Leica Ultravid HD

(7x42, 8x32, 8x42 & 10x42)

By Jason Guerard, Sales Manager

Leica (formerly Leitz) has been producing quality binoculars for outdoor enthusiasts for the past one hundred years—so much so that the Leica logo has become synonymous with quality.  A few years ago, Leica Sports Optic released a binocular that was only paralled by the best in the business, other companies whose optics manufacturing history is just as rich.  The Leica Ultravid hit the market running and for good reason.  In fact, I remember the day that CMBO first had this previously new model for sale.  I was counting hawks and people just kept popping up with the “newest, greatest binocular to hit the market since the Swarovski EL”.  Being the curious person that I am (and a Swarovski owner), I was anxious to see what all the fuss was about.  I was lucky enough to have befriended a wonderful lady who was kind enough to allow me to use her brand new Leica's for a test comparison with my Swarovski 8.5x42 EL’s (the official hawk counter optics as Swarovski was the count sponsor at that time.)  Even though this all transpired many years ago, I clearly remember being very impressed with this new optic… and still am. 

How does a company add to a product which is already at the top of its game?  The standard Ultravid is supposed to have light-gathering ability at the top of its class.  The new HD is supposed to allow an additional 3% more light.  There are a few different ways that this light gathering ability is measured so you have to be careful about the figures quoted by manufacturers.  You’ll see many companies quoting between 95%-98% light transmission.  This figure is the measure of  transmission across one plane of the prism and should not be directly used to gauge whether an optic will garner a truly bright image, though it is related.

The figures used to get you interested in an optic really do not mean all that much.  What matters is how the image looks to your individual eye.  Like I tell customers who come into the Northwood Center to purchase optics:  At the level of quality which the high end optics achieve, you are truly splitting hairs. It comes down to which optic feels the best and looks the best to you.  Given that the Ultravid is of known quality, I decided to focus my test on the changes which Leica had touted for this new HD binocular.

So, what was I testing you ask?  Leica has marketed three major points that make this HD optic new and improved over the standard version.  The addition of fluoride (FL) glass is supposed to improve the color fidelity and contrast, according to Leica. Fluoride glass is made up of calcium fluoride, whose “crystalline structure” is supposed to allow for a “very low level of dispersion (light scattering) and corrects aberration (image errors.)”  This new lens formula along with a couple of other changes, is quoted to allow the added 3% light-gathering ability as stated previously.  Additionally, the focus system was changed to include “metal parings and gliding discs made from extremely tough, high-performance plastic.”  The new focus system is supposed to be virtually greaseless which removes the potential for seize up in cold weather; leaking grease and extra play in hot temperatures.  The final change was the addition of a hydrophobic coating to the ocular and objective lenses to repel dust, dirt and water for improved cleaning and, ultimately, viewing.

SMOOTH AS SILK

Taking the focus mechanism first, I noticed no major difference in the focus wheel movements in comparison to the standard 7x42’s.  There was virtually no play in the wheel and it continued to stop on a dime with really no need for further adjustments in keeping an object in focus.  There was no “accidentally” focusing past the desired object and having to re-adjust to get the image in complete focus.  In fact, after submersing the optic in water (to test waterproofing) and then keeping it in the freezer for some time, I did not notice any stiffness to the focus wheel.  Nor was there any internal fogging evident using this test method.  Both the standard Ultravid and the HD have about 1 ¼ turns to the wheel, so no change there either.  What this means is that Leica did a good job of making necessary improvements with no consequence to the consumer. 

LET THERE BE… ADDITIONAL LIGHT (gathering ability)

Since the news first came out I have been skeptical of this quoted “additional 3% light gathering ability.”  Let’s face it; it’s hard to squeeze much more light into the human eye with the high-end optics available today.  Our pupil dilates and contracts a finite amount.  That being said, in good light, using the standard Ultravid against the HD there was not a huge difference between the images seen.  In fact, I would bet that the majority of people who might be considering the HD would not see the slight differences.  But, this is the same if you test a low-end optic in comparison to a high-end model.  In good bright light you don’t see a huge difference because your pupil is contracted.  The proof for this additional light gathering which Leica markets would only be seen at the very extremes of lighting conditions.  I’m talking about early morning and evening; the best time to test an optic, whenever possible, is before or after the sun has risen or set. 

