Great choice, the Nikon's are very solid and only a little bulkier that the UV.
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Zeiss victory pocket model 8x25B*T vs. current 8x25 model (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Winchester44
- Start date
I had the Nikon HGL 10x25 and compared it to the UV 10x25, and they are very close, but as found out you can get the Nikon for much less money.
Winchester44
Well-known member
Nikons arrived today. Overall very happy for the price. Optically excellent!! Crazy amount of eye relief and forgiving eye box . Big help in combatting the fiddly double hinge. Great Afov and very sharp. As others cautioned an 8x20 is going to be “more pocketable” but these still slip into my trouser pockets without too much trouble. Not shirt pocket small though. Surprisingly heavy and appear overbuilt relative to Leica and Zeiss mini’s I’ve handled. The one exception being the top cover with the Nikon badge. While the rest is all metal this is a thin piece of plastic. The focus placement is a bit odd at first, but it works fine. With money saved can likely get the 8x20 version too!
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Winchester44
Well-known member
Per your request.Pop a nice photo on for us
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Winchester44
Well-known member
Thank you! They are going to get a lot of use!They are a nice looking bin
Thotmosis
Well-known member
Nifty little binocular for 300, congratulations and use it in good health. Also love your Leica
Winchester44
Well-known member
I love those Leicas too. Something special about them. I have travelled the world with them too.
Yes I saw your post. Mine fell off too.
Winchester44
Well-known member
Just wanted to report back. I’ve had several weeks to try out the Nikon 10 x 25 and also was able to steal a pair of beat up 8 x 20 Trinovid BCA for $100.
As others have said the Leica so svelte and just feels so solid. It is truly pocketable. However, the view is quite dim compared to the 10x25 Nikon.
The image quality in the Nikon is noticeably better and it’s really not much bigger. However, holding a ten
power versus an eight power steady in something, the small is sometimes an exercise in frustration.
Big picture really wish there was a high-quality 8 x 25 available! I know Zeiss makes one but I’m not convinced I want that big hinge
As others have said the Leica so svelte and just feels so solid. It is truly pocketable. However, the view is quite dim compared to the 10x25 Nikon.
The image quality in the Nikon is noticeably better and it’s really not much bigger. However, holding a ten
power versus an eight power steady in something, the small is sometimes an exercise in frustration.
Big picture really wish there was a high-quality 8 x 25 available! I know Zeiss makes one but I’m not convinced I want that big hinge
Swarovski offers an 8x25, a double hinge design albeit not so very compact. It is the CL. https://www.swarovskioptik.com/us/en/hunting/products/binoculars/cl/cl-pocket/cl-pocket-8x25-ii.
That said, why not try out the Nikon in 8x20? It is every bit as good as the 10x25 but in 8x.
The Swaro CL is high quality - I won't say it's better than the Zeiss, but certainly as good if you don't mind double hinge (I prefer the ergonomics, but that's a personal decision only the user can make). They're not ultra-compact - will easily fit in a jacket pocket, but too bulky for trouser pockets really (just about okay in cargo pockets, but more comfortable with case threaded on belt). Good to put in a backpack/laptop case side pocket if my main objective isn't birding. I've used them for a day's full birding and can't say I really missed having my more usual 8x32's with me, although not as good obviously. 10x25 wise I've not found a pair that I could hold anywhere near as steady as 10x32s.
Winchester44
Well-known member
Have just been very impressed at how much brighter the 10x25 is vs Leica 8x20. I’m worried the that is due to the objective size with 20.
At $100 a beat up Trinovid is not a good comparison.
The Nikon HG10x25 is Nikons top line pocket, the Trinovid is one tier down in the Leica range.
At that price it will be old and have older coatings and lower transmision, and more than likely require a good clean/service.
I looked through an old BN8x32 a few years back and was very disappointed, then chanced upon some 'just serviced ones'... and bought them.
The difference a clean and service can make can sometimes be substantial.
The Nikon HG10x25 is Nikons top line pocket, the Trinovid is one tier down in the Leica range.
At that price it will be old and have older coatings and lower transmision, and more than likely require a good clean/service.
I looked through an old BN8x32 a few years back and was very disappointed, then chanced upon some 'just serviced ones'... and bought them.
The difference a clean and service can make can sometimes be substantial.
Winchester44
Well-known member
Sorry should have been clearer the trinovid are current model and while they armor had some dings lenses look perfect.
I have a pair of BN 8x32 and they are magnificent.
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Thotmosis
Well-known member
The Trinovid 8x20 is cheaper and dimmer than the UV 8x20.
I have the UV 10x25 and for the first time compared it with my Trinovid BN 10x32. Both very nice glass but fov in the 10x32 is much larger. Didn’t notice that before.
What type of lighting conditions are you using them in? In daylight I would expect the 8x20 and 10x25 Nikon to perform the same, that has been my experience.
Roger Vine reviewed the 8x20 and wrote about how bright the view is it, it became his compact reference standard for many years until the 7x21 Curio.
Not trying to push them but since you like the 10x25 Nikon package, it seems like you might like the 8x20 equally as well.
Nikon 8x20 HG L Review
Winchester44
Well-known member
Almost all middle of the day. Currently on a trip to Mexico and watching whales. Maybe you all right and the Leica UV 8x20 need that cleaning.What type of lighting conditions are you using them in? In daylight I would expect the 8x20 and 10x25 Nikon to perform the same, that has been my experience.
Roger Vine reviewed the 8x20 and wrote about how bright the view is it, it became his compact reference standard for many years until the 7x21 Curio.
Not trying to push them but since you like the 10x25 Nikon package, it seems like you might like the 8x20 equally as well.
Nikon 8x20 HG L Review
www.scopeviews.co.uk
Oh no! I see that Swaro makes the sizes I want at double the price of competition 8x25 and be still my heart a 7x21. I would have a hard time not carrying those in a well padded case even though I’m sure they are very stoutly built.
Oh wow thank you for that Nikon 8x20 review. I had forgotten about that website. He is great! He talked me into the Swaro 12x50 EL and everything he said about it was spot on.
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