I owned one of those great little 8x32BNs for about a month last year. I had tried it in the store for about a year and really loved it so I bought it only to discover the slight blackout which I was able to overlook in the store, really did bug me, especially when comparing them directly to the 8x32 SEs I bought at the same time, so I kept the SEs and sold the BNs.
The thing I loved about the BNs, beside their Leica view, was that little brick like quality in a small package. The larger BNs are way too heavy and brick like for me, but in 32mm size it just feels solid and very comfortable in the hand. I like the ergonomics of the 8x32 EL, but the tubes just feel thin and frail to me, the Zeiss is just sort of meh, same with the SLC, I have the same blackout issues with the Ultravids as I did with the BN. Is there another binocular, perhaps the Meopta 8x32, that has that old BN feel and view?
While I agree there is a certain je ne sais quoi about the 8x32 Trinovids, I have never experienced another bin quite like them. I have not tried the 8x32 Meoptas however.
I have said to myself and to others that no matter what binoculars come and go in my house, the 8x32 Trinovids will never be sold. They're the only bins I've felt that way about. The eye placement, handling, focus, ... all seem ideal for me. Just lucky I guess. Conversely, I really wanted a pair of Nikon 8x32 SEs as they are brilliant, but just couldn't handle the blackout issues.
Yep. I feel the same about the cpo Ultravid HDs I got from Cameraland recently. I love the feel and view. I was surprised to find their ER better than my FLs, too. You need to work a little on centering, but they have that rock solid feel in a small size, and the view is just great. I don't see parting with them. Great things are said here about the Meoptas. I have the Nikon 8x32 LXs and they are also an excellent bino with an easy view. I've never had any issues with them other than some CA, and they feel pretty solid, too. I will likely be selling mine at some point, too. Doug may have some new or demo at a good price--I think I remember him having some not too long ago.