To quote a famous European Optics Afianado:
“7x42s are becoming a rarity and that’s shame because I love ‘em. Low power means a naturally wide and deep field for less panning and re-focusing, low false colour and lots of blackout-free eye relief. Bright and steady, a 7x42 is easy for novices and easy when you’re tired. 7x42s are often the lightest of a range because the lower power permits fewer lens elements.
Now, though, the 7x42 format is being dropped in favour of higher powers, relying on more glass and technology to force an 8x42 or a 10x42 to do the things a 7x42 does natively....One of the very last top quality 7x42s is Leica’s traditional-premium Ultravid.
Centre-field sharpness, resolution and focus ‘snap’ are just superb, indicating good-as-it-gets optical quality...false color is very low....unequalled depth of field...The Ultravid 7x42 are a fabulously comfortable and practical binocular that is highly recommended.”
The author does go on to say that the best of the Alphas are better but it was clear that he was a huge fan of the Ultravid 7x42. FWIW, that author liked but was not equally impressed with the Kowa 8x33, and if pressed would likely tell you to enjoy the Ultravids.
In my personal opinion the Ultravid HDs are a bit underrated and a great binocular. If you got them for $600 that is a steal of a deal. The Kowa is also a great mid-sized glass and one of the very best available in its price range. If you are looking for a mid-sized glass in addition to the Leica they are a great choice. Call Doug at Cameraland as they have a sale on them right now. If you’re looking for a full-sized 8x or 10x there are a whole world of options. It really just depends on how much you want to spend.