV of 52 deg. It's not a large AFOV but it's very similar to competition in this pocket class (Swarovski's Curio 7x21 has a little smaller AFOV- 51 deg.)
The binoculars can focus extremely close (1.75m measured by me). Very useful in nature
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Conclusions
Leica Ultravid 8x20 is a very small binocular that hides inside an extremely high performance optic. It has a special sparkle to the image! The mechanics are also impeccable, everything moves firmly and precisely. It gives me the impression that we are dealing with the highest possible quality concentrated per square centimeter!
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Now I have to decide if it should be the black line, or this model, then I have to think about the curio again. Maybe Ill have to get them both and pick the one I like the best and send back the other, what, it could happen.Thank you all for the appreciations!
Small with maximum constructive robustness, beautiful design and superb image. This is the Ultravid 8x20! The small exit pupil are only compromise of these binoculars, but this compromise are specific to all pocket binoculars. This is a compromise you have to make when you really want a pocket binoculars. I really like these little jewels because they are a sum of impeccable mechanical quality and top-notch optical refinement. Ultravid 8x20 has passed the test of time for constructive resistance and has perhaps the clearest image with a vibrant color, seconded by amazing contrast!!!
It is a small machine that produces colors and clarity!
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... until the day I thought I’d look through my ‘retired’ Ultravid for ‘old time’s sake’ and saw the richness of the colors again.
You actually need to buy all three; 8x20 BL, BR and the Curio. I’ve got all three and none of them are for sale!Now I have to decide if it should be the black line, or this model, then I have to think about the curio again. Maybe Ill have to get them both and pick the one I like the best and send back the other…
Why did you change your mind? I have often looked at them because they are 7x which I would like better than 8x in a pocket. I never bought a pair, though, because I thought they'd make my Ultravids redundant.
I can relive your process of wanting, buying, comparing - and going back to our beloved Ultravids. Enjoy them in good health. Looking through an Ultravid I have realised more than once that the grass is not greener on the other side.
Now I have to decide if it should be the black line, or this model, then I have to think about the curio again. Maybe Ill have to get them both and pick the one I like the best and send back the other, what, it could happen.
You actually need to buy all three; 8x20 BL, BR and the Curio. I’ve got all three and none of them are for sale!
That's what I love about Leica... the image has that special sparkle and the materials/fit/finish/mechanical quality are absolutely superb. I can certainly appreciate what Zeiss and Swaro offerings bring to the table, but neither of those have been able to displace my preference for Leica.Conclusions
Leica Ultravid 8x20 is a very small binocular that hides inside an extremely high performance optic. It has a special sparkle to the image! The mechanics are also impeccable, everything moves firmly and precisely. It gives me the impression that we are dealing with the highest possible quality concentrated per square centimeter!
They are stunning. I love 'em too (and the 7x42).Oh... also tried the Habicht 8x30's AGAIN.... it's gonna happen someday... absolutely stunning... love 'em.
LOL! My youngest son flew Merlin Helicopters. They had more glued components than an Airfix kit.So today, at the Birders' Store in Worcester, I have just tried the 8x20 Ultra's against the Zeiss VP8x25's, and the Curios.
I used to own the Ultravids a few years back, and was always mightily impressed with them.
But things have moved on, and the Curios are (to my eyes) better than the Zeiss and the Ultra's.
And this is coming from a Leica fan !!
They were brighter and clearer/crisper than the Zeiss or Leica, and this was most evident looking into shaded areas.
There was a noticeable improvement in the Curios. immediately noticeable to me.
They were also surprisingly comfortable to hold for pocket bins, even with my spades for hands.
If I were buying a pocket bin, it'll be a Curio no question, even though the Leicas are just so nice, as Leicas always are.
Oh, and for those who've heard nightmares about the Zeiss being no good for non glasses wearers.... well they were fine for me... so just goes to show you've got to try for yourself.
And all this 'glued on' focus knob stuff. Well, they glue cars together these days, I'm sure they would be fine!
Hugely impressed with Curios