The three Trinovids battle (5 Viewers)

[dorubird]

When we refer about the compact Trinovid series we have to refer to exactly which model we are referring to, because they are very different optically due to the improvements of the anti-reflection layers over the years. It's like some old Swarovski models: with or without Swarodur coating.
All three Trinovids have an overwhelming simplicity of design and top notch mechanics in the smallest size you can have!
The 1988 version amazes me with its elegance, natural clarity during the day and a very comfortable pleasant image for such an ultra-compact binoculars.
The new variants have even higher optical performance, with a brutal clarity, I would say almost unnatural clarity.


Below is a comparison of three Trinovides
Leica Trinovid 8x20 BC (1988)/ Leica Trinovid 8x20 BCA (2020)/ Leica Trinovid 10x25 BCA (2007)
Construction and technical aspects

Bino 8x20 BC/ 8x20 BCA/ 10x25 BCA

Finish and Design 3/2 /2

Field of view 3/ 3/ 2

Eye relief 2/ 2/ 2

Min. focus distance 3/ 3/ 2

Weight 220g/ 225g/ 250g

Scores 11*/ 10*/ 8*

Optical performance

Bino---------------------------------------------- 8x20 BC-----8x20 BCA------10x25 BCA

Center Resolution (same target distance) 1/ 2/ 3

Border Resolution 2/ 2/ 2

Contrast 1/ 3/ 3

Brightness during the day 1/ 3/ 3

Brightness in the dark and at night 1/ 2/ 3

Flare resistance 2/ 2/ 2

White rendering 1/ 3/ 3

Chromatic aberrations 3/ 3/ 3

Distortions 3/ 3/ 3

Optical score 14*/ 23*/ 25*



Total score 25*/ 33*/ 33*

 

[LarryO]

durobird -

Thank you for that very welcome comparison among three Trinovid compact models.

I have found that there may have been at least four versions of the compact Trinovids, if versions were distinguished by changes of their model numbers in Leica brochures. I listed model numbers of the 'BCA' rubber-armored' ones in post #14 of the thread
'Ultravid BCAs vs current Trinovid BCAs - real optical difference or mostly mechanical?'
<Ultravid BCAs vs *current* Trinovid BCAs - real optical difference or mostly mechanical?>.
You and others contributed very helpfully to that thread.

Comparison of the photos in your post #1 here with the illustrations in Leica Sports Optics brochures (1982, 2003, 2007) on the Company 7 site, <Company Seven | Leica Notes and Interesting Articles>, suggest that your 1988 BCA 8x20 model is from the 'old' line in which the rubber-armored model had exterior 'bars' on the surface like those on larger Trinovid BA and BN models of that period (1982 brochure at Company 7 site). The leather 10x25 illustrated on the cover of the 1982 brochure had the 'Leica' red dot at the lower left and a 'TRINOVID' tag, both as in your photo of the (very nice looking) 8x20 leather model.

The version of the 2007 10x25's you show is more difficult to place from the references at hand. The 2007 brochure at the Company 7 site already showed the Ultravid compact and larger models, with the Trinovid BCAs having the same model number, 40342, assigned to the most recent, 'very new' 8x20 BCAs. So your 2007 10x25's could be the 40343 models illustrated in that brochure, i.e., ones expected to benefit from newer coatings, etc. On the other hand, maybe coatings were changed between 2007 and today, without change of model numbers.

Bottom line: It seems that your comparison of Trinovid 8x20's from 1988 and 2020 confirms the significant optical advances of the latter, as well as the more contemporary green color of their coatings. So comparisons of Trinovid vs Ultravid compact models in previous posts do need to be revisitied for specification of the age of the Trinovids involved.

And I have to agree that the design of your 'leather' 8x20's is a very handsome one. The brochures also show 'silver' and 'titanium' versions of the leather models that approach jewelry in visual appeal. While admittedly of little consequence to the view through them, their appearance might contribute to the pleasure of use for some.

Larry

 

[NDhunter]

Doru:
Thanks for your photos and review. It seems every maker offers improvements along the way with newer models.
You should step up your game and try the Ultravid, they are better yet. Tell us if you can find any differences.

Jerry