-
Welcome to BirdForum, the internet's largest birding community with thousands of members from all over the world. The forums are dedicated to wild birds, birding, binoculars and equipment and all that goes with it.
Please register for an account to take part in the discussions in the forum, post your pictures in the gallery and more.
Leica Store Miami, Review and Purchase (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Tadaias
- Start date
For the past month I’ve been looking to purchase a new pair of binoculars for the upcoming hunting and fishing season. I started at a local sporting good store and I was looking for something compact maybe even pocket size but I soon realized that what I was looking for was leading me to a larger size binoculars
At first I was thinking 8x25, 10x25, etc however Low light capability, generous field of view, and image color/clarity and compactness were high on my list. I looked thru and had narrowed down my search to the Zeiss conquest, Vortex Razor, and even the Swarovski CL. All about the $1000 range, but I wasnt ready to pull the trigger on any of them. So the search continued online and then this past friday I found myself driving two hours south to the Leica Store in Coral Gables. And what was about to happen was a complete surprise.
At first I was thinking 8x25, 10x25, etc however Low light capability, generous field of view, and image color/clarity and compactness were high on my list. I looked thru and had narrowed down my search to the Zeiss conquest, Vortex Razor, and even the Swarovski CL. All about the $1000 range, but I wasnt ready to pull the trigger on any of them. So the search continued online and then this past friday I found myself driving two hours south to the Leica Store in Coral Gables. And what was about to happen was a complete surprise.
What normally is a gauntlet of modern day traffic madness, I effortlessly cruised down I95 without any traffic jams, accidents and drove right to the store and found parking like, BAM! I‘m Here!
Ok let’s do this.
I came open to the possibilities but my I wanted to look at the 8x32 and 8x42 Trinovids and compare them to the Vortex and the Zeiss since they were all in the same price range.
I walked into a quiet store right before lunch and was greeted by Jose and I said, I would like to some binocular.
Yes, sir, right this way.
He opened the demo case, Trinovids, Ultravids, Noctovids, Geovids, 😳😳😳
“Take them outside if you like“ he said.
Really? I asked.
“Yeah, sure why no.”
“Ok.”
So for the next thirty minutes I was left on my own like comparing each binocular, gazing up and down the Miracle Mile on a hot sunny day in Coral Gables, Fl.
I came back in and said, “do you have anything else just so I can compare.”
”Let me check”.
he went into the back and came out with two unopened boxes and said, “these are sealed but I can open them for you.”
Yeah, sure. Let’s do this.
Whoa what are these? I asked. He nodded and said something I didn’t understand because I was so fixated on these two new binoculars and quickly I walked outside,
Threw them to my tired and ageing eyes……
”Whoa😳. Ah Houston, we have a problem……
I quickly started scanning up and down the boulevard, acquiring multiple different targets, focusing, scanning, comparing the two. Back and forth. Back and forth.
Jose, came out after a few minutes and said, What do you think?
Ok let’s do this.
I came open to the possibilities but my I wanted to look at the 8x32 and 8x42 Trinovids and compare them to the Vortex and the Zeiss since they were all in the same price range.
I walked into a quiet store right before lunch and was greeted by Jose and I said, I would like to some binocular.
Yes, sir, right this way.
He opened the demo case, Trinovids, Ultravids, Noctovids, Geovids, 😳😳😳
“Take them outside if you like“ he said.
Really? I asked.
“Yeah, sure why no.”
“Ok.”
So for the next thirty minutes I was left on my own like comparing each binocular, gazing up and down the Miracle Mile on a hot sunny day in Coral Gables, Fl.
I came back in and said, “do you have anything else just so I can compare.”
”Let me check”.
he went into the back and came out with two unopened boxes and said, “these are sealed but I can open them for you.”
Yeah, sure. Let’s do this.
Whoa what are these? I asked. He nodded and said something I didn’t understand because I was so fixated on these two new binoculars and quickly I walked outside,
Threw them to my tired and ageing eyes……
”Whoa😳. Ah Houston, we have a problem……
I quickly started scanning up and down the boulevard, acquiring multiple different targets, focusing, scanning, comparing the two. Back and forth. Back and forth.
