Leica 8x42 Ultravid HD Plus Binocular

Let’s start with the casing. The Leica Geovid 8x42 is an instrument with significant dimensions and weight for the 42 mm class. In the two photos below you can see how the tested instrument compares with the Ultravid HD and other top-of-the-range 8x42 pairs of binoculars.

• +

  solid housing, comfortable to hold,, perfect correction of astigmatism,, low distortion,, sharp image almost to the very edge of the field of view,, imperceptible light fall-off on the edge of the field of view,, good quality of prisms and coatings,, circular exit pupils on black background,,...

• -

  maximum transmission value should have been higher at this price point,, not blackened rangefinder electronic elements, clearly visible in the inner tube.

If you are after a top of the range binocular and one of the best binoculars for bird watching then these will not disappoint. Are they worth the hefty price tag? Well that's a tough one to answer: Leica certainly have not skimped on the quality components, the build quality is excellent and they...

It would be difficult not to say positive things about a pair of binoculars which in no test category dropped below the average and in most got very good or excellent results. All of this was achieved keeping the dimensions of this instrument in check.

• +

  exceptionally solid, stylish casing which is comfortable to hold,, good transmission,, sharp image in most part of the field of view,, excellent correction of astigmatism,, not very high coma,, slight chromatic aberration in the centre of the field,, negligible light fall-off on the edge of the...

• -

  a bit too high chromatic aberration on the edge of the field of view.

Quality compact binoculars

I had been carrying a 8x50 Steiner Merlin which served me very well. Love the glass and its ergonomics. However, they were too big. Additionally, I needed binoculars which could handle extreme humidity, sudden monsoon type rains, river crossings and not fog up.

After much research and trying Swarovski; Zeiss; Vortex; and Nikon, these were hands down the best binoculars for me. They are light, well built, and really bright. The clarity and color rendition is truly amazing!