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Leica Ultravid 8x20 BCR Compact Binocular (Black Rubber) USA

  • Price: $699.00
  • B&H # LE8X20BUC
  • Mfr# 40252

Product Highlights

  • Roof Prism
  • Dual Hinge, Center Focus
  • Waterproof
  • Fogproof

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One might consider the Ultravid 8x20 from Leica to be the ultimate, or consummate, compact binocular. They are in fact - without a doubt - one of the finest pocket-sized optics available.

These 8x20s weigh in at a mere 8 oz/230 g or so. This, combined with their nearly-negligible length of 3.6"/92mm, establishes them as leaders in the world of discreet optics. Being able to focus down to a sweet 7.2'/2.2 m opens up new viewing horizons for the lucky owner - this is a huge advantage over garden-variety binos with their so-called 'minimum' focus of 15' or more. It's true - good things definitely do come in small packages.

These Ultravids offer an outstanding magnification level of 8x, and being graced with a trim 20mm objective gives them an advantage where size is a concern - yet it's important to remember that this configuration relegates them for use in well lit conditions.

The spectacular optical performance of this fine binocular starts with extremely high-quality roof prisms that are fine-tuned with phase-correcting P40 coatings and the High-Lux System. Each of the 6 lens elements are treated with HDC coatings, and the durable aluminum housing is filled with dry nitrogen and sealed for total water and fogproof performance. In a more user-friendly manner of speaking - your view will be crisp, clear, and full of rich details.

Roof Prism - Dual Bridge
Sleek profile, folds up easily, creates a pocketable footprint
Internal Focus
Via central focus knob; maintains constant length when focusing
Multicoated Optics
Lenses feature HDC multicoating for optimum clarity, color, and contrast
P40 Phase Correction
Eliminates roof prism phase-shift to deliver high-contrast, superbly defined images
Water and Fogproof
Nitrogen filled housing: guards against internal fogging with sudden temperature changes
HighLux-System
A highly reflective mirror coating on the prism surfaces combined with an optimized interior surface design - this minimizes stray light while increasing light-throughput for crisp high-contrast images
Prism Type Roof
Magnification 8x
Objective Lens Diameter 20 mm
Angle of View 6.3°
Field-of-View 331' @ 1000 yd / 109.89 m @ 1000 m
Minimum Focus Distance 7.22' / 2.2 m
Exit Pupil Diameter 2.5  mm
Eye Relief 15  mm
Interpupillary Adjustment 34 - 74 mm / 1.34 - 2.91"
Dioptric Correction ±3.5
Focus Type Center
Tripod Mount None
Dimensions 3.70 x 2.36 x 1.38" / 9.40 x 5.99 x 3.51  cm 1
Please Note:

Folded up, eyecups retracted

close
Weight 8.64 oz / 245 g

REVIEW SNAPSHOT®

by PowerReviews
Leica Ultravid 8x20 BCR Compact Binocular (Black Rubber)
 
4.7

(based on 9 reviews)

Ratings Distribution

  • 5 Stars

     

    (6)

  • 4 Stars

     

    (3)

  • 3 Stars

     

    (0)

  • 2 Stars

     

    (0)

  • 1 Stars

     

    (0)

100%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend.

Pros

  • Quality lenses (9)
  • Compact (8)
  • Lightweight (6)
  • Strong construction (6)
  • Works well with glasses (6)

Cons

    Best Uses

    • Bird watching (7)
    • Wildlife viewing (6)
    • Sporting events/concerts (5)
      • Reviewer Profile:
      • Casual/ recreational (7)
      • Was this a gift?:
      • No (3)

    REVIEWS

    Reviewed by 9 customers

    Sort by

    Displaying reviews 1-9

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    5.0

    Fine images

    By Tom of the Woods

    from Blacksburg, VA

    About Me Casual/ Recreational

    Verified Buyer

    Pros

    • Compact
    • Lightweight
    • Quality Lenses
    • Works Well With Glasses

    Cons

      Best Uses

      • Bird Watching
      • Tree identification
      • Wildlife Viewing

      Comments about Leica Ultravid 8x20 BCR Compact Binocular (Black Rubber):

      I use this excellent binocular for woodlands management and enjoyment. The clarity of its images saves my having to ascend steep hills to examine forest conditions and land features. Light, compact, and easy to use with glasses makes this an excellent choice. Finding a way to pack the neck strap into the case is something I have had trouble doing.

