Leica Geovid HD-B rangefinding binoculars

[hedditch]

Anyone with any experience using these? Do I want those or the Swarovski EL. I am looking at the 10 X 42 in both.

 

[wedgy]

Yes, they are fabulous !! Was out hunting with them last weekend and the low light capability was far beyond any of the others(in the $1,000 range; Razor HD, Nikon Premier, and some Leupold HD), no other Germans in the bunch. Nothing else was in their $3k price range either. In low light they are brighter than you will see with your eyes. The internal display is easy to read, takes a little while to learn the menu and both the operating buttons are on the same side. Ranging was within a yard of 3 others from 500 to 1700 yards but at a 30 yard bow target they consistently said 28 yards which conflicted with 8 others that pinned it at 30. I did not get a chance to program in the new 6.5 x 284 Barnes 127 grain LRX I was shooting( you can load your person ballistics on an SD card and put it in the custom menu) but one of the presets matched my range cards to 900 yards. These will compute in angle, temp, and pressure to the solution as well, more like a G7.
Negatives; price for one. A big one. They are not as compact as some other models but you don't have to carry another rangefinder or computer and weather station. Ranging binos are WAY easier to hold than a handheld rangefinder. Once you use this setup you won't go back.The front lens covers are worthless so take them off before you lose them. There is only 3/8" of material for the cap to fit on as the bridge is in the way so the cap and the retainer will fall off. The caps won't even stay just sitting there without handling them.
As I said I would like to test the custom computer but I suspect it works as advertised which means there really isn't anything else out there like these. I have the Bushnell Fusion 1600 and they are literally like a pair of sunglasses compared to these. The 1600 are great ranging and during the day but have a tint that makes them worthless in low light.
The bad news is the Leicas are my girlfriends...she's a veterinarian which means she's rich and can afford them. She bought them for her upcoming 2 week African safari. I get to stay home and watch the dog.....with my Bushnells. I sacrificed some optical quality from my Vortex binos to get the Bushnells with the rangefinder. Having it in the binoculars is that useful. I wish I never used the Leicas
http://leicaflash.leica-camera.com/leicadroptest.html

 

[mikecr]

http://www.longrangehunting.com/forums/f18/leicas-new-geovid-hd-b-105891/

 

[JabaliHunter]

Have a look at this http://www.birdforum.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=490182&d=1396360283
especially page 10 light transmission test results.