Leica Geovid HD-B 10 X 42 Laser Rangefinder Binoculars

[hedditch]

Anyone use thise binoculars with the balicstics feature in the binoculars? What are your thoughts. I have been looking at those and the Swarovski EL 10 X 42 laser range finder binoculars.

 

[pikespeakgoat]

David,
Might want to give this comparison test a look if not already done so:
http://precisionrifleblog.com/2013/11/25/rangefinder-binoculars-reviews-field-tests-ranging-performance-results/

Unfortunately, the Swaro was not tested.

 

[hedditch]

pikespeakgoat,
Good read. Thank You. I called Leica to check on their warranty information and I was supposed to get a call back from their expert. Never happened. Sure wish the Swaro was in the testing article.
Dave

 

[dragman]

Swarovski EL 10 X 42
they are AWESOME!!!!

 

[BigDMT]

Can't go wrong with either one. Both top of the chain for quality. I have played with the new Leica ranging binos. The optics are nothing short of spectacular and the rangefinder is extremely powerful and precise.

On the other hand, I have heard nothing but phenomenal reviews about the Swarovski EL range. I have not played with that exact model, but I know the optics in the EL Swarovision are arguably the best in the business. The new Swarovision models make the original Swarovski ELs look like someone dumped milk on the glass. Unbelievably stunning image.

You're just going to have to find a large sporting goods store that has both models and go play, then decide which company is going to get your $3K of hard earned money. You will be more than happy with either one IMO.

 

[xswanted]

I've used them both quite a bit. I don't own them, but my profession allows me to "play" with things like these from time to time

The Swaros, first off don't have a ballistics program. So if you're looking for the ability to have ballistics corrections the Leica is the obvious choice. The Swaros accompanied me on a antelope hunt in Wy this past fall. The glass, like all swaros is top notch. Color clarity, brightness in both low and high light conditions is wonderful. I glassed with these binos for hours each day of the hunt and didn't have any eye fatigue at all, they never felt like they were making me focus my eyes where they didn't want to be focused, if that makes sense.

The rangefinder is quite good. I don't remember what distance they are rated to, but I ranged my pickup at 1875 yards after a sneak on the first buck I shot. The beam, in my opinion is wider than it should be. I felt like at times I would pickup something I wasn't aiming them at, however for reading an antelope at a distances from 100-700 yards is was pretty easy. ( I don't believe I tried reading an animal further than that)

My two complaints: If you like to drive from spot to spot or across a prairie road and have your binos on the dash of your pickup the swaros don't work very well. The rangefinder part of the bino lets them rock back and forth. And it erks a guy to watch his 3k binos roll back and forth on the dash. Secondly, the rangefinder button is controlled by the left hand. Not a big deal unless you are a right handed bow hunter and are using them for spot and stalk hunting. (minimum ranged on the swaros is 33 or so yards so they don't work as a 'perfect' tool for bowhunting anyway) Other than those two nitpicks I liked them.

Leicas-

Comparing glass to glass with the swaros there is very little difference. If anything I'd have to give the edge to the Swaros. It seems like Leica uses a coating on the glass the might make them slightly less bright, but in all honesty its VERY hard to tell. I took the Leicas on a coyote hunt or two and have used them at work side by side with the swaros.

Ranging ability will go to the Leica in my opinion. They Geovids are rated further out (2000) yards and the rangefinder is VERY fast and accurate. Seems like you usually get what you're aiming at on the first try. Neither set will work across snow very well.(typical in RF's) The ballistics program in the Leica is pretty cool. You can pick a "curve" that is pre-programmed in the unit or upload your custom program via micro SD card to the unit and it will correct for you based on realtime.

The programming part is slightly harder than it seems like it should be to do. I'm pretty tech savvy and it took me awhile to feel comfortable programming. If you goof up you have to go through each step again. And secondly you cna only have one gun programmed in at a time, otherwise you need to switch the SD card out which is a little on the cumbersome side.

The size is about the same as the swaros but Leica used a different prism with these binos and I'd have to say its pretty awesome feeling set of binos. Not overly heavy and easy to hold on to. The ranging button was on the right side of the Leicas which is a plus in my eyes. I like the idea of being able to use them spot and stalk bowhunting.

Overall a guy couldn't go wrong with either set unless you HAVE to have ballistics correction. Then the nod goes to the Leica. I'm a big Leica fan but I really love the swaro line of optics as well. Personally I would buy the Leicas just for the ballistics program. However I own a G7-BR2 and, in my opinion, that is the ticket when it comes to ballistic corrections.

Hope that gives some insight on them for you.

