Range Finding Binoculars

[samdk]

I’m in the market for a pair of good quality RF binoculars, 10X magnification and good quality as I want them to last.

I have narrowed it down to the following but any advise or hands on experience would be much appreciated:

• Swarovski 10X42 EL Range TA (or older non TA if available)

• Khales Helia 10X42 RF

• Leica Geovid 10x42 HD-R (2700)

Thanks I’m advance.

Sam

 

[I. Farticus]

Add Vortex to that list as the Lifetime Warranty will ensure they, or a replacement pair, will outlast you

 

[Magnificent 7]

Add Vortex to that list as the Lifetime Warranty will ensure they, or a replacement pair, will outlast you

Looked at the vortex a friend sells them and his words where there good but you need the warranty if there used a lot I opted for the Swaro TA and there mega

 

[Stalker62]

• Swarovski 10X42 EL Range TA (or older non TA if available)

Look no further.






90% of my glass is Swarovski, not cheap, but excellent quality and their after-sales service is excellent.

90% of my glass is purchased from Macleods of Tain - you would do well to find better prices.

 

[hogey]

Nothing wrong with the Vortex and half the price

 

[Quarrybank]

I’m in the market for a pair of good quality RF binoculars, 10X magnification and good quality as I want them to last.

I have narrowed it down to the following but any advise or hands on experience would be much appreciated:

• Swarovski 10X42 EL Range TA (or older non TA if available)

• Khales Helia 10X42 RF

• Leica Geovid 10x42 HD-R (2700)

Thanks I’m advance.

Sam

I have a set of Leica Geovid 10x42 HD-B and like S62 bought from McLeod’s in Tain. Very good and I couldn’t detect a difference between them and the Swarovski with my well used eyes. They are a bit heavy but very robust. Well used over 2 years with no issues.

 

[EMcC]

I have a pair of RF binoculars made by GPO, they are as good as any other and not so expensive.
German Precision Optics hasn't been on the market very long but I reckon as more people find them they will go up in price.
They are made in Japan with German guidance and quality control, were they made in Germany they would cost twice the price.

 

[Cottis]

Be very sure you really need RF function in a binocular rather than wanting it, before you go ahead and part with your cash.

They are heavier, they are bigger, they are not as good optically as what you can otherwise buy for far less money.

If you are constantly shooting at random ranges when not static (like deer out to 350yds where you want as few items on your person as poss) and need to know ranges all the time, they are brilliant.

If however we are talking about a few times, then it really is not worth it. I went back to normal binoculars having bought the HD B 3000's. The ballistic function is brilliant but that can be had for less than £500 in a tiny handheld device that they do if you must have a ballistic solution. For deer, you just need to know if it is 200yds, 250yds or 300yds etc and make a manual hold easily enough. I tend to use RF for static pest control when I need to make a very precise shot on small animals at ranges well beyond zero when 50yds increments are not good enough. The pocket Leica RF Ballistic tool is great for that.

For all my other shooting where I simply want to see what I am looking at, as far in to last light as poss, hands down a top spec set of stand alone binos are better. They are smaller, they are lighter and optically they are better.

I was quite underwhelmed by the Geovids to be honest. I have not looked through the absolute latest Zeiss or Swaro offerings but I have looked through the older variants and found them similar.

Just a thought but have a proper think about what you really need and what criteria really matters to you. You do have to make quite a few compromises with RF binoculars in my opinion. For me, those compromises were not acceptable. They may well be for you though.

 

[samdk]

Be very sure you really need RF function in a binocular rather than wanting it, before you go ahead and part with your cash.

They are heavier, they are bigger, they are not as good optically as what you can otherwise buy for far less money.

If you are constantly shooting at random ranges when not static (like deer out to 350yds where you want as few items on your person as poss) and need to know ranges all the time, they are brilliant.

If however we are talking about a few times, then it really is not worth it. I went back to normal binoculars having bought the HD B 3000's. The ballistic function is brilliant but that can be had for less than £500 in a tiny handheld device that they do if you must have a ballistic solution. For deer, you just need to know if it is 200yds, 250yds or 300yds etc and make a manual hold easily enough. I tend to use RF for static pest control when I need to make a very precise shot on small animals at ranges well beyond zero when 50yds increments are not good enough. The pocket Leica RF Ballistic tool is great for that.

For all my other shooting where I simply want to see what I am looking at, as far in to last light as poss, hands down a top spec set of stand alone binos are better. They are smaller, they are lighter and optically they are better.

I was quite underwhelmed by the Geovids to be honest. I have not looked through the absolute latest Zeiss or Swaro offerings but I have looked through the older variants and found them similar.

