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Leica Pocket like all purpose bino? (2 Viewers)

Yes.... Curio slightly better optically in my opinion, but I do prefer the Leica Ultra build quality and focus wheel.
But I actually got a 'like new' 2nd hand pair, for a good price, so that swung it.
I'd be happy with either, but I do love my Ultras.

I can understand. I have the VP 8x25. And i love it. But considering a smaller pocket bino. Maybe Curio or Ultravid. Build quality and focus is also important. Especially for a small pocket bino.

I never had a Ultravid 8x20 in my hands. I will try soon
 
I can understand. I have the VP 8x25. And i love it. But considering a smaller pocket bino. Maybe Curio or Ultravid. Build quality and focus is also important. Especially for a small pocket bino.

I never had a Ultravid 8x20 in my hands. I will try soon
Take a little time to play with it.... it is awkward but i have got used to it now.
The Curio is immediatley easier.
But i'd struggle to lose my Ultra now.
 
I do agree with you in almost every aspect.
For me the Curio has more comfortable eye placement (slightly larger eyecups and exit pupil) and that's why I consider it more of an all purpose bin than the Ultravid 8x20.
I came from the Leica Trinovid 8x20 and I think that is the lightest and smallest of the Leica/Zeiss/Swarovski contenders. If you really would like the lightest, go Trinovid 8x20. But for me it lacked comfort. I used it as a pocket bin, so I could always have it with me. But when I use it, I said "jug, I don't like this": rough focuser, glare and no comfortable, tiny eyecups. I think the Ultravid 8x20 is better in every aspect, but the Curio wins regarding comfortable eye placement and for me that was really important.

I think the Ultravid 8x20 would be a good contender, SanderBird, since you already have a Swarovski and a Zeiss. Adding a Leica would be nice.
I am a Swarovski fascinado and that's why I chose the Curio as well. :)
How do you think about the build quality of the Curio. You have a black one? Is the metal full of scratches? No problems with focus button?
 
How do you think about the build quality of the Curio. You have a black one? Is the metal full of scratches? No problems with focus button?
The build quality is very nice. It's not vulnerable. It doesn't have scratches yet (maybe one very small one), but it is metal with paint. So if you drop it on the ground, it might get some scratches. But mine is carried in my pocket and there it is safe.
No problem with the focuser. It is fine.
 
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I have owned various 8x20 binoculars but they were kept in the glovebox for emergency use. The 25mm provide 56% more objectives surface area and a bigger improvment over 20mm objectives than one might think.

I have two 25mm binos with a 8x25 that my wife prefers and a 10x25 that are my preference and my most often used binoculars both for local use and for travel.
 
I have owned various 8x20 binoculars but they were kept in the glovebox for emergency use. The 25mm provide 56% more objectives surface area and a bigger improvment over 20mm objectives than one might think.

I have two 25mm binos with a 8x25 that my wife prefers and a 10x25 that are my preference and my most often used binoculars both for local use and for travel.
Or you buy the Curio 7x21 Almost same exit pupil. If you want to keep in small.

I have the VP 8x25 and i love it
 
Yes!
I would say that, in some chapters, the Ultravid 8x20 is even better than Curio 7x21! I would start with the subjective one related to design. For lovers of pocket binoculars, the jewel aspect is obviously in favor of Ultravid. Curio has a somewhat unfinished design, giving the impression of a pre-launch product design.
Another important aspect for some is the ability to focus at a shorter distance of Ultravid (1.8 vs 2.5m). Many do not use the binoculars at such short distances, and then it does not matter to them.
Also, the differences regarding the focus wheel seem very important to me. Ultravid has a larger focus wheel, which is much easier to access than Curio wheel, which is buried in the body. I consider this aspect the most important difference related to the ergonomics or handling of these two small binoculars, because the focus wheel is our interface with binoculars.
Of course, there are several differences starting only from the difference in magnification, but these are a purely personal and subjective choice. Thus, due to the lower magnification, 7x has a larger depth of field and a much wider FOV (7.7 vs 6.5 degrees). But the AFOV is similar in these two binoculars, so the tunnel feeling is very similar because this is given by the AFOV, not the FOV. In this aspect, both binoculars do not excel with their slightly above 50 degree AFOV.
The difference in the exit pupil is not that big, but it is there (3mm vs 2.5mm). Anyway, these very small pupils like 2-3mm are more similar than different, because they are ok only for use in bright conditions!
So for me the important differences are the following:
Design and mechanics: Ultravid>>Curio,
Focus rotation access: Ultravid>>Curio,
Close Focus: Ultravid>Curio,
FOV: Ultravid<<Curio
Depth of field: Ultravid<Curio

When it comes to the optical performance of these two pocket binoculars, I consider them both in the same class of top optics! Appreciation of optics depends more on everyone's preferences, especially when it comes to color rendering, field distortions or other subjective preferences!

