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Trinovid pre-HD 8x42 vs Ultravid BR 8x42 vs Ultravid HD 7x42 (2 Viewers)

benjaminH

Active member
France
Hello all ! I'm new on this forum : I salute you !!!

I need some help to choose a pair of binoculars ; I explain to you :
I already have a pair of Trinovid HD 10x42 that I relly like. But I want to buy a new pair of binoculars with different specifications to complete my arsenal : more "relaxing" binoculars, and especially binoculars more suitable for bird watching in the forest (environment that I love !!!).

I have the opportunity to buy one of these second-hand binos (but I can't try them) :
  • Leica Trinovid pre-HD 8x42 (~700 euros)
  • Leica Ultravid BR 8x42 (~900 euros)
  • Leica Ultravid HD 7x42 (~700 euros)

Does anyone know these binoculars and have any advice for me? Is there a bad choice ?

Thanks by advance,
Benjamin

PS1 : I already read a lot of threads on all these binos... And II still can't choose !!!
PS2 : Sorry for my English, I use a translator but it can sometimes be awkward
 
my choice would be the Trinovid pre-HD 8x42 because it's rare and unique. I had it years ago and liked it a lot.
I now use Trinovid HD 8x32 as my primary bino. I hope you enjoy whichever one you choose.
 
Thank's a lot for your answers, it's very kind.

I'm very attracted to the UVHD 7x42 (and in this case the price isn't a problem because it's the cheapest model of these three used binoculars !).
But I admit that I am stressed by the 7x magnification that I don't know (and which is not the most common among birdwatchers...).

Si I hesitate now between the Trinovid pre-HD end the ultravid HD 7x42 (same price !!!)

Thanks again,
Benjamin
 
I already read a lot of threads on all these binos... And II still can't choose !!!
Welcome to the club! This feeling is exactly why there are so many threads to read... but most people do end up satisfied.

The Trinovid BR 42 you've shown is a tricky one to evaluate. I've had the 10x and while it was quite good and felt equally solid, I came to feel that the optical presentation wasn't quite at the Ultravid level... which it wasn't supposed to be, as a less expensive model. It did have lower pincushioning which I liked, but was just a momentary aberration for Leica. Some others like it just as well as UV, or better; go figure. It hasn't held value as well either, perhaps due to being sold off finally at a large discount.

Your goal here is surely a wider field of view, perhaps also a larger exit pupil. What may surprise you about 7x bins like the UV if you haven't tried them is the narrow (apparent) FOV which may seem a bit tunnel-like. Again this bothers some people more than others. Zeiss FL 7x42 does better. Nikon E II 8x30 actually has an even wider real field (much wider apparent) at a very affordable price, a beautiful classic. But generally speaking 8x vs 10 isn't a huge difference, and with 7x you have this AFOV issue.
 
I would go for the 7x. You already have a 10x so go to the other end of the spectrum and enjoy the differences between the two. I bet you'll love the extra depth of field.

I own and have owned many different 7x and I have found none of them to have a tunnel-like view if the eyecups are adjusted correctly to suit my eyes and spectacles. But I don't set much store in apparent field of view. For me an 8* fov is an 8* fov whether it's in 7x or 8x.

Good luck with your choice
 
First choice for me would be the 7x42. There are seven colors of the rainbow, seven chakras, seven days of the week, seven continents, and seven wonders of the world. The number seven is featured extensively in Christianity and other religions, along with the number seven forms the basis of Western musical scales. So it’s good to have a 7x magnification binocular I guess ;)
 
First choice for me would be the 7x42. There are seven colors of the rainbow, seven chakras, seven days of the week, seven continents, and seven wonders of the world. The number seven is featured extensively in Christianity and other religions, along with the number seven forms the basis of Western musical scales. So it’s good to have a 7x magnification binocular I guess ;)
 
I would go with the Leica Trinovid pre-HD 8x42. There is not a lot of difference optically between those 3 binoculars optically because Leica has never changed their optics much over the years.

Personally I find 7x a little weak for birding, especially if you are doing any open country birding, even though a lot of birders like 7x I never took to it and I have tried a lot of different 7x. I feel 8x is the sweet spot for birding.

I think I would look a for a Trinovid BN or BA in 8x32, 8x42 or 7x42 because I prefer the classic design and handling over the more modern Leica's and I think they handle better and have better build quality with very little difference in optics.
 
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First choice for me would be the 7x42. There are seven colors of the rainbow, seven chakras, seven days of the week, seven continents, and seven wonders of the world. The number seven is featured extensively in Christianity and other religions, along with the number seven forms the basis of Western musical scales. So it’s good to have a 7x magnification binocular I guess ;)
How in the world of sports could you forget The Magnificent Seven :love:
 
  • Leica Ultravid HD 7x42 (~700 euros)
I came here to say the Ultravid 7x42 was one of my biggest surprises from a Leica store visit a couple years ago and the first binocular I ended up acquiring shortly thereafter. Quite possibly my personal premium binocular. But don't take any single endorsement, especially when it seems the whole forum is rooting for this choice. I got a great price on mine, but not as good as that one!
Leica Ultravid HD 7x42. Relaxing to use + 8° FOV. Go for it!

I would also go with the UV. 7x42 , it may not have an outstanding feature but it is very good in all disciplines, which in itself is an outstanding feature.

I'm very attracted to the UVHD 7x42 (and in this case the price isn't a problem because it's the cheapest model of these three used binoculars !).

For using in the forest and to make a significant change from your 10x, I would suggest that the 7x might be the best choice.

Ultravid 7x42HD would be my choice.

I would go for the 7x. You already have a 10x so go to the other end of the spectrum and enjoy the differences between the two. I bet you'll love the extra depth of field.

First choice for me would be the 7x42.

At those prices stated, provided they all are in equally good shape, I would grab the 7x42UV's. They are a delight to use.

 

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