Leica Trinovid 8x20 BCA-very new version review (3 Viewers)

[dorubird]

I know exactly what I want: I sacrificed the idea of comfort view, ergonomics and brightness in favor of super portability !!! I know it's crazy, but that's what I want! When I want brightness and visual comfort I will use my bigger binoculars anyway with theirs big and "starved" exit pupils So, now I really wanted a pair of binoculars as compact as possible. After intensive research, I discovered that, in the world of 8x20 binoculars, the Leica Trinovid folds in the tiniest size and does not compromise optical and mechanical quality. Amazing!!! Trinovid is even smaller than its brother Ultravid, due to Ultarvid's oversized focus wheel. This difference is a big one, 5mm means a lot in the world of pocket binoculars! Here every extra millimeter disqualifying a pocket binoculars, as in boxing weight divisions🥊 And the price difference is very big too, and I don't think it is justified optically, but only ergonomically (large and comfortable focus wheel) and mechanically (water resistant-nitrogen filled). But for me all that matters here is that the optical quality to fold extremely small. That's why I chose the Trinovid instead the Ultravid.
Optically Trinovid is an extremely clear binoculars, with high contrast and Leica specific saturation colors! Compared to the older version of Trinovid 8x20 (1988), the new one has more image transparency, more resolution and it is more brighter day and night. I think it has a transmission over 90%. I am amazed by the brightness of this little guy! It has all the modernized lens treatments the same as with the most expensive Ultravid: phase correction P40 and HighLux-System HLS®. All 6 lenses in each tube are covered with "HDC® multicoating". The only difference is that it does not have the Aquadura layer protection on the lenses like Ultravid. The only downside with Trinovid and Ultravid is small FOV compared to competition models, but for me it matters more to be truly foldable than to have a huge FOV! I explained above that for large FOV I have other binoculars. This Trinovid will stay in my pocket most of the time, being a kind of emergency binoculars, like a backup revolver for a sniper 🔭 I am very happy with this binoculars knowing that it is the smallest 8x20 in the current market and in the same time giving a top quality image!

PS for a more complete review see here in Romanian (use google translate) Leica Trinovid 8x20 BCA new

 

[dorubird]

A few more pictures with my new beautiful "toy"

 

[14Goudvink]

Beautiful photos! What I really like about these trinies is how the eyecups slide in and out, great precision enginering!

 

[tenex]

I think the binocular moved during the last photo.

These Trinovids truly are cute. I've always been curious about them but never seen one. Pocket bins really aren't my thing... but enjoy yours!

 

[dorubird]

14Goudvink,​

thank you!

tenex,​

It is not moved, it is deliberately out of focus, to create a kind of mystery silhouette to see only the idea of a pocket! The last picture is the opposite of the first.
I'm glad you like them!

 

[chill6x6]

Nice review! I recently picked the Ultravid for the reason you DIDN'T pick it. I too wanted to take a step to a really compact binocular. I WANTED the larger focus wheel. I also like the idea of a central diopter adjustment. Great pics too!

 

[Mac308]

I don’t know about the current 8x20 Trinovid. They sound promising. But the last pair I spent time with 6 or 7 years ago wasn‘t near the level of the 8x20 Ultravid. Yesterday I spent 20 minutes with my 8x20 Ultravid‘s watching a boar grizzly across a canyon. The distance was close to a mile. The resolution of the tiny Ultravids staggers the mind and is what you’re paying for with glass of this level.

 

[Hermann]

Interesting. Your photos show clearly that Leica updated their coatings in the past few years. Maybe I need to have another look some day ...

Hermann

 

[Pepitogrillo]

There is very much price difference between this two Mini-Leica, the Trino and the Ultra, but in size, also?
And in optical/mechanical quality how is this difference?

 

[stevestewart]

Congrats! I've owned a Leitz 8x20 Trinovid BCA for nearly 40 years now. Carry them with me on every trip and use them very often. I expect the newer ones are marginally better but I can't imagine better performance from an 8x20 than these. Just as you said, if I need better low light performance I'll grab something bigger - but for at the ready all the time nothing beats these tiny marvels.

 

[dorubird]

The most beautiful and smallest pocket binoculars
View attachment LEICA TRINOVID 8X20 BCA 1.jpg

 

[dorubird]

When millimeters start to matter
These binoculars are with me everywhere, being somewhere in a backpack pocket

 

[dorubird]

It is about mechanical refinement developed over decades, since this series of small Trinovids was launched (1953).
I think it is one of the most beautiful pair of binoculars:

 

[Paultricounty]

It is about mechanical refinement developed over decades, since this series of small Trinovids was launched (1953).
I think it is one of the most beautiful pair of binoculars:
View attachment 1518673

As usual your photography skills bring out all the beauty of the equipment. 🙏🏼.

Paul

 

[Sc0tty]

It is about mechanical refinement developed over decades, since this series of small Trinovids was launched (1953).
I think it is one of the most beautiful pair of binoculars:
View attachment 1518673

Mine are 33 years old and still going strong. The latest model is a touch brighter though. Your lovely photo is temping me to get another pair!

 

[mwhogue]

Mine are 33 years old and still going strong. The latest model is a touch brighter though. Your lovely photo is temping me to get another pair!

View attachment 1521539

Sc0tty,

That's a Lovely old, well cared for Leica Trinovid 8x20 and in green armor no less. Below is an earlier post of mine in the Three Trinovids Battle thread by @dorubird:

Dorubird,

Thanks to you and all who have contributed. A friend and fellow member and I have combined our examples of Leitz/Leica 8x20's for some casual comparison.

