Leica Ultravid Question

[bucklucky]

Has anyone had the ultravid 10x42 and the Ultravid 10x42 hd for a side by side comparison? Or even a Leica vs swarovski el comparison? What do you think. I'm in almost in the market to buy , I can get the pre owned ultravids for $1099.oo with a 10 year warranty on the cameraland ny site or a new pair for like $1699.oo. I looked through my buddys pair of the 8x42 and loved them. I actually thought they were a little better than the swarovski ELs but not quite sure if they really were or not. I didnt compare side by side. Any feedback would be great.

[high country]

bucky, I have the swaro slc/new which is the same optical elements as the el's. the bn series trino's which are the newer coatings and have a pair of the ba's which are the older coating. in all honesty there is not a lick of difference worth talking about.......its all ergonomics. the ultravids are killer, the el's are too. I put 15 years in behind the 8x42ba's and loved every single minute of it.

when I bought my first pair of leica's in 1996 I test drove them against everything the store had.....all top shelf stuff was represented. I found the 8x to be much better at cutting through the heat and in 15 years I have never felt under glassed. I sold them this year.....beat tattered and torn for $50 more then I bought them for back then. I only sold them cause I bought a new pair for a song but the new ones are 10x and I am not totally sold on that. I have 12x50's which are only a touch bigger/heavier and they flat blow the 10x42 outta  the water......but then I also have the 15x56's which are the next level yet. I find the answer for me is a pair of 8x32 el's, ultravids or dare I say promasters to compliment my 15x56's. for my high country hunts........or just the 12x50's......tough call.

good luck you really can't go wrong either way.

[7mag.]

After I bought my Swarovski HD spotter, I was sold on Swarovski. Then I started comparing bino's, and I think that the Leica's may be a little more sharp. I will probably go withe the Swarovski because of the price, but if you are getting a deal like that, I would go with the Leica's. Either way you won't be disappointed.

[jjhunter]

I don't think you could go wrong with any of them.....I have the 10x50 and 15x56 SLC's and love them to death.  I have compared them with 10x42 EL's and 10-15x50 Duovids on mule deer hunts and liked my 10x50's better.  However, it seems that everyone has a bit of a different opinion.  Most of the big mule deer and elk hunters that I know say that the deciding factor usually lays in the shape of your face and hands.  Some glasses just "fit" better.  I would try them all side by side and see which ones "feel" the best.  It is all good glass and you won't be disappointed with either!

P.S.  If you go with the EL's, buy the 8.5x42 - They are unbelievable!

[couesbitten]

Here's my  . I currently have the 10x42 Geovids. Love them! Probably the smartest money I've ever spent on anything hunting related. But,............if I was buying a pair of "just" binoculars, I would buy Swaro, because of their warranty. I take very good care of my Geovids, but if I ever have to have them repaired, I'm expecting it to cost me, and I've heard less than glowing reports on Leica's warranty service. It doesn't sound like they baby you and bend over backward like Swaro and Leupold. So for binos I would recommend you go with either of the Swaro's. Good luck, you're gonna be happy whatever you decide to do.

[Red Dawg]

i have looked though both in the field and I cant see a difference in either of them. If had a choice I would get the geovids. If you watch ebay you will see some go for about 1800 and I think they retail for 2599 this year.

[high country]

Here's my  . I currently have the 10x42 Geovids. Love them! Probably the smartest money I've ever spent on anything hunting related. But,............if I was buying a pair of "just" binoculars, I would buy Swaro, because of their warranty. I take very good care of my Geovids, but if I ever have to have them repaired, I'm expecting it to cost me, and I've heard less than glowing reports on Leica's warranty service. It doesn't sound like they baby you and bend over backward like Swaro and Leupold. So for binos I would recommend you go with either of the Swaro's. Good luck, you're gonna be happy whatever you decide to do.

my warranty expierience was less then desirable. I broke my scope on a spring bear hunt and was unable to use the rifle for the high buck hunt.........reallllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllly sloooooooooooooooooooooooow..........but free.

[bucklucky]

Good to know about the warranty .

[7mag.]

Here's my  . I currently have the 10x42 Geovids. Love them! Probably the smartest money I've ever spent on anything hunting related. But,............if I was buying a pair of "just" binoculars, I would buy Swaro, because of their warranty. I take very good care of my Geovids, but if I ever have to have them repaired, I'm expecting it to cost me, and I've heard less than glowing reports on Leica's warranty service. It doesn't sound like they baby you and bend over backward like Swaro and Leupold. So for binos I would recommend you go with either of the Swaro's. Good luck, you're gonna be happy whatever you decide to do.

my warranty expierience was less then desirable. I broke my scope on a spring bear hunt and was unable to use the rifle for the high buck hunt.........reallllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllly sloooooooooooooooooooooooow..........but free.

Was your scope Leica or Swarovski?

[actionshooter]

You really can't go wrong with any of them, but after doing some real serious comparisons I like the Swarovskis. I was sold on the Geovids until I compared the glass at dusk, Swaros win. Been packing the 10x50 slc, the only drawback is they weigh a lot. If I were to go with anything else I think the Leica HDs are pretty awesome but big $.

