Leica Ultravid
Compact Binocular
A REVIEW
  
by Michael and Diane Porter
We got an advance look at the new Leica Ultravid Compact Binocular at Shot Show, in February, 2006. It was in Las Vegas. Shot Show was big. We spent two days looking just at the optics, as all the manufacturers were there, showing their most exciting new binoculars.
 One of the highlights was Leica's new ultra small, ultra light, ultra bright pocket binoculars. Diane really didn't want to stop looking through them. In a number of ways, they are better than Leica's previous smallest binocular, which was the Trinovid. And we already liked the Trinovid well enough to have bought a pair for ourselves.
But this new Ultravid is better than we could have hoped for. In fact, it's the best ultra compact binocular we've ever seen. For starters, it has good eye relief. It actually works better with glasses than Leica's larger 8x32 Ultravid. Leica really went all out to create an eyepiece design that allows a glasses wearer to get the full field of view. (Of course, if you don't wear glasses, you just pull out the eyecups to their extended position.)
The diopter adjustment locks, and it's beautiful in and of itself. When we get our hands on a pair for ourselves, we'll take a picture of it. For now you'll just have to take our word for it. It's a joy to use something so beautifully engineered.
 And the whole binocular is put together with the famous Leica attention to detail. It folds up into a tiny, neat packet that will literally fit in almost any pocket.
The only complaint we had against the previous model, the Trinovid Compact, was that it was not waterproof. The Ultravid is completely waterproof. And all the other improvements are above and beyond what we would have thought possible.
Bravo Leica!
We think 8x20 is ideal because of its very tiny size. It also is a tad more glasses friendly than the 10x25. (Both models work great for someone who not wear glasses, but the 8-power if better for someone who does.)
Some people want that extra bit of magnification and so prefer the 10-power model. And if you don't wear eyeglasses, it may be just right for you.
Both Ultravid Compacts are way past worthy.
--Michael and Diane Porter
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