Reviews & Ratings for Leica 8x20 BL Ultravid Binocular w/Brown Leather Case — 1 review — Page 1

Having owned Leica 8x20B Trinovids for almost 20 years with great satisfaction, when my wife demanded we get another pair of compact binoculars I was quite willing to pay for these Ultravids, which promised to be even better. In fact, they are better.

The short minimum-focus distance is nice. The new lens coatings seem highly effective--the view is very crisp, there are no detectable reflection problems, and color rendition seems quite neutral. The new "diopter" adjustment mechanism, which is linked to the center-focus knob and engaged by pushing a little button, seems harder to set properly than the old "twist one of the eyepieces" system on the Trinovids. I wonder how well it will hold up. However, it is acceptable and overall I strongly recommend these binoculars.

Since I wear eyeglasses, I appreciate the better eye relief on these than on competing binoculars.

Though I would not trade any optical performance for a nice case, the Leica brown leather case supplied with these is awfully fine. It's better-made than most Italian designer purses. An optical enthusiast would recognize the Leicas as topnotch-- but any schlub who sees them lifted from this case will know they are something special.

I expect my wife will leave me to carry the old (but still excellent!) Trinovids most of the time. When I want that extra smidgen of performance, I will pull these out of her hands.
Pros: Wonderful clarity (and very classy leather case)
Cons: Finicky eye-balance (diop...
Read More...