And, I know they are not in the same league optically as the Swaro SLC's I have in 7x42, but I usually reach for the 20 ounce Zeiss Classics when I go hunting. They are just soooo cool I love handling them. I'm the same way with the older Zeiss Classics I have in 8x30. I know there's bettter glass today, but I love the feel of those Trinovids.
If my memory is correct it only cost me about $50.
I wish I had the paperwork with me but I'm in Afghanistan. They did most of the same things you have on your list (except prism replacement I believe) and I paid very little for it I think I had to pay for the eyecups but that was about it. About 6 years ago, I sent them in for refurbishment. I bought the same exact Trinovids in about 1985. Comparing the Ultravid BRs to the newer HDs I see no difference with my eye, but I think the hydrophobic coating would be worthwhile.
I have to admit regretting that I didn't repair my old trinovids. Lots of options, newer phase coated designs are going to be much better than your old Trins but there is something about that old package that feels perfect in the hand. Now you could almost buy two pair of Zen ray ED's for the cost of that repair, you could look for a new Trinovid BN for around $1,000.00 or look for a mint Leitz Trinovid on ebay but the price would be pretty close to the cost of bring you own pair up to like new. I opted out and bought a pait of 8x42 pentax DCF's which didn't live up to my expectations, but things are different today. Back then it was $416.00 for the same repairs you listed, but counting inflation thats about the same amount. I was in exactly your position fifteen years ago when my beloved 7x35 Leizt Trinovids bit the dust. Glass and coatings are hugely better today than your binox refurb'd. With the refurb of your old binox, you'll have old binox in good working condition for the price of $700. Given your binox are old, as you say, and the $700 bill to refurb them, I'd be looking at writing them off, and going for new binox. I worked for two years for an optics house and have good feel for what's involved with assembly of new optics, and its repair. Leica would have the correct parts, tools and fixtures, and trained personnel to fix Leica binox, none of which would be guaranteed by an independeant repair house. But, I sure wouldn't be very interested in having someone other that Leica work on my binox.
I think Doug might enlighten us about Leica's warranty, specifically related to your repair job. On a related note, is there a real difference between the 10x40 Ultravid and the Ultravid HD, other than money? There was no reference to warranty, although they were old enough I thought they would be covered. The price seems exactly at the level where it's not smart to repair (versus a new purchase) but can't afford not to fix them.ĭoes anyone know of an alternative repair facility that might be more negotiable. These binos have been used hard for some years, but I had no idea there was so much wrong with them. The estimate by Leica was $700 and includedĪnd was itemized exactly as I have set it out above. Thanks to its compact dimensions it fits in any pocket, making it the ideal companion for travel, at events or on holiday.I recently sent a pair of Leitz Trinovid 10x40B in to have the alignment corrected after it was damaged. With a 8x zoom, the scenery can be scanned blur-free while remaining incredibly relaxed. Shapely, slim and elegant in classic binocular design featuring black leather, they are a statement and a timeless accessory.Įxperience viewing pleasure with the most compact Trinovid model, which offers a superior field of view. Even 50 years later, the new Leica Trinovid binoculars remain true to this tradition and cultivate it further. It was no coincidence that NASA opted to send a Trinovid along on the Apollo 11 mission to the moon in in July of 1969. The new Leica Trinovid binoculars are a tribute to the iconic glass of the 1960s.