Just a thought but have a proper think about what you really need and what criteria really matters to you. You do have to make quite a few compromises with RF binoculars in my opinion. For me, those compromises were not acceptable. They may well be for you though.

Thanks for your response Cottis, certainly food for thought!

My use for them will be observing, spotting and ranging deer but I also do a lot of longer range vermin shooting beyond 500 yards on rabbit, crow and fox size targets.
I currently have no binos just a Vortex ranger 1800 which struggles to range these small targets in bright light and lacks the ability to observe/spot.

Ideally I don’t want to carry a a rangefinder and binos as I also have and use my accolade pro at first and last light (not during the day) so that was my reasoning for getting a set of RF binos really.

Sam

 

[NullMac]

Once you get to that level you need to try them for yourself. Each have their own strengths and weaknesses and it comes down to personal preference and perception.

I tried Swaro and Leica side by side at Cluny. I found the Swaro glass to be marginally brighter but thought the Leica laser was a bit quicker.

FWIW (not much) I bought Leica but HD-B model

 

[baguio]

I have just bought 8x42 TAs but also have 7x42 Leicas. Tested them at last light and couldn't tell them apart. I just wanted the built in RF and went for Swaro for their after sales service. Not that the Leicas have ever gone wrong in 25 years of regular use so have never tested their customer service! The glass on these top of the range binos is so good that I think you have to get them in your hands and make up your own mind really? However, I don't think that you will be disapointed whichever ones you choose?

 

[Brighty3006]

Swarovski el range. Simply superb

 

[nun_hunter]

Looked at the vortex a friend sells them and his words where there good but you need the warranty if there used a lot I opted for the Swaro TA and there mega

I've personally had Zeiss refuse to fix the RF function once it was out of their 2 year warranty and I've read on here of people having to pay to get the RF fixed on both Leica and Swarovski outside of the initial electronics warranty (2-5 years only).

If that potential cost isnt viewed as considerable to the OP then you can discount the Vortex but if you won't notice an extra 5 mins of viewing at first/last light but you will notice the difference in purchase price and a possible few hundred pounds when the RF packs up then I'd choose Vortex every time.

 

[Msdt601119]

Delta r/f binos. Take a look at Richard uttings review on you tube

 

[Gm81]

I would say don't buy delta. Mine fog up and optics warehouse weren't Interested. They said delta wouldn't be either.
Save a bit more or go vortex.

 

[Dave_45]

GPO range guide.
Zeiss glass , non Zeiss prices

 

[rwade545]

I was in a Similar predicament to yourself. I needed rangefinding Balistic calculation and decent glass in a compact a package as I could. After having numerous different rangefinders and binoculars, I settled on a set of vortex 5000 applied ballistics.
Once set up I have found them fantastic. Glass may be be quite there with swaro but I find the ability to range and have all ballistics calculated great. I’ve used them to 1400y with 6.5creedmoor and found it spot on. I would be with out mine.

 

[Brave Echo Niner]

Leica Geovids work ace for me, have ranged with them out to 2000+ Metres, the glass is crystal clear and has good function at dawn and dusk.

The Ballistic program inside once set up is pretty good, I have managed to get mine matching my .300 out to 500-600m and to within a click out to 1000M (based off no wind).

I did have to send them back after something went a little wrong with the laser (gave correct values, but wouldn't range beyond 6-700m), but they replaced the whole RF section FOC under the warranty and had them back to me in a couple of weeks.

They've done a lot with myself and I have to say I think they're ace and wouldn't change them for anything else I've tried.

Ben

 

[slider]

Looked at the vortex a friend sells them and his words where there good but you need the warranty if there used a lot I opted for the Swaro TA and there mega

Rubbish, I heard og very few people that have used the warranty and even then it was down to their own stupidity (yes the Vortex warranty covers that!!)

 

[samdk]

Leica Geovids work ace for me, have ranged with them out to 2000+ Metres, the glass is crystal clear and has good function at dawn and dusk.

The Ballistic program inside once set up is pretty good, I have managed to get mine matching my .300 out to 500-600m and to within a click out to 1000M (based off no wind).

I did have to send them back after something went a little wrong with the laser (gave correct values, but wouldn't range beyond 6-700m), but they replaced the whole RF section FOC under the warranty and had them back to me in a couple of weeks.

They've done a lot with myself and I have to say I think they're ace and wouldn't change them for anything else I've tried.

Ben

Thanks Ben, I have now ordered a set from Cluny!

After trying all the options I mentioned I concluded that Leicas have the best RF and ergonomics by far and the optics have the edge over the Swaros to my eye.

Sam