Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Rangefinding Binos...

Interested in who is using what and why, backed up by real world experience and personal use. No hearsay, gun show, retail store, or any playground reviews please.

Looking more in the Sig BDX, Vortex Fury, etc budget. I have 2 pair of Meopta HD 10x42s that see most of the use, but wanting to go to one Bino/RF unit to replace one pair. Big eyes are covered too....

Function, RF reliability are more of a concern than pristine glass.

Scored some Leica 8x42 Geovid demos from Doug @ Cameraland earlier this year. They were just north of $1k by about 50 clams IIRC.

Glass is on par with my Ultravids.

They range to 1,000 yds quite well.

I'll most likely ditch my Leica 1200 LRF.

Geez man, you stole them at that price!

I have the same binos and agree they are quality all the way. Just got back from an oryx hunt and I was spotting game left and right using them, compared to my buddy who was using his Vortex spotter. There were times at very long distance where he was having trouble making out horns through the spotter that I could see through the binos.

Edited to add that I just noticed you said 8x42. Mine are 10x42.

Congrats on the bull and thanks to both of you for the replies.

I've been trying to sell some 8x42 Geovids in the classifieds for awhile now.

Love them things, but I really wanna try the Sigs and I'm willing to take the hit optically for the ability to range much further and be able to mount them on the tripod.

The 15x56 Swaros are awesome, but I'd sure love to just carry one pair of binos that could do everything.

I'll send you those Geovids if you wanna check em out.

I also scored some geovids from doug the 2200 model and have ranged out to 2000 plus on tree's and 1200 on animals. Use all the data to put into my ballistic app for longer shots. they are as good optically as my swarovski el's. I paid 1249.00

For last 10 years or so I've been using 10x42 Geovids of some sort and have been very happy with them..no drama, they have just worked and the glass is just a very small step behind the 10x42 Swaro SV's that I have now sold.... so nice to glass and range at the same time.

Have used the 8x42 Geovids for around 8 years now, happily.
Got a notion 1 1/2 yrs. ago and got a set of 15x50 Geovids because I
hate "spotter" eye. Very happy with these also.

I just got the Vortex Fury HD 5000's and love them. Got them on sale (13% off) at eurooptic. Total was like $1,035 with shipping/taxes etc included in that. Very happy with them.

Why did I go to Range finding binos when I had a good set of Lecia 1200 rf's and new Swarovski's SLC? On last years Elk hunt in Colorado I kept seeing elk at varying distance's I kept going from Bino's to Range finder then to my rifle I am getting older and slightly slower so I decided to cut out one step.

I checked out the Swarovski and Zeiss range finding binos, both were nice BUT the distance display were not as bright or clear as the Leica Geovid 2200 HD-B that I ended up buying. Very happy with them they have several ballistic drop setting and you can program custom drops.

I work at Sportsman's Warehouse part-time and I have played with a Vortex Fury quite a bit. The other day with light snow drizzle I was able to easily Range a stop sign at 761 yards. I did this a number off times and it gave me the same rating everything else was pretty good too.

I picked a pair up on a whim 3 weeks ago on a sale tip posted here by EdM. I like 'em and not sure I can tell a nickels difference between them and my Geovids.

Been using a Bushnell Fusion 10x42 combo bino/RF for almost a decade now, and I'd never dream of going back to separate units. Love them for both bow and rifle hunting. Haven't priced them lately, but I believe they go for less than a grand. (My eyes aren't great, so I couldn't see paying 2-3 times as much for a Euro optic.)

Like old Willys said, it's great to skip those extra steps when you have two different optics hanging around your neck--especially in the fast-paced world of coyote calling.

Josh; I hope this morning finds you well.

I have a set of the first generation geovids, from the first year they were available with HD glass. 2009? 2010? Clear easy to use reliable and consistent in ranging. I would say accurate in ranging as anything I have ranged and shot matches the expected trajectory of the rifle.

Not a single glitch I change batteries frequently so I never run dry at a key moment.

I really like the red display as it very easy to see. I have looked through RF binos with the black display and found them hard to see.

I love the RF binos especially with spotting for friends and family. Call the range and keep my eyes on the critter no chance of missing the shot while switching between RF and bino.

