Leica Ultravid HD Plus numbering (1 Viewer)

[SeldomPerched]

Anybody here in the know about Leica serial numbers? The curiosity relates to the current Ultravid models i.e. HD Plus, all bought between 2019 and 2022 from the same excellent stockist.

Here goes: I had 8x32 (1641---) bought new in 2019 and then because that one was unusually not up to scratch a replacement (1643---) also bought new in 2021.

Here is the interesting bit: my 7x42 bought new in 2019 and 8x50 bought 2nd hand in March 2021 both had numbers 1649--- but my new 8x50 bought yesterday had a lower serial number (1636---) despite having a Leica sticker on the outer plain cardboard carton (protecting the usual shiny silver grey carton inside) with the serial number and model number and the more recent date 04/2021.

The interesting thing is that the new binocular with newer date on the new 8x50 carton has a lower serial number than the model bought second hand a month before the date of the new one. Have I now confused everyone?

In short, not that it worries me in practice as the bin is excellent and flawless, do they go back to earlier numbers sometimes when maybe they update coatings etc?

 

[tenex]

but my new 8x50 bought yesterday had a lower serial number (1636---)

I don't imagine 8x50s sell very quickly. Yours might still have been "made" in Germany

 

[John A Roberts]

For some context:
the original Ultravid BR was introduced in 2003; the HD followed in 2007, and; then the HD Plus in 2015.

My two HD pre-Plus units are:
#1,621,229 7x42, and;
#1,623,877 8x42.
So when does #1,636k 8x50 HD Plus date from?

Hopefully, other HD and HD Plus owners can help define when the change occurred (and so give some rough idea of the age of the 8x50)?
i.e. somewhere between 1,623k+ and 1,636k-


John


p.s. I posted the numbers for both Ultravids, as while they are less than 2,700 units apart, they have noticeably different reflections from the objectives.
As can be seen, the 7x42 at the top has slightly warmer reflections of yellow-green and pink vs blue and green.
I've never seen an explanation as to whether this is due to:
• a change across the x42 Ultravid line as a whole between the two serial numbers;
• different x42 models intentionally having slightly different anti-reflective coating combinations, or;
• it being within acceptable variation to Leica, in terms of batch variations to A-R coatings.
The last may be the case as the image of the 7x42 is fractionally warmer - it's only just detectable with the two stacked and constant switching between.

 

[Mac308]

My 8x32 HD (non +) = 16277XX

 

[chill6x6]

Let's see...
7X42HD+ 16345XX
8X42HD+ 16321XX
8X50HD+ 16360XX
8X42 Silverline 16260XX

BTW....when I bought the 8X50 there was ONE in the USA in NJ.

 

[Canip]

8x50 HD bought in 2015, # 1622999
8x50 HD Plus bought in 2018, # 1649359
8x42 HD Plus bought in 2014, # 1631132
8x32 HD Plus bought in 2015, # 1633465
7x42 HD Plus bought in 2017, # 1621102
7x42 HD bought in 2015, # 1596540
12x50 HD Plus bought in 2019, # 1640353
10x50 HD Plus bought in 2015, # 2057561
10x42 HD bought in 2014, # 2039154
10x42 HD Plus bought in 2018, # 1641328

 

[MiddleRiver]

8x42 UVHD - boxes marked 2021/10/XX. Purchased directly from Leica USA.
s/n 22717XX
Portugal
flawless...

 

[Mike F]

7x42HD+ 2017/03/16 01649915
12x50HD+ 2019/12/12 01643629

Dates as written on the box label.

 

[MSP1LT]

8x42 HD+ Safari Edition 2017 16394XX

 

[Conndomat]

On Leica, like on the Zeiss SF, the serial numbers don't seem to be consecutive.

Noctivid 22686XX November 21
Noctivid 22683XX February 22

• it being within acceptable variation to Leica, in terms of batch variations to A-R coatings.
The last may be the case as the image of the 7x42 is fractionally warmer - it's only just detectable with the two stacked and constant switching between.

My Noctivid even has slightly different coating colors.

The left tube shimmers slightly greener than the right tube.
I have the same thing with a Swarovski SLC 15x56, one side is burgundy, the other more rose.
Apparently this happens more often and shouldn't be a cause for concern, you can't see any difference in the tubes.

Andreas

 

[Mike F]

I’ve seen big differences in coating colour between identical bins made within months of each other (Leica 12x50’s HD+), but not between L and R tubes!

 

[SeldomPerched]

7x42HD+ 2017/03/16 01649915
12x50HD+ 2019/12/12 01643629

Dates as written on the box label.

Mike, This one is interesting as I bought my 7x42 HD+ new in 2019 with the number 1649900 i.e. number lower than yours by only 15. However I no longer have the sticker to hand with the date; it might have been in the shop a while, I suppose.

 

[SeldomPerched]

Thank you for the info, everyone!

Tom

 

[Mike F]

Mike, This one is interesting as I bought my 7x42 HD+ new in 2019 with the number 1649900 i.e. number lower than yours by only 15. However I no longer have the sticker to hand with the date; it might have been in the shop a while, I suppose.

Hi Tom,

Yes, interesting! I suppose that’s not at all unlikely, depending on the shop (size of stock, turnover etc).

 

[SeldomPerched]

8x50 HD bought in 2015, # 1622999
8x50 HD Plus bought in 2018, # 1649359
8x42 HD Plus bought in 2014, # 1631132
8x32 HD Plus bought in 2015, # 1633465
7x42 HD Plus bought in 2017, # 1621102
7x42 HD bought in 2015, # 1596540
12x50 HD Plus bought in 2019, # 1640353
10x50 HD Plus bought in 2015, # 2057561
10x42 HD bought in 2014, # 2039154
10x42 HD Plus bought in 2018, # 1641328

Thank you for taking time to look up all those numbers! Separately, I'll be in touch soon — time just seems to fly by!

Tom

 

[Swift802]

It’s definitely a strange numbering system for the serials of Leica binoculars. It’s anyones guess as to why they can’t make them sequential? It surely would be more logical and also helpful in determining age of units.
Note, John Roberts posted a pre-plus 7x42 HD and the serial is #1621229.
Canip has an obviously later model 7x42 HD Plus and it appears to have an earlier serial number #1621102.
Both 7x42 format but the successor Plus model has the lower serial number.
Incidentally, my 7x42 pre-plus HD model was bought second hand in 2016 with serial number #1620900. No idea when the original owner purchased it though.
Thanks,
John.

 

[Thotmosis]

Leica Ultravid HD 8x32 #1627602 / produced in 2013
Leica Ultravid 10x25 #2047653 / produced in 2013
Leica Duovid Duovid 8-12x42 #1532749 / produced in late 2011 or early 2012

 

[Thotmosis]

7x42 UVHD (non plus) 01621173 produced in 2013

Funny i just now realize that most of my Leica UV are from 2013, well half because the Duovid is not an Ultravid