Marsman Posted August 16, 2020 Share #1 Posted August 16, 2020 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hello all, This is my first post on the Leica forum. I have a classic Leitz black leather covered bino from the late ‘70’s that was made in Germany. It still is a great optic. I love German binos having Zeiss Victory FL and Steiner peregrine binos made in Germany. I just bought the Trinovid HD over the other German models of same cost because of their high cost to performance. However, maybe I’m old fashioned but made in Portugal bugs me. Are any parts of the Trinovid line made in a Germany and then assembled in Portugal ? Or, are all parts, even lenses and prisms, made in Portugal ? Is at least the design and engineering done in Germany ? I wonder how much more in percentage would the Trinovids cost if completely made in Germany ? If Leica’s reason for out sourcing is high German labor costs why hasn’t Zeiss and Steiner done the same ? ( Except for the Zeiss Terra assembled in China with German made optics ). Thanks for any answers ! Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted August 16, 2020 Posted August 16, 2020 Hi Marsman, Take a look here Binoculars made in Portugal Good or Bad ?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
jaapv Posted August 16, 2020 Share #2 Posted August 16, 2020 Leica binoculars are made in Portugal - have been for decades- because the binocular expertise resides in Portugal, not Germany. They are simply the best you can buy - period. Plus carry a lifelong guarantee. My heavily used twenty-year old Trinovid 10x42 Jagd got completely refurbished like new last year - for free. 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
IkarusJohn Posted August 16, 2020 Share #3 Posted August 16, 2020 Good! My ultravid 10x42 (pocketable) and Noctivid 8x42 (not so pocketable) are fantastic. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted August 16, 2020 Share #4 Posted August 16, 2020 The real difference between Leica and Zeiss binoculars is the optical distortion handling. Zeiss binoculars have a rectilinear rendering which gives a "turning world" effect when panning, Leicas have a deliberate barrel distortion, which avoids the effect and is irrelevant for stationary viewing. Svarovskis are good but do not reach the level of Leica and Zeiss. As for the rest - Bushnell, Nikon, etc. decent but not on the same level - all the el-cheapo stuff - forget it Waste of money. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff S Posted August 16, 2020 Share #5 Posted August 16, 2020 Jaap, what do you think of stabilization in binoculars? I don’t think any Leica has it... right? Jeff Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marsman Posted August 16, 2020 Author Share #6 Posted August 16, 2020 Thanks all for responding. I would still like to know if any parts , especially the optics , of Trinovids are made in Germany ? It however sounds like the complete bino is made in Portugal. Is that so ? It really doesn’t matter because the image is fantastic along with the build quality. I love them. But I do see just a tinge of chromatic aberration when looking at a tree branch against a bright overcast sky compared to my Zeiss Victory FL. I think that’s to be expected due to the Trinovids not having fluoride objectives like the Zeiss. However the Trinovids are notably brighter and more contrasty. And thanks for the explanation of the different style of optic between Zeiss and Lica. I didn’t know that. One other question. One of the responses stated you get a lifetime warranty. My warranty info booklet states only a 10 year warranty. Which is correct ? Thanks for the answers ! Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted August 16, 2020 Share #7 Posted August 16, 2020 Advertisement (gone after registration) As far as I am aware nothing is made in `Germany. Maybe they changed the warranty over the years. Mine ( and my wife's) have lifetime warranty. Fluoride elements may exhibit corrosion over time. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff S Posted August 16, 2020 Share #8 Posted August 16, 2020 27 minutes ago, jaapv said: As far as I am aware nothing is made in `Germany. Maybe they changed the warranty over the years. Mine ( and my wife's) have lifetime warranty. Fluoride elements may exhibit corrosion over time. Jaap, see my question above. Thanks. Jeff Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marsman Posted August 16, 2020 Author Share #9 Posted August 16, 2020 Hey Guys, Thanks for the information. I had a feeling that no parts of the Trinovid were made in Germany. Is the design and engineering done in Germany? If not, there’s not much of a reason to call them German binos other then the Leica offices are in Germany. I just got the Trinovid HD 10x32 yesterday, now after hours A/B-ing them and my Zeiss Victory FL 10x32, and some tired eyes I can now say the Leica are my favorite binos no matter where they’re made !!! The only bummer is the limited 10 year warranty as opposed to lifetime, oh well you can’t have everything. Marsman 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted August 16, 2020 Share #10 Posted August 16, 2020 As far as I am aware Leica does not make stabilized binoculars. They do make the Geovid series with built-in rangefinder though. Personally I have never felt the need, but I can imagine that it might be quite practical, especially for sailing use. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted August 16, 2020 Share #11 Posted August 16, 2020 10 minutes ago, Marsman said: Hey Guys, Thanks for the information. I had a feeling that no parts of the Trinovid were made in Germany. Is the design and engineering done in Germany? If not, there’s not much of a reason to call them German binos other then the Leica offices are in Germany. I just got the Trinovid HD 10x32 yesterday, now after hours A/B-ing them and my Zeiss Victory FL 10x32, and some tired eyes I can now say the Leica are my favorite binos no matter where they’re made !!! The only bummer is the limited 10 year warranty as opposed to lifetime, oh well you can’t have everything. Marsman That is exactly what I meant by the mention of the controlled distortion. I regularly use them hours on end and eye-tiredness is a real concern. I really don't care whether they are Outer Mongolian or Vatican City design - to me the only thing that counts is the quality. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