      • Was this a gift?:
      • No

      Comment on this review

      (1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

       
      4.0

      excellent small binocular

      By old man harve

      from fredericksburg, va

      About Me Casual/ Recreational

      Verified Buyer

      Pros

      • Close Focus
      • Compact
      • Lightweight
      • Quality Lenses
      • Strong Construction
      • Works Well With Glasses

      Cons

        Best Uses

        • Bird Watching
        • Sporting Events/Concerts
        • Wildlife Viewing

        Comments about Leica Ultravid 8x20 BCR Compact Binocular (Black Rubber):

        would like a more secure adjustment of the eyepieces for eye relief.

        better case. difficult to remove quickly.

        • Was this a gift?:
        • No

        Comment on this review

        (2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

         
        5.0

        Great optics & build in a small package

        By Dvboy

        from Vancouver,BC

        About Me Casual/ Recreational

        Verified Reviewer

        Pros

        • Close Focus
        • Compact
        • Lightweight
        • Quality Lenses
        • Strong Construction

        Cons

          Best Uses

          • Bird Watching
          • Hunting
          • Sporting Events/Concerts
          • Wildlife Viewing

          Comments about Leica Ultravid 8x20 BCR Compact Binocular (Black Rubber):

          I have had the Trinovids and Nikon Premiers to compare with,and the Ultravids win hands down.The optics are similar to the Nikons,but build quality is MUCH superior.My older Trinovids lacked a little behind in the optics,but like the Ultravids,it is built like a precision tank.It is really amazing how such a small unit can deliver to goods out in the field,although as the sun sets and things get a little darker it starts to show its limitations,but hey,its a compact,no getting around that.

          • Was this a gift?:
          • No

          Comment on this review

          (2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

           
          5.0

          Great nature glass!

          By Roberto48

          from Edmonton, AB

          About Me Casual/ Recreational

          Verified Buyer

          Pros

          • Compact
          • Lightweight
          • Quality Lenses
          • Strong Construction

          Cons

            Best Uses

            • Bird Watching
            • Sporting Events/Concerts
            • Wildlife Viewing

            Comments about Leica Ultravid 8x20 BCR Compact Binocular (Black Rubber):

            Very lightweight with excellent clarity and light. Used for whale watching in Maui and birding up country.

            • Was this a gift?:
            • Yes

            Comment on this review

            (2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

             
            4.0

            Elegant, lightweight.

            By Andean Laniisoma

            from A good Place to Bird

            About Me Avid Adventurer

            Verified Reviewer

            Pros

            • Close Focus
            • Compact
            • Lightweight
            • Quality Lenses
            • Strong Construction
            • Works Well With Glasses

            Cons

            • 2 hinges

            Best Uses

            • Bird Watching
            • Photography
            • Sporting Events/Concerts
            • Wildlife Viewing

            Comments about Leica Ultravid 8x20 BCR Compact Binocular (Black Rubber):

            I use this one when biking or in the city, just because I can't live without going anywhere without binoculars, and my other pairs are too big. This would be a nice bino for e.g. a photographer who has to carry heavy lenses and does not have the energy to carry heavy bins, too.

            Let's start with saying that this is probably the very best 8x20 you can get. I only gave it four stars, because I think the construction with two hinges is not the most practical. A one hinge - bin like the Zeiss 8*20 victory is preferred for having quicker eye alignment if you need to take them out of the pocket once in a while. For most people however, this won't be an issue.

            If you can get over the 2 hinge construction (all other manufacturers use this for their 8*20 or 10*25 with the exception of Zeiss and some cheaper brands), you have the money and you want to 'feel' quality, look no further.
            The central focus is very fluid and easy to use. Close focus is OK, but I would like to see less turns of the wheel to focus from nearby to infinity.

            I wear glasses, and consider this bino as excellent for me. I even have the impression that I am better off using them with glasses than without, because like every 8*20, the eye alignment is not so easy, and the eyecups are very small and are touching the eyelids. If you don't want this kind of view you have to 'work' on, and you don't really need a very compact bino, go for a more easy to use 8*30 or 8*32.

