Simple Contrast/Comparison: Leica Trinovid HD vs Tract Toric UHD (10x42's) (1 Viewer)

[Paultricounty]

I pulled the string on the CameraLandNy damaged box Trinovid HD deal. Cost was $849.99, no tax.
I had previously bought their "demo" Kowa and they turned out to be in new, pristine condition.
Not so much with the Trinovid deal. The ocular lens were smudged with finger prints and the objective lens had tiny splatters on them.
They seemed to clean up ok, ...but I'm not wild about having to wipe the lens.

Anyway, onward to the comparison of two of the (in my limited experience) better mid-priced 10x42's.

Initial View
This goes to the Trinovid. Very easy to place up to my eyes for a fully oriented and inviting view. The tracts are fine as well, just takes that extra second or two to mentally adjust and relax into the view.

Sharpness
Trinovid wins this, but barely. Both are very sharp, but the Trinovid seems to snap in perfect focus with a bit less effort.

Contrast
Trinovid wins. Extra contrast came out in small places, like bird legs, pine cones etc.

Color
Trin....ahha! Not so fast. The Tracts won this one. I was able to observe variations of color in palm tree trunks with Tracts. Of course, I would confirm them with the Trinovids. It was just that I would notice them first with the Tracts.
The neighbors roses were also a smidge more vivid with the Tracts.

Twilight Images
Tract wins here. Toric makes a point that their "flat spectrum" coatings help at twilight and they do. I was able to get more detail earlier with the Torics. So, to me, Tract wins on details in twilight, but Trinovid wins the rest of the day,...but again barely. I'd be happy with either, any time of day.

Field Of View
Very close. The Tracts are 6.5 degree and the Leica's post a 355 ft. view. (what's that? about 6.3 degrees?) Anyway, I for one, cannot discern the minor difference in FOV. Both are slightly above average, (if you don't count the new Swaro NL 10x42).

Sweet Spot
Very non-scientific guess based on my view point. To me,...it looks as though the Tract is about 80% sweet spot with a gentle roll off towards the edge. The Trinovid sweet spot is slightly bigger (85-90%?), but has a more visible roll off. Both are fine by me, as in use, I fail give notice to either one. Both handle it very well.

Glare
I tested them both at night and day. This is the second time testing the Tract and it seems damn near glare proof. I pushed the Trinovids hard on a street light to finally get some flaring, but I have very little plans to feature mercury vapor street lights as my subjects anyway.

Size
Tract has 1/4" longer barrels and 3/4" taller cups,..so yeah it's about an inch taller overall than the Leica's. Have to admit, the Leicas feel better in the hand.

Build features
Both have great feeling focus wheels. Both very firm and smooth. Leica's have initial roll back I hear,...but whoever groped mine before I purchased it, evidently smoothed it out.

The Tracts have a locking diopter. The Leica's have tremendous range on either side of neutral. Both are smooth. As for myself, as long as the diopter ring is firm, I don't really use the lock. Maybe a lock would become more important if it was integrated with the focus wheel, but these are both right barrel diopters. They are both "10's" in my book.

Eye cups. I like the large eye cups of Tracts , but then again I favor the robust, hidden adjustment mechanism of the Leica's. I can't argue with 5 very solid click stops. Advantage Leica.

The armor of both pair feels great. The Leica's armor feels thicker, at least to me. I'll really love it when it quits stinking (more on that in next section).

The Tract is 1.75 ounces heavier, but I cant feel it. It's more that the Leica is shorter and feels better holding it up to view.

I guess too, It appears the Leica has no frills, yet everything is smooth and firm. It exudes a simple robust build. Nothing against the Tracts, they seem fine, just one notch down in build maybe.

Accessories
The Tracts come with no bag. However, the Leica bag makes me wish it had come with no bag as well. That bag is a curse. It stinks to high heaven. It's some small, wanna-be-stylish, minimal thing made of lycra and latex. I can't tell you how much it smelled. Left it's odor on the binoculars. Right now it's in the garage. I might check on it next year.

Rain guards slightly tighter and deeper on the Leica's. Advantage Leica. Objectives cover about the same on both pair (with the barrel rings etc.)
Oh, and both include a padded strap,... which I won't use after making several harnesses that are more comfortable and functional.

