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Leica Ultravid BinocularA REVIEW
by Michael and Diane Porter Comes in 7x42, 8x42, 10x42, 8x50, 10x50, and 12x50 Celestially Bright!
Look through a Leica Ultravid, and you're immediately struck with how bright and clear the image is from the center of the generous field of view to the outer edges, and how true and free from bias are the colors. With magnesium housing and a titanium central hinge shaft, this binocular is strong and rugged as well as lightweight. The distinctive, precise diopter adjustment on the central column makes it easy to check the setting at a glance. The diopter can also be easily found by feel, but it locks and won't get accidentally knocked off its setting. Leica offers all the Ultravid models with a pleasing-to-the-hand, non-slip, bump-resistant black or green rubber covering (labeled BR). The Ultravid comes in 7x42, 8x42, 10x42, 8x50, 10x50, and 12x50. We tested the 8x42 and 10x42 for this review.
In 2006, Leica will add four compact models to the Ultravid line. We had an advance look at them at Shot Show, in Las Vegas, February, 2006. REVIEW
--Michael and Diane Porter |
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Leica has improved on its highly esteemed Trinovid Ultra with the new, slender, celestially bright Ultravid. Because of its superb optical resolution and contrast, the Ultravid belongs in any list of the top binoculars of the world. 
The 10x42 and 8x42 models are also available in elegant-looking leather (BL), as shown above. The leather version is slightly slimmer and two or three ounces lighter than the rubber. At 24.5 oz., the Ultravid 10x42 BL is remarkably lightweight for a binocular of this superior optical quality. Among the top binoculars, the 10x42 Leicas Ultravids tied with Zeiss and Swarovski for wide field of view (330 ft. at 1000 yd.).