IkarusJohn Posted August 17, 2020 Share #12 Posted August 17, 2020 4 hours ago, IkarusJohn said: Good! My ultravid 10x42 (pocketable) and Noctivid 8x42 (not so pocketable) are fantastic. Ooops - 10x25 Ultravids Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lawrence_lee Posted August 17, 2020 Share #13 Posted August 17, 2020 5 hours ago, jaapv said: The real difference between Leica and Zeiss binoculars is the optical distortion handling. Zeiss binoculars have a rectilinear rendering which gives a "turning world" effect when panning, Leicas have a deliberate barrel distortion, which avoids the effect and is irrelevant for stationary viewing. Svarovskis are good but do not reach the level of Leica and Zeiss. As for the rest - Bushnell, Nikon, etc. decent but not on the same level - all the el-cheapo stuff - forget it Waste of money. Jaap I joined my local Bird Watching Society over 20 years ago, and started to pick up my bird watching binocular. I limited the choice between Leica & Zeiss, and at that time Swarovski binoculars start to gain some popularity. I field tested the three above mentioned binoculars, I personally agreed that Swarovski is not the same level with Zeiss & Leica. All the Models for the field test were 10X42 which is very popular among the members. For a pro-longed period of watching , I picked the Leica Trinovid 10x42 for more suitable for my eyes. I personally feel the Zeiss 10x42 binocular is brighter , but Leica give me less strain to my eyes. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Lawrence 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Lawrence ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/312376-binoculars-made-in-portugal-good-or-bad/?do=findComment&comment=4028378'>More sharing options...
Viv Posted August 17, 2020 Share #14 Posted August 17, 2020 I don't worry about where things are made, provided workers are paid properly and their rights are protected, and as long as the products work as they should. Airbus aircraft components are made in several countries. The assembled aircraft are not ipso facto inferior to aircraft from Boeing. Pizza is an exception. I have eaten pizza in many countries. None of them produced pizza as good as pizza made in Italy. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marsman Posted August 20, 2020 Author Share #15 Posted August 20, 2020 Viv, I guess I have to leave my “Germany makes great stuff“ dictum in the dust pan in today’s world economy, however it’s going to be hard. Right now I would love a slice of true Neapolitan pizza from a good Brooklyn pizzeria. Who doesn’t like pizza ? I’ve never been to Italy but I’m sure it’s lovely. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
IkarusJohn Posted August 20, 2020 Share #16 Posted August 20, 2020 Pizza from Napoli - almost worth the trip on its own. Pizza from NY, is something else! 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LocalHero1953 Posted August 20, 2020 Share #17 Posted August 20, 2020 (edited) Jamon Iberico from Georgia (USA) anyone? From pigs fed on peanuts? Edit: and don't get me started on cheddar cheese, originally made just down the road from where I grew up.....but I encountered Canadian 'cheddar' as a child, and lived largely off Scottish 'cheddar' (actually an orange-coloured rubber derivative) as a student in Edinburgh. Edited August 20, 2020 by LocalHero1953 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
masjah Posted August 20, 2020 Share #18 Posted August 20, 2020 My 8x32 Ultravid HD+ binoculars are stamped "LEICA CAMERA MADE IN GERMANY". I'm fully aware that it's perfectly possible that 90% of the work might have been done at Leica Portugal, with the final assembly in Germany, and that doesn't bother me a bit. These days, Leica's components and sub-assemblies are probably sourced worldwide on an OEM basis, that's just the way things are. I think my R8 has got MADE BY LEICA PORTUGAL on it, whereas my R9 has MADE IN GERMANY. Doubtless almost all of the latter was still made in Portugal, with final finishing in Germany, just for marketing reasons. Some years ago, a Forum member reported on a visit to Leica Portugal, and he was hugely impressed with the dedication of the workers there. Leica Portugal is a Leica factory with the Leica ethos, just as the Canada factory used to be (and nobody worries about Leica lenses made in Canada). Just enjoy the binoculars! 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
masjah Posted August 20, 2020 Share #19 Posted August 20, 2020 Before we joined the EEC (as it was then) you could buy New Zealand lamb, New Zealand butter, and New Zealand Cheddar. These days, I think the term "Cheddar" refers to the particular cheesemaking process rather than the origin. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LocalHero1953 Posted August 20, 2020 Share #20 Posted August 20, 2020 1 hour ago, masjah said: Before we joined the EEC (as it was then) you could buy New Zealand lamb, New Zealand butter, and New Zealand Cheddar. These days, I think the term "Cheddar" refers to the particular cheesemaking process rather than the origin. Cheddar defined by process, but certainly not by outcome! 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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