Really awesome for long stalks, spot and range landmarks drop out of sight and keep ranging landmarks as the stalk continues

They have been wet, dusty, muddy, as cold as -40 (C and F are the same at that temperature) never an issue.

I carry them a lot while hiking a range things all through time after estimating the range first. Teaches me I suck at judging distance, still keep trying to get better at estimating distance.

I love the Leica and would gladly buy another set when the time comes. That being said I have never used a different RF bino in the field so my ability to compare brands Is limited to non-existent

All the best.

GRF

Right, I get the convienence of it. My question was geared more to why are you using the ones you are using.

Budget? Glass? Reliability?

Obliged...

PM sent

Some people on YouTube have had the same findings

Been using the Bushnell Fusion 1600s for years now. Glass is usable but not impressive. Ranging ability is pretty darn good. Been able to get readings on reflective targets at 1760 yards. Can’t imagine going back to separate bino/rangefinder again. Thinking seriously about upgrading to Fury 5000s though. Glass has come a long way...

John

I love my 10x 42 hdB 2200 would love a 3000 yard pair but the 2200 gets me to everything I can kill and for past that I have an old analog Swiss finder.

That said nothing compares to glassing spotting and getting behind the rifle skipping the whole get out the range finder step.
I typically end up waiting for partners patiently.

Have the HD-B 10x42 2000 yd model, upgraded from the HD-R 8x42 1400 yd model. I like them a whole lot....

Got Leica Geovid 8x42s about 10-12 years ago and used them for 5-6 years. Then switched to ZEISS 8x45s which I still use. Really nothing to complain about with either. They range further than I need. Glass is great. They’re heavy but that’s to be expected

I use Swarovski EL-Range 8x42's. I love them. Glass is good, rangefinder works well, battery lasts forever. They've been knocked around all over the world by me and the airlines.

I haven't tried any of the others in real world situations.

The only think about the Swaros is the aiming circle is in one lens, while the data is provided in the other. If you are monocular it could be a problem. The Leicas have them in the same lens.

I had a hard time seeing the reticle in Leica Geovids, especially in any bright light, so switched to Bushnell Fusion Miles several years ago and have been extremely happy with them

I've been using a pair of second generation Leica 8x42 Geovids, non HD since 2005.
Paid $1500 on sale. I've seen no pressing need to upgrade.
While not the glass nor rangefinder the newer ones are, they're still more than good enough for my needs.

They replaced a Nikon RF, and Leupold Wind River 8x32's.
It was definitely stepping into a new level of glass and the convenience of having both in one unit.

I have the Leica 3000 HD-B and have used them side by side with the Sig BDX. The Leica has better glass and is a better rangefinder, but the BDX is a heck of a bargain at half the price. I've also used the Leica 3000 HD-B side by side with the Terrapin X, which is a better range finder with great glass, but a monocular.

My main complaints about the Leica 3000 HD-B are:
-Aiming reticle too large, not allowing user to know precisely what they're aiming at.
-Data displayed should be much closer to the position of the aiming reticle. You've got to look at two different locations in the FOV, which is needless, awkward, and undermines the peripheral view of either or the target image.
-Absolutely should include a quality tripod mount or offer one as an accessory, it's absurd to leave this feature off such an instrument.
-Leica's menu system was designed by the engineering team that brought us the ATM. It's terrible and the only thing worse are their instructions.
-Should display windage data for lasered ranges based on predetermined values/increments. The unit only displays elevation data.
-The Leica's LRF struggles in bright light when the sun is lower in the sky.

Leica's glass is spectacular. Their ballistic solver is very good and adequate for hunting scenarios. I've used the 3000 HD-B for Roosevelt Elk, whitetails, coyotes, hogs, woodchucks, and Axis at ranges in excess of 800 yards. I've also used it extensively at PRS matches. The latest version of the Leica is a great unit compared to the rest of the field. The only range finding binocular I've used that's a better all the way around is the Vector and it's lots better.

