Range finding binos
- Thread starter ca11um
- Start date
westcoast highlands
Active Member
Swarovski el range ta.
magnification depends on where you are using them the most! 10x42 for the hill and open ground, 8x42 for everything else.
magnification depends on where you are using them the most! 10x42 for the hill and open ground, 8x42 for everything else.
Before you lay out a few grand of your hard earned pennies have a look through as many pairs as you can. The most expensive may not suit your eyes , as far as magnification , well that depends on your use.Hi all, apologies as I know this has probably been asked before but budget is no issue. What is the best make and model you can buy for a set of range finding binos, what's the best magnification as well. Looking for new!
Thanks in advance as always, cheers
ca11um
Well-Known Member
Sound advice. Go with your eyes and ergonomics. I find 10x42 ideal. If truth is known not much difference in the top end glass. Swarvi appear brighter to some. Vortex lifetime guarantee Swarvi v good at FOC repairs/ service. Leica will charge. If solely for rangefinding better option is to buy a monocular.
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John Gryphon
Well-Known Member
And there will be those that will jump in and say " there is no need for RF bino`s" or "maybe a separate one will suffice" (RF)
No ifs, no buts, RF equipped bino`s are the best of them all for 99.99999% of hunters. Of course that`s just one mans opinion.
Have tried the Leica, but own the EL RF in 10x and am very happy with them and Swaro`s service also.
No ifs, no buts, RF equipped bino`s are the best of them all for 99.99999% of hunters. Of course that`s just one mans opinion.
Have tried the Leica, but own the EL RF in 10x and am very happy with them and Swaro`s service also.
Sako6.5x55
Well-Known Member
I’m colour blind and I found that there were only 2 pairs of RF binoculars which I could see the display in were Vortex and Swarovski, the better quality is definitely the Swarovski but at twice the price. The advantage of the Vortex is a lifetime guarantee, drop them out your car drive over them and they will replace them. I’ve had mine about 5 years and recently had a problem with the lens rubber eye pieces coming off, sent them to CSW (Vortex distributor) got them back 3days later better than new at no cost.
If moneys no object how about Pulsar Merger thermal imaging binoculars, everything in one package, a bit on the heavy side but you won’t be carrying bino’s, rangefinder and thermal so probably less weight overall, scary bit of kit and incredibly good quality at £4,600. Out of my league!
If moneys no object how about Pulsar Merger thermal imaging binoculars, everything in one package, a bit on the heavy side but you won’t be carrying bino’s, rangefinder and thermal so probably less weight overall, scary bit of kit and incredibly good quality at £4,600. Out of my league!
Dan Newcombe
Well-Known Member
I have Kahles and they are definitely not as good as Leica / Swaro that I have looked through - not sure if they are less than half as good but if you have the money they wouldn’t be on my list.
maximus otter
Well-Known Member
Another vote for Swarovski EL Range, mine being 8 x 42: "The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten."
I find it very difficult to hold 10x bins steady enough to reap the rewards of the slightly-greater magnification. I also remember reading about a survey that Zeiss did years ago, which revealed that most observers extracted most information from 8x glasses.
maximus otter
I find it very difficult to hold 10x bins steady enough to reap the rewards of the slightly-greater magnification. I also remember reading about a survey that Zeiss did years ago, which revealed that most observers extracted most information from 8x glasses.
maximus otter
Heym SR20
Well-Known Member
Think carefully before spending lots of coin on Rangefinding binoculars. They are expensive, heavy and full of electronics.
Once you know your ground do you need to range every shot? If you often stalk or sit in a highseat where the vast majority of shots are well under 200m you don’t need to use a range finder.
Perhaps better off buying good binoculars which will be cheaper, lighter and with nothing to go wrong. And have a separate range finder which you use when you need, but can be left behind for when you don’t.
Once you know your ground do you need to range every shot? If you often stalk or sit in a highseat where the vast majority of shots are well under 200m you don’t need to use a range finder.
Perhaps better off buying good binoculars which will be cheaper, lighter and with nothing to go wrong. And have a separate range finder which you use when you need, but can be left behind for when you don’t.
NickJ
Well-Known Member
As above and I have a pair of 10x42 as stalk hill and woodland and they are first class, always had Swaro binos and they have never failed me (I dropped them once and paid for them to be repaired.)
However, would I buy another pair of RF Swaros? I'm not sure as the warranty on the glass is excellent but on the electronics for the RF is only three years.
@JH83 had a Swaro rangefinder go wrong and as it was more than three years old Swarovski said they would/could not repair it. It lead him to buy a pair of Vortex RF glasses with a lifetime guarantee over Swaro.
I have been lain on the hill at dawn with my ELs upsides his Vortex pair and watching deer, was there a difference? Yes, a slight one, however was it a £1,000 worth of difference? No, especially when you add the warranty issue.
I haven't heard of anyone with the RF going wrong on ELs but, of course they have not been around that long. If they keep losing market share to the likes of Vortex maybe they will extend the warranty on the RF element, here's hoping.
I have two friends with Leica RF binos, glass as good as Swaro, both of a good age and they have never had any issues but I gather their electronics warranty is as per Swarovski.
I understand the case for buying a seperate RF but when I had one I would rarely use it other than when I had all the time in the world on the hill, maybe 5% of the time, now the RF is in my binos I use it every time a shot is over 150m ish which is probably 50% of the time, it take a second or two to ping it
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I have Geovids x10 but rarely use them out stalking. Mostly used when out walking or scanning fields for pigeon and alike. Leica monocular rangefinder lives in truck and small compact and v useful. Super when out stalking on unfamiliar ground. I always shot with sticks and essential for steady viewing through thermal and bins. If I hade my time again I would just have a pair of top end bins and a thermal with rangefinding capacity.
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One on top of two
Well-Known Member
I use Leica geovid 3200.com and a kestrel 5700 elite with AB ..works very well .
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Marrajack1
Well-Known Member
I use Ziess Victory HT stand alone binoculars and a RF. The stand alone binoculars are better than any RF binoculars I have looked through by a fair bit
That said I bought a pair of Nikon RF from a lad on here and they are really well made accurate with very nice glass and I would suggest on a par with some of the European glass I have used/ borrowed in the past
That said I bought a pair of Nikon RF from a lad on here and they are really well made accurate with very nice glass and I would suggest on a par with some of the European glass I have used/ borrowed in the past
Freightdog
Well-Known Member
I went round this thought circle myself. Decided on thermal lrf & good mid range binos. Spent the wedge on the thermal so I can use it for night shooting as well (I tried range finding at night with a stand alone lrf and couldn't see the readout).
Just something else to consider.
Just something else to consider.
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