Jose, came out after a few minutes and said, What do you think?
Last edited:
I quickly realized out of all the binoculars one was emerging a clear winner. Unexpectedly. Surprisingly.
I went back in and grabbed the other binoculars and asked Jose if it was ok if I could bring them all outside AND if he could help me because I wanted his opinion. Not only did I want his opinion but I needed or wanted confirmation as to what I was seeing was true. So between the two of us, we were juggling five sets of binoculars. For the next few minutes we would pick a target, look at it, exchange what we saw and moved on to the next soon. I had already made up my mind but then suddenly he held up the pair I was favoring and he said, “this the winner.”
The colors, sharpness and the whole picture is awesome.” He said.
I know, right? I replied.
We went back in and he said, “What do you think?”
“I’ll take them.”
Excellent, he said. “Great choice”
Then I said, Hold on.”
on the table there was last binocular I wanted compare to the winner. I went back outside to make one last comparison and there was no comparison. I went back in and said, “Sold.”
I went back in and grabbed the other binoculars and asked Jose if it was ok if I could bring them all outside AND if he could help me because I wanted his opinion. Not only did I want his opinion but I needed or wanted confirmation as to what I was seeing was true. So between the two of us, we were juggling five sets of binoculars. For the next few minutes we would pick a target, look at it, exchange what we saw and moved on to the next soon. I had already made up my mind but then suddenly he held up the pair I was favoring and he said, “this the winner.”
The colors, sharpness and the whole picture is awesome.” He said.
I know, right? I replied.
We went back in and he said, “What do you think?”
“I’ll take them.”
Excellent, he said. “Great choice”
Then I said, Hold on.”
on the table there was last binocular I wanted compare to the winner. I went back outside to make one last comparison and there was no comparison. I went back in and said, “Sold.”
After an hour of binocular lust, a clear unsuspecting winner had emerged. I went in thinking the 8x32 trinovids but left with the 7x35 classic trinovids.
Even the Leica store employee Jose agreed with me, hands down the 7x35 was the winner for form, image color, clarity, magnification, field of view, brightness, weight, balance and overall just a beautiful set of binoculars.
What were they compared against?
8x32, 8x42, 10x42 trinovids, 8x40 retrovid, 8x32 ultravid.
As far as comparing them to the Trinovids, in my subjective viewing experience, the colors appeared more vibrant but no surreal and also brighter.
I also came to realize that the 7x magnification is absolutely brilliant. And Jose put it best, the 7x is like 28mm prime lens, the 8x is like a 35mm prime lens and the 10x like a 50mm. Brilliant analysis. Even between the 7x and 8x I noticed it was more relaxing looking thru the 7x. I never realized how taxing it is to the eyes or brain when the image is jumping around no matter how slight the movement. And in comparison to the 10x, best get a tripod for that thing. Sorry but I’m not that steady. 7x is a winner. Never would have considered that before or better yet the new classic Trinovids.
Even the Leica store employee Jose agreed with me, hands down the 7x35 was the winner for form, image color, clarity, magnification, field of view, brightness, weight, balance and overall just a beautiful set of binoculars.
What were they compared against?
8x32, 8x42, 10x42 trinovids, 8x40 retrovid, 8x32 ultravid.
As far as comparing them to the Trinovids, in my subjective viewing experience, the colors appeared more vibrant but no surreal and also brighter.
I also came to realize that the 7x magnification is absolutely brilliant. And Jose put it best, the 7x is like 28mm prime lens, the 8x is like a 35mm prime lens and the 10x like a 50mm. Brilliant analysis. Even between the 7x and 8x I noticed it was more relaxing looking thru the 7x. I never realized how taxing it is to the eyes or brain when the image is jumping around no matter how slight the movement. And in comparison to the 10x, best get a tripod for that thing. Sorry but I’m not that steady. 7x is a winner. Never would have considered that before or better yet the new classic Trinovids.
As comparison to the 8x40 retrovid.
Hhmmm interesting.
