Look at buying a set of these seeing Doug has a good sale on them. Want to know what people think of them. Looking for a good set of 8x32 for woods hunting mostly deer and elk. Also those that have what are your pro's and con's.

Superb optics. Schit warranty and customer service.

Don't have those but the 10x40 so may not apply but I have been very pleased with them. My only complaint is that dust gets trapped in the eye cups but once I got over being reluctant to run them under a faucet this has become only a minor concern. The 8x30s feel good in the hand and should serve you well.

Some will tell you xyz brands are better and they may be but my eyes aren't good enough to discern any huge differences. There will some differences in color transmission, edge clarity, donut effect (roving ball) and others but for me these are certainly good enough.

I wish I had gotten them sooner rather than going through multiple others that ended up collectively costing more than the Leica's.

I have three Leica scopes, a Leica 60mm pre-APO spotter, a Leica Rangefinder and the Leica 10x42 Ultravid HD's. They are absolutely my favorite glass, hands down.

I did have to send a scope in for a repair. It took 2 weeks and no charge on shipping. No complaints from me here.

I got a pair of the 8X32 HD+ when they first came out about a year ago. I used them a while, but didn't think they were as good as I had hoped. I couldn't even get $1750.00 out of them after months of trying to sell them.

I won't argue that Leica has good optics, but be ready to take a beating when you want to trade up or off. There must be a reason you can always find Leica cheaper than Zeiss or Swarovski.

Superb optics. . .Correct
Schit Warranty. . . BS

For the ORIGIONAL owner, three year Passport warranty (covers everything) lifetime for after that for defects. The warranty is not transferrable, not a problem if buying new.
I don't work for them, I just own 4 scopes, 4 binoculars and 1 camera.

Compare that to the Swaro warranty. CS is also SCHIT. BT/DT.

The glass and ergonomics are absolutely superb. For the money, though, you get more with Swaro than you do with Leica because of the warranty and customer service.

Agree 100% In this arena Swaro and Leica shouldn't even be mentioned in the same sentence. I NEVER saw Leica stuff come into our camps, except for the very occasional Geovid.

I have the 8x32HD and they are incredible. I don't know about warranty issues, but the Leica glass is premium. These replaced my Swarovski SLCs, and they are certainly a few steps ahead in technology (and age). I also have new Leica 8x20 and they are much better than the previous generation Swarovski 8x20 and 10x25. Again that is apples to oranges because the Swarovski are the last generation.
Because Leica has a bad rep on warranty, I would probably give heavy consideration to Swarovski. I never had problems with either brand, and I guess my glass is 50% of both brands. I was going to trade my Meopta Pros that I keep in the truck in on a set of alpha, and I was thinkin ELs. I'll decide when I am at the dealer because they have a nice outdoor viewing porch. Usually current generation stuff is a close tie under my observation.

I'd buy them and not be concerned. I've been hunting the last 5 years or so with a 10x42 Ultravid HD with complete satisfaction.

I just got back from doing some last light viewing with a pair of new 8x32 Swarovisions and they were superb as well. I bought them instead of Leica's simply because I bumped into them first but I would just have gladly bought the Leica's...

Thanks guys! I have a set of Minox 8x33 now there around 10 years old and beat up pretty good looking to upgrade from these.

Also looking at the Swarovski 8x32 EL anyone know who has the best price on these?

I've had a variety of 8x30 glass over the last 30 years, including Zeiss, Swarovski, and Leica. Glass at this level is a matter of grading diamonds.

There's no doubt that Swarovski has better customer service than Leica, but the thing about Leica is, because of build quality, you'll likely never need it. Not so with Swarovski.

I currently have the 8x32 HD... wouldn't trade them for Swarovski or Zeiss, as good as they are.

If you are looking at a new 8x32 binocular, the Swarovski
8x32 SV is the best one now available.

I have this one, and have several others that compare.

Leica has some good glass, but they will not compare to
the Swaro., the flat field view of the 8x32, the brightness, and the rest are better.

The Leica is on sale, and so there is a reason why... They are slow movers.

The Swaro. warranty is another good reason why.

Lol, "best?"

Give me a break. Their "flat field" is visually difficult for many with it's rolling field of view, me included, and they're not nearly as robust. Good thing you've got a good warranty.

+1 about to say the same

The Leica does not compare optically, and the rolling
ball thing only affects 2% of the population.

