Binocular experts

[Fjold]

I'm in the buy once, cry once mode for binoculars and gathering opinions from people who have some knowledge of binoculars.

I've narrowed my choices down to:

Swarovski Optik EL 42 10x42 W B for $2,200

Leica Ultravid 10x42 HD-Plus Binoculars for $2,300

Leica 10 x 42 Geovid HD-R 2700 (DEMO) for $2,200

Are there any huge plus or minuses with any of these?

Would going with the Leica 10x42 Geovid HD-B 3000 Rangefinding Binocular for $2,600 be worth it to get the range finder?

[kriller134]

[jarhead714]

If you’re gonna drop that kind of coin I don’t see how you don’t get one with a rangefinder. That’s a pretty awesome feature.

[Excitable Boy]

Those are the big three. Some might add Zeiss into the mix. You really can't go wrong with any of them. From what I have read, the Swaro's have a flat field of vision whereas the Leica's tend to give a better sense of depth. I've played with and own both Leica and older upper end Zeiss and am currently looking at upgrading to a newer set of Leicas. If I was feeling frisky, I'd add Noctivids to the list, but they're a bit rich for me. I'm waffling between Ultravids and Trinovids which seem to be a lot of glass for the money.

I'd ask how old you are? The reason I ask is that when I was a bit younger, the 10X models appealed as they obviously bring greater magnification. As I am now in my late 50s, I find that an 8X better suits me, which is why I'm looking upgrade. Both of my current sets (10x40 and 10x25) seem to amplify any small shake on my hands. If you'e got arms of steel or are going to glass on a tripod a lot, the greater magnification may offer you a benefit. For me, it's becoming a liability. I've also come to appreciate the wider field of view and the larger exit pupil (Peter brightness in low light) that 8X brings. If I could go back in time, I'd have gone 8X as those glasses would truly be lifetime investments whereas now I'm looking to re-buy to accommodate my current needs.

While range finding might be cool, I'd personally prefer to get a separate range finder if I needed that function. Top shelf glass can last for decades. The likelihood of electronics living as long isn't as high. Leica makes great stuff, but I think integrating electronics into your bins is a liability. That's just my opinion.

[jarhead714]

Doesnt Swarovski, Zeiss, or Leica make one with a ranging reticle instead of a laser?

[GunDog]

I certainly wouldn't call myself an expert when it comes to binoculars but, I do know what I like. I was also like you in that I only wanted to buy once, cry once, so to speak. I ended up buying the Swarovski 7X42 SLC binos and couldn't be happier. A thousand some dollars for a pair of binos almost 18 years ago was a lot of money yet, those crying days are long gone and I'm still enjoying the absolute crystal clear optics that Swarovski is known for. The guy I hunted with had a pair of Leicas which were also phenomenal.

[k1dude]

I'd probably buy the one that went on sale first. You're probably splitting hairs otherwise.

[Fjold]

These would be for hunting only and so I'm thinking that the Leica 10x42 Geovid HD-B 3000 Range finding Binoculars would be the best choice.

[TKM]

Ask the real binocular experts. EVERYBODY in the shop is a shooter.

https://www.bakermarineusa.com/

[castgold]

Ask the real binocular experts. EVERYBODY in the shop is a shooter.

https://www.bakermarineusa.com/

They can certainly speak with authority as service providers for long term expectations of ownership, especially with stabilized optics.

[MJB]

No one likes the integrated rangefinder.

I glass more than use my range finder.

Bow hunting I can see an advantage but not much.

[GW]

FWIW Birders are very big on Zeiss Victory bios
I brought a set on my African hunt many years ago and the PH preferred using them over his Swarovski glasses.

[theduracellbigd]

Those are the big three. Some might add Zeiss into the mix. You really can't go wrong with any of them. From what I have read, the Swaro's have a flat field of vision whereas the Leica's tend to give a better sense of depth. I've played with and own both Leica and older upper end Zeiss and am currently looking at upgrading to a newer set of Leicas. If I was feeling frisky, I'd add Noctivids to the list, but they're a bit rich for me. I'm waffling between Ultravids and Trinovids which seem to be a lot of glass for the money.

I'd ask how old you are? The reason I ask is that when I was a bit younger, the 10X models appealed as they obviously bring greater magnification. As I am now in my late 50s, I find that an 8X better suits me, which is why I'm looking upgrade. Both of my current sets (10x40 and 10x25) seem to amplify any small shake on my hands. If you'e got arms of steel or are going to glass on a tripod a lot, the greater magnification may offer you a benefit. For me, it's becoming a liability. I've also come to appreciate the wider field of view and the larger exit pupil (Peter brightness in low light) that 8X brings. If I could go back in time, I'd have gone 8X as those glasses would truly be lifetime investments whereas now I'm looking to re-buy to accommodate my current needs.

While range finding might be cool, I'd personally prefer to get a separate range finder if I needed that function. Top shelf glass can last for decades. The likelihood of electronics living as long isn't as high. Leica makes great stuff, but I think integrating electronics into your bins is a liability. That's just my opinion.

I agree, 10x for my birding and Nature watching, but 8x for big game hunting. I too am a Zeiss guy.

[Excitable Boy]

They can certainly speak with authority as service providers for long term expectations of ownership, especially with stabilized optics.

But they don't list any of the brands under discussion as brands that they are authorized service centers for. They also don't mention anything about nitrogen purging. They might be nice guys and might be shooters, but they only seem to offer Fujinon stabilized binos and their own (inexpensive) brand.

[hermosabeach]

For hunting - those are all good pieces of glass.

As others have said / implied - keep hunting glass simple
No electronic image stabilization
No electronic range finding