Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Leica Geovid Ballistic Feature

If I decide to pull the trigger on a new Geovid, with the new passport warranty, I've got a question.

In spite of my piss poor experience with a previous Geovid, I'm considering trying one again. I'm wondering if the ballistic feature is worth the extra $$$, being that the 3200 Geovid is the only one with that feature? I know my inputs (proven holdovers) are good to go because my Sig 2200 spits them out like clockwork.

I just got one and like it ,I'd spend the extra and get the 3200.com

I got a hefty discount on my 3200’s and so far I like the ballistic feature

Are you able to set this up reading distance in yards, and holdovers in mils? Seems like I read or heard that in order to get ballistic readouts in mils you had to set range to meters? Thanks.

I confirmed with Hamilton at Leica "Yes, it can definitely be set up that way. Just choose US of US/EU and 10 under ABC on the Settings Tab in the app as shown in the attachment and then transfer the settings to the rangefinder."

Thanks Doug. I need to contact you for pricing.

Yes, you can set the correction to read out as clicks or mils. Set up as EU and 10 the reading will be in meters and correction will come out as clicks. Set up as Doug indicated using US and 10mm you get readings in yards and corrections in mils.

The difference in using EU vs US setting just adds the decimal point.
For example in EU mode the correction may read 22 (clicks) where as US mode will read 2.2.

Bringing this back up. After entering your ballistic data on the app, and sending it to your bino/rf, will it give you a wind hold reading, or is it limited to elevation only? Thanks for the help.

I checked with our Leica tech rep and he replied "Elevation only unless he links with a Kestrel.
"

I still have a Swaro for this very reason. The Swaro can be configured to spit out 2 ranges on 1-screen. Actual range and angle compensated range.

Dial the short one, hold wind for the long one. Doesn't matter what rifle you're shooting or how often you want to change them.

Hard pass. The U/I is horrible. Considering gifting mine to someone I don't like this Festivus along with my "Airing of Grievances".

What issues were you having with the Leica set up? Once I set mine up I’ve been very happy with it and haven’t had to mess with it.

Thanks Doug. I was ready to buy this unit, but not having windage hold readouts is likely a deal killer for me. Hard to imagine a $3000 unit that won't do this nowadays.

The Zeiss and the new Swarovski units don't display windage either, as far as I know. I'm with you, a windage display would be very useful, but the big 3 aren't on board.

I'm guessing that they would want real wind data (i.e., from a Kestrel) to display actual wind drift, so displaying a drift value for a pre-set wind speed is not something they've incorporated.

I posted a stream of conscienceness rant back in April on another thread. Rather than repost it here, I'll PM to you.

Well, they should Jordan. At the very least you should be able to input a very standard 10mph crosswind in the app and have it give holds based on that data. Simple math can quickly give you the holds when you know the actual wind speed and direction. If the Sig and/or Vortex would upgrade their glass to Razor status they'd own this market, especially Vortex.

I agree.

I suspect the same thing. However, even the Kestrel doesn't display actual wind measurements for the firing solution. Rather it (i.e,, the Kestrel) displays a presumed Wind1/Wind 2 bracket. So you'd think the bino manufacturers would do the same thing.

+2

Well, the Kestrel does display real-time wind measurements and incorporates them into a firing solution, but you can lock the values and display a constant solution for given WS1/WS2 values, and I think that's what you're referring to. WS1/ WS2 are not wind bracket extremes, but rather 5-second rolling average and max wind measurements, respectively.

Easy enough to have a drop/windage chart w/10MPH wind calculated. Wind is linear. Cut in half for 45 degree angle or 5MPH full-grade, double for 20MPH full-grade.

I cannot fathom being afield without a backup chart afixed on-board the rifle somewhere. Under the scope cap, taped/velcro'd to the stock, I've written the data I needed onto grey paint with a black sharpie. If your LRF somehow dies afield at least a hunting partner or your guide can give you the range, then you can consult your chart and make the necessary correction. We're not talking about hauling a 20" cast iron skillet to a mountain top, it's a piece of paper smaller than a .50 cent piece.

Yeah, it can be done this way but I usually don't bother. I just manually set WS1 to 5 mph and WS2 to 15 mph for a quick/broad reference. If conditions warrant, I'll capture the wind data, but seldom will I do so.

I understand how to do the calculations, which is why I said it's easy to do the math based off of a 10mph hold. I do think your backup chart on hand is a great point, and one I intend to use. Thanks.

Leekers suck ass for ranging,all things considered. Funnier than fhuqk,that no matter the Model,1200yds is the cap on EHR. Wind is fhuqking EASY in comparison. Hint.

DOPE goes inside scope caps and alongside stocks,but Leeker is the only game going,which won't compensate angles well within 50% of lineal readings. Pretty fhuqking funny! Hint.



