Advice on Rangefinding Binoculars

[Saracen666]

I saw a review on them, and I was tempted. Just seeing if anything else compares.

 

[Utectok]

I've just sold a laser rangefinder and my Hawke binoculars with the intention of purchasing a nice pair of rangefinding ones.

The ones I'm considering are the Leica Geovid R or HD-R or possibly the Vortex Fury HD 5000.
I'm still undecided between 8x42 and 10x42 but have used both in the past quite happily.
I've seen reviews online saying the Vortex are better and cheaper so has anyone experience of both as they are a few hundred cheaper?
Is there any/much difference in image quality between the older style Geovid R and the newer HD-R?
I think both would suit what I need, which is basic range finding in all types of shooting - rabbits, fox, deer mainly around woodland and fields but with the odd trip to the highlands.

It's hard to try any of them out at the moment but there are some good online offers with free returns.
I don't need the full ballistic calculation as I use various mobile apps so most important is getting quality glass.

Regards,

Chris.

I’ve had vortex fury 10x then just upgraded to Leica geovid 8x hd-b. The vortex are great value and bomb proof. The I have just changed scopes from a ballistic turret to a mrad one so the bespoke ballistic info in the Leica is great. I know it’s all on your phone but that takes time and very often you have a few seconds to get the job done. Sticking drop charts onthe rifle works but is ugly and annoying. Glass wise Leica wins there is slight chromatic abhorration on the vortex. But tbh it’s not a big deal. Generally 8x is better in low light than 10x and my Leica s are better glass and better in low light but the magnification plays a role here. Was it worth the upgrade probably not am I happy yes but the ballistic info sways it for me.

 

[wytonpjs]

I’ve had vortex fury 10x then just upgraded to Leica geovid 8x hd-b. The vortex are great value and bomb proof. The I have just changed scopes from a ballistic turret to a mrad one so the bespoke ballistic info in the Leica is great. I know it’s all on your phone but that takes time and very often you have a few seconds to get the job done. Sticking drop charts onthe rifle works but is ugly and annoying. Glass wise Leica wins there is slight chromatic abhorration on the vortex. But tbh it’s not a big deal. Generally 8x is better in low light than 10x and my Leica s are better glass and better in low light but the magnification plays a role here. Was it worth the upgrade probably not am I happy yes but the ballistic info sways it for me.

Plus one - I have been using a set of Geovid HD-B for the last 3 years after upgrading from some Meostars. They are simply stunning and, having used them to take all 6 UK species across the length and breath of the UK in all weathers and times of the day, I won’t be changing them, period. Occasionally, I wish they were a little lighter but then I’m reminded why I love them when I pick out deer others struggle to see.

 

[Saracen666]

I’ve had vortex fury 10x then just upgraded to Leica geovid 8x hd-b. The vortex are great value and bomb proof. The I have just changed scopes from a ballistic turret to a mrad one so the bespoke ballistic info in the Leica is great. I know it’s all on your phone but that takes time and very often you have a few seconds to get the job done. Sticking drop charts onthe rifle works but is ugly and annoying. Glass wise Leica wins there is slight chromatic abhorration on the vortex. But tbh it’s not a big deal. Generally 8x is better in low light than 10x and my Leica s are better glass and better in low light but the magnification plays a role here. Was it worth the upgrade probably not am I happy yes but the ballistic info sways it for me.

Interesting. Cheers.

 

[homer]

I had a slight issue with my vortex rf binos. Sent them away, 3 days later I had a brand new pair at my door! Cant fault that service.

 

[swagger700]

I tried all the big names Same day Same time and went for lieca hdb .to my eyes nothing in it and lieca were thick end of a grand less on offer. Kahles are worth a look I was impressed with them few months after I bought lieca, my pal has just got delta's and they look good for the money

 

[Cyres]

I have a pair of Geovids B 10x42 and they are very good. However last year after dropping them on a solid oak floor they had to go to Portugal for repair. Cost me nearly £400 and they were wrong when I got them back and had to send them back to Portugal. For this reason the Vortex lifetime warranty is a no brainer.

Optically the Geovids are better than my eyes and will range find well beyond any range I could possibly shoot. They are robust and when dirty you can wash them in the sink. If you could pick up a pair second hand then would be a very good choce. Shooting mate has just purchased a pair of Vortex and he is very impressed and will range find to silly ranges. They are the basic ones.

My advice is to try as many as you can preferably in poor light conditions and see which you prefer. Buy once cry once.

D

 

[Saracen666]

I have a pair of Geovids B 10x42 and they are very good. However last year after dropping them on a solid oak floor they had to go to Portugal for repair. Cost me nearly £400 and they were wrong when I got them back and had to send them back to Portugal. For this reason the Vortex lifetime warranty is a no brainer.

Optically the Geovids are better than my eyes and will range find well beyond any range I could possibly shoot. They are robust and when dirty you can wash them in the sink. If you could pick up a pair second hand then would be a very good choce. Shooting mate has just purchased a pair of Vortex and he is very impressed and will range find to silly ranges. They are the basic ones.

My advice is to try as many as you can preferably in poor light conditions and see which you prefer. Buy once cry once.

D

Thanks.

 

[JH83]

I have the vortex RF binos. I’m certainly not going to say they’re necessarily as good as the big boys like Swaro and Leica but damn to my eye there isn’t a big difference, and on a budget they make all sorts of sense. The warranty is excellent too, far better than the others -I got badly burned by swaros limited warranty on electrical items-be very aware of this before you buy, vortex have a no quibble lifetime warranty, the others most certainly do not.

 

[Saracen666]

I have the vortex RF binos. I’m certainly not going to say they’re necessarily as good as the big boys like Swaro and Leica but damn to my eye there isn’t a big difference, and on a budget they make all sorts of sense. The warranty is excellent too, far better than the others -I got badly burned by swaros limited warranty on electrical items-be very aware of this before you buy, vortex have a no quibble lifetime warranty, the others most certainly do not.

Thanks.

 

[Everlong]

I’ve just purchased Delta Titanium 9x45 r/f very good value for money also have Swarovski el not a lot of difference in them except the price!

Another Delta 9x45 RF user here. Image quality as good as my Zeiss Victory SF 10x42 non-rangefinding binoculars, mechanical quality of the Deltas is far superior to the Zeiss. These really cannot be beaten for the money. Have a google for Richard Utting's review on you tube. He did a long term test (6 months) side by side with his beloved Swaros........

 

[Saracen666]

Another Delta 9x45 RF user here. Image quality as good as my Zeiss Victory SF 10x42 non-rangefinding binoculars, mechanical quality of the Deltas is far superior to the Zeiss. These really cannot be beaten for the money. Have a google for Richard Utting's review on you tube. He did a long term test (6 months) side by side with his beloved Swaros........

I read that review, and it piqued my interest. I was curious to see if anything compared, which it would appear, it doesn't.

 

[Everlong]

I read that review, and it piqued my interest. I was curious to see if anything compared, which it would appear, it doesn't.

For the money, if you don't need bluetooth connectivity, then there is nothin that even comes close.