 Ultravids for $1099 sounds pretty good, your not gonna find anything Swarovski for that. If you want to give my SLCs a test run let me know.
 Steve

[Intruder]

I've never compared those 2 to each other.
I have 10x42 Geovids and my good friend has 10x42 SLCs.  He looks through my binos and claims the are better optically than his.  I look through his and claim they are better optically than mine.  At some point things start getting tough to separate in terms of true difference.   

[bucklucky]

Might have to take you up on that actionshooter!

Thanks for the info guys, you are not making this any easier 

[WDFW-SUX]

I have the 10x43 El's and could not be happier

Never used the Lecia's but I assume they are great as well..........really can't go wrong with either.

[BlackTail]

I went to a Sportsmans Warehouse fully intending on buying some ultravids after months of reading reviews online.  But after spending about an hour with ultravids, EL's, and the zeiss fl's outside the store, to my eyes the EL's were the best hands down.  So, that's what I ended up buying (10x42's).  They are fantastic!!  Like others have said, you really can't go wrong with any of the big 3, and "fit and feel" might be the best way to split the hairs.


Not to jack the thread, but between all the members on this site we probably have just about every bino and spotter on the market here.  We should have and optics get together where we can all look through the each others various brands and models!  Could be fun!!

[couesbitten]

That does sond like fun BlackTail, good way to meet some like minded people and maybe make a few friends.

[ghgetter]

Bucklucky...did you end up buying either pair? I have also been wrestling between the two and would like to hear which way you went.

[bucklucky]

I have not bought binos yet. I'm leaning towards the swaro's because of the warrantee issues with Leica.

[Steve C]

I have come to the conclusion that the differences between top end glass, from an optical standpoint are more illusory than real.  They all offer all of the resolution that the eye can use.  So does the much less expensive ZEN ED.  What is more critical to me if you are going to layout $$$$$$$$$ for a top glass, you need to decide first off what magnification you want.  If you're a 10x guy I guess you have that part figured out.  From there I think the decision needs to be made on how the binocular feels when you are using it.  Each of the top brands has a little bit different look to the image.  Some people will see those differences as significant.  Others, like me could be happy with any.  For example the Zeiss is usually a bit brighter in appearance, with a more white to blue color bias.  The Leica excels in sharp images with no apparent color bias, while the Swarovski tends to be a bit warm in color bias and has an ever so slight tint. Same deal with the Steiner Peregrine XP.  Now, I'm a certified cheapskate and do not feel the ZEN ED or Promaster ELX ED gives up enough to warrant what I'd have to pay for the difference.  Having said that, if I was going for a top end glass, it would be the Steiner XP.  Just because it has the right "feel, heft, or panache" or whatever you want to call it.   So if you have been doing some looking and the Leica has shown you something you like, then that is where I'd advise you to go.  It matters not what I like, you will use it.  Don't let a buddy cajole you into a Swaro because he likes it.  If you like the Leica, get it, use it, enjoy it and wish the same for your friend with a Swaro or Zeiss.  You will all have what you like.

[Intruder]

Steve Z.,
I tend to agree with you.  At some point all the top dogs are so good you're really splitting hairs.  The other thing I've noticed is the gap between the top dogs and the next step down is closing in optical quality and widening in price.  So in some sense I think a guy is getting less out of his money going top shelf.  You're paying a frikin premium for that last little increment of optical quality. 

I looked through some Vortex 8x (42 mm I think) Razors that were awesome.  At about 800 bucks or so that's a pretty damn nice pair of Binos.  Not knockin anyone for wanting to go top shelf (hell I own a pair of Geovids)... I just think there are more great values and choice out there today than there ever has been.   

[bucklucky]

I have a pair of Vortex Razor 10x42s. They are nice for the money but compare them to the Leicas and the Swaros side by side and there is quite a big difference. I compare everytime I go into sportsmans and cabelas. The swaro's are comfy and the leicas are comfy. Like them both . Now itsd just a decision. Warrantee does make a difference. I'm just not sure what I want to do. 

[Steve C]

Just to add to your confusion, most Sportsman's Warehouse carry Steiner Peregrine XP.  They have as good an image as the EL.  They also offer a good solid heft and a really nice balance and feel.  I'd advise you to look at those too.  Swarovski warranty gets good feed back from what I've seen.

[nwhunter]

Charlie you won't be needing that expensive glass now that you are going to be back on this wet brushy side of the state!LOL I know the    feeling , its hard to pull the trigger on that spendy of a purchase when what you have works but you know there is better out there. I am torn between upgrading from my zeiss 10x40 to swar. glass or upgrading my spotter from leupold sequoiia to a swar. scope. The wife thinks neither!! GOod luck nwhunter

[bucklucky]

Steiners are descent, Ive had 3 pairs. They are not a swaro or Leica IMO. The Steiners do have a good warrante though. Wife had to send a pair she had back twice and both times she got a brand new pair no questions asked. Steiner is out of the question. Its the big two for me, Leica or Swaro.

   I hear ya NwHunter. I dont plan un hunting the west siode as much anymore  My wife knows all about optics so I dont have the problem you have  Plus it means that some of the vehicles I have laying around will be leaving the yard $$$$$$ To support my addiction of Hunting!!