I have owned a pair of 8x32 BA Leica Trinovids for about 7 years, and have been pretty happy with them. However, they are starting to show their age. Also, when birding interior forest in the tropics, I have found myself wanting something a little brighter. So I have been looking for something brighter, and of equivalent or better quality for the last couple years. Here's what I have found in the 8 power full size roofs:
(First, for the record, chromatic aberation fortunately does not bother me like it does some folks on here, sharpness is the cross I bear.)
[*]Leica Trinovid 42s: ergonomics suck (big and bulky), a little heavy, don't remember, but assume the optics is equal to the 32s
[*]B&L Elites: Nice ergonomics, brighter, definitely not as sharp, flimsy eyecups, best price
[*]Nikon Venturers: Probably the sharpest roof prism available, fantastic ergonomics, too damn heavy, good price.
[*]Swarovski ELs: sharpness and brightness very good but not as good as all the raves, too over priced, length forces you to hold your hands further from your face, therefore not quite as stable (for me anyway).
[*]Zeiss Victory I&II: Is were optically (sharpness) a big disappointment and well there's the strap attachment gizmo. IIs were better, still not as good optically as the swaros, nikons and leicas. Ok Price.
Then the Ultravids came out. Lighter than the Trinovids, new grippy armor, twist up removable eyecups, shell out for the leather version and get a top of the line bino weighing only 25oz, new High Lux coating system. Well they weren't cheap, but at least a couple hundred lower than the swaros. Not as close focusing as the others, but 10ft is fine with me. Finally the holy grail of full size binos had arrived. Right?
No.
They are not as sharp as my old beat up 8x32 Trinovids with the scratched oculars. They are lighter and brighter, the focus is smoother, they are more slender than the 42 trinos, the armor is nice and grippy. Leica even finally offers a decent (not great) case and strap, and ocular/objective covers.
But they are not as sharp as my old beat up 8x32 Trinovids. Close...very close, but enough to justify US $1,225?
Should I keep them? Should I make another 5 1/2 hour drive to Eagle Optics to take another look at the Nikon 8x32 Venturers? There's good words here about the new Swaro 8x32s. But is that the Swaro cult at work? Plus there's that Swarovski snob appeal price.
Crap.
Maybe I should take up golf.
(First, for the record, chromatic aberation fortunately does not bother me like it does some folks on here, sharpness is the cross I bear.)
[*]Leica Trinovid 42s: ergonomics suck (big and bulky), a little heavy, don't remember, but assume the optics is equal to the 32s
[*]B&L Elites: Nice ergonomics, brighter, definitely not as sharp, flimsy eyecups, best price
[*]Nikon Venturers: Probably the sharpest roof prism available, fantastic ergonomics, too damn heavy, good price.
[*]Swarovski ELs: sharpness and brightness very good but not as good as all the raves, too over priced, length forces you to hold your hands further from your face, therefore not quite as stable (for me anyway).
[*]Zeiss Victory I&II: Is were optically (sharpness) a big disappointment and well there's the strap attachment gizmo. IIs were better, still not as good optically as the swaros, nikons and leicas. Ok Price.
Then the Ultravids came out. Lighter than the Trinovids, new grippy armor, twist up removable eyecups, shell out for the leather version and get a top of the line bino weighing only 25oz, new High Lux coating system. Well they weren't cheap, but at least a couple hundred lower than the swaros. Not as close focusing as the others, but 10ft is fine with me. Finally the holy grail of full size binos had arrived. Right?
No.
They are not as sharp as my old beat up 8x32 Trinovids with the scratched oculars. They are lighter and brighter, the focus is smoother, they are more slender than the 42 trinos, the armor is nice and grippy. Leica even finally offers a decent (not great) case and strap, and ocular/objective covers.
But they are not as sharp as my old beat up 8x32 Trinovids. Close...very close, but enough to justify US $1,225?
Should I keep them? Should I make another 5 1/2 hour drive to Eagle Optics to take another look at the Nikon 8x32 Venturers? There's good words here about the new Swaro 8x32s. But is that the Swaro cult at work? Plus there's that Swarovski snob appeal price.
Crap.
Maybe I should take up golf.