Range Finder Binoculars

[Cris]

So went stalking with a friend recently and we enviably talked about kit. Range finder binoculars in particular. Ow I have that itch!
So what thoughts have people on the subject. Always had Leica binoculars to date.

 

[Gm81]

I've have a Leica monocular one for years. Was good, but needed binoculars as well. Then had rangefinding binoculars which were good. Then went from RF binos to ones with a ballistic correction in. Now it's look ping and move the scope job done.
If you want them get them with a calculator and then it's worth it. Otherwise you're no better off than a cheaper monocular and looking at table. Which takes to long. In my mind.
I'm sure the leica ones are good. I've got swaro TA's which I love. I had deltas and didnt like them at all. But great range finder in them. I couldn't live without my swaro's now. It's a very quick solution. But it costs a lot.

 

[nun_hunter]

It's been said before and I agree but spending that much money on an item with built in electronics it's got to be Vortex for the warranty.

 

[Big Si]

I treated myself to the Vortex AB set a while back and I got to say they are a great bit of kit, have set the ballistic system up for my stalking and foxing rifle and it’s easy to switch between the two, I’m far from technically minded but even I managed to set them up, if I’m trying for longer ranges they link to my kestrel wind meter to give you the corrections.

 

[Gary123]

Another Vortex Fury fan here

 

[Wmjas]

I have the sig kilo 3000 rf binos and can’t fault them, it’s nice not having to carry 2x optics on your bino harness.

 

[Cris]

Whats the optical quality like on the Vortex?

 

[Big Si]

To be fair to them they are great, low level light they are a lot better than you would expect them to be against their more expensive comparisons, I couldn’t justify the bigger price tag for the others but these do the job that I need them to

 

[nun_hunter]

Whats the optical quality like on the Vortex?

I thought this was a pretty fair and unbiased review.

 

[Gary123]

Whats the optical quality like on the Vortex?

It’s down to your eyes and budget at the end of the day. I have had Swarovski EL range, Leica Geovid HDB and prefer the Fury out of them all, they fit well in the hand and in my opinion the RF is the best of all. I’m up in Scotland next week and will be using my new Habroks, as a one unit does it all, so will see how they compare in the real world. I have sold all of my thermal spotters but will still hold on to the Fury’s, you can’t beat the warranty, run them over with your car and they will replace foc

 

[big ears]

Only thing I would say is try them, I have an eye dominance problem (central vision with preferred left eye) that meant I couldn’t easily see the range read out. Worth checking before shelling out the readies

 

[Pete6.5]

I carried rangefinding binoculars for years then I got thermal now I never carry binoculars. I just get within 200 yards and pull the trigger. I used to only use when zeroing to get 100 yards but now have a permanent range. What I'm trying to say is I would spend the money on a better thermal because it is also great for spotting other things apart from deer.

 

[Tim.243]

So went stalking with a friend recently and we enviably talked about kit. Range finder binoculars in particular. Ow I have that itch!
So what thoughts have people on the subject. Always had Leica binoculars to date.

A good example some time back a friend was with me watching pigeons working out the line for the next day, he had RF bins swro ones. He pinged them on the crop abt 400 yds so we would be good back to the road. A pigeon came past about 80 yds, I said would you take that on Simon? No it is to far Tim! How do you know it is to far? well I can see it is out of range.
Ok why did you spend 2.2k on RF bins lol
I spent time learning marks as most of my land has tram lines so half the field has a set of 34m lines across it. But enjoy them
what ever you buy.

 

[JH83]

Another fury fan here.

With all the technology coming out now buying binoculars is a complex affair, there isn’t the emphasis on buying the best to the same extent now with thermal, digital, and how thermal/digital (Habrok). I’d recommend saving a few quid and going vortex.

That being said there will also be a use for good glass binoculars, but the vortex are up to the job.

 

[John.270]

For clarity at first and last light, I’d still stick with Leica, Swaro or Zeiss. The fury is very good kit for the money, but in my opinion just doesn’t offer quite the same in low light. It’s whether an additional 5-10 mins in an evening is worth the additional spend for what you do.

 

[JockStalk]

I’m a long standing fan of vortex and would also rate the fury’s. Had the Leica rf and found them good, just annoyingly heavy when stalking. Now have Zeiss victory RF and enjoying them for long range, but when stalking it’s a thermal with onboard rf and 8x32 swaro if I need to eyeball it.

 

[Cyres]

Don't do it buy a good thermal and a Leica rangefinding monocular. My Geovids only get used on country walks. I would not go out shooting without my thermal and monocular lives in truck. Monocular is v compact so no issue tucking it away in my jacket. Its got v good optics.
The way things are going LR will be standard in all thermals.
D

 

[Cris]

A good example some time back a friend was with me watching pigeons working out the line for the next day, he had RF bins swro ones. He pinged them on the crop abt 400 yds so we would be good back to the road. A pigeon came past about 80 yds, I said would you take that on Simon? No it is to far Tim! How do you know it is to far? well I can see it is out of range.
Ok why did you spend 2.2k on RF bins lol
I spent time learning marks as most of my land has tram lines so half the field has a set of 34m lines across it. But enjoy them
what ever you buy.

Well I have a range finder that site in my bino case, but you are right about knowing your distance if you can. The high seats, I have all ranged and know and most vantage points on the farms I shoot, but some have very large fields and little to nothing to use as a marker. The other situation is if you are in a new location. Just takes the guess work away and with welfare and best practices, you should be using all modern tools to eliminate risk.
Just changing with the times and keeping up plus love gadgets

 

[sy247]

Shamless plug, I've got a pair of Swarovski EL range for sale in the classifieds:

Sold: - Swarovski EL Range 8x42 Binoculars

Swarovski EL Range 8x42 Binoculars 2011 model, repaired and serviced by Swarovski in 2018 (objective lens and rubber armour replace, realigned). Excellent optical condition, some wear to the paint on the metal bridge. Laser range finder works as expected. Complete with box, all manuals...

www.thestalkingdirectory.co.uk

I've got a pair of Vortex Viper HD. They are very good and you can't beat the warranty but not in the same league as the Swaros in terms of optics and build quality.

 

[palo]

I have the leica geovid pro 8x32. They are lighter and smaller than the 8x42 geovid I had before.
Glass is great and the ballistics work great with my rifles .