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Anybody tried the Leica Ultravid HDs yet |
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Murphy.177
Optics Apprentice Joined: February/28/2006 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 67 |
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Posted: October/28/2007 at 13:49 |
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Well come on if you have spill the beans.
I cant find anywhere with them in stock yet. |
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Master Debater
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Bird Watcher
Optics Master Joined: August/30/2006 Status: Offline Points: 1523 |
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http://www.leica-camera.us/service/dealer_locator/
Just enter your country and you will be given dealer information closest to you. |
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etc
Optics GrassHopper Joined: January/01/2008 Status: Offline Points: 26 |
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supposedly the stiff focus wheel issue has been addressed. Water doesn't stick to the lenses anymore. What else?
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Bird Watcher
Optics Master Joined: August/30/2006 Status: Offline Points: 1523 |
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etc
Optics GrassHopper Joined: January/01/2008 Status: Offline Points: 26 |
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All looks good.
I wish I could compare one to the Trinovid. I still think it's too bad that they dropped Trinovid. Out of the big 3, isn't the Ultravid HD the most expensive optics? |
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Bartond
Optics GrassHopper Joined: July/22/2005 Location: Denver Status: Offline Points: 15 |
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By using new fluoride lenses and a CAD design program they have both increased light transmission by 3% and reduced more stray light, or non-image-forming light.
Makes them even brighter and sharper than the old Ultravids, which were awesome. |
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Get outside...
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etc
Optics GrassHopper Joined: January/01/2008 Status: Offline Points: 26 |
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Yes... but the sticker shock.
I got a used Trinovid for 700, you can find them on sale NIB for about 900, and the Ultravid HD runs 2 grand. I am sure they are better than the latest Trinovids or previous Ultravid, but *that* much better? I totally fail to see the value in that, and I will stick to my Trinovid. It's not very bright admittedly but clarity and contrast and color representation are all very good. It's more than good enough. I think that light transmission for the old Trinovids was about 82%, and original Ultravid was 87%, a visible 5% improvement, and now that's improved by 3% again with HD, putting it at 90%? The biggest difference is between the Trinovid and Ultravid, the former used silver coating and the latter dielectric. I am not sure about Swarovski figures, but Zeiss is supposed to be the brightest of the Big Three. The other thing to keep in mind, Ultravid HD offers an inferior 10 year warranty vs. 30 years for the original Ultravid or even Trinovids... I think I will buy a NIB Ultravid (non-HD) when it drops in price due to HD arrival. You can find used ones for $1200. Anyway, for that price, I would seriously look at Swarovski EL, it's expensive but well under 2 grand that Ultravid HD runs. It's at least as bright and also has water-resistant coating and has lighter body. I am also going to seriously look at the non-HD Ultravids. Leica Trinovids of course offer the best value. (but not performance) Although, I do believe Leica offers the most stunning image of the big 3, they have worst warranty out of the big 3. (Swaro offering the best IMO) |
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pahuntnut
Optics Apprentice Joined: March/20/2008 Location: Pa Usa Status: Offline Points: 65 |
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I think Leica has a lifetime passport warranty that covers everything even if you crush them according to competitor site. Swaro and Zeiss have a LIMITED lifetime warranty. I may be wrong but I have been doing a lot of reasearch in that area. If I am going to take the plunge i want to be informed as to what I am getting.
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RifleDude
MODERATOR EVIL OPPRESSOR Joined: October/13/2006 Location: Texas Status: Offline Points: 16337 |
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Leica's warranty on the Ultravid HD is 10 years.
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Ted
Money can't buy happiness... but it's much more comfortable to cry in a Porsche than on a bicycle. |
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RifleDude
MODERATOR EVIL OPPRESSOR Joined: October/13/2006 Location: Texas Status: Offline Points: 16337 |
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Some interesting and varied discussions about the Ultravid HD, as well as other competing binos in these threads:
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Ted
Money can't buy happiness... but it's much more comfortable to cry in a Porsche than on a bicycle. |
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pahuntnut
Optics Apprentice Joined: March/20/2008 Location: Pa Usa Status: Offline Points: 65 |
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Im really confused?? is it just there company (competors site) that offers the Leica Lifetime Passport warranty? or are they wrong? I think i am starting to suffer information overload. Im shopping for a good hunting bino and this is turning out to be a major project. lol
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lucznik
Optics Master Joined: November/27/2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 1436 |
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You need to be very careful about the sources of information that you use. Transferrable lifetime warranties are pretty much becoming the industry standard in the United States. This doesn't mean everyone is offering them but, many of them are - especially in any given company's higher-end line(s). However, warranties in Europe for example, cannot legally extend beyond, I believe, 10 years. Thus, even if you have a source that states a shorter-than-lifetime warranty for a given product, it may not be true, if the product was purchased in the United States.
