Live Science Verdict

The beautiful olive green edition of the Leica Noctivid 10x42 binoculars look stylish , pack a punch optically , and as well as being our preferred Leica opera glasses , could possibly our favorite 10x42 binoculars ever .

sensational olive green edition finish

invisible locking diopter wheel

Leica Noctivid 10x42 front view in hands of author

A beautiful olive green finish on this variant model suits the outdoors lifestyle.

No chromatic aberration

Premium price detail

disgraceful color not as attractive

Leica Noctivid 10x42 in the hands of the author

A central focusing wheel also hides an inconspicuous mechanism for adjusting the diopter ring.

No tripod adaptor

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The Leica Noctivid 10x42 binoculars follow in both European olive tree green and black colorways and 8x and 10x magnification for each color . They be a pretty penny ( the skillful part of $ 4,800 ) so they will be out of the cost mountain range for all but the most committed observers . However , for the money you will get beautiful dyad of binoculars that will stand out in any collection .

Leica Noctivid 10x42 in use

The 42mm objective lenses are paired with a visually wide eyepiece aperture on the rear.

conception : Roof optical prism

Magnification:10x ( 8x also available )

Objective lens aperture:42 mm

Leica Noctivid 10x42 side view

Holding and operating the 10x42 binoculars one-handed is easy.

angulate domain of view:6.4 degrees

Eye relief:19 mm ( 0.74 - in )

Weight:1.9 lbs ( 862 g )

Leica Noctivid 10x42 being placed in Billingham bag

They fit well into a binocular carry case and look particularly attractive when paired with a similarly colored bag.

Dimensions:4.88 x 6.06 x 2.68 - inch ( 124 x 154 x 68 mm )

fortuitously they ’re not style over substance — excellent optical lucidity is impart about through high - quality lens coatings , and the potent but lightweight Mg body intend this a dyad is build to last .

Utilizing the same SCHOTT HT ( High Transmission ) glasses as found in the slightly burly Ultravid HD - Plus binoculars , we found first-class color reproduction and vivid views even on murkier , overcast day . But are they worth the big price tag and who are they made for ? lease ’s take a closelipped look .

Leica Noctivid 10x42 placed in Billingham bag

The rubber armoring and patented metal coating mean the Noctivids are durable but benefit further from added protection.

Leica Noctivid 10x42 binocular: Design

We are unbelievably enamored with how the Noctivid European olive tree green edition binoculars look and feel . A leafy , muted green condom is finished with a matte appearance and wraps all the way around the binocular physical structure , in good order up to the eyepiece assembly . put against unfounded foliage these disguise wonderfully , but also stand out in their own right even when placed on the wooden surfaces inside hiss hides or on the kitchen mesa at home .

It ’s not just for expression though , there ’s also a patented surface coating that Leica touts has a hardness division 8 . We ’re not quite sure what this means , but it covers all exposed metal parts of the binoculars , which predominantly look to be the metal hinges and rise assembly in the center of the binoculars , finished in a matte pitch blackness .

The roof prism intention think the shoulders of the Noctivids remain slim , and with dimensions of just 4.88 x 6.06 x 2.68 - inches ( 124 x 154 x 68 mm ) , while not the small 10x42 opera glasses we ’ve ever wield , slip easily away into the ply pack bag or a large crown scoop without hinderance .

Kimberley Lane using a pair of binoculars in a nature reserve

Despite a nitrogen - filled Mg home construction , these binoculars are n’t that lightweight . At approximately 30.4 oz ( 862 g ) they ’re sure grievous in our hand but not excessively intemperate . They experience like a premium binocular stacked with high-pitched - character crank , packed tightly — a lawfully weighty loft .

Leica Noctivid 10x42 binocular: Performance

The Leica Noctivid 10x42 binoculars might be one of the only binoculars we ’ve tested where we ’ve been unable to recognize any kind of chromatic optical aberration ( color fringing ) around contrasted subjects , nor any important coma twisting to notice . This in and of itself better represents precise defenseless - eye showing of subject , albeit with a 10x blowup , but it does n’t end there .

