This began as review of the "revised" Leica Trinovids—binoculars I have not actually had in my hands and up to my eyes since soon after they were introduced in the late 80s. A lot has happened optically since then, and it is a mark of the excellence of Leica's original design that the Ultra Trinovids required only minor tweaking to keep them competitive in today's market. I also have the "revised" Brunton Eternas on hand (Brunton has added phase coating on these binoculars this year. Brunton is a company mainly known for compasses and surveying equipment. The Eternas were their first venture in the Birding optics market and have some unique features. Phase coating has made them worth a definite look if you are in the market for moderately priced waterproof roofs.) Then I received the new Pentax waterproof 10x50s in the mail, and, after handling them at a recent optical workshop in California, felt that they definitely deserved some space here as well. So this is kind of a mixed bag. I don't intent to give the impression that this is a head-to-head review of these three glasses. As you read the reviews, keep in mind that I am not comparing these three glasses to each other. Each occupies its own niche in the market and can only be compared to competing models that are targeted at that same niche. That said...
Leica Ultra Trinovid 8x42 BA
The only improvement that Leica actually claims for this revision of what have become classics among serious birders, is closer focus ability. In today's market, with every new glass pushing the inner limits of focus, the Leicas were loosing their edge. The new model focuses to 10 feet—not spectacular, but probably as close as anyone but a "butterflyer" needs. Focus is smooth and crisp—much more rapid than the Swarovskis and just as precise as the Nikons, or, in other words, about as good as it gets. This new release also made a good excuse to reexamine the glass. I had not had the opportunity to test it directly against the new Swarovski ELs or the current BVD Reference Standard for waterproof roofs, the Nikon Venturer LX (the Nikon got to be reference standard by outperforming binoculars that outperformed the Leica in my original review of 8x roofs, way back when, but I have not actually had a Leica on hand for direct comparison.)
If you take a look at the NEED test chart below, you will see that the Leica is still, optically, among the top performing roofs on the market. It is not quite as bright (at least as far as apparent brightness goes) as either the Zeiss or Nikon roofs, though it appears slightly brighter that the Swarovski ELs. Real brightness can only be judged over a wide variety of lighting conditions. The Sworovskis, for instance, really come into their own only in low light, where they appear brighter than the competition, and the brightness of the Zeiss glass is often "distracting" rather than helpful. All in all only the Nikons offer a better balance of brightness under all conditions than the Trinovids (and that, obviously, is a judgment call on my part—based on careful testing and observation, but a subjective judgment none the less).
Resolution is excellent. Details jump right out at you and there is no eye or brain strain trying see even the smallest features of birds in the field. Colors are almost completely neutral...about as natural as any glass that I have examined. Again, only the Nikons give a more satisfying all around image (to my eye) than the Leicas. I would rank the Leica image just ahead of, or maybe neck and neck with the Swarovski ELs (the Swarovskis have higher resolution but are not quite as bright under most conditions—how do you balance that out?), and considerably ahead, overall, of the Zeiss Victories.
The Leicas still have considerable distortion at the edges of the field. Straight lines bow quite noticeably. This is either a flaw or a feature, depending on who you talk to. Leica claims that the distortion is intentional: there to smooth out the "fun house" effect you often get when panning across a field of birds. I find the Leica's distortion disconcerting in many birding situations.
Finally, the glasses are still (obliviously, since they did not alter the housing design at all), a handful. It is difficult for me to hold them comfortably for long periods of time, and I do not have small hands. My hands tire of these glasses quickly. Still, I have talked to a lot of birders who just love the size and shape and rave over the balance. My advice: handle for at least a half hour (preferably longer) before buying.