A fist sized Sig,CRUSHES all things Leeker. Hint.



Hint.

Fhuqking LAUGHING!...............

The SIG 2400 Is a darned God send. Easy to use and accurate as heck.

How far will it range consistently?

John, I’ve bounced it off moose at 2k in Wyoming. I know that isn’t scientific but if I was solid it repeated easily. Just a knuckledragger with most stuff but I know it works well. Plus it fits nicely in my bino pack.

That is very good

I’d bet others have better accounts of it buddy but I know I wouldn’t change now. It’s darned handy.

The Sig 3000 BDX...DESTROYS all things Leeker Geovid and embarrassingly. Pretty fhuqking funny,unless your Teutonic. Hint. LAUGHING!................

I certainly agree with all that, but thought I’d point out that wind drift is linear in wind speed, but non-linear in direction. When it comes to wind direction, full-value drift is multiplied by the sine of the wind angle (assuming a headwind is coming at 0 degrees), so a 45 degree wind actually gives roughly 70% of the drift of a full-value wind. Half-value wind is actually given by a 30 degree angle.

Good glass in them?

Nothing can get away,optically. They reliable hurt Tender Feelers. Hint......................(grin)

Average at best in the set I owned. Same goes for the Fury 5000 HD. Usable and serviceable for sure, but that's about it. My sig 2200 BDX RF unit is very good, and the RF function in my 3000's was excellent as well. Quality in my BDX3000 was terrible which is the main reason I returned it.

Thanks for the heads up on them, might see if I can find a pair to gawk at.

Why was the quality terrible JG? They break easily?

The diopters on my sample wouldn't stay put, as they constantly needed re-adjustment. The biggest problem was that the laser was badly misaligned with the aiming reticle. The beam was actually in the 6:30 position completely outside of the circle aiming reticle and wasn't inside any part of it, totally outside. That really screwed things up when trying to range things just over the top of brush, sandhills, etc. Also, where I hunt there is lots and lots of sand, sometimes it blows, and we all know what sand can do to things like glass, parts that move, etc. The objectives are so short up against the body/hinge that you can't even use objective covers. That may be a minor point to some though.

No discernable difference in optics between it and the Fury's, as they're likely made in the same plant. It's all too bad because the RF function is superb.

Got it. Appreciate the words.

JGR's feedback on the Sig BDX3000 is spot on. The diopter wonkiness is a real PITN. And the optics aren't good enough for hours of glassing the country side looking for mule deer. At least not for me. I never used them enough to notice a misaligned laser, but mine may be the same way.

Raider "hunts" inside barbed wire for more than a few reasons and has to start Threads about BRF's in general. Hint.

Bless her heart for trying though.

Hint.

Fhuqking LAUGHING!..................

To add to my last post. The diopter problems and the Beta (maybe even a little below Beta) glass eliminate the Sig BDX3000 from field use for me. Even though the firmware/software implementation is light years ahead of the Leica. On the other hand, the Alpha level optics and the workable ballistics solutions, infuriating U/I notwithstanding, on the Leica do make them usable on serious hunts.

Thanks LJB, couldn't agree more, and that is the reason I'm considering Leica. I spend lots of time glassing with a tripod mounted bino, and the Geovid glass will easily allow me to do that.

how leica compare to swaro el range ?

The Leica's are a pleasure the look through, that's for sure. They would do just fine on a tripod for extended glassing sessions. For that matter, they'd be great for prairie dog or rock chuck shoots when paired with the Kestrel Elite. BTW, looks like the bluetooth connectivity issues with the 3200,com and Kestrel have been fixed with the latest Kestrel firmware. I say "looks like" because I've only had one serious range session with the two paired, but I was pleasantly surprised they (both the Kestrel and the 3200.com) worked so well. The 3200.com battery went kaput during the session so I suspect the bluetooth/firmware load is significant. Which, if true, means the unit bluetooth would have to be turned on/off in the field to conserve battery power and that brings the user back to the clunky U/I. Again, a showstopper for serious field use (mule deer, elk, and what not). To be fair to Leica though, it does appear the initial bluetooth issue I griped about was fixed on the Kestrel side. I don't have the Kestrel in front of me right now so I can't quote the firmware revision needed.

The Leica 3200.com could be a great piece of kit, but it would take a COMPLETE app/firmware rewrite to make it so. It is terrible. Based on my past dealings with German optics companies, and careful to be culturally respectful, the hard part of getting any improvement to happen is convincing them they have a problem in the first place.

You're probably right about the German mentality. It only took them forever to adopt a competitive warranty, and upgrade their previously pathetic customer service. I've actually emailed them back and forth a few times lately and they've been very responsive.

I'm not planning to use a Kestrel no matter which unit I wind up with.

S&B has always had great customer service according to my experience with them. They even responded to a post about a turret cap marked in the wrong direction. They monitor quality and customer service

Leica not so much.