The field glasses have HDC summation - multicoating and AquaDura lens coating to keep light transmission maximized and repel body of water when used out in the elements . They are waterproof down to a depth of 5 meters ( 16.5 ft ) and their atomic number 7 - occupy barrels have in mind they wo n’t fog up when moving between hot and cold-blooded position .

These opera glasses provide a humungous 19 millimetre of eye relief , credibly as the liberal we ’ve encountered on any pair of binoculars , so glasses wearers should be able-bodied to continue to observe without the need to take off their spectacles .

Jase Parnell-Brookes using binoculars

Comparing the eyepiece lenses to theLeica Trinovid 10x42 HD binoculars , it ’s obvious that the Noctivid ’s are massive for a binocular of this magnification . All that excess spark flow through the two optic maximizes photons passing through and into our eyes providing bright scene .

Leica Noctivid 10x42 binocular: Functionality

The Noctivid binoculars are clearly work up to last , with Leica implement multiple blueprint improvements over the traditional binocular ergonomics . The first point of view - out is the dioptre ring that sit in the central flexible joint and populate as part of the main direction bicycle . Simply pull the wheel towards the ocular gently and the wheel separates , which allows us to dial in focus on the right eyepiece . This is identical in operation to the Ultravid 8x50 HD - Plus binoculars , except we conceive the Noctivids have the Ultravids puzzle in terms of finish .

Only one part of the focalise wheel is textured and that ’s because that is the only part that swivels around . Unlike the Ultravids which have two separate ring within the primal wheel , the Noctivids utilize the same wheel and pull up stakes the focus mechanics replacement - up inside the flexible joint , invisible . This make a much neater finish , in our thought , and the calibre on the rear of the wheel provide a denotation to how much positive or negative compensation has been set . We were really impressed with this easy overlooked bit of functionality .

When paying a agiotage damage we look agio results . And while the Noctivids sure perform outstandingly optically and look stylish from all Angle we were a little befuddled not to find a tripod ride point for a binocular adapter . Sure , it could be argue that at 10x magnification this is n’t stringently necessary because the wide - ish field of operations of view is enough to compensate for any wobbling during observation , but there are plenty of other 10x42 binoculars that do have it , so this skip seems unmated . Presumably , it has something to do with the twofold hinges on the opera glasses ( one at the fundament and one at the front ) but for near $ 5,000 we ’d have like the option .

two people stood next to tripod mounted binoculars against the night sky

The ocular cup assembly , as feature on many Leica binoculars , can be removed by extending the twisting eyecups all the way to the maximum and then a further notch . At this point the eyecups bug out to derive toward the eyepieces again , but a gentle pull towards the eyepieces find out the assembly lift off quick for maintenance or cleaning in arduous - to - reach domain . This final down - turning of the eyecups is helpful for keeping them from being accidentally removed during use , something which even the similarly priced Ultravids do not have .

Should I buy the Leica Noctivid 10x42 binoculars?

Possibly our favorite ever binoculars , with supreme sharpness , excellent swooning transmission system and absolutely stunning looks , the Leica Noctivid 10x42 opera glasses are outstanding . However , this premium timbre does come with a premium price tag and if you do n’t have $ 4,800 to drop on a span of binoculars then they might not be for you .

The Noctivids reviewed here appeal to a picky market where a swelled investiture is o.k. and observing with some of the good optic is required . Beginners will benefit perfectly from own them , should their budget and passion stretch .

If this product isn’t for you

Thousands of dollars cheaper , we ’ve call theBushnell Forge 15x56as number one in ourbest binocularsbuying template . They have two whopping 56 mm objective lenses to foregather up all the light , even when it ’s starting to run out around twilight and into the dark . Their 15x exaggeration is also helpful in situation where pocket-sized , far-off subjects are harder to see with a more generalist 10x pair , such as small songbirds or asterisk and asterism .

Half the Leontyne Price of the Bushnell ’s again , we ’d recommend the much more portableOlympus 8x42 Prowhich we ’ve nominate our turn two favourite in the good opera glasses usher . They ’re lighter than the Noctivids and minuscule too , but still feature high - character crystalline lens coating for some of the best unclouded transmission in their class .

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