The Leica's have always been among the most popular of the high priced roofs, and for good reason. They give an excellent view of the birds. This revision, while it does not break any new ground, definitely keeps the Leicas competitive, and makes them worth a serious look for anyone shopping for the best in waterproof roofs.
 |
| Nikon, Leica, Swarovski, Zeiss...and that just might be my order of preference in these glasses. |
 |
Slightly bulky in outline, and with somewhat of a reach for the focus knob, the Leicas are excellent glasses with a somewhat (to my hand), awkward feel. |
| Individual eyepiece focus adjustment (IFA) is achieved with a split focus knob. Each half focuses an eyepiece and then you lock the two halves together for regular focus. This gives a slight advantage over most other roofs, in that you can adjust either or both of the barrels, not just whichever barrel the IFA happens to be on. |  |
The Brunton Eterna
As you can see from the photo, the Brunton Eternal is a unique glass all around. It is almost like the folks at Brunton sat down and asked themselves, "So, okay, what would a binocular look and feel like if you had never seen one before?"
The Eterna, in the first place has "built in eyecaps." As far as I know no one has ever designed this feature in before (and maybe for good reason). The hinged flaps open and hang out to the side when the binoculars are in use, kind of like ears. It looks decidedly odd, but, in fact, when the skies begin to drip, it is just a flip to close the ports and keep your eyepieces dry. And, odd as they look, the eyepiece covers don't get in the way most of the time. The objective covers, again molded into the body casing, are more traditional, and work about as well as any of their kind—which is to say that they will be open 99% of the time, and therefore don't serve much purpose in the field.
Another oddity is the placement of the individual barrel focus—we have to call it barrel focus since it does not focus the eyepiece; it focuses the objective.
The Eternas are a big glass, but they fit the hands quite nicely. I experienced none of the hand strain that the Leicas induce and found them to be quite comfortable in the field.
Optically, the Eternas, in their new phase coated incarnation, are certainly competitive with other moderately priced waterproof roofs.(See the NEED chart below.) The view is crisp and sharp and bright enough to satisfy even the most demanding field birder. The limitations of the glass are only apparent in direct comparison with glasses costing over twice as much.
The Eternas come with an interesting Neoprene case, which is intended to stay on the glass in use, and, in addition to protection from bangs and bruises and the elements in general, adds a measure of "flotation" should the glasses go overboard on your next pelagic trip. The Neoprene strap provided is among the best I have seen packaged with any binoculars.
All in all then, if your budget keeps you out of the high end market, but you need waterproof glasses, the Eternas are definitely worth a long hard look. I have a feeling a lot of birders would be completely satisfied with these glasses. And just think how effective they would be as a conversation starter on your next field trip!
 |
 |
| Two views, closed and open, of the Neoprene case for the Eternas. | |
 |
 |
| Eyecaps, open and closed (Eternas) | Individual barrel focus adjustment (on the objective lens!) |
|
Pentax DCFWF 10x50s As you know, if you have been reading my reviews here, the Pentax 8x42 DCFWF were the first moderately priced waterproof, phase coated roof prism binoculars to receive a "bird worthy," and a Best Buy, rating at BVD. The DCFWF line is a triumph of optical and mechanical engineering and represented a real breakthrough at the time of their introduction. And, in a tribute to the quality of the design, they are still among the best, if not the best, of the moderately priced roofs. None of the new introductions from Minox, Zeiss, Celestron, Swift, Optocron, etc., etc. have yet to equal the overall quality and value of the Pentax glasses. The 10x50s continue that tradition. A look at the NEED chart below will show you that the relatively inexpensive Pentax 10x50s resolve more detail than the best of the 8x roofs. Certainly the the current BVD Reference Standard for 10x glasses, the Nikon SE 10x42 outperforms the Pentax, but not by much, and the Nikon is not waterproof. (You should note that the overall image quality of the Nikon SE can not be matched by any roof prism glass currently on the market, and must be seen to be believed.) True, the field of view of the Pentax (at 5°) is fairly narrow, certainly much narrower than any 8x roof on the market, and fairly narrow even by 10x standards, but for those of you needing some extra reach, and not having extra deep pockets to fund you birding hobby, the DCWFs just might do the trick. I am very impressed with the optical quality, they are nice to hold and easy around your neck, easy to focus, and pleasant and well behaved under all conditions in the field. High power. Great views. Great price. Great handling. What is not to like? |
|
| Three 10x contenders. Swift Viceroy, Pentax, and the current reference standard for 10x glasses, the Nikon 10x42 SE |  |