I have owned 3 pairs of geovids, the older models not the split bridge HD-B and the swaro EL range.. what I found was, when I was using a hand held RF unit, I would find the animals in my binoculars, then I would have to fish out my RF, look through a monocular, find the animal again, which BTW isn't that easy looking through a monocular, then take the range. This lost precious seconds that could be used to make a shot. I believe having my RF unit in my binoculars has made the difference on lots of animals I have been able to shoot because I got the range faster and easier. My brother in law would say the same thing. The older leica geovid pre HD and HD were good on deer sized targets to about 800 yards. yeah they can range further but it will take some fiddling to get the range. the swaro EL range has a much more powerful RF unit. they will easily range in most conditions to 11-1300 yards and often times quite a bit further. the leica HD-b's I didn't like these, I was planning on buying them but they just don't fit my eyes. I also feel they have more green tint than even the previous HD models. The glass in the swaro EL's is only slightly better than the leica HD's

bottom line is I will not hunt without RF binoculars.

No one with experience using the new Zeiss Victory?

Seems like the best of all worlds with the Bluetooth compatibility to load your ballistic data from phone app.

I started with '04 Geovid BRF 10x42, sent them in once for "Signal Fade". Used them until '12 when I upgraded optically to Zeiss 10x45. I liked the view through the Zeiss better but preferred the laser/speed of display and much smaller designator box in the Leica. Sold the 10x45 Zeiss and bought a Luotec coated 8x45 Zeiss. Great optically, still had the large ranging circle. Needed to send the Zeiss in for repair and purchased Leica 8x42 2200 HD-B's while the Zeiss were gone. Sold the Zeiss when they returned as the HD-B's were better optically, had a faster readout, and a smaller laser target window which I preferred. I have since sold the Leica and currently am using 8x42 Swaro EL Range. They are IMO an optical tie with the Leica HD-B, and I prefer the Leica's readout speed and small target designator box. However, I strongly prefer the output info given by the Swaro. I can set the LRF to give me an angle compensated range as well as actual range at the same time (dial the short one, hold wind for the long one). This allows me to dial elevation for "ballistic distance" and hold wind for actual distance.

I shoot too many different rifles/chamberings to be fiddling with ballistic calculators/programs continually. The Swarovski spits out the info I need to make required adjustments. I do wish the Swaro was faster to display ranged info and I wish the ranging circle was smaller.

I can't imagine hunting without a binoc/LRF combo unit anymore.

Do any of the models on the market currently have the “reticle” and yardage pop up in the left barrel? Seems all that I’ve looked through have it pop up in the right barrel which is a no go for me...

Only saw them at a trade show. From what I saw they are the best on the market. Very impressive, however I think Zeiss products look cheap generally, the paint and all black finish makes them not look upscale.

I've been using range finding binos for hunting about 5 years now. IMO, the utility of the integrated LRF/Bino can't be overstated. Like others have said, I can't imagine hunting without a LRF/Bino combo anymore. Here's what I can tell you about the EL Range LRF/Bino:

The LRF display intensity setting is adjustable. This is an important feature to me because I'm color blind and low intensity red/orange displays wash out in bright light.

The LRF read out is very simple, it displays both line of sight and horizontal distance in a very simple to read format. I too use several different rifles in the field so the simplicity of the EL Range is a big plus to me.

Battery life is long.

I did have one set of EL Range LRF fail in the field. Swaro did fix them in very short order, though the LRF was out of commission for the rest of that particular hunt. Fortunately, the guide had a pair of the same EL Range binos so it was not big deal. That said, they've seen some hard use and seem to be pretty tough.

The EL Range will not range targets under 30 yards (approximate), which may be an issue for bowhunting.

The optics are very, very good.

Earlier this year I purchased the new SIG Kilo3000 BDX for long range shooting because, unlike the Swaro, it integrates rifle ballistics and firing solutions into the display. I love the simplicity of the Swaro, but wanted to see if the Sig Kilo3000 BDX features would make it a game changer. With a better implementation it would be. But the current version of Sig Kilo3000BDX the display is hard for color blind folks to see, the diopter focus rings do not stay in place, and the optics are not as clear and crisp as the Swaro.

As I suspected, Leica upgrades the Geovid to the 3200.com.

Bluetooth connection. Instant ballistic solution based off your inputs in the app.

I have the Zeiss 10x range finding binos. Overall, everything is excellent about them.

The only disappointment is that the image is not as good as my Zeiss Conquest HD binos in very low light trying to evaluate buck racks.

I started to sell them, but as others mention, combining range finding with binos is really invaluable, so, kept them.

