Leica Trinovid HD 8x42

It was well reviewed by Which and gave more magnification than my current more compact binoculars.

These are ruggedly constructed binoculars, but definitely 'entry level' Leica. There is very noticeable chromatic aberration if you move your eyes even slightly off centre at the eyepieces. Wish I could have afforded the Ultravid.

Great binoculars.. detailed and bright image lots of light .. easy to use

What was Leica thinking of when they broke with tradition and provided a fine binocular with two serious flaws. 1. The trinovid HD is provided without a case, but with a crazy uncomfortable one-size-fits all halter. 2. The strap eyelets are smaller than standard so you cannot use a standard sized Leica strap. Instead you are forced to use the cheap skinny strap that was provided with the binoculars. bad design does not usually make it out of the factory, but these Portuguese-made binocs have two glaring errors which don't affect the optical quality but do make the glasses less usable.

I have been a birder for 45 years, my wife for 30. She wanted a smaller (8x) pair of bins. I had bought her the Nikon Premiers, but with not too much use they quite frankly fell apart. Being to much of a procrastinator to send them in for repair, I got her these for xmas. She loves them, and I like to look through them as well, but I do like by Swarovski EL 10x's for my everyday birding. Light weight and very sharp. The case/strap they come with is not good, but hardly a problem.