Leica’s APO-Televid 82 is a supreme tool for observing nature, made for those who demand no optical compromises in an instrument that’s small and light enough to be carried on a strenuous, daylong hike. It features true apochromatic color correction from fluoride glass elements, for the very best contrast, resolution, and especially subject/background delineation.
With the APO-Televid 82 series, Leica started with what was loved from the older Televid scopes and further improved upon them with all the best of what’s come along since. Continuous improvement is a subtle affair; the APO-Televid has unflinchingly good optics and a new bayonet system, but perhaps the best reason of all to choose a Leica APO-Televid is their 25-50x WW ASPH. eyepiece (now supplied standard). This is the first zooming eyepiece for a spotting scope which maintains a wide viewing angle throughout its zoom range, even at the lower magnifications. If you prefer the simplicity and eye relief of a non-zooming unit there is the optional #41016 32x WW eyepiece, with an outrageously wide 73° apparent viewing angle. But with the 25-50x WW eyepiece, you enjoy a ~59-80° apparent field of view! This alone is a reason to upgrade-you’ll be swimming in the experience, your vision completely surrounded with the viewing field. It makes for a more emotionally engaging observing session, and for most will heartily trump carrying a pair of eyepieces or just accepting the more narrow apparent fields at lower magnifications that historically came with zooming eyepieces.
Another modern benefit enjoyed by the APO-Televid 82 is Leica’s latest hydrophobic (water-repelling) lens coating for every external objective and eyepiece lens element. This coating allows water droplets to pearl off and slide away, significantly increasing the usability of the unit when observing in damp or wet conditions.
This is the straight version of the 82mm APO-Televid, which delivers the view at a 180° angle relative to where the scope is pointed. This is the easiest to use for beginners, because finding your subject is so simple, but some experienced users will also prefer it because it is just a hair brighter than the 45° angled version of the APO-Televid. It is also 15mm (~0.6") shorter than the angled version, and though specified by Leica as having an identical weight to the angled version it is more likely that it is actually a bit lighter (this will be updated when units arrive in stock).