Leica Trinovid 8×42 & 10×42 HD Binoculars Review
Trinovids is one of the most famous lines of binoculars by Leica. Introduced in 1957, the Trinovids have become quite popular among birders, hunters, and outdoor enthusiasts.
Since then they have come a long way with the introduction of HD models of Leica Trinovids in 2015. Here we review the most popular full-sized Leica Trinovid 8×42 HD and Leica Trinovid 10×42 HD binocular Models.
Leica Trinovid HD-8×42, 10×42 Binoculars Specifications
Leica Trinovid HD-8×42, 10×42 Binoculars Detailed Review
Magnification
The Trinovids full-sized binoculars are available in two configurations. The 8×42 model is having a magnification of 8X with 42mm objective lenses while the 10×42 model produces a magnification of 10 times with the same 42mm objective lenses.
Build Quality/Construction
Both the 8×42 and 10×42 models are really well made with a clean and simple design. They are compact and nice to hold.
The Leica Trinovids feels soothing to the eyes with a no-nonsense ergonomic design. The exterior body is textured to provide a nonslip grip in the hands.
Trinovid binoculars are built with an aluminum alloy chassis with rubber armor protection on the outside. The rugged exteriors make the binoculars impact resistant. They perform well in any weather conditions.
A noticeable difference from many other binoculars is the presence of thumb ridges on the underside of the barrels. Firstly I was skeptical about its handling as I was used to the thumb indents, However, after holding, I immediately got used to it and got no problem further with the grip.
The exterior coating also repels dirt, dust, and foreign particles aptly, making the binoculars easy to clean and keep it shining for years to come.
The focusing mechanism is top-notch and provides smooth rotation. They are nice and easy to fiddle with even one finger.
The +/- 4 knurled eye adjustment diopters are on the right oculars and do their job pretty well. The twist-up does not lock, however. It has a red line which marks how much you have rotated the diopter ring.
The eyecups are made of rubber which is extremely good and fit snugly into the ocular pieces.
Both the models are waterproof and extreme fog-proof. Neither of these binoculars fogged up when I went to the extreme cold outdoors in the Alaskan belt.
Optical Performance/Image Quality
The optical quality is supreme and extremely high quality for these Leica full-sized entry-level binoculars. The Leica’s are known for bright and sharp images.
The HD Leica Trinovid is an improvement over old design with fully-multicoated lenses and Prisms which provides better contrast and color fidelity.
The Prisms are phase-coated BaK4 roof type and are coated with Leica’s proprietary HighLux (HLS) mirror layers. This helps to transmit the maximum light passing through it and provide better illumination.
The resolution is excellent for both the binoculars, even in low-light or otherwise challenging situations. However, 8×42 performs well at dawn & dusk owing to the same objective lens for a smaller magnification.
The center of FOV sharpness for both the 8×42 and 10×42 models is up to the mark while a slight chromatic aberration is seen towards the extreme edges. However, overall distortion towards the edges feels negligible for an average user.
Weight Considerations
The 8×42 Leica Trinovid weighs 26.45ounces or 750 gas and the 10×42 Trinovid weighs 25.74 ounces or 730 gms.
Both models are fairly lightweight considering excellent build quality and dimensions.
Lighter plastics and Aluminium alloy casing comprise the compact body of the Leica’s. They feel never oversized while going to the outdoors.
The overall weight is just a little below that of the Leica’s flagship Ultravid HD-Plus Binoculars.
Field of View and Close Focus
The 10×42 Leica Trinovid model has a field of view of 355 ft at 1000 yards, The 8×42 model incorporates a 414ft field of view at 1000 yards.
The 8×42 model of the Trinovids has a close focus of 5.9 feet while the 10×42 model has a close focus of around 6ft.
With this information, we can say that both have a decent field of view. However, FOV’s are not class-leading.
Both have an excellent focus in their magnification range.
Owing to low close focus these are excellent choices for insect and dragonflies watching besides being pretty decent for bird watchers and hunters.
Eye Relief
The 10×42 HD Trinovid has an eye relief of 15mm while the 8×42 model enjoys an eye relief of 17mm. Obviously, for an eyeglass wearer, the 8×42 Trinovids are a great option while looking for longer durations without eye strain.
Overall, I prefer long eye-relief in a binocular and the Trinovids held up well in that regard, which is not something I could say of Leica in the past.
About the Leica New Adventure Strap
Much has been said about the Leica’s new adventure strap. The carrying bag cum strap Leica included may not be usable on a daily basis.
The harness that holds the glasses is good but a little awkward to wear for some users. Some users feel that it is clumsy and they feel that a classic bag should be given.
However, as per my opinion, you get used to it in a while. For hunting and hiking purposes, they are highly apt. For casual Outdoor sessions, you can get our own customized normal case.
Features, Pros & Cons of the Leica Trinovid 8×42 Binoculars
- Premium leica optics for high-contrast, pin sharp images
- Close focus under six feet
- Innovative carrying System for quick and comfortable Use
Features & Pros
- 8X magnification
- Fully Multicoated lens
- Phase corrected multicoated roof prism
- A smooth and precise focus wheel
- Amazing close focus range
- Ergonomic and simple design
- Rubber armored body with light chassis
- 90% light transmission
- Excellent low light capability
- Waterproof and Fogproof
- Tripod compatible
Cons
- Whiteness rendition could be better
- Strap case a bit complex to use initially.
Features, Pros & Cons of the Leica Trinovid 10×42 Binoculars
- The Trinovid 10X42 HD offers excellent contrasts, optimum color reproduction and very good light transmission
- Includes the innovative Adventure-Strap carrying system
- Compact design Ð ideally balanced and light in weight
Features & Pros
- 10X magnification
- Fully multicoated lenses and Prisms
- A top-notch and smooth focus wheel
- Great close focus distance
- Simple design and sturdy construction
- Aluminum alloy chassis with rubber armor
- High light transmission
- Good low light performance
- Weatherproof, Water and fog proof
- Tripod compatible
Cons
- Whiteness rendition could be improved
- Clumsy strap case
Pricing and Competition
Both the Leica 8×42 and 10×42 Trinovid models are fairly priced considering Leica’s long legacy and supreme quality optics. However, for budget buyers, they are not a suitable option.
One good news is that they are a lot cheaper than the Leica’s flagship Ultravid HD, So buyers who only want go for a Leica and don’t want to burn their pockets, can go for Leica Trinovids.
Zeiss Conquest HD range poses a fair and stiff competition to the Trinovid binoculars with almost available at the same price range.
Zeiss produces cooler colors while the Leica is more inclined to warmer tones.
The brightness and CA control are better in the conquest HD while Leica Trinovid has the advantage of shorter close focus. Also, Trinovid is lighter than the conquest HD binoculars.
Conclusion
Overall, Leica 8×42 and 10×42 binoculars provide alpha category options for birders, hunters, and hikers.
You will get the classic Leica style premium feel in these binoculars at a more affordable price. The exterior is tough, rugged with a clean and simple design.
They have high-quality optics and produces a bright and crystal crisp image with a decent field of view.
I hope you liked our review of the Leica Trinovid 8×42 and 10×42 binoculars. Kindly share your experiences of using these binoculars in the comment section below.
If you want a compact Leica check out Leica Trinovid 8×32 Review
Last update on 2024-10-22
