Introduction

In this article, I will present two binoculars, both made in Germany, Noblex ED 8×42 and Leica Trinovid 8×42 HD.
Noblex ED replaced Docter ED, which are practically identical binoculars; the only difference is in the name. In 2018, the company changed the leading personnel and updated its name from Docter to Noblex. On these binoculars, we still find the Docter inscriptions with original logos. Also, all other accessories that are included are labeled “Docter“. Noblex ED are the binoculars of the same superior quality and very good optical performance which all Docter products had/have in common.
The Trinovid HD series of binoculars were first introduced in 1958 and they were renewed and represented in 2015. The collection now consists of 4 models; 8×32, 8×42, 10×32 and 10×42. The name “Trinovid” stands for three novelties, which are excellent optical performance, good ergonomics, and internal focusing.

Size & Weight

	Noblex ED 8×42	Leica Trinovid 8×42 HD
Weight:	670 g	730 g
Width:	129 mm	117 mm
Length:	145 mm	140 mm
Max interpupillary distance:	72 mm	76 mm

Noblex ED‘s armoring is made of soft, greyish rubber with plastic and metal details. Across the entire exterior of the barrels, there are various recesses and bars in the rubber for better grip. The rubber is slightly sticky to the touch, which makes the binoculars better to hold and use in worse weather conditions, such as rain. More dust is collected on the sticky surface too and that means you will have to clean your binoculars more often, especially the eyepiece part.
Trinovid does not have any plastic materials used in its construction. Its housing is made of soft, matte black rubber that is softer around the bridge. The matte surface helps with grip and prevents the binoculars from slipping out of hands in bad weather. It is about 50 g heavier than Noblex ED, even though the latter is longer and wider. Both binoculars are compact in size; light-weight and easy to store.

Optical Properties

	Noblex ED 8×42	Leica Trinovid 8×42 HD
Prism type:	Roof -Schmidt/Pechan	Roof -Schmidt/Pechan
Lens Diameter:	42 mm	42 mm
Magnification:	8x	8x
Variable Magnification:	No	No
Coatings:	Fully multi-coated	Fully multi-coated
Close focus:	2.5 m	1.8 m
Field of View:	115 m /1000 m	124 m / 1000 m

As already mentioned in previous posts, 8×42 is the most popular one among all configurations, since every manufacturer produces at least one model of this kind. 8x magnification with 42 mm objective lens is the most universal configuration, suitable for all kinds of use. It will be the best choice for all who are buying the binoculars for the first time, for those who are slightly less experienced and not so much interested in observing details. With 8×42 binoculars, you will get a wide field of view, a bright and a stable image. They are recommended for hunters, bird watchers, travelers and all those who are enthusiastic about observing landscapes, nature, animals, etc.
Both binoculars have a Roof – Schmidt/Pechan prism type which is phase corrected and fully multicoated. Noblex (Docter) ED has a special ED optical system which is built from high-quality ED lenses (ED= Extra-low Dispersion Glass) that provide realistic, true-to-life image and minimize the chromatic aberration. These binoculars also have specific, high-performance DOCTER coatings on the glass. Leica Trinovid HD prisms are coated with P40 (phase correction coating), and Leica’s HLS™ HighLux system for increased light transmission. Fully-multicoated lenses provide sharp, bright and clear images with reduced internal reflections and stray light.
The specifications for the close focus distance and field of view are moderately better at Leica, which makes the binoculars a bit better for observing closer distant objects and at the same time captures a larger image.

Focus Properties

	Noblex ED 8×42	Leica Trinovid 8×42 HD
Focusing System:	Central	Central
Central Wheel Grasp:	7/10	8/10
Central Wheel Rotation:	7/10	7/10
Diopter Setting:	Right-eye	Right-eye
Diopter Range:	– 3.0 / + 3.0	– 4.0 / + 4.0
Central Wheel Diameter:	30 mm	30 mm
Central Wheel Length:	22 mm	21 mm
Total Revolution:	540°	750°
Bridge Length	41-60-17 mm (open bridge design)	55 mm

With an open bridge design and central focusing system, these two binoculars are a very good choice for all those who require that observation is comfortable and simple. The diopter setting ring is on both models based on the right barrel with a range of – 4.0 / + 4.0 on Leica and – 3.0 / + 3.0 on Noblex ED.
Noblex ED’s knob looks simple with fewer details and has a poorer grip. The rotation is smooth and easy, which is comfortable when focusing with one hand and a bit worse if we do not want the focus settings to change too fast. Easier rotation sometimes means less precise focusing.
Both binoculars have a black rubber coated knob. The one on Trinovid has bars added to the surface and Noblex ED‘s knob has the same pattern as the barrels; the rubber looks like it was jagged. It has, unfortunately, a slightly poorer grip and a rotation that is a bit too fast. This comes in handy when holding binoculars in one hand and focusing but not so much when we want our focusing settings to be precise and remain the same. I have evaluated its grasp and rotation with a 7/10. The grasp of the Trinovid‘s knob is better, feels more stable and that is why I rated it with a good 8/10. When rotating the focusing wheel, it is also a bit too fast and unfirm, producing a silent click sound. I have evaluated it with a 7/10. Diopter rings have the same design as the central focusing wheel on the same model. Noblex ED‘s diopter ring has a really good cursor for fine adjusting. Trinovid‘s ring is thick and wide with a red stripe imprinted on it.

