Leica trinovid

Guns Magazine, Jan 1, 2002 by Jim Gardner

I purchased my first pair of binoculars from a drugstore-cum-sporting-goods establishment more years ago than I care to admit. I bought the very best that they had. The price was a whopping $40. I was happy with them and spent countless hours glassing across canyons and flats looking for blacktail deer, black bear and other wildlife. I noticed that my eyes would ache after a long spell behind the lenses, but I just figured that was natural. Then one day, on a shooting trip, one of my amigos did something terrible to me. My glasses being out of reach at the moment, he handed me his best grade German made binoculars -- good heavens what a difference! I was spoiled from that moment on and was never satisfied with my drugstore binoculars again.

We have all heard the expression, "I may not know art, but I know what I like." Most of us would have to echo similar comments about evaluating optics. I would like to be able to speak knowingly about why a really good rifle scope or pair of binoculars performs so well, but I can't. The important thing is that the difference in performance is obvious once you begin to use them.

I've just had the chance to spend some time with Leica's 8x32 Trinovid binoculars, and the bottom line is that this is one very fine piece of equipment.

Good Things In Small Packages

These are relatively compact, at 5-inches tall by about 4.5-inches wide. Weight is 23 ounces, which is about right. A flyweight pair of glasses may be a delight to carry as you huff and puff your way up a steep trail, but a heavier pair is infinitely easier to hold steady for an extended session of viewing. The barrels of these 8x32s are rubber armored with nice vertical ribs to hold on to. Not only does this give a very sure feel in the hand, but the rubber armoring helps to protect the binoculars from damage.

As with all really good binoculars that I have used, these are extremely right. I used them in the failing light of late evening and was surprised at just how much light they transmitted. Looking over the thick weeds of an abandoned orchard, I had no difficulty picking out the little pink ears of a cottontail in the darkening gloom.

Performance in the middle of the day was equally fine. The image is crisp and clear throughout the field of vision. Focusing is fast and easy via a center mounted wheel.

Great Features

Sometimes it is the smaller features that distinguish a good product from a truly fine one. On these Leicas, I found two features that were particularly well engineered. The first is the eye piece. Most binos have roll-down rubber eye cups to accommodate eyeglasses. They work well enough, but rolling them up or down is a clumsy two-handed operation. The Leica 8x32s feature a greatly improved system. The eyepieces easily slide into either an extended or collapsed position. Got your sunglasses on as you grab for your Leicas to get a look at the buck that just crossed the road in front of you? Easy -- just slap your palm gently across the eyepieces and they snap into the lower position. If you take your dusty sunglasses off for a better view, simply slide the eyepieces back Out. They click into place with a satisfying little "snick."

The other feature that I admired was the centrally located diopter compensation. For most people, one eye will be a little stronger than the other. It is necessary to compensate for this. This compensation is normally adjusted on one of the eyepieces. On the Leica, this adjustment is located on the center focusing wheel, and best of all, it is a locking adjustment with a visible scale, To adjust, snap the cover up to unlock, adjust in the conventional manner, and then press the cover down to lock your setting. The system is easy to use and will end the frustration of finding that your compensation has been accidentally moved from its proper setting.

Leica cameras have been famous for the quality of their lenses for generations. Looking at the Leica Trinovid 8x32s, it is easy to see that this reputation for quality is well deserved. The glasses come with ocular and objective lens covers, a carrying strap, and a particularly nice leather case.

Lifetime Investment

Good binoculars -- really good binoculars -- don't come cheap. Retail price for the Trinovid 8x32 is $995. When you realize how much their superior performance can add to the enjoyment of your outdoor adventures, and the fact that quality optics are a lifetime investment, then the price seems well justified. Authorized Leica dealers are currently offering a trade-in program. Bring in your old glasses for a discount on a new pair of Leicas. Your old glasses will be donated to an educational organization. If you have been getting by with discount binoculars, make it a point to have a look at a pair of these Leicas. You are going to find yourself just as spoiled as I am.