Bottom Line
The Leicas seem a slightly better build. They feel a tad handier. But, the Tracts are equally brilliant in view. However, I like the Trinovid's more for a particular reason. I have degrading vision in my right eye. The Trinovids compensate for the condition better. I could love the Tract view all day. It's just that when I pick it up and find a subject, I'm reminded that the right barrel will never really be sharp for me. It's not the barrel, because I can flip it, and then the left barrel fails to adjust to sharpness for me. Other bino's work for my issue, my original MIJ Vipers work and these new Trinovids work. So obviously the Trinovids are a keeper (stink and all). The tracts need to find a new home. They ARE worthy of one. Great view.

 

[Paultricounty]

I didn’t see any in your review pertaining to CA. Could you comment on the differences of the two in that regard. It’s interesting to know you picked them up at Cameraland In March or before. I returned two pair , one that I & Leica believed may have been defective (but that was in April) and the second pair had unacceptable CA. After charging me a 10% restocking fee I moved on. They did tell me that they sold the one pair that may have been defective after I returned the 2nd pair.

I now have the Nikon HG 8x42 and the Zeiss conquest 10x42. Both of which have far better CA correction in my opinion than the Trinovids. A the Trinovids were beautiful, clear, bright and smooth, I just couldn’t get passed the CA at a $1000 price point.
I would like to hear your thoughts.
Thank you
PaulW

 

[Rob from Texas]

Hey PaulW: Thanks for reading. I did do a CA review with all 3 of my 10x42. The MIJ Vortex Vipers did the best. then the Torics and finally the Trinovids. I'm not at all sensitive to CA, at least to this small level. Five minutes after the testing I quit seeing any CA in any of the pairs.

Unfortunately, I guess dealing with Camerland is a bit of a dice roll. I was not pleased with how dirty the Trinovids came to me. I ordered them in time for a trip, so I cleaned them myself to satisfaction. They did very well on the hot, dusty trip, but since that time I've discovered their true calling. They excel on dark, deary days. The inherent brightness is apparent and the contrast kicks into overdrive. I think, for me, that is how they will be used.

Rob

 

[Paultricounty]

Hey PaulW: Thanks for reading. I did do a CA review with all 3 of my 10x42. The MIJ Vortex Vipers did the best. then the Torics and finally the Trinovids. I'm not at all sensitive to CA, at least to this small level. Five minutes after the testing I quit seeing any CA in any of the pairs.

Unfortunately, I guess dealing with Camerland is a bit of a dice roll. I was not pleased with how dirty the Trinovids came to me. I ordered them in time for a trip, so I cleaned them myself to satisfaction. They did very well on the hot, dusty trip, but since that time I've discovered their true calling. They excel on dark, deary days. The inherent brightness is apparent and the contrast kicks into overdrive. I think, for me, that is how they will be used.

Rob

Hi Rob,
The quest continues. I just received a pair of GPO Passion HD 10x42. The Zeiss conquest are being sold. Although I still have some concern about longevity of the optics the build quality is as good as I’ve seen in anything less than $1500. Optics are very clear and bright. not much of a difference from the Z conquest, MHG and Trinovids but better on CA.
I feel for the sheer enjoyment and user experience these top the others discussed so far. So it’s a matter of dismissing the hesitation of a buying a new comer. Now onto the 8x30/32 quest. Looking at GPO ED line and the Hawke frontier ED Both significantly under $500. i was considering Vortex as well as I just bought a beautiful viper 1-6 LPVO. But they don’t have anything small in a higher quality line. Don’t want or think I need to go up to the $1000 range. I hope I won’t be disappointed this is how it all got started with the 10 & 8 /42’s.

Paul

 

[Rob from Texas]

Yeah, one thing that has become apparent to me in the search for lower priced gems, is sample variation. It tends to muddy the waters if you will.
I'm very happy with the survivors I possess, but the next order may very well be a stinker.
Still, I'm probably going to indulge in Torics 8x32 when they come out, simply because, after trial and error, I'm convinced my 10x42 Toric sample is amazing.

 

[Paultricounty]

Yeah, one thing that has become apparent to me in the search for lower priced gems, is sample variation. It tends to muddy the waters if you will.
I'm very happy with the survivors I possess, but the next order may very well be a stinker.
Still, I'm probably going to indulge in Torics 8x32 when they come out, simply because, after trial and error, I'm convinced my 10x42 Toric sample is amazing.

The Torics look very interesting. And I like the US company thing and assembled in Japan is also a huge plus for me. I’d also like to see a 8x32. Another bino to add to the research pile. A lot of fun for sure. Thank you