I would say the biggest con against it besides a narrower field of view is the size and shape.
The 7x35 is so balanced feeling, it fits naturally in my hand, the size and weight is perfect. Compact.
The 8x40 obviously has a larger objective lens and it shape leads to a bell shape on the barrel Ends. And when you throw them up they feel barrel heavy. And for an extra hundred dollars, we both agreed you are not gaining anything. And truth be told the 7x35 seemed to be brighter and the little bit of extra field of view that made it so much more of a pleasure to look thru them.
I realize everyone’s viewing experience will not be the same but if you’re reading this and you are considering the 8x40’s, I would say don’t. The 7x35 is the winner. It’s a better all around package. Two thumbs up.
Or you could do what I did, and drive down to your local Leica store and compare the two and see what you come up with
Hhmmm interesting.
I would say the biggest con against it besides a narrower field of view is the size and shape.
The 7x35 is so balanced feeling, it fits naturally in my hand, the size and weight is perfect. Compact.
The 8x40 obviously has a larger objective lens and it shape leads to a bell shape on the barrel Ends. And when you throw them up they feel barrel heavy. And for an extra hundred dollars, we both agreed you are not gaining anything. And truth be told the 7x35 seemed to be brighter and the little bit of extra field of view that made it so much more of a pleasure to look thru them.
I realize everyone’s viewing experience will not be the same but if you’re reading this and you are considering the 8x40’s, I would say don’t. The 7x35 is the winner. It’s a better all around package. Two thumbs up.
Or you could do what I did, and drive down to your local Leica store and compare the two and see what you come up with
As comparison to the 8x32 Ultravids….
I will put it like this because I’m sure it will ruffle some feathers,
My purchase says everything, I went in looking to buy the Trinovids but was willing to splurge if need be on the Ultravids but I came out with the retrovids. And lastly a few posts ago, I stated there was one last binocular on the table that I wanted to compare, it was the ultravid. Sorry but one last look on the the beautiful Latina princess walking up and down the Miracle Mile, the 7x35’s was hands down the winner. Now that is looking at some real local wildlife down there😎
I will put it like this because I’m sure it will ruffle some feathers,
My purchase says everything, I went in looking to buy the Trinovids but was willing to splurge if need be on the Ultravids but I came out with the retrovids. And lastly a few posts ago, I stated there was one last binocular on the table that I wanted to compare, it was the ultravid. Sorry but one last look on the the beautiful Latina princess walking up and down the Miracle Mile, the 7x35’s was hands down the winner. Now that is looking at some real local wildlife down there😎
jan van daalen
Well-known member
Hi Tadaias,
Thx for the nice tale and congrets.
Good choice.
Jan
Thx for the nice tale and congrets.
Good choice.
Jan
Good going! And thanks for the story. It was engaging.
7x is a very nice power. Ample magnification, but relaxed and easy to enjoy for long periods of time. I have the Ultravid + 7x42 and must say that I totally understand the adulation they receive from members here.
Relating to photography camera lenses, I'd say the 7x is like 35mm, 8x is like 50mm, and 10x is about like 70mm.
Leica make awesome looking glasses! I love mine. (Including the 32mm UVHD+ models!)
7x is a very nice power. Ample magnification, but relaxed and easy to enjoy for long periods of time. I have the Ultravid + 7x42 and must say that I totally understand the adulation they receive from members here.
Relating to photography camera lenses, I'd say the 7x is like 35mm, 8x is like 50mm, and 10x is about like 70mm.
Leica make awesome looking glasses! I love mine. (Including the 32mm UVHD+ models!)
Thanks to Tadaias for mentioning this and Don for continuing on this theme. I like your #13 better than my attempt in #9. Re 10/70 wasn't there a 105, (8x1.2)? As a guy with narrow experience with binos, (decades with 10 and a bit of 8), and some history with old school 35mm SLRs, this bit of conversation helps me think of the usual conversation a bit differently. While numerically not fitting the conversation, Ive long thought my preference for 10 was like my favorite 55 Macro lens from back in the day. I loved bringing detail in close...