Sorry about the quality - below is a picture of various models for size comparison. From top to bottom L to R they are in order; oldest, coincidentally increasing size and weight of newer versions and slight but noticeable increasing overall image quality.

Leitz C - Tiny exquisite jewels. Eyecups are not pull up, small ocular lenses are deep set but work well without glasses. IQ is still very good compared to later models. The ultimate in what is probably the smallest possible package if you don't need or want to be able to use with glasses.

Leitz "Trinovid" badged BC - Pull up eyecups with excellent ER with or without glasses. IQ slightly better than the C in direct comparison.

Leica Trinovid BC - Another slight step up in size, weight and IQ.

Leica Trinovid "Exclusive" - Something of a "ringer". The body is the same design as the Trinovid BC but is slightly larger in all dimensions for a "beefier" feel in hand. Very close in size to the to the UV BR. Real leather armor with a leather strap and matching hard leather case. If there is a difference in IQ between this and late model UVs, I can't see it.

UV BL and BR are included for size comparison to the Trinovids and to each other. The BL is noticeable smaller.

As you have expressed an interest in a newer model 8x20 Trinovid, based on more experience with and regular use of a few additional models in the meantime:

The image quality of the latest Leica Trinovids is very close to the UV and noticeable only in direct comparison in my opinion. The most noticeable difference between the current models is the better close focus of the UV. My old Leitz 8x20 and 10x22 C models show no problems as a result of not being fully waterproof so that's not an issue for me w/r/t the newer Leica Trinovids. I actually prefer the focus and diopter of the Trinovid.

Not presuming to spend your money, but based on my experience I think you would enjoy a new Trinovid and find it a worthwhile addition to, rather than a replacement for, your well kept classic.

Mike

 

[chill6x6]

Sc0tty,

That's a Lovely old, well cared for Leica Trinovid 8x20 and in green armor no less. Below is an earlier post of mine in the Three Trinovids Battle thread by @dorubird:



As you have expressed an interest in a newer model 8x20 Trinovid, based on more experience with and regular use of a few additional models in the meantime:

The image quality of the latest Leica Trinovids is very close to the UV and noticeable only in direct comparison in my opinion. The most noticeable difference between the current models is the better close focus of the UV. My old Leitz 8x20 and 10x22 C models show no problems as a result of not being fully waterproof so that's not an issue for me w/r/t the newer Leica Trinovids. I actually prefer the focus and diopter of the Trinovid.

Not presuming to spend your money, but based on my experience I think you would enjoy a new Trinovid and find it a worthwhile addition to, rather than a replacement for, your well kept classic.View attachment 1521652

Mike

Very nice collection!

 

[andyandyw]

Sc0tty,

That's a Lovely old, well cared for Leica Trinovid 8x20 and in green armor no less. Below is an earlier post of mine in the Three Trinovids Battle thread by @dorubird:



As you have expressed an interest in a newer model 8x20 Trinovid, based on more experience with and regular use of a few additional models in the meantime:

The image quality of the latest Leica Trinovids is very close to the UV and noticeable only in direct comparison in my opinion. The most noticeable difference between the current models is the better close focus of the UV. My old Leitz 8x20 and 10x22 C models show no problems as a result of not being fully waterproof so that's not an issue for me w/r/t the newer Leica Trinovids. I actually prefer the focus and diopter of the Trinovid.

Not presuming to spend your money, but based on my experience I think you would enjoy a new Trinovid and find it a worthwhile addition to, rather than a replacement for, your well kept classic.View attachment 1521652

Mike

Dear Mike, Since you have the privilege to have a few, could you show some photos to compare the colours reflected by the objective lens? I recently got 2 Trinovid 8x20 (BC and BCA), one reflects bluish green, one reflects pinkish, I feel a different in image, batch number 13... and 14.... but I keep my opinion first so as not to bias anyone. I am guess the coating must be different. I am interested to see how you discover from your range of products, the colours difference and the corresponding images. If Tirnovid and Ultravid are apple to orange, I will be interest to see Tirnovid only. Thank you very much

 

[mwhogue]

Dear Mike, Since you have the privilege to have a few, could you show some photos to compare the colours reflected by the objective lens? I recently got 2 Trinovid 8x20 (BC and BCA), one reflects bluish green, one reflects pinkish, I feel a different in image, batch number 13... and 14.... but I keep my opinion first so as not to bias anyone. I am guess the coating must be different. I am interested to see how you discover from your range of products, the colours difference and the corresponding images. If Tirnovid and Ultravid are apple to orange, I will be interest to see Tirnovid only. Thank you very much

Andy,

Took some pictures of the Trinovids this evening, but under artificial light I couldn't capture much color of the overall coating reflections. The reflections of the overhead lights on the objectives are a very light purple (lilac) in the old Leitz C , slightly darker purple in the Leitz BC and mid blue and light amber in the Leica BC. The IQ in bright daylight is improved / brighter with each newer model. I don't have a BCA and my Leica BC, batch number 15, and may not have the newest coatings. I will try tomorrow to take more pictures in natural light to show the differences. FYI the UV reflections of overhead light are darker blue without any amber reflections.

Mike

 

[dorubird]

Andy,
Here my new version Trinovid BCA 8x20 next to Trinovid BCA 10x25 and Zeiss conquest 10x42 . Very similar reflection colors with Zeiss purple coating but more dark tabaco in Trino 8x20. These reflections looks completed different than Yours Trinovids reflections versions.