            Comment on this review

            (2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

             
            5.0

            Beautiful View

            By AJ Mexcio

            from Melbourne, FL

            About Me Casual/ Recreational

            Pros

            • Compact
            • Lightweight
            • Quality Lenses
            • Works Well With Glasses

            Cons

            • Not for night use

            Best Uses

            • Bird Watching
            • Sporting Events/Concerts
            • Wildlife Viewing

            Comments about Leica Ultravid 8x20 BCR Compact Binocular (Black Rubber):

            I've had these for about a year, and have used them on trips, birdwatching, and at concerts and shows. I use glasses, and these are great for glasses wearers. You can use them with glasses or sunglasses and still get a full field of view. The optics are very, very sharp across the whole field. I've handed these to friends who say, "Oh, I can never see anything through binoculars." Then they say "Wow, I can see fine with these." You'll really like using these.

            It's no surprise, but these are daytime-only binoculars, and are of absolutely no use at night.

            These came with a case, strap and eye cups. The case is pretty good, the strap is just okay, and the eye cups seem pretty cheap for such expensive binoculars. I expect them to be the first thing to fail, but they haven't yet.

            These are very compact to carry in your luggage, pack, purse, etc. They take up about the same space as one or two pairs of socks.

            Comment on this review

            (2 of 4 customers found this review helpful)

             
            4.0

            compact quality and veiw but it cost

            By traveler

            from Norway

            About Me Casual/ Recreational

            Pros

            • Quality Lenses
            • Strong Construction
            • Works Well With Glasses

            Cons

              Best Uses

              • Travelig

              Comments about Leica Ultravid 8x20 BCR Compact Binocular (Black Rubber):

              I am bored of cheap gadgets that fall apart after short time or bin. with dust and fog inside.
              I am more and more focused on "travelig light"
              It gives you freedom bu those small gadgets you bring must be quality. Finally I have compact high quality binoculars that I never leave at home when traveling.
              crisp view and solid quality - but it costs.
              There maybee 8x20 with same quality to lower price, but why take the risk ? Yes, I am one of the stupids that pay extra for a brand.

              Comment on this review

              (3 of 3 customers found this review helpful)

               
              5.0

              Great pair of travel binoculars

              By Shazza

              from Davis, CA

              About Me Avid Adventurer

              Verified Buyer

              Pros

              • Close Focus
              • Compact
              • Quality Lenses
              • Strong Construction
              • Works Well With Glasses

              Cons

              • Requires steadier hand

              Best Uses

              • Bird Watching

              Comments about Leica Ultravid 8x20 BCR Compact Binocular (Black Rubber):

              These binoculars are all you could ask for in a travel pair; my husband and I were looking for pair that we wouldn't think twice about carrying everywhere - non-birding hikes, travel abroad, etc. They are very light and compact, and easily packed. They have great light gathering and clarity. They come with lens caps for the barrels, but not for the oculars. They fit snugly in a nice case that comes with the binoculars. In terms of use, they require a steadier hand than the larger binos, but experienced birders will not have problems using them. They are supposed to work well with glasses, but neither my husband or I wear them.

              Not sure how the barrel collapsing mechanism will hold up with time.

              They are expensive

              Comment on this review

               
              5.0

              Bright, clear image

              By Terry

              from New York, NY

              About Me Casual/ Recreational

              Verified Buyer

              Pros

              • Compact
              • Quality Lenses

              Cons

                Best Uses

                • Opera or concert

                Comments about Leica Ultravid 8x20 BCR Compact Binocular (Black Rubber):

                These binoculars are very much better than others I have used for viewing the stage from the back of the concert hall. Very clear, sharp image. Newer eyepiece design took a little getting used to.

                Comment on this review

                Displaying reviews 1-9

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                Cleaning/Anti-Fog Agents

                Leica -  Lens Cleaning Cloth (8 x 8")
                • Price: $11.95
                 
                Pearstone -  Microfiber Cleaning Cloth, 18% Gray (7 x 7.9")
                  • Original: $4.99
                  • Save: $0.50
                • Price: $4.49
                 

                Books, Journals, Apparel

                DK Publishing -  Book: Birds of North America - Eastern Region by Fred J. Alsop
                • Price: $24.95
                 

                Viewing Chairs and Stools

                Walkstool -  Comfort 45 Large Folding Stool
                • Price: $74.99
                 

                What's in the Box

                Leica Ultravid 8x20 BCR Compact Binocular (Black Rubber)
                • Carry Case
                • Shoulder Strap
                • Eyepiece Rainguard
                • 3-Year No-Fault "Passport" Warranty
                • Limited Lifetime Warranty
                 
                 
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