Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Leica: Trinovid v. Ultravid v. Ultravid HD

Looking to get a pair of 8x42 binos primarily for use in hunting deer, hogs and the occasional varmint in Texas. I typically don't take shots beyond 300 yards. I read a review indicating the optical quality of the new Trinovids is virtually indistinguishable from that of the Ultravid HD. For those of you who have used both (and/or the regular Ultravid), what does the $650 difference between the Trinovid and the Ultravid HD provide in regard to optical clarity and brightness?

Techsan, I think you'll find this thread very interesting. The birdwatcher guys know their stuff.

http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=251851

Thanks JG, seems like the Conquest HD is something to consider.

Any Conquest HD owners here that want to chime in? The 8x42s for under $1000 sure sounds nice. Less then the $2500 swarovision.

I have Trinovids and Geovid HD's. Both very, very good. While I havent looked through the Ultravids I can't imagine they would be that much better. Certainly the Trinovids will be great for deer & Hog hunting.
Of course if you have to have the ultimate best and $$ are no problem, by all means check out the Ultravids.


Lefty C

I have a pair from Doug and absolutely love them! I dont use my Leica Ultravids anymore because of them.

Trinovids, Ultravids, and Ultravid HD binoculars are, to my eyes, as good as glass gets. The Ultravids and HDs are lighter and slightly more compact than the Trinovids. But if most of your hunting is from a deer stand, weight is not much of a factor. The best deal is to keep an eye on the classifieds of this site and look for a lightly used Trinovid or Ultravid. The savings can be substantial and the view is breathtaking.

RS

Hey Techsan, I will say this though.....if you're gonna shell out the cheddar for top shelf stuff, you need to look through a Swaro SLC HD too.

harv, are you using the Conquest HDs over the Ultravids because you find them to be better optically, or the ergonomics are better?

JG, I don't want to spend more than $1,500. The demo models of the Conquest HD at $800 or the Trinovids at $1,150 at cameraland look pretty good.

It should be noted that my Leicas are 8x32's vs the conquests which are 8x42's so I am not sure if that makes the big difference but the conquests are brighter and sharper/better colours. I like the ergonomics better as well...

A Trinovid demo for $1,150 is a steal!

RS

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Ten millimeters of added objective is a lot of brightness...

But my father in law has a pair of Leica Ultravid HD 8x42 and I cant tell the difference between them and my Conquests...look the same

Thinking of selling the 8x32 Ultravids?

Bargains are out there, it just takes some scouring to find them.
Just bought a pair of like-new-with-box 10X42 Ultravids Tuesday for $970 shipped. They are en-route now.
Heck, Alaska_Lanche posted a pair of Zeiss FL 10X32's w'box and all for only $1200 or so just today. GWapiti posted a killer Trinovid deal as well, but they sold quick.

Quality glass can be amazing, but so much of it is over priced. Gotta look until you find the deal.

It was unfortunate this year, Doug's Cameraland SHOT deals on big three alpha glass never really happened.

Personally I wouldn't spend over $1300 for anything except maybe HD ultravids or Swarovision. And I won't spend over $1500 on anything except alpha rangefinding bincs.

That's impressive...

High praise for those HDs indeed. I'm going to look at some when I get the chance.

LOL no the wife has claimed them, she likes them because they are smaller

Of those mentioned, the Ultra-vids or Ultra-vid HD's will not disappoint you...

I decided to go a different route and bought a demo pair of Swaro SLC HD binos from cameraland ny today. I expect these to be my go to binos for a long while, so I figure buy and cry once and then enjoy the view.