Most bins made in Portugal now? (2 Viewers)

[Sreitz]

I just left the Leica store in Los Angeles. Ultravids, Noctivid, all of them made in Portugal now according to the box.

Do I care?

 

[takitam]

I just left the Leica store in Los Angeles. Ultravids, Noctivid, all of them made in Portugal now according to the box.

Do I care?

They have been made there for a long time apparently. AFAIK, German law only requires some final assembly or packaging to be done in Germany to award a 'Made in Germany' stamp. This had been happening for a while, not anymore. Imo, it's a good change. At least Leica has its own factory and doesn't use sub-contractors.

 

[Sreitz]

I was about to buy some 8x20 ultras and the focus wheel was not what I would call smooth. I decided to wait.

 

[Mac308]

I was about to buy some 8x20 ultras and the focus wheel was not what I would call smooth. I decided to wait.

The 8x20 UV's have always and only been made in Portugal IIRC. Mine are 8 years old and super-smooth. There are always individual differences, which is why it pays to purchase in person if possible.

Good things come from Portugal...

 

[Sreitz]

Oh bummer. I only tried the floor model, not the one I’d purchase. I’ll check them out again.

 

[tenex]

Portugal: yes. Leica has been manufacturing there since the 1970s, as Zeiss now also does in Hungary. This discussion has occurred many times before. Latest incarnation here, if you want to look: Interesting Optics Trade discussion on where Leica binoculars are made.

 

[razor6]

I have four Leicas; 7x42UVHD+, 10x50UVHD+, 8x42NV, and 10x42NV.
All but the last one (10x42NV) are stamped “Made in Germany”. The 10x42NV is stamped “Made in Portugal”. Each NV feels, handles and appears equally as good as the other. No difference in quality between MY bins made in Germany vs. Portugal; none, nada, zip!

 

[Lapprentis]

I was about to buy some 8x20 ultras and the focus wheel was not what I would call smooth. I decided to wait.

I returned an 8x20 recently; just like you, a too stiff fucus wheel….unlike another copy I had many years ago….

 

[lilcrazy2]

They have been made there for a long time apparently. AFAIK, German law only requires some final assembly or packaging to be done in Germany to award a 'Made in Germany' stamp. This had been happening for a while, not anymore. Imo, it's a good change. At least Leica has its own factory and doesn't use sub-contractors.

Strange how we always criticize many brands for not having their own factories and using subcontractors. Many years back Leupold had Leica make some 9x25's IF binos for the Leupold brand based on the Trinovid BCA and were stamped Portugal. Looked like 2 right barrel assemblies joined together with the objective focuser. I wonder if any other binos have been made under subcontract from the big 3 for other brands other than these.

 

[Trinovid]

I was about to buy some 8x20 ultras and the focus wheel was not what I would call smooth. I decided to wait.

I really like my 8x20 Ultravids, even despite not having the smoothest focusing, still excellent for me.
I attached this picture because it's the only one showing all three pairs.