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Leica Ultravid HD vrs Zeiss Victory Bino's

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little cleo View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote little cleo Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Leica Ultravid HD vrs Zeiss Victory Bino's
    Posted: April/20/2012 at 17:51
Can anyone tell me which they feel is a better bino the LeicaUltravid or the Zeiss Victory.  I know they are both good but I would like anhonest opinion of what everyone thinks and likes or dislikes about the two.  Thanks for your time.
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gulf1263 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote gulf1263 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/21/2012 at 00:15
IMHO it depends on your eyes and the particular model you are discussing.
The Zeiss FL 8x32 works better than the Leica 8x32 because it has longer eye relief but some folks think that the Leica Ultravid HD 8x42 has better color fidelity than the Zeiss FL 8x42.
Each one has small strengths and weaknesses that only you can decide on..throw in the Swarovski EL and Nikon EDG..they also belong in that exalted class.
I have Leica, Nikon, Swarovski and Zeiss, each in a different format, each with strengths and weaknesses.
Only you can decide for yourself what suits your eyes and which pair handles the best (as important as the view).
See if you can try the models you are interested in, bring a test target of some kind so your comparison and evaluation is consistent and remember, enjoy the view, that is what it is all about.
If one pair of glasses makes you say "wow" then that is one for you no matter what someone else says.
Art


Good day.
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RifleDude View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote RifleDude Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/21/2012 at 08:50
Zeiss Victory has less CA in the image, while Leica Ultravid HD has a bit higher contrast.  Ultra HD has a larger center field sweet spot, though V perhaps has a touch better center field resolution.  V has longer eye relief.  In my comparisons, I thought UV HD controlled off-axis flare better than V.  V probably has a tad smoother focus adjustment than UV HD, though I personally like the diopter adjustment on the UV better.  Both have great light transmission and both have hydrophobic outer lens coatings.

I own an 8X32 UV HD and absolutely love it.  It has become my go-to binocular for hunting and travel.  Not only is it optically superb, but I really like its compact size, weight, and build quality.  I feel like I'm not giving up much optical performance in exchange for its small size.  Before I bought it, I compared it against the 8X32 V and 8X32 Swaro EL, and I thought it was a close race.  I couldn't decide based on optical performance, as each had different virtues.  Ultimately, I chose the UV HD not due to optical factors as much as I liked the UV HD's form factor better and the eyecups fit my eye sockets better.  I do generally prefer a bit higher contrast as long as resolution isn't significantly degraded in the tradeoff.

Both are world-class binoculars, as is the Swaro EL, Swaro SLC, Nikon EDG.

Don't overlook the next lower tier binoculars such as Kowa Genesis, Meopta Meostar, Vortex Razor HD, etc.  These binoculars are so close to alpha performance that you may decide the extra price premium the alpha stuff commands isn't worth the miniscule performance "upgrade," if you can even see a difference.
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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JGRaider View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote JGRaider Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/21/2012 at 21:55
Nice points Rifle.  A voice of experience.  I was at the Ft Worth Cabelas Thursday and they had a Cabelas Euro 10x42 HD in the Bargain Cave for $719.  I had a hunter show up with one a couple of months ago and it is very close to my SLC HD in performance.  I still like the SLC  better, especially the ergos, but that Euro HD is a steal at  that price.  Fantastic package there.  
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koshkin View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote koshkin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/22/2012 at 01:06
Comparing different top notch binos seems to vary a fair bit depending on the configuration.

Among the 8x32 or similar, I like the Ultravid HDs form factor the most.  However, if I were to be spending my own money, it would be hard to pass up the Kowa Genesis 8x33.  I was astounded with how good they are.

With full-size models, it gets tough.  I like 7x42 and 8x42 configurations, so I have spent a fair amount of time with them.  Swaro ELs do not fit my hands well.  The latest Zeiss Victory offers the most perfect centerfield optical performance I have seen yet.  Leica has the best focusing knob I am aware of and superb contrast.  Overall, however, I probably like Swaro SLC HD the most.  It fits my hands the best and has the largest sweetspot, while the rest of the optical parameters are almost as good (almost indistinguishable, frankly).

With this group, for the most part, the choice comes down to what fits your hands best.

ILya
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