Home > Consumer Reviews > Leica Trinovid 8x20 BCA Binoculars

I bought this to have a lightweight quality alternative to my heavier Leica 10x42's. There is a definitely a tradeoff in ease of use when using something this small. The exit pupil is only 2.5mm and it takes some practice to precisely center the images in your eye. This is even more difficult in low light. The width adjustment is stiff enough that you can reliably leave the binoculars at your correct interpupillary width but this makes them much less compact. While the price may seem high compared to lesser binoculars (about three hundred dollars) it's well worth it. The image quality has to be seen to be believed. I was able to read license plates an quarter of a mile away and read small storefront signs half a mile away that were undetectable with the naked eye. The small size makes it easy to just leave them hanging around your neck most of the time, something you wouldn't think of with two pound full size binoculars. The binoculars are so small that they are completely hidden in your hands when held up to the eye, convenient when you dont want to draw attention to yourself with large binoculars. A few minor negatives: no case of any kind is provided (odd when even a ten dollar pair of Tascos can come with a cheap vinyl case), no front or back lens covers are provided either.

This pair of binoculars clearly lives up to the expectations we have come to expect from Leica. Not as bright obviously as the binoculars of choice the 8x32, but suprisingly close.
I was in the shop comparing several models and it was clear that there was a difference, but worth the extra cost? Not for me. (I have to say I got my 8x20 on clearance for $240, so I was looking at a 4-fold difference in price).

I also compared these directly with the Zeiss equivalents, and the Leicas were crisper and seemed brighter.
Nice thing about these glasses is that the weight means you can hold them steady all day. Only water resistant and not waterproof, but comes with a 3-year replacement guarantee if you drop them in a pond!

Stingy Germans mean no case or lens caps which gets me paranoid about scratching them. However I have got them in a small camera case for the moment ($50 for a Leica case!)

If you are a serious birdwatcher, get a pair as your backup binoculars. If you enjoy hiking and outdoor pursuits and don't want to be weighed down, get them. If you want a pair for the odd trip to a school sports event or theatre, get them. If you want to look inconspicuous as you spy on your neigbours, get a life.

In short... Get them.

I know someone who had one for years and recently traded it for a Zeiss Victory compact 8 X 20 which he finds brighter and much easier to focus. It's a recommendation that I strongly second too, since I've own the same Zeiss Victory model for over a year. Regrettably, the Leica Trinovid 8 x 20 falls a distant second with respect to brightness and ease of use. It also doesn't seem to be nearly as sturdy as its Zeiss competitor (Note: I am a great fan of Leica optics, especially those for its M rangefinder system, which are among the best in the world. But unfortunately, the 8 x 20 Trinovid binocular can not be regarded as one of the firm's finest products.). However, if one wants a reasonably priced Leica binocular for outdoor concerts, sporting events, or hiking, then this is the one to get.

I recently purchased Leica's Trinovid 8x20 BC as a companion to the full-sized Trinovid 10x42bn binoculars. The 8x20 BC's superb features (in terms of size, weight, clarity and resolution) make it the perfect choice for a casual day at the beach, zoo, sporting events, theatre, holiday travel, etc. The newly released anodized silver and black leatherized finish make the 8x20 BC a pre-destined classic in its own right.

We purchased these binoculars to take along when weight forbade hauling our superb Leica full-sized binoculars, and were quite disappointed with them. Our biggest complaints:
first, they are not waterproof, so they are not really good for humid, rainy, dusty environments, and you have to use caution when cleaning them. Second, despite Leica's reputation, they are very easy to warp out of alignment (we have always been very careful with our equipment, and cannot think when this might have happened). This is a pretty irreversible situation.
Alternatives: I am very tempted by Swarovski or by a waterresistant brand which has a different tube-holding mechanism.