Returning to the question of the topic: "Leica Pocket like all purpose bino?"
I couldn't say a big "yes". But if we want a pair of binoculars for sunny weather, very small, with top optics, so that we don't feel its presence around our neck or in our pocket, having it permanently with us, then this type of binoculars with a very small exit pupil like 2- 3mm are perfect, big "yes"! But if we are willing to sacrifice a little more space in the backpack and a little more weight on our neck, then an 8x30/32 binocular is more useful in worse light situations and much more comfortable to use! Than "no". Everyone's priorities matter! Depending on the situation. That's why we have several binoculars.
However, in the extreme situation, I can imagine myself with only one pocket Ultravid 8x20 binoculars, why not!View attachment 1615021
I forgot to mention a very important aspect. Leica Ultravid 8x20, unlike the Curio, has the advantage of the AquaDura layer on the outer lenses, which makes cleaning easy and durable without traces over time.
 
I forgot to mention a very important aspect. Leica Ultravid 8x20, unlike the Curio, has the advantage of the AquaDura layer on the outer lenses, which makes cleaning easy and durable without traces over time.
Something like LotuTec coating of the VP?
Swarovski curio doest have something like this?
 
Something like LotuTec coating of the VP?
Swarovski curio doest have something like this?
Yes, it is something similar to Lotutec from Zeiss (in my opinion, the most effective of all). Nikon also has such a coating on its top models. Swarovski had Swarodur, but for some time it gave up this treatment for eco reasons. Binoculars with such coatings are very easy to wipe and also require much less frequent cleaning!
 
I have just added some 4mm rubber gaskets to my Ultras. I needed the eyecups halfway between 'out and in', and these are spot on.
It has actually made them significantly less fiddly in general use, now being set in this position.
The view throught the bins is much more pleasurable, and it seems the eyeplacement is also easier than before. It's made me even more fond of them.

20241214_092250~2.jpg
 
I have owned various 8x20 binoculars but they were kept in the glovebox for emergency use. The 25mm provide 56% more objectives surface area and a bigger improvment over 20mm objectives than one might think.

I have two 25mm binos with a 8x25 that my wife prefers and a 10x25 that are my preference and my most often used binoculars both for local use and for travel.
This is true.... but if you want really portable /pocket binos then 20's are the way to go.
Or why not just go to 30/32s because they have way more objective surface area than 25's, where do you stop.
I've had 25's and they were neither one thing nor the other. Too middle ground for me. Sold on.

But I would take 25's over 20's if they were my only bino.

For me 8x20 Ultras and 8x42 HT's combo is ideal.

Both binos make me really appreciate the other one... The compactness of one, but then the awesome view of a 5mm exit pupil and brightness of the other.
The difference is huge between them in every aspect.... and I love them both.
 
I have just added some 4mm rubber gaskets to my Ultras. I needed the eyecups halfway between 'out and in', and these are spot on.
It has actually made them significantly less fiddly in general use, now being set in this position.
The view throught the bins is much more pleasurable, and it seems the eyeplacement is also easier than before. It's made me even more fond of them.

View attachment 1617786
What is the diameter of the gaskets? I'd like to try your modification as well.

Some time ago I greatly improved the stability of my UV 8x32 by putting the rubber sleeves of some Bushnell eyecups over those of my Leicas.

I am always up for experiments.
 
What is the diameter of the gaskets? I'd like to try your modification as well.

Some time ago I greatly improved the stability of my UV 8x32 by putting the rubber sleeves of some Bushnell eyecups over those of my Leicas.

I am always up for experiments.
Top-vigor 10pc nitrile.
30mm outside diameter 22mm inside at 4mm width
From amazon
 

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