What binos?

[JPHunter]

Hi fellas,
Just wanting peoples opinions on some optics.
I want them for bow hunting and my medium/long range work.
I guess the two at the head of the pack are Leica Geovid HD-B and Swaro 10x42 EL's

What I dont like is Leica's 5 year warranty on glass, seems pretty slim when they want $3500 for a pair. What I love is their varying ranging abilities which caters for me as a bow hunter and for longer range rifle shooting/hunting.

the Swaro's have a slightly better warranty of 10 years on the glass but at a minimum range of 30 m are basically useless to me as a bow hunter.

Any other considerations worthwhile in the same money bracket?

Cheers,

Jack

 

[Garycrow]

I can't say which pair as I haven't used either, but I have a suggestion. Try a pair of the swaros and see if they range closer than 30 meters. When I first got my old leica 1200 rangefinder the specs said it wouldn't range inside 30 yds so I thought it would be useless for bowhunting, but when I fired it up I found that it ranged down to 10, making it easily usable. This might be the case with the swaros also, they might be fudging the minimum range. You won't know until you try them.

 

[JPHunter]

I can't say which pair as I haven't used either, but I have a suggestion. Try a pair of the swaros and see if they range closer than 30 meters. When I first got my old leica 1200 rangefinder the specs said it wouldn't range inside 30 yds so I thought it would be useless for bowhunting, but when I fired it up I found that it ranged down to 10, making it easily usable. This might be the case with the swaros also, they might be fudging the minimum range. You won't know until you try them.

Sorry should have mentioned, I've used a mates EL's before and we couldnt get any closer ranges, I've used my brothers Leica Geovid HD's a lot and they have been great. No experience with the HD-B's though.

 

[enigma]

Whats up with the glass ? To only have a 5 and 10 year warranty on it.One thing I can say about the leica ultravid is I notice on mine are 10x50 is they look to be just as powerful as my sons bino's that are votex 12x50 and alot brighter and clear.but any way I looked at buying the HD leica binos but to my eye it was not worth that much more money.Got a realy good deal on my plane ultravids but no rangefinder
.

 

[rooster740]

I have a pair of Leica 12x50 ultravid that I really do not like. The adjustment for eye to eye focus is such a fine adjustment that it is very hard to get it correct! The focus knob turns about 3 degrees to focus from infinity to 50 yards and then the knob turns about three turns to focus from fifty yards to 10 feet , no joking I believe these are bird watching goggles!
Check into that!
Swarovski glass is hard to beat! And if Swarovski had the 12x50 a few years ago I would have never looked at the Leica!
75% of the time I find myself packing my 15 year old zeiss 10x binos!
The Leica binos are clear but not user friendly at all

 

[thekyrifleman]

I have used Busnell, Leupold, and now Leica Geovid 10X ranging binocs. Leica wins hands down. Expensive, you betcha!! It is a matter of choice, I thought the Leupold,s were really good until I began using the Leicas. No comparison!! If you can afford them, go top shelf!!

 

[rooster740]

The geovids are nice but not durable at all. My cousin has sent his in twice, for not ranging and a best friend hates his! He has to rattle them to get one eye to focus!

 

[thekyrifleman]

Sorry to hear that rooster...have had mine almost nine years, only replacing the battery, certainly sounds like the exception....

 

[JPHunter]

Thanks guys for the advice.
I should add, I have a friend with Swaro EL's which I really like and my brother has the Leica Geovid HD's. I've had more experience with my brothers pair but both are excellent in my opinion and neither have had any issues at all with them.

Any other considerations other than these two in the $2500-3000 price range?

 

[TH]

I have both. I like the swaro better for one reason. In the early morning and late evening they let more light through. But I believe durring the day the Leica has better better glass. Get the swaros! You really can't go wrong with either