Optical twins IMO/IME. I had both at the same time. Actually, I also owned the original Zeiss Victory Range 8x45's at the same time as well.

First off, I didn't/haven't used any of the "ballistic" features on any of the Binoculars/LRF combo's as I change rifles pretty regularly and I don't want to have to be messing around w/getting the proper program into the binoc. I keep a chart in the lens cap and/or on the stock somewhere for drop/drift.

Leica/Swaro comparison, not scientific, just my opinions:

They're optical equals. HD-B 2200 vs. EL-Range both in 8x42, prior to the newest version Swaro that does the GPS pinning thing.

I like the smaller target designator on the Leica better. The Leica displays the range significantly faster than the Swaro.

The Swaro will reliably range further.

Here's the reason I kept the Swaro and sold the HD-B and haven't bought any others:

Swaro has a setting that displays 2 ranges at the same time. Actual range and angle compensated range. You dial the short one and hold wind for the long one. Assuming one has the proper chart on board the rifle it doesn't matter what rifle you have in hand.

gracias caballo

Enjoying my Leica HD-B 2200 for ground squirrel hunting. Optics are great. Might upgrade to 3200 when price is right

Got a great deal on the 3200's so I'm gonna try them out. Didn't hurt that they now qualify for Leica's 10 yr passport warranty. Time will tell, as usual, as I'm pretty picky about my gear and especially optics.

Just a heads up. We got a couple of demos in (full warranty):

Leica Geovid 10x42 HD-B 3000 Rangefinder Binocular for only $1,899.99


Leica Geovid 10x42 3200.COM Binocular for only $2,499.99

I LOVE my Geovids! Bought my HD-B's some 5-6 yrs back. Used them to take 1 shot kills on elk at 810, 820 and 950, using only the dope they gave me. I shoot LR year round in NRL and PRS and now NRL Hunter matches, so please no judging. Several months back I upgraded to the 3200.com's. LOVE them....mostly! The 3200's are much much "option" rich. I don't need them to range at 5000, 4000, 3200 or even 2000 yds. I'm not an ELR shooter; no allure to me though am likely the 1st to hit the 1 mile milk jug. It does take a bit of understanding and practice to be proficient with the 3200's. Once I input the basic ballistic data into the phone app and bluetooth the data to the 3200's, I pretty much keep them in "off" mode. That is where it will use just the existing ballistic data and weather input from the 3200's for dope out to 1005 yds; dope only....no wind data. Occasionally, I can and do bluetooth/tether them with my Kestrel 5700 Elite. When that happens the on board ballistic data in the 3200 is negated and the Kestrel data is the "go to" data; to include wind. The "mostly" statement starts here.

1) Because of the 3200's magnesium/carbon construction the bluetooth signal is limited to about 2-1/2 to 3 ft. To help with that issue I carry the Geovids on my chest in a Badlands case. On the side of the case I attach a SAP (Short Action Precision) Kydex Kestrel Holster to the side of the Badlands case and keep the Kestrel in that holster. Pull it out, use it and put it back. The two will always stay within the 2-1/2' to 3' bluetooth limit.

https://www.shortactionprecision.com/collections/d-o-p-e-tools/products/sap-kydex-kestrel-holder



2) The other issue depends; it's an issue or not, on how you look at it. The bluetooth connection does not stay connected for more than about 5 minutes if the 3200's are not kept on or turned on before the 5 minutes expires. This is a battery saving feature, which i'm sure many will appreciate. The Geovids use a CR2 battery; roughly $4-5 each. Me, I could care less if I burn a battery each day I hunt or shoot in an NRL Hunter match. It's the cost of having fun!!! To reconnect the two devices I have to turn the 3200 on, go through the connection process (about a 20-30 second process). To some, not an issue. When i'm on the 4 minute NRL Hunter, or actual hunting, clock, it seems like an eternity. Leica is aware of this and hopefully, the German engineers will someday add another feature; :auto bluetooth disconnection or constant connection" feature.

I'm sure i'll keep using the 3200's for the next 5-6 yrs and upgrade to the newest and more useful model around that time.

Thanks for the write up. Bluetooth does eat battery. How long does the CR2 battery last if BT is used constantly as in ground squirrel hunting?
Maybe next version can use a bigger battery such as CR123.

Kevin,

Have yet to burn out a CR2 except through normal usage, not Bluetooth. In short.....I don't know.

