Zeiss 7x42 BGATP. Easy view (wide FOV, long eye relief, low astigmatism but unfortunately significant field curvature) + superb handling (love those long slim almost bridgeless barrels, quick focus).
--AP
Dennis, Can you post a link to the 96% light transmission test data for the 7x42 Habicht?
Here it is. It was posted on Bird Forum a while ago. You have to open it. I guess it was ONLY 95%. Still pretty good! The Zeiss FL 7x42 is near the top also in light transmission. Big AK prisms.Dennis, Can you post a link to the 96% light transmission test data for the 7x42 Habicht?
Thanks,
Bill
...... and why? (Compared to other 7x42 manufacturers)
...The UVHD+ is really a small 42mm binocular so it's smaller stature is appreciated. It's FOV at 420ft towards the top for a 7X42 and AFAIK only the Zeiss FL beats it...
...My only criticism is Leica has not made a lot of improvements in their new models versus their older models...
The Leica Ultravid 7x42 HD-Plus is a good 7x42 and the Leica's are good binoculars in general. I have had several in different formats including 7X. My only criticism is Leica has not made a lot of improvements in their new models versus their older models. The Leica BA 7X42 is very close optically to the Leica Ultravid 7X42 HD-Plus although the newer binocular is lighter and more compact. So you can buy the older BA for much less money and get almost the same optics as the UV-Plus. Below is a "Like New" Leica BA 7x42 on Ebay for $672.00. From Allbino's on the 10x42 Ultravid HD-Plus.
"To sum up the Leica Ultravid 10x42 HD-Plus is a very good set of binoculars - almost exactly as good as its direct predecessors and the predecessors of its predecessors too. We hope the next model of this series will be truly different, not a merely refreshed version of the same device with just a few cosmetic changes."
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Leica-7x42...959243?hash=item1cc360670b:g:eTUAAOSwADxcDky0
Actually, all the old Zeiss models (BGATP/ClassiC, Night Owl, FL) beat it. One other way that the FL beats the Leica, and by a substantial margin, is close focus for butterfly etc watching. For some reason, the close focus of the 7x models in the Leica Ultravid series are not even as good as their 8x counterparts.
--AP
..... Now if you had said Ultravid BR....that's another story.
"So above is the Trinovid BN and the Ultravid HD+ 7X42s side by side." That is interesting to see how close in size and shape the two binoculars are. The BN's are heavier but that almost makes me think they are built better. The BN's are built like a "Tank" and a lot of the weight is that extra ribbed material across the top of the binocular. A lot of the improvements you mention are convenience and ergonomic which is great but they are not really optical improvements. Almost like the 3rd generation Swarovski Field Pro improvements. The new Leica Ultravid HD-Plus do have Schott Glass which is supposed to give you higher transmission but I have had quite a few Leica Ultravid-Plus, BA's and even BR's and I have never noticed a big difference in brightness. Do you? Allbino's transmission numbers for the Leica 10x42's show higher transmission for the BR's(89%) than the UV HD-Plus(87%). Nice pictures and insight.I agree the Trinovid BA/BNs are nice binoculars! But I do believe the UVHD+ does offer improvement over the BA/BN series so I got mine out...
https://photos.imageevent.com/chill6x6/stuff/websize/D24A2095-1F9F-4E18-9E68-3A955F3316A83.jpeg
So above is the Trinovid BN and the Ultravid HD+ 7X42s side by side.
https://photos.imageevent.com/chill6x6/stuff/websize/fullsizeoutput_de1.jpeg
The above picture is the UVHD+ with red arrows pointing to improvements over the Trinovid BN. I'll go clockwise starting with the upper left corner"
1. The Trinovid BN uses a two-position eyecup, all the way IN or all the way OUT. Only two positions for the usurer to use unless o-rings are used with is what I do. The UVHD+ features at least 5-position eyecups and are in fact some of the best out there. No o-rings needed.
2. More easily accessible focus adjustment. Only part of the focus wheel is accessible with the BA/BN limiting finger movement. Much, MUCH more is accessible with the Ultravid series.
3. a. Introduction of Schott HT glass
b. HDC multicoating and Aquadura coating for water and dust repellency.
4. Stay-on objective covers.
ALSO the UVHD+ is much lighter- 31.7oz for the Trinovid BN vs. 26.5oz for the UVHD+.
That's all I can come up with for now which IMO is plenty. Now if you had said Ultravid BR....that's another story.