Leica Noctivid 10×42 Review
If you are looking for a high-ended optics then Leica Noctivid 10×42 is the one for you. They provide a crystal-clear image and an amazing optical quality. Leica is known for producing high-quality optics and cameras.
Leica’s Older Ultravid Plus has already been known for its awesome optical finess. The New Noctivid with improvements has brought Leica’s again at the front focus. With improved ergonomics and design, Noctivid has created a distinct mark in the minds of outdoor enthusiasts.
This exciting pair of binoculars offer amazing quality, hand comfort, and a short close focus range but still, the quality can be easily compared with other binoculars of the same price range, which I will talk about later in the article.
Firstly, Let’s move on to the detailed analysis of Leica Novtivid 10×42 binoculars in this review.
Leica Noctivid 10×42 Review-Specifications
Leica Noctivid 10×42 Review-Detailed Analysis
- Schott HT glass and 12 lens elements; 10 x magnification for optimum resolution of details
- P40 phase-corrected roof prisms; anti-reflection fully multi-coated optics; High Lux and Quadra optical coatings
- Large oculars and long eye-relief distance of 19 mm for overwhelmingly fast impressions and comfortable viewing
Built and Construction Quality
The binoculars feel comfortable in hands and are very well designed. The lenses and prisms are housed in a magnesium chassis with textured rubber armor for exterior protection.
When compared to other premium range binoculars, Noctivids seem to be almost like Swarovski EL and have a compact open bridge with a big eyepiece that offers a moderately wide, flat field of view. However, Swarovski EL sits and feels better in hands according to some prominent users. For me, These are not uncomfortable in hand but lacks groove. There are two small thumb grooves that make the bins feel like a hand extension.
A big eyepiece in Noctivid 10×42 is much of a relief for those who wear glasses.
The diopter adjustment is elegant and is one of the finest in the industry. The serial Number appears directly on the focus knob, which makes it extremely convenient to operate with.
The focusing is fast and it’s easy to scan moving objects, it’s pretty a nice feel to fiddle with the center focus wheels.
Leica Noctivid 10×42 has high magnification and a massive 10x objective. These are designed with eco-safe machinery and can easily be used under any circumstances. It also includes a free tripod connector.
Optical Performance
The Leica Noctivid 10×42 binoculars have an optical system of the best order. The lenses are made using a very special transmission glass which is from a very famous worldwide company named SCHOTT. They have set a new standard in their design. This provide great contrast for objects small to big.
There is an anti-reflective coating on all the lenses and prisms that help in providing better light capturing and transmission so that the resultant image is bright and of very good quality. Leica claims the light transmission to be 91% in the 10×42 models.
The binoculars felt exceptionally resistant to peripheral and crescent flaring. Stray light has been well controlled with interior baffling in the Noctivid 10×42 binoculars.
In high contast situations, some CA can be observed. However, overall chromatic aberration is well controlled and seems to be almost absent in most of the situations.
Sharpness at the edge of the field of view is impressive with Leica’s new redesigned optical system, edge sharpness is as good as Swarovski EL or Zeiss’s high end binoculars
There is a central knob for focusing that allows adjusting for vision to meets every eyesight needs.
The phase-correcting coating that is applied to the roof of the prisms helps to increase the light reflectivity to the highest level all across the spectrum. There is an outer surface of the lens and it is treated with a durable coating which is hydrophobic and helps in resisting water, this makes it easy to remove dirt, dust, and fingerprints.
There is a supportive durable coating that protects the binoculars from marks and scratches. . These binoculars are comfortable to the eyes and a classy combination with premium glass material.
Eye Relief
The eye relief of the Leica 10×42 Noctivid is 19mm which is great for an eyeglass wearer also. You can comfortably glass with your binoculars for long sessions without any eye strain.
Best Features with Benefits
- Noctivid has magnesium chassis used and is both lights weighted as well as robust.
- It is completely sealed and prevents dust from entering.
- It is totally waterproof and even submersible depth of 5 meters.
- They have a SCHOTT HT glass.
- Nitrogen filled interiors ensure a completely moisture less environment which prevents the interior of the glass surface from misting or fogging-up.
- This comes very handily, especially when you get rapid temperature fluctuations.
- There is an extra-large eyepiece.
- They have twisted eyecups which have 4 click-stop positions.
- These provide 19mm of eye-relief ensure that you get a full view, with or without wearing glasses.
- These binoculars weigh about 30.3 ounces which is considerably ok.
- The Open Bridge Design makes it worth a buy.
- New Mirror Coatings on the Prisms (High Lux-System HLS)
Extra Accessories with the Binoculars
- A Neoprene Neck Strap
- A Protective Eyepiece Cover
- An Objective Lens Caps
- A Carry Case
- A Lens Cleaning Cloth
Pros
- Excellent clarity
- Water-resistant
- Can withstand any kind of weather
- Great brightness
- Great construction quality
Cons
- They are very expensive.
- Comparatively not quite as comfortable as other high-end models.
- The 10x lens gives you medium-range usage.
Pricing/Warranty
The price of this pair of binoculars falls in the range from $2500 +. For this price, there are other models like Zeiss Victory SF and Swarovski EL that are also advanced and comfortable.
So, if you are willing to shell out that amount be prepared to do a bit more research. They are not cheap but probably you would never require other binoculars after buying one of these.
Leica’s provide a Lifetime Warranty for any manufacturer defects.
They also include their Passport Warranty for three years, if you register a new purchase within 30 days. Accidental damage is also considered in this warranty. Note that the Passport warranty is non-transferable.
Competition
Still, sometimes these binoculars are ranked slightly behind other high-performance binoculars like Zeiss Victory SF or Swarovski EL. Leica Noctivid is the most compact of all three but slightly heavier than the other two competitor binoculars. Also, overall the glasses are better than Zeiss and Swarovski quality wise.
According to a user, The Noctivid seems to have a higher resolution. If you look at an object far away, the difference will show.
However, the Zeiss has a little better CA control on high contrast situations. But these are not deal breakers.
So depending on the applications and individual choice, one may choose Zeiss or Leica’s as. But they are not cheap. Buy them if you can only accept the highest standards.
Also, If you find a good deal i.e at some sale discount on Noctivid 10×42 they can be a great bargain to fetch.
Read: Zeiss Victory SF 10×42 Review-Field Tested!
Conclusion
These binoculars have been tested alongside with many competitive binocular models in the market. The magnification is 10x and with a bright 42mm objective lenses, these binoculars achieve wonderfully both indoors and out.
Leica Noctivid 10×42 binoculars have been a host of different trials and ventures. But after all the tests under various situations, they have passed with their unbelievable applaudible performance while also delivering unexpected clarity and quality.
You might be interested in: Zeiss Victory SF vs Swarovski EL
Last update on 2024-03-25
