Content powered by the new KOWA TSN-99 series
Review: Leica Noctivid 10x42 'Edition Olive Green' Binoculars
8 October 2021
By Stuart Hamilton (Birder and Wildlife Watcher for 35 years)
By Stuart Hamilton (Birder and Wildlife Watcher for 35 years)
Content powered by the new KOWA TSN-99 series
The story began in 1869, in Wetzlar, Germany, when Ernst Leitz founded the Leitz company. In 1986 the Leitz company changed its name to Leica and it is this brand that has been synonymous with manufacturing high-quality precision optics ever since.
In recent years, Leica have developed some very good tools for watching and photographing wildlife, but we turn our attentions to the brands flagship, Noctivid 10x42 binoculars to see if they are still able to keep up with the 2021 optics pacesetters.
What's in the box?
The view...
It really was a morning with very poor light, largely due to the heavy rain the night before and the dark clouds still hanging around - not great for birding.
But nevertheless, within about 20 seconds of a wader scan, we found a Caspian Gull with its white-head, dark-eye and holding its bill distinctly downwards, super easy to spot with the power of the 10x42 Noctivid giving us brilliant images through excellent stray light suppression and even better light transmission.
The colours were absolutely delightful and smaller birds were easy to pick up and identify in dense situations.
The light coming through really was immensely clear. In addition to the Schott HT™ glass for the prisms, the anti-reflective coatings have been optimised and this gives us pin sharp, crystal clear viewing and easy to see why the materials used in these binoculars are still making the Noctivid a major contender in the current climate of very good binoculars fighting it out for your money.
Focus, images and handling...
There is no doubt that the rugged and robust armouring makes the Leica Noctivid feel very well made and put together. This body armour is also incredibly resistant to the elements and provided a secure grip in these adverse weather conditions. The olive green colouring also makes the binoculars attractive and a nice alternative to the more traditional black that is used by lots of manufacturers today.
The Noctivid are waterproof by up to 5 metres, so if you were to have a momentary drop in the drink - it should not matter too much. Peace of mind some might say.
The focusing wheel is always a hot topic for conversation with some preferring a smoother grip and others preferring a chunkier, deep grooved feel - I must say I fall into the latter category. It's always nice when things work and feel as they should with no fuss and that 'does what it says on the tin' purpose.
The draw back on these binoculars does come from the weight factor. We pick up most very good binoculars these days and especially toward the premium end of the market and they seem to be getting lighter and lighter as technology and materials progress. For someone in their 'golden years' as myself, weight around the neck is an important factor when considering new bins. Especially when birding all day, as I often do - part of the golden years benefits pass ;-)
This is where the key decisions would get made in my buying decision and the fact is there are much lighter alternatives on the market in 2021.
Verdict
The Noctivid 10x42 are very well-made and put together binoculars, that give brilliant viewing of birds and wildlife. The olive green colour is an attractive option and with the only blemish being there are now much lighter binocular alternatives on the market for your money.
★★★★★★★★★ 8/10
Testing scores
Contact: uk.leica-camera.com
Pricing: £2,070.00
The Leica Noctivid 10x42 binoculars are available to buy from all official Leica stockists now.
In recent years, Leica have developed some very good tools for watching and photographing wildlife, but we turn our attentions to the brands flagship, Noctivid 10x42 binoculars to see if they are still able to keep up with the 2021 optics pacesetters.
What's in the box?
- Leica 10x42 Binoculars in Olive Green Colour
- Case
- Rain Guard
- Comfort Carrying Strap
- Rubber Objective Lens Covers
- Microfibre Cloth
The view...
It really was a morning with very poor light, largely due to the heavy rain the night before and the dark clouds still hanging around - not great for birding.
But nevertheless, within about 20 seconds of a wader scan, we found a Caspian Gull with its white-head, dark-eye and holding its bill distinctly downwards, super easy to spot with the power of the 10x42 Noctivid giving us brilliant images through excellent stray light suppression and even better light transmission.
The colours were absolutely delightful and smaller birds were easy to pick up and identify in dense situations.
The light coming through really was immensely clear. In addition to the Schott HT™ glass for the prisms, the anti-reflective coatings have been optimised and this gives us pin sharp, crystal clear viewing and easy to see why the materials used in these binoculars are still making the Noctivid a major contender in the current climate of very good binoculars fighting it out for your money.
Focus, images and handling...
There is no doubt that the rugged and robust armouring makes the Leica Noctivid feel very well made and put together. This body armour is also incredibly resistant to the elements and provided a secure grip in these adverse weather conditions. The olive green colouring also makes the binoculars attractive and a nice alternative to the more traditional black that is used by lots of manufacturers today.
The Noctivid are waterproof by up to 5 metres, so if you were to have a momentary drop in the drink - it should not matter too much. Peace of mind some might say.
The focusing wheel is always a hot topic for conversation with some preferring a smoother grip and others preferring a chunkier, deep grooved feel - I must say I fall into the latter category. It's always nice when things work and feel as they should with no fuss and that 'does what it says on the tin' purpose.
The draw back on these binoculars does come from the weight factor. We pick up most very good binoculars these days and especially toward the premium end of the market and they seem to be getting lighter and lighter as technology and materials progress. For someone in their 'golden years' as myself, weight around the neck is an important factor when considering new bins. Especially when birding all day, as I often do - part of the golden years benefits pass ;-)
This is where the key decisions would get made in my buying decision and the fact is there are much lighter alternatives on the market in 2021.
Verdict
The Noctivid 10x42 are very well-made and put together binoculars, that give brilliant viewing of birds and wildlife. The olive green colour is an attractive option and with the only blemish being there are now much lighter binocular alternatives on the market for your money.
★★★★★★★★★ 8/10
Testing scores
- Design: ★★★★★★★★ 8/10
- Performance: ★★★★★★★★★ 9/10
- Durability: ★★★★★★★★★ 9/10
- Weight: ★★★★★★★ 7/10
- Value: ★★★★★★★ 7/10
Contact: uk.leica-camera.com
Pricing: £2,070.00
The Leica Noctivid 10x42 binoculars are available to buy from all official Leica stockists now.
Next article: Five of our favourite springtime wildlife sights and sounds
Next article: Where can you watch owls in the UK?
Next article: Endangered beetle hides out at WWT Welney
Next article: BTO ask British public to participate in a national study of Tawny Owls and their calling behaviour
Next article: The prestigious Bird Photographer of the Year (BPOTY) competition has announced the 2018 winners
Next article: Where can you watch owls in the UK?
Next article: Endangered beetle hides out at WWT Welney
Next article: BTO ask British public to participate in a national study of Tawny Owls and their calling behaviour
Next article: The prestigious Bird Photographer of the Year (BPOTY) competition has announced the 2018 winners