I can tell some of you have no experience. The Zeiss
SF is a better bet in the 42mm size. I don't play
favorites.

Anyone that uses the term "best" when it comes to optics or anything else is not worth listening to. Everything is a compromise weighted in one direction or another. I prefer Leica's optical compromise to Swarovski's, but I don't have the ignorance to call it "best."

Brad:

I'm happy for you.

The OP was looking for advice, and I don't think Leica is it.
There are better options, and we have not even started talking much about Zeiss.

Check Natchez. They usually have some demos that you can't tell from new. Full lifetime transferable warranty applies.

CLNY has a like new demo Leica 8x42 ULTRAVID HD Plus for $1499. The 42mm is super compact in this particular line. I've had it in my mind that where the ULTRAVID HD Plus series is concerned the 42mm is the way to go.

Just a note: Folks have reported the new Swarovski EL 8x32 is hampered by excessive field flattening. This can contribute to rolling ball effect for those, like me, who are susceptible. Further, I find a super flat field straining over extended periods when scanning and searching for game.

Have not been hampered by it yet. But I have been watching for it.

The Leica 8x32's are the best glass these eyes have ever looked through. Recon I'll risk the warranty issue until I get bit.

Ultravid HD PLUS for 1499 are a steal, those and the Zeiss SF,HT have Schott HD glass, no other binos have it. The SF is a birdwatcher binocular. The Ultravid has the best construction out of all of them.

He asked specifically about the Leica 8x32.

As to Zeiss, I had the 8x32 FL... on the USAF optics chart it showed poorer resolution with a smaller sweet spot in each barrel than the Leica. They also "feel" cheap by comparison.

Another downside of the Swarovski, other than their fragile ocular twist-ups, are the objective covers that are aggravating to use in the field.

You and Ringman need to write a book on optics. There is so much knowledge unavailable to the Campfire that you guys could save people thousands of dollars by listening to your vast experiences.

Bob, it's about the shape of your eye/cornea... you either see and experience it immediately or you don't. Every time I pick one up I feel like I'm on a rocking boat on the sea. It's pretty unsettling. The number of those that experience it is around 20% of viewers.

Personally, I find the whole flat-field obsession a bit of an unnecessary gimmick. The human eye doesn't see that way naturally. The Swarovski glass is superb, it just makes no sense to me to have such an exaggerated flat field. Leica has brought out its version of the same flat field glass, but the view is far more relaxed than the Swarovski reputedly.

I think the Swarovski open bridge design is great too, but they're definitely a bit bulkier than the Leica. But I'm a backpack-hunter, so that's important to me. To others, not so much.

Difference with me, I only talk about what I've owned and used. Ring man not so much. How about you?

Brad I bought them from Doug after looking through them at another store. Did not really know much about the whole flat field thing, but to me they had all that "eye pop"!
Obviously I have not had a problem with the rolling ball situation.

Like my Leicas, the eye cups have lots of adjustment so are comfy with or without eye glasses. These new ones have some kind of "field package" to attach the neck strap,and the objective lens covers are a newer design that i like better than what they previously used.

A pal and I stayed at the range until after dark last night watching for the deer that usually show at 500-600 yards. The bins hung in there until way past shooting light. I was pretty impressed with how they did for a 32mm.

Like I said I'Id have bought the Leicas if they fell into my hands first but that didn't happen this time.

Wrongman is an idiot.

Brad puts in a ridiculous amount of hours and miles in the field every season. He uses stuff, hard, and passes on what he sees and learns. I may not agree with what he says on certain points, but there's never a doubt that his info is solid.

I agree, you can trust Brad's assessment of stuff, even if I don't necessarily agree 100% of the time. He has no reason to make stuff up.

Nobody has ever questioned the build quality, or optical quality of Leica stuff. I used a Trinovid BA for 15 years. It's the rest of the package that is very suspect. I mean, seriously, they are the only alpha maker who has such a crappy warranty, while demanding premium prices for their products.

Guys, nice of you to say.

Like I said in my first post, the three top-tier 8x32's are a matter of grading diamonds. There's no "best" as all three have their strengths and weaknesses, which is why I've owned all three. For me, I prefer the way Leica makes their compromises, but rest assured, all three have design compromises, as does everything a human makes. It's really about which design emphasis you want, and compromises you're willing to live with.