 

[hedditch]

xswanted,
Thank you for taking the time to write that wonderful report. I am sorta leaning towards the Leica's but still wondering about the warranty. I believe the Swaro's are lifetime and the warranty transfers unless they changed their warranty since I purchased my first pair. Still doing research.
Dave

 

[BigDMT]

xswanted,
Thank you for taking the time to write that wonderful report. I am sorta leaning towards the Leica's but still wondering about the warranty. I believe the Swaro's are lifetime and the warranty transfers unless they changed their warranty since I purchased my first pair. Still doing research.
Dave

That is a very important determining factor I forgot to mention. The Leicas are only a 5 year warranty against defects in manufacturing. The Swaros are lifetime. But Swarovski only does a "limited" lifetime warranty on the EL range. Not the unconditional like the rest of their optics. But it is still a lifetime nonetheless. That's what would put the Swarovski in my hands over the Leicas.

I actually got rid of my Leica Ultravid BR binos for warranty reasons. I purchased them "certified used" from a dealer. Well Leica only gives a 10 year "limited" warranty on certified used optics. So I sold them and got a set of Vortex Razor binos. Best unconditional no hassle warranty in the business. The Vortex isn't exactly as good as Leica glass, but so close it takes a lot of different testing in various scenarios to see the difference. For the warranty though, I was willing to make that ever so slight sacrifice in optical quality and stay in the same price range.

 

[xswanted]

xswanted,
Thank you for taking the time to write that wonderful report. I am sorta leaning towards the Leica's but still wondering about the warranty. I believe the Swaro's are lifetime and the warranty transfers unless they changed their warranty since I purchased my first pair. Still doing research.
Dave

That is a very important determining factor I forgot to mention. The Leicas are only a 5 year warranty against defects in manufacturing. The Swaros are lifetime. But Swarovski only does a "limited" lifetime warranty on the EL range. Not the unconditional like the rest of their optics. But it is still a lifetime nonetheless. That's what would put the Swarovski in my hands over the Leicas.

I actually got rid of my Leica Ultravid BR binos for warranty reasons. I purchased them "certified used" from a dealer. Well Leica only gives a 10 year "limited" warranty on certified used optics. So I sold them and got a set of Vortex Razor binos. Best unconditional no hassle warranty in the business. The Vortex isn't exactly as good as Leica glass, but so close it takes a lot of different testing in various scenarios to see the difference. For the warranty though, I was willing to make that ever so slight sacrifice in optical quality and stay in the same price range.

I THINK, but not sure that the Leicas are lifetime on the binos but five years on the electronics. The Swaros are lifetime. And Vortex is very hard to beat for warranty. I wonder if they are in the market for making a RF bino....hmmmmm......

 

[BigDMT]

You might ber ight on that. But if you are going to spend $3000 on an optic, I think you would want lifetime warranty on everything. Plus I believe that the Swarovski Swarovision glass sets the highest bar by which all other binoculars are judged.

I know vortex just started making a 1K rangefinder a few years ago. Not sure what their plans are for RF binoculars.

I personally don't like RF binos because I am an archery hunter as well. I don't want a large pair of optics on my chest when bow hunting and when rifle hunting I don't like dragging my binos through the dirt while belly crawling to put a good stock on animals. So I just have the Vortex Razor binos, and the Leica 1600 compact LRF. Don't even take binos when bow hunting because the 7X HD glass in the Leica LRF is so nice. I can also leave my binos behind with my pack and just take the LRF in my pocket when making a final stock with a rifle on antelope.

The RF binoculars aren't for everyone. You'll have to closely evaluate the type of hunting you like to do and determine if a large heavy RF bino is right for you.

 

[nosualc]

This might not be a popular opinion, but having been in a similar buying situation very recently, I decided to forgo the convenience of an integrated binoc/LRF and keep them separate.

My feeling is that LRFs are still evolving very quickly. I don't want to spend huge bucks on a binocs/LRFs where the LRF will be obsolete in 3-5 years.

I bought the swarovision binocs, and will use my Leica LRF when I need to. In the short term I will have spent a little more cash, but I can replace the LRF in a few years when the technology warrants it.

-nosualc

 

[hedditch]

I am a prairie dog and gopher shooter. Currently own a set a Swaro's 10 x 42 and Leica 1200 range finder. I use my Swaro's to find a dog, then the Leica's to range the dog, then to the rifle scope. Thinking of taking out the separate step of ranging and moving directly from the Binoc's to the rifle scope to eliminate trying to find the dog in the range finder. I want to be shooting and not looking through bino's and then range finder.

I shoot from a 360 degree rotating bench on the back of an ATV so weight is not a problem. Going from binoc's to range finder, finding the dog, then trying to find it in the scope is the problem. Just trying to cut out one step. I would say that I am looking through the binoc's 30 to 50 minutes of each hour so need a good glass to keep the eyes from giving up. Need a good gaurantee because I am old and drop things. I carry a book with all my ballistics info in it so it would be nice if that info was already in the binoc's. So, on my shooting table is my book, rifle rest, rifle, ammo, binoc's, and range finder. I am up about 6 feet so when something falls off my table, the fall is a long ways. Again, I am old so stuff happens.
Dave