I owned two pair of Leica RF binos previously, and they had trouble ranging dark colored animals even such as a large dark colored cow in bright overhead light in humid conditions. The other broke. Both went back within 30 days of purchase and the Zeiss are vastly more reliable. Swaro RF binos are excellent, but uncomfortable in hand to me.

So to me, of the big three, Zeiss RF binos are the best irrespective of price. Swaros are good if comfortable in hand to the user, which to me they were not. Leica's just were not reliable in hot, humid conditions with bright overhead light, which is common in South Texas. So, skip the Leicas.

Looking through Meopta's, the image quality was no where even close to the Zeiss.

None of them have a 10x50 SV view and it's not close to my eyeballs. Leica's RF's can't touch the latest sig RF's IMO, so I'm keeping them separate for the time being anyway.

JG- would love to hear more on Sig v Leica with your take on Sig being ahead. On glass? Features? Both? More?

In pure rangefinding ability, I think the Sig has no peer right now. We've been chasing cull mule deer for the past 3 weeks, and the landowner has the leica 2400. It had the same problems my Geovid had in that in cold temps it was very unreliable, while my Sig 2200 never missed a beat and was better on non reflective targets most every time. Glass wise I'd pick Leica, but that was the only advantage I've seen. I also like the BDX for what it is, and the dope reads right off of Sig's ballistic app, which you input yourself from proven dope. It works perfectly so far.

Concur. The view in the RF binos cannot compare to binos without LRF. The Swaro RF binos have the best lowlight performance to my eye, but the ergos are awful.

I like my Zeiss Victory RF Binoculars (8x45 T RF) I got from Doug for about half retail. Sorta big but not that heavy. RF works great. Glass is typical Alpha excellent.

I have not had a chance to compare this unit with Alpha equivalents, but don't see how they could be that much better. I think you're down to nuances among the top tier binocs.

Check'em out, go with the one that trips your wire...

My brother's truck is better than mine, because it's his...

Some of that thinking, no doubt, is in play here.

But, he's convinced...

DF

JG,

My Geovid 2200 has always ranged all types of targets more reliably and further out than my Sig Kilo 2200, and after returning from Leica warranty repair due to the low temperature issue you mentioned, it no longer is hampered in its ranging reliability by the cold. It’s a significantly better RF than the couple of Kilo 2000’s and the one Kilo 2200 that I’ve owned. I have noticed, however, that there is quite a range of performance between different Sig RF units, even of the same model, so I don’t doubt your experiences, either.

Really like my geovids. Use them mainly for p-dogs so they get a ton of use.

A couple of general notes, as I've been using various RF binoculars for more than a decade:

The image won't be quite as good as through the same company's non-RF binoculars of the same grade, because the RF stuff inside tends to scatter the light slightly. But it will be close--and with really good brands will still be VERY good.

Often RF binoculars will work at very close ranges (as for bowhunting) IF you push the barrels as close to each other as possible. The reason they often don't work under 30 yards or so is the laser beam comes out of one barrel, then bounces back to the other barrel. With the binocular used normally, with the barrels set for both our eyes, the returning beam often misses the receiving barrel. But when the barrels are pushed close together, they'll often read down to 10 yards or so.

Not much interest in multitasking instruments especially in the electronics world. I have rangefinders and binos, and those for hunting can reside in shirt pockets. Electronic technology advances such that components will be outdated within a year and replacement parts become unavailable. It's not just binos and rangefinders. I have some electronics at work that ran over $5K. Quite frustrating when one needs service to find they're no longer supported.

If there is an advantage to RF binocs, it's speed. You can get a range in the blink of an eye, transition to rifle for the shot.

No middle step needed. Now, how many times would that be critical...?

Not sure, but once may be enough.

DF

This has happened to me. Exactly as stated:

1) see game.
2) get RF to range game
3) set up for shot

The time spent between 1 and 3 results in lost opportunity, either bc game moves out of small window, runs off, etc. Never “ruined” a hunt, but soured the moment.

Happen often enough to make me want RF bins? Hmm. That’s the $3,000 question I suppose. Bc I’m not buying non alpha bins.

I got $3K binocs from Doug for around half that much. Still expensive, but not as painful as retail.

Check with him. Like you, I don't want non Alpha. If RF cuts down on optical quality, it's not enough to be a concern, IME.

DF