Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Leica Trinovid vs Ultravid

I've been tossing around the idea of starting out the new year with a new set of Leicas in a 10x42. I've looked through the Trinovids and REALLY like them. Is there really much difference between them and the Ultravids? Having not compared the two myself, are the Ultravids worth the extra
~ $500?

I'd say there's about a 5% optical performance increase (primarily in brightness) of the BR over the BN. For me, the primary reason to choose the BR over the BN is it's more compact profile, lighter weight and better accessories (Leica finally got their collective heads outa their collective asses and provided objective covers with the BR's).

If the above isn't worth an additional $500 (which could easily be argued isn't) then the Trinovids will work dandy. I loved my 8x32 BN's but "upgraded" to the Ultravid's.

Thanks, Brad

Daluka, honestly if I could've gotten any tethered ocular cover to work with my Trinovids I'd probably never sold them and gone to the Ultravid... the Trinovid's are that good IMO. The 42mm Trinovid's are, however, pretty heavy and bulky.

You can get a "demo" Ultravid from Doug here for the same price as a new Trinovid. The Trinovid is heavy by comparison and does feel as good in the hands as the Ultra. The difference can be seen between the two, but it is slight.

I never really compared the two, but I will say I LOVE MY ULTRAVIDS.

They prompted me to by a CRF, Televid APO and name my black lab Leica. They're that good!

I have not used the Leica ultravids,but have used the 10x50 trinovids and 10x42 trinovids.They are both excellent glasses.The objective lens covers of the ultravid fit the trinovids.And having the objective lens covers really gives one more peace of mind.The ultravids are slimmer and lighter than the trinovids.If you have the extra money,the ultravid maybe the better choice, especially if you want a lighter weight bino.You won't go wrong with either of the Leicas'.

Raj, might be the 42mm's fit but the 32's wouldn't fit the Trinovid's... I tried every comparable size from most makers.

I had put them on Leica 10x50 and 10x42.But have not put them on the 32's,I had got them from Leica.Did not mean to mislead regarding the Leica objective lens covers.Let me make sure and say on these 2 above sizes, the ultravid objective lens covers will fit the trinovids.

Raj, I would sure want the lens caps for the Trinovids. You said you got them from Leica. Did you just contact Leica directly and they sent them to you??

I'd buy the Certified Pre-Owned Ultravids from Doug and be done with it. If they don't break in 10 years, they ain't gonna...

Daluka, a lot of the big photo-houses (B&H, etc) will stock them or you can buy them directly from Leica. I'm certain Raj knows what he's talking about, just that my experience with the 32mm's was they weren't interchangable.

Hi Daluka69.I got the objective lens covers directly from Leica.If and when you call their number.You will be given options of different departments.Click the number that says "parts".The gentleman there is called Dave.I forget his last name.I requested the objective lens covers from him.They are not free <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />. About $30 bucks.
Don't click on customer service.The lady who came on there was very abrupt.Said we don't have any objective lens covers for the Trinovids.The ultravids have them but those won't fit the trinovids or words to that effect,its a wonder she did not slam the phone down.
Hope this helps.

Here is the guy you want to talk to:

Dave Elwell
Leica Camera Inc. / Parts & Technical Info
1 Pearl Court/ Unit A
Allendale, NJ 07401
www.leica-camera.com/usa
dave.elwell@leicacamerausa.com
Tel 800-222-0118 Ext 217 / Fax 201-995-1684

All due respect to our friend Brad, but I'd point out that a guy named Barsnes has kinda hinted that he couldn't see a difference in the larger Ultravids over the older BN as far a image sharpness goes.
Then there is another guy called Matt in Virginia that literally owns all three in the 8X42 size, a BA, a BN and an Ultravid. He's stacked them, until he couldn't use them from eye strain. He's had lots of friendds do the same. He and his friends can't see any difference.
The 8X32 size is well known to be another animal. Might be different with them.
I'd look at the size and weight difference. In fact, I'd buy the larger 10X50 size in the Ultravid instead of the smaller 10X42 in the BN just to reduce weight and get the advantages of the 5mm exit pupil (less eye strain). Or maybe you do lots of walking and hate extra weight. Then an Ultravid would be better.
It really should be decided by you. Buy both from Doug and return the one you don't want after 30 days for a full refund. For that kind of money I'd want the one that had just what I wanted.
I bought a BN, not an Ultravid, simply because they are heavier since I was buying a 12X50 which needs all the help it can get to keep it steady. E

well our old Allen Day "COULD" see a difference when he upgraded from the trinovids to the ultravids

E, if you read my post you'd see I never said the Ultravids were "sharper" (to use your word), I said they're primarily brighter by about five percent.

I'm an artist by training, have spent the better part of my life in and around the visual arts and have worked at various times as a photographer. I also have 20/20 vision... while visual matters are subjective, frankly I trust my judgement more than most.

The Ultravids are brighter... but not by much.

Mac we gotta work on your confidence...grins I mean you trust what your eyes tell you b4 you trust what you read...grins

Dober

OK, I misunderstood what you said. They are 5% brighter ? What does that translate into when using them ? Are you talking about low light use ? E

Gentlemen,
I dunno if I got an exceptional 8x42 BN(and BA) Trinovid and mediocre 8x42 BL Ultravid, however, I simply can't tell much difference at all optically. The Ultravid is lighter and some prefer the new ergonomics. I will say my Trinovids were SHOT Show Samples and hence hand picked while the Ultravid were directly off the shelf... I will say that I'd never part with my Ultravids because they are lighter and far more svelte than the Trinovids. That said if someone asked me if they warranted the price difference purely on an optical basis I'd had to give them a sample of one answer of no in my humble opinion...

That said one has to trust his own eyes...

Merry Christmas Gentlemen...

Regards, Matt.