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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Gijs van Ginkel" data-source="post: 3478132" data-attributes="member: 82596">This morning a rendered a short visit to Jan van Daalen's shop and that was the first time I got to know the 8X42 NoctIvid in comparison with the 42 mm SV, SF, HT and SLC.Based on the writings on this forum I had expected "to be blown away"by the Noctivid. In short: I was not.It is a well made binocular that is for sure but with a price of more than 2500 euros one can expect that.First the handling: the open bridge has a much narrower spacing between the two binocular tubes as the SF and the SV. As a consequence the handling is quite different and I found no advantage really from the open bridge, whereas the narrower spacing forces you to hold the binocular in a way different from the SF and the SV and not in favor of the Noctivid in my hands. The focussing wheel runs smooth with about the same turning resistance as the SV and a tiny little lighter than the SF.The focussing wheel sticks out above the binocular body quite a bit more than with the SF and the SV and that forces your hands a bit more than with the focussing wheels of the SF and the SV.The eycups are attached with the well-known bayonet mount Leica also uses in its other models. It works, but needs some excercise for a smooth practice (I like a screw mount better, but that is a matter of taste).The presence of CA has already been mentioned by Jan. Considering the published transmission of 92% by Leica I had expected a very bright image, but the SLC was considerable brighter.Color reproduction of the Noctivid was close to that of the HT and more red (or warmer if you like) than that of the SF and looked more like the color reproduction of the HT. Im curious how the transmission spectra will turn out, but that will come one of these days.The focussing wheel needed 2 rotations from close focus to infinity or the other way around.The sample Jan had showed a little free play of the focussing wheel, but that can be helped probably in an easy way by Leica.Now suppose I had a bag filled with money and  I had the possibility to make a choice between the five binoculars I mentioned, would I buy the Noctivid?With the knowledge I have now (but that can change when I get more time with the different binoculars) I would prefer the HT or the SLC over the Noctivid and if it where a choice between open bridge binoculars, the Noctivid would stay in the cupboard, since I found the SF and the SV   more to my liking optically and with regard to handling comfort.I will try to attach tomorrow some of the photos I have made today, but these are my impressions at the moment.Gijs van Ginkel</blockquote>

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