Eyepiece Properties

	Noblex ED 8×42	Leica Trinovid 8×42 HD
Eyepiece type:	Multipositioned	Multipositioned
Number of Click-stops:	3	4
Eye relief:	19.5 mm	17 mm
Exit pupil:	5.3 mm	5.25 mm
Firmness:	7/10	9/10
Quality:	8/10	9/10
Suitable for Eye Glass Wearers:	Yes	Yes
External Diameter:	40 mm	38 mm
Internal Diameter:	21 mm	22 mm

Both binoculars have a multi-positioned eyepiece type with turn and slide mechanism. The number of click-stops is 4 on Trinovid and 3 on Noblex ED.
Noblex ED’s eyecups are soft, flexible and feel comfortable when pressed to the face. Unfortunately, their rotation is very uneven and fast. I rated their firmness with a 7/10 and quality with an 8/10.
The eyepiece on the Trinovid HD is superb- the rubber is soft, quality made and exquisitely shaped. Turn and slide mechanism is well-constructed and rotates very smoothly. I have evaluated eyepiece’s firmness and quality both with a good 9/10.

General Properties

	Noblex ED 8×42	Leica Trinovid 8×42 HD
Housing Material:	Plastic/ Rubber	Plastic/ Rubber
Armoring:	Rubber	Rubber
Quality of Armoring:	8/10	9/10
Build in Rangefinder:	No	No
Waterproof:	Yes	Yes
Submersible:	Yes	Yes
Filled With:	Nitrogen	Nitrogen
Number of Colors:	1	1
Tripod Adaptable:	Yes	Yes
Made in:	Germany	Portugal
Introduced in:	2013	2015
Warranty period:	30 years	10 years
MRSP Price:	890.00 EUR	1090.00 EUR

The armoring on Noblex ED is nothing special at first glance, the shape and appearance are both more or less basic. The rubber the binoculars are coated in is strong and long-lasting.
Trinovid has its own distinctive design, with rubber which has a surface resembling leather. I personally like the armoring of the Trinovid more, which explains the better score- I have evaluated the quality of armoring with an 8/10 on Noblex ED and 9/10 on Trinovid. Noblex ED only has the eyepiece cover. Trinovid has covers for both sides; the ones for the objective part are separated for each lens and are attached to a rubber band which can be fixed to the bottom of the barrels.
Both binoculars are O-ring sealed and filled with Nitrogen, which makes them water and fog resistant. They can also be submerged without damaging the interior. Trinovid has a special highly durable coating on the lenses, called HDC, that prevents scratches on the outside of the lens.
Both binoculars are made in Europe; Noblex ED in Germany and Trinovid in Portugal.
The warranty period for Noblex ED is 30 years with guaranteed first-class service.
Trinovid’s warranty period is 10 years.
The difference in price is quite significant, Leica’s model is for approximately 200 EUR more expensive.

Group Test

How we made the test

We made the test with a group of 6 people with very diverse knowledge about sports optics. Some had previous experiences with binoculars and other almost none. We compared central and edge sharpness, glare, real FOV, eye-box and overall impression. Everyone in the test group tested binoculars individually without being influenced by other people. We also covered down any brand signs on binoculars, so no one was influenced by knowing which company manufactured which.

	Noblex ED 8×42	Leica Trinovid 8×42 HD
Central sharpness:	2/6	4/6
Edge sharpness:	2/6	4/6
Glare:	2/6	4/6
Real FOV:	0/6	6/6
Eye-box:	4/6	2/6
Overall impression:	3/6	3/6

The results for comparison were quite surprising, as I was expecting Leica would win without a doubt. Nevertheless, the results more or less ended in a tie and the most important information is, half of the people who have made a test would buy Noblex and the other half would buy Trinovid. Trinovid was slightly better in central and edge sharpness and in the glare category. It, of course, won in the Real FOV category, what is already clear from the specifications. The results for the eye-box were better in Noblex ED‘s case.

Conclusion

All those who participated in the test found the comparison difficult. Trinovid convinced with its wide field of view and Noblex ED with its exceptional refined image. Both binoculars have really good optical properties. The design and appearance of Trinovid is, nonetheless, much more aesthetic.
Noblex ED comes in a compact black purse. Even though the company is called Noblex now, there are still Docter inscriptions imprinted all over the package, on the binoculars, their covers and on the bag.
Trinovid binoculars come installed in a special neoprene harness strap/purse, which allows you to wear the binoculars in three different ways. It sounds practical but unfortunately, the binoculars become more difficult to pull out, also the design is just average.

Disclaimer

This test wasn’t financed and is unbiased. As a wildlife enthusiast interested in sports optics I made this tests because I would like to see how binoculars perform and if they meet the advertised expectations. With this test, I also hope that it will help people choose the right binoculars for their personal use. I am not in any way connected with the manufacturers of sports optics and I’m not personally in favor of particular brand.
In the end, I would like to thank Optics-trade.eu for lending me these binoculars for this test. I also thank them for letting me use their videos.