I agree with JG that Leica's CS and Warranty is lacking. I've never needed to use it, but I've heard good and bad about their CS. A lot of it bad, though I've heard it's improving too. I will say, the few times I've dealt with people on the phone in NJ to order parts, I've found a typically rude NY/NJ type on the other end of the line. OTOH, when I've dealt with Swarovski in RI, the opposite has been the case.

As to the whole flat-field obsession, I really can't see the need for it for the way a hunter uses binoculars. Or I should say, the way I use a binocular. A birder/butterfly watcher on the other hand will use a binocular slightly differently, letting his eye wander all around the FOV looking at minute detail up close. I'm a birder, but not to the extreme of "real" birders.

The only two things I don't like about the Leica Ultravid are the ocular cover they come with (if you notice my picture I've replaced the POS that comes with the Ultravid for the much better one that came with the old BA/BN's). And I'd like them to have a bit greater eye relief... but, since everything is a compromise, if they had greater eye relief they'd be physically larger!

Compromises...

I'd disagree, I think having a full useable FOV is important to hunters. It allows you to have your peripheral vision while glassing. I don't know how you glass, but we glass is that we literally spend hours a day on the glass typically. I'll take any advantage I can get.

Again, I said the way I glass... not you.

For super-prolonged glassing, I much prefer an 8x42... again, compromises.

Amazing how passionate people are about optics. The main thing to keep in mind is peoples eyes are different. It is very difficult to make broad standing conclusions on anything related to vision or visual perception.

But that won't stop the campfire kvetching.

Is there an opinion which maker has the best bino for someone with glasses? I am considering a 12x50 but not sure which brand ( Swaro or Leica).

Old World I wear glasses and use a binocular both with and without them. Both the Swaro and the Leica are very user friendly with intermediate stops for the eye pieces.

They both work for people wearing eye glasses.

I have owned,and presently own both.

When considering high end optics, you should really try to compare them side by side in person.
Everyone’s eyes are different, and what looks best to someone else, might not be best for you.
To my eyes, the Leica Ultra-vid HDs are best. They are sharper and crisper, show more detail and realistic color then the Swaro HDs or top of the line Zeiss.
But that is what it looks like TO MY EYES, I personally know experienced hunters and optics experts who prefer the Swaros, and I have talked to respected authorities who rate Zeiss best.
The fact is, you can’t go wrong with any of the big three.

I got them all in that power. For my eye's Leica more power better choice for my eye's

I agree, Leica has always worked best for me.

The CS issue sucks, but I've bought a lot more expensive things with no warranty.

There is a 'fire member I personally know who has been trying to collect on his Passsport warranty with little success--unless he coughs up $300 to Leica.

Leica's warranty and CS stinks.

Casey

Agreed. No way I could let someone tell me what my eyes (and ergos) prefer.
The Leica 8x32 is superb but I had to wiggle around to get a clear site picture with them - likely due to the shape of eye sockets or perhaps my moon face.
I don't have that issue with the full-size Leica. You owe it to yourself to try a few of them.

I have the Leica 8X32 Ultravid HD, and I've been using it exclusively as my go anywhere, do everything bino for 8 years now. I absolutely love it, and haven't wished for any other bino since! There's honestly nothing I would change about it. To me, 8X32 is a great compromise magnification and objective size combination that allows for a significant reduction in size and weight vs. 42mm and 50mm binos, while still having a reasonably large enough objective size that low light performance isn't hampered too much. Something about the way Leica's optical design/coatings combination and the way it renders contrast and makes colors pop agrees with my eyes. It is very compact and light, yet not so much so that it's difficult to handle and steady for long periods of glassing. Resolution is top notch, and light transmission is more than sufficient to take me to the limits of legal hunting hours. The Aqua-Dura lens coatings work well.

At the time I bought it, Leica transitioned to the lifetime warranty. I've had no experience with Leica's customer service, and have had no need for it.

Even though I'm glad I have it and have never regretted buying it, there have been so many superb binos introduced in the $1K price range during the past 5 years, that if I were buying a bino today, it might be hard for me to justify the Leica's (or Swaro or Zeiss) price tag. This isn't a criticism of the alpha-level binos, as they are all superb; it's praise for the new crop of upper mid level binos making it harder to justify the price difference between them and the alphas.