Mac308
Well-known member
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When the rumors of the possible manufacture of the 7x35 Trinovid surfaced at least 5 years ago, I was pretty excited. They were shown with rubber armoring, and I naturally assumed they'd be waterproof. Several years came and went, until Leica finally announced their production! I was excited until I saw "how" they were being offered - a metal housing with faux leather, no waterproofing, non-screw eyecups, and no objective covers. Really?
I am NOT interested in "retro" anything (the only things that have sentimental value to me are the things I've used for years). So, the way these were offered was really disappointing. I was purely interested in the 7x35 size built around a robust and useful package for where and how I use binoculars.
So, I waited, and watched as some here on BF acquired, used, and reviewed the 7x35's. Over time my objections softened. And since I've always believed a quality 7x35 would be the perfect binocular for me (despite really wanting a 7x32/35 Ultravid), I put my misgivings aside and ordered the 7x35 Trinovid.
I spent a solid week with the Retrovid's, comparing them with my 8x3UV's in all kinds of lighting conditions. I have to say, optically, they really stand up to my Leica HD's.
What I liked:
7x35 - The "perfect compromise of magnification and objective size, allowing a fairly compact build for use in most lighting conditions.
Eye Relief - Plenty!
Size - Handy!
Optics - Fine resolution, and that beautiful warm Leica view.
What I disliked:
Focus - The focus knob is too small (not really comfortable) and the focus is too slow.
Diopter - Fussy. It took me quite a bit of time to get it dialed in. Could be I'm just used to the wonderful Ultravid diopter, but I suspect that slow focus is the main culprit.
Exterior Finish - nice, but impractical for me. They ARE cold in the hands. We have a LOT of cold weather here.
Objective Covers - there are none. I need and use them. I ordered the appropriate size for the Retrovid from Opticron. They just didn't fit well, and I'm not going to go on a google holy grail search to outfit a binocular with something it should already have from the factory.
I sent them back with some regret, since optically they are VERY nice. I could have lived with their non-waterproof build. I could have lived with the pull-up ocualrs (they are nicely positive). But the sum of the negatives outweighed the positives for me, so back they went. Too bad. For others, given where and how they use binoculars, I can see how they'll fill a niche. But I'm not a niche binocular owner. I'm a less-is-more sort of guy, and want my binoculars to span a wide variety of applications. Sigh...
I am NOT interested in "retro" anything (the only things that have sentimental value to me are the things I've used for years). So, the way these were offered was really disappointing. I was purely interested in the 7x35 size built around a robust and useful package for where and how I use binoculars.
So, I waited, and watched as some here on BF acquired, used, and reviewed the 7x35's. Over time my objections softened. And since I've always believed a quality 7x35 would be the perfect binocular for me (despite really wanting a 7x32/35 Ultravid), I put my misgivings aside and ordered the 7x35 Trinovid.
I spent a solid week with the Retrovid's, comparing them with my 8x3UV's in all kinds of lighting conditions. I have to say, optically, they really stand up to my Leica HD's.
What I liked:
7x35 - The "perfect compromise of magnification and objective size, allowing a fairly compact build for use in most lighting conditions.
Eye Relief - Plenty!
Size - Handy!
Optics - Fine resolution, and that beautiful warm Leica view.
What I disliked:
Focus - The focus knob is too small (not really comfortable) and the focus is too slow.
Diopter - Fussy. It took me quite a bit of time to get it dialed in. Could be I'm just used to the wonderful Ultravid diopter, but I suspect that slow focus is the main culprit.
Exterior Finish - nice, but impractical for me. They ARE cold in the hands. We have a LOT of cold weather here.
Objective Covers - there are none. I need and use them. I ordered the appropriate size for the Retrovid from Opticron. They just didn't fit well, and I'm not going to go on a google holy grail search to outfit a binocular with something it should already have from the factory.
I sent them back with some regret, since optically they are VERY nice. I could have lived with their non-waterproof build. I could have lived with the pull-up ocualrs (they are nicely positive). But the sum of the negatives outweighed the positives for me, so back they went. Too bad. For others, given where and how they use binoculars, I can see how they'll fill a niche. But I'm not a niche binocular owner. I'm a less-is-more sort of guy, and want my binoculars to span a wide variety of applications. Sigh...