I sat out on my back porch looking at the White-throated Sparrows feeding (I specifically looked at White-throated Sparrows because of the dark coloration on the back) from about sundown to pitch black.  Now, here is where I have to eat my own words since I have been telling customers who asked about the new HD that I did not think that the 3% additional light in the new optic would be readily noticeable to the human eye.  In good lighting conditions I was right but, in low to very low light, WOW!  That is not to say that the sparrows looked “daylight” bright and clear in the darker conditions.  I could, however, notice significantly (in my opinion) more detail on the bird in the low light with the HD’s.  Interestingly, to my eye, in the low light the standard Ultravid image had a “warm” color cast to the image where as the HD seemed more of a “cool” tone.  This may have just been the way my eyes perceived the additional light, but the fact remains that the new HD bins do indeed gather more light to provide a brighter image. 

In addition to the FL glass, Leica has implemented a few other changes to allow for the increased light transmission and a more pleasing image.  The use of their “antireflex coating and reflective layer on the prisms” is what Leica quotes as the direct reason for the additional 3% light-gathering ability.  Also, an “optimized housing shape, improved light-absorbing paint, apertures and stray light traps” reduces stray light interference to almost no significance in the image.  This allows for less awkward backlighting and sidelight situations.  In my tests I did notice a slight improvement to the image in back lit situations but I would not say that it is was as significant. 

The test that spoke most to me was a simple resolution test in which the two optics were tested by trying to read small type print at a distance.  The first time I did this I didn’t really notice much of a difference.  When showing the 7x42 HD’s to Pete Dunne, he noticed that at a distance of at least 20 yards, he could read smaller print on one of the signs in the Center for Research and Education.  After showing the findings to me, I agreed that the smallest of print was readily more discernable with the HD’s.  So, why did I not notice this and Pete did?  Simply, light.  I realized when I had tested the optics resolution it was in much better lighting conditions. When I was with Pete the room was rather dark.  The additional light that the HD allowed to reach our eyes made all the difference.  This is the reason I could make out more detail on the White-throated sparrows.  It just was not tangibly apparent to me until we looked at fine text.

THE WATER TORTURE TEST

One change that Leica made with the HD’s is something many optics companies are looking into: a hydrophobic coating to allow for better water, dirt and dust repelling.  I personally hate to bird in the rain, yet it can be some of the best conditions for birding.  So you would automatically think that any feature that would make this situation easier would be welcomed, that is, as long as it was not at the expense of light gathering ability.

Does the new hydrophobic coating work?  Yes, and it works very well.  The AquaDura™ coating developed by Leica is quite impressive and I think this feature will soon be a sought-after aspect when shopping for optics.  The best part, but something not tested, is that this new coating has abrasion-resistance qualities that will “protect your valuable lenses from damage even more effectively” (per Leica).  Does this mean the end of worrying about being sand blasted while walking down the beach at the Cape May Point State Park?  I would guess not and still suggest that you put your rain guard on and cover your objective lenses in a blowing sand storm.  But what I do think this means is that you will find it takes longer for those little scratches, wherever they come from, to appear out of nowhere. 

old coatings vs. AquaDura™

(Photo courtesy of Leica Camera Inc.)

THE NEGATIVE

Now you didn’t think I’d end this review without at least one negative aspect to point out, did you?  And no, it’s not the price.  The price of high-end optics has gone through the roof but this is not near as negative an impact as the fact that Leica has significantly reduced their warranty.  Yes, I said reduced.  Long gone are the days of the lifetime, no-fault Passport warranty.  For some reason, Leica has decided to reduce their industry-leading lifetime warranty to a 10 year limited warranty.  Here’s how it works:  The first five years is still basically a no-fault warrantee where pretty much anything that happens to the optic will be covered.  The second five years the consumer has to pay labor rates for repairs and Leica covers the parts.  After ten years, you are on your own. 

Not happy about this portion of the changes by Leica because you don’t want to spend almost $2000 for an optic that is not lifetime warranted?  There is some good news, a silver lining if you will.  All standard Ultravids that were in the USA as of November 1, 2007 continue to carry the Passport lifetime no-fault warranty.  If you are in the market for a Leica and want the full lifetime warranty, act fast as we only have a finite amount in stock and once they’re gone, they’re gone.