Alan

Good to know, Thanks.
Might need to get a pair of HD-B 3200 myself to do the testing

Figured i'd report back on what I think is a pretty cool feature of the 3200. com's. While out hunting during our Utah General deer season (closes tomorrow), I had two rifles at the ready. My primary is a custom pre '64 M70 in 9.3x62 with a 250 gr TTSX running 2550 fps. On top is a VX3 1.75-6x32 with a custom CDS turret on top. I can take a respectable shot out to 590 yds, spinning the turret. Drop is close to any common 308 Win running a 165/8 spt style bullet but with a lot more umph, when the 250 TTSX arrives. I had the 3200.com's set in EHR mode where it initially gives the exact, line of sight, yardage. After a few seconds, it gives an adjusted yardage based on angle.

The other rifle is my newly built light weight 300 Win Mag with the new Barnes 208 gr LRX, running 2900 fps; suppressed. This is a true 1200 yd capable rifle/load. It has a NF NXS Compact 2.5-10x42 with a Velocity 600 reticle. The 3200.com, when quickly modified from EHR to 1/4 moa dial up data will give me exact dope, taking into account temp, baro pressure, angle and exact bullet fps/bc will give me precise dope to 1006 yds. Anything further and I have to change the internal mode and bluetooth it to my Kestrel 5700 Elite.

So, even though the 208 LRX data is loaded in the internal memory when I change the mode to EHR it's non caliber/bullet specific. It takes into account the angle and adjusts the yardage one holds for.

Thanks for the update GSSP. I'm fiddling around with mine trying to make sure I know what I'm doing with it when I start hunting next weekend. You were right though, to someone ignorant on the subject, initially the Leica setup and app/ballistic interface is a PITA. I think I've got it figured out now though. One thing I will say is that the laser is perfectly aligned with the "reticle" in my unit, something that neither the Fury or Sig3000 would do, as they were both badly aligned. The 3200 is definitely a high quality unit for sure.

Question: When you change the battery, do you have to go back and set up everything again, or will it just pick up where you left off?

I recently changed my battery before my hunting season and lost nothing.

Interesting. How did you verify this? Awesome if true, but I'm skeptical because my tests indicate otherwise.

Hunting in Utah this last September set the 3200.com ballistic mode to local altitude 8000 ft (measured DA was 10500 ft) and it worked fine out to about 600 yards when compared to the Kestrel. Returned home at 700 ft elevation (DA about 1200 ft), didn't change the 3200.com profile because IF it measures temp/pressure AND uses these measurements in the ballistics solution then the 3200.com should match the Kestrel out to 600 yards. I don't remember the exact difference, but the 3200.com solution at 700 ft did not match the Kestrel.

LBJ,

How do I verify this? I use a combination of comparing my beloved "Shooter" app, the 3200.com dope and the Kestrel dope. Initially, I input all the data I can, into all 3 devices, while at the range, zeroing the rifle at 200 yds while shooting over my Labradar. I then shoot onto paper, 5-shot groups, at 1000 yds. In the past i've trued my velocity to match the moa adjustments to get solid center hits. This last time, instead, I adjusted my BC to get solid center hits. I needed to move my published BC of G1 .633 to .615 (.5 moa). I then adjusted the BC in the Shooter app, 3200.com and Kestrel, all to .615. Just now, in the dark I can range the hill behind my house at various distances out to sub 1000 yds. In spot I can consistently get 874/5 yds. I keep doing this using just the 3200.com's, (18.3 moa), Shooter (18.3 moa) and Kestrel (18.6 moa). That's a 2.6" difference at 874/5 yds.

Is this what you're inquiring about?

Alan

Hi Alan,

You've got all three of your devices calibrated with respect to each other at your current location for the same atmospheric conditions. Really impressive job by the way. Although you might try using the Custom ballistic profiles in the Kestrel as the benchmark and adjust the BC's in the 3200.com and Shooter to match it the next time you go through the process. I only suggest this because I've used several of the AB Custom ballistic profiles in the Kestrel and they have ALL been spot on out to 1000 yards or so.

Now that you're 3200.com and Kestrel are calibrated in Utah (I'm guessing elevation about 7500' and DA maybe about 5500' to 9500' depending on the day), book a trip to Florida, Texas, even California and take the Leica's and Kestrel with you. Range some "targets" with the Leica and see if its solution matches the Kestrel. The Kestrel being fundamentally a weather meter will tell you the correct ballistic solution. In other words the Kestrel is the benchmark. Then, just see if the Leica solution matches the Kestrel to the same, or similar, accuracy it did in Utah. This is essentially what I did. When I got home (actual elevation about 700') from Utah last September. I compared the Leica's to the Kestrel and there was a significant difference. I didn't write the numbers down but I remember the difference being enough for me to question the atmospheric measurements/integration of the Leica's.

LJB

Well, I doubt i've tested the altitude change to the degree you have. I sight my rifle in at 4700', test the ballistics out at 6565' as well as compete in NRL Hunter matches from between 2000 and 6700'. They both work great for me; so far out as far as 900+ yds.

I recently changed my battery before my hunting season and lost nothing.

Thanks, good deal.