Broken Noctovid (2 Viewers)

[Harry Stottle]

Just seen this item on ebay:

LEICA NOCTIVID 10x42 BINOCULARS - BROKEN - SPARES / REPAIR / DAMAGED / FAULTY | eBay

Whether these are an "easy fix" I'm guessing depends entirely on whether the kind of "wrench" type link that clearly bridges the two barrels and joins the focussing system together, can actually connect back up to the other side, or whether there are internal parts missing.

www.ebay.co.uk

Look how thin the metal body is especially around the focus mechanism. No wonder it broke!

 

[Dennis Mau]

That metal is REALLY thin! I always thought Noctivid's had good build quality, but now I am wondering. I guess if you drop them, that is what happens. Not only that, but I wonder if and how much Leica would charge to fix them if you bought them?

 

[tenex]

Ridiculous to try to sell this at any price, much less represent it as fixable. But it makes a good argument against open-bridge design.

 

[agus_m]

Ridiculous to try to sell this at any price, much less represent it as fixable. But it makes a good argument against open-bridge design.

I thought this would be more robust than the other design (like the nl pure) because of the two contact points between the barrels instead of one. What do you mean exactly?

 

[Dennis Mau]

I thought this would be more robust than the other design (like the nl pure) because of the two contact points between the barrels instead of one. What do you mean exactly?

Open bridge binoculars are not as robust as a closed bridge binocular like the NL pure because the single bridge on the NL is much larger and stronger. The advantage of an open bridge binocular like the Noctivid is a reduced overall weight, a slimmer profile, easy wrap around grip with both hands, and they are easier to carry.

 

[seawatcher]

I would forget about trying to sell these. The price the seller is asking for is anyway way too high. They are not worth anything. I would have made a claim on my insurance in order to afford a replacement. But then, not everyone has an insurance policy that covers optical equipment.

If anyone did buy these, I fail to see how they could repair them, unless they are a Leica technician. Unless you need the spare parts or fancy yourself as a budding binocular repairer, steer clear of these, don't buy them. A fool and his money........

I personally don't like open bridge binoculars. Not because they may, or may not, be less robust than a closed bridge pair, but because I feel as though the bridge at the objective end gets in the way of my fingers. Ergonomically they just don't work for me.

SW

 

[MiddleRiver]

Look how thin the metal body is especially around the focus mechanism. No wonder it broke!

One bin out of how many? You're suggesting this is a weak spot - has anyone seen another similar failure?

BF often reminds me of ambulance chasers... eager to jump on any flaw/failure and then start a pile-on.

I do agree that the price is ridiculous. If dropped, Leica won't fix them for free and with that big an impact, it's going to require a full rebuild. $$$

 

[Dennis Mau]

If it was a Vortex, they would have replaced it free of charge with their lifetime unconditional warranty. If you're rough on your binoculars, a Vortex is a good binocular brand to have. I guess that is why hunters like Vortex's so much because they get rugged field use and can easily get dropped.

 

[Yeti Man]

I was just thinking, 'WWVD' ? lol

 

[Dennis Mau]

One bin out of how many? You're suggesting this is a weak spot - has anyone seen another similar failure?

BF often reminds me of ambulance chasers... eager to jump on any flaw/failure and then starts a pile-on.

I do agree that the price is ridiculous. If dropped, Leica won't fix them for free and with that big an impact, it's going to require a full rebuild. $$$

It is a weak spot and shows, as Tenex says, that an open bridge design is a weaker design than a closed bridge. The metal is surprisingly thin at both bridges. Still wanting $966.00 for it is ridiculous. All these closed bridge designs seem like they would be sronger.

 

[Dennis Mau]

I emailed Leica to see if they could fix these Noctivids and if so how much would the repair costs? I am just curious to see if they could be repaired.