For example, the Zeiss warranty includes (in part):
The Swarovski website has a pdf file of their warranty that says essentially the same thing.
I could be wrong (it's happened once before) and I certainly don't doubt RifleDude's knowledge or information but, I would be suspicious of any undocumented claim that Leica is limiting their warranty as it would be a major blow to their marketability against these other two top companies.
Of course, Leupold Golden Ring products offer one of the most legendary Lifetime Warranties in the business and even Bushnell offers a transferable lifetime warranty on their Elite line of products.
Your best bet is to check with your U.S.A. authorized dealer for the latest information on warranties. See if they can provide you with warranty documentation before you buy, if you need the extra comfort and that they have a reasonable return policy - just in case. Then verify warranty coverage with the always-included written materials once you make your purchase.
Edited by lucznik - March/21/2008 at 12:02 |
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What if the hokey pokey really is what it's all about?
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pahuntnut
Optics Apprentice Joined: March/20/2008 Location: Pa Usa Status: Offline Points: 65 |
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Thanks for the info. This site. (competors site.) says they have a "Leica Lifetime transferable warranty, even if you mush them" so I felt that they did not update their site. Now I will call and find out what is going on.
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mike650
Optics God Joined: May/14/2006 Location: West of Rockies Status: Offline Points: 14569 |
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Why are you so worried about a "Lifetime transferable warranty", are you buying them used? I totally understand wanting a lifetime warranty and if you purchase a new set of Leica, Swarovski, Zeiss, etc. , you should be so happy with the quality, the only transferring maybe to your grandkids!! Edited by mike650 - March/21/2008 at 14:44 |
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“A hunt based only on trophies taken falls far short of what the ultimate goal should be.” – Fred Bear
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RifleDude
MODERATOR EVIL OPPRESSOR Joined: October/13/2006 Location: Texas Status: Offline Points: 16337 |
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Leica did indeed change their warranty to 10 years on the new Ultravid HD. The Ultravid did have a lifetime transferable warranty, but not anymore with the HD. I could post proof, but it is from a competitor's website.
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Ted
Money can't buy happiness... but it's much more comfortable to cry in a Porsche than on a bicycle. |
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lucznik
Optics Master Joined: November/27/2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 1436 |
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That's pretty amazing. Dumb, but amazing. |
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What if the hokey pokey really is what it's all about?
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RifleDude
MODERATOR EVIL OPPRESSOR Joined: October/13/2006 Location: Texas Status: Offline Points: 16337 |
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Notice also that they mention nothing about their warranty on their website...
I'm not bashing Leica. I love their products, and I personally own a Leica Trinovid binocular, a Televid spotting scope, and a now-discontinued Ultravid riflescope. They make very fine optics. But they are presently seriously lacking in their warranty coverage compared to their main competitors, and they are taking serious heat from this right now.
I am 100% certain of the 10 year warranty on Ultravid HD binoculars, BTW, because I have been doing some comparison shopping on high end 8X32 roof prism binoculars lately.
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Ted
Money can't buy happiness... but it's much more comfortable to cry in a Porsche than on a bicycle. |
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pahuntnut
Optics Apprentice Joined: March/20/2008 Location: Pa Usa Status: Offline Points: 65 |
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well I did not underscore transferable as being a large point in my decision. However, since companies are always coming out with new and improved this and that, there may come a time when i want to trade them and that would help in resale value. As far as lifetime warranty well if I am spending $1600-2000 for bino's I want the most bang for my buck.
FYI I just called a major Dealer and Leica DOES have a LIFETIME warranty on there bino's in the USA but not out of the USA it is 10 year
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RifleDude
MODERATOR EVIL OPPRESSOR Joined: October/13/2006 Location: Texas Status: Offline Points: 16337 |
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This "major dealer" is wrong. I've seen the warranty card. Call Leica at 800-272-0118 if you don't believe me.
Here is an excerpt from a major online US-based Leica retailer's order page. I would post the link to the whole page, but first of all, this is against OT rules and as a SWFA customer, I don't want to promote their competitors.
Edited by RifleDude - March/21/2008 at 17:10 |
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Ted
Money can't buy happiness... but it's much more comfortable to cry in a Porsche than on a bicycle. |
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pahuntnut
Optics Apprentice Joined: March/20/2008 Location: Pa Usa Status: Offline Points: 65 |
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thanks fo rthe number i will call. Therw is a major difference if a warranty is 10 years or unlimited. I would like to tell you where i got the information, but i dont think the moderator would let me. Jeez im getting a headache.
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