Rangefinder binoculars
- Thread starter Jimmy308
- Start date
Buy a regular set of binos and seperate rangefinder instead.
Rangefinder bino's:
Rangefinder bino's:
- Heavier
- Not as crisp/clear, worse light transmission
- More likely to have problems if dropped accidentally
- In 10 years they will lose a lot of value
- Much harder to get repaired for free by Swaro or Leica
nun_hunter
Well-Known Member
Worth checking what warranty they will actually offer on the electronics. Their warranties and servicing on the glass will be top notch between both but if the electronics only have a 2 year warranty then that's an expensive fix for you should there be a problem. As far as I know Vortex are the only ones who offer a full lifetime warranty on the electronics too, to me that's worth the peace of mind for 5 mins less of low light use after getting stung by Zeiss in the past.
Ronin
Distinguished Member
Have experience of Swarowski (laser guide and range units)
Have used Leica and Zeiss and knowledge of warranty for former
With my eyes the Swarowski are clearer than Zeiss ans Leica
I used to have laser guide RF ans separate binos - was a pain to view , then swap to rf and ping range
Yes there is extra weight in a combined unit - but the weight isn’t a great deal and doesn’t outweigh the ease factor
Swarowski warranty is bomb proof - had Laser Guide unit I owned five or six years ans sent them back for a service I expected to pay for (they came back as new ans at no cost)
The Range unit I now have was the first model and ex demo - Perhaps six years old maybe more and seen a great deal of use
I dropped them last year at a competition ans broke the focus ring
Sent them back to Swarowski fully expecting to pay for the repair
Came back a month later as new and at no cost
I know of two people with Leica units that have developed electrical fault with (first model ) RF - the warranty did not cover the very expensive repair
Zeiss warranty better
But not as good as Swarowski
I would not look at anything else other than Swarowski now (for RF Binoculars )
Have used Leica and Zeiss and knowledge of warranty for former
With my eyes the Swarowski are clearer than Zeiss ans Leica
I used to have laser guide RF ans separate binos - was a pain to view , then swap to rf and ping range
Yes there is extra weight in a combined unit - but the weight isn’t a great deal and doesn’t outweigh the ease factor
Swarowski warranty is bomb proof - had Laser Guide unit I owned five or six years ans sent them back for a service I expected to pay for (they came back as new ans at no cost)
The Range unit I now have was the first model and ex demo - Perhaps six years old maybe more and seen a great deal of use
I dropped them last year at a competition ans broke the focus ring
Sent them back to Swarowski fully expecting to pay for the repair
Came back a month later as new and at no cost
I know of two people with Leica units that have developed electrical fault with (first model ) RF - the warranty did not cover the very expensive repair
Zeiss warranty better
But not as good as Swarowski
I would not look at anything else other than Swarowski now (for RF Binoculars )
sako751sg
Well-Known Member
As said above,Swarovski take a bit of beating.
Bought my RF at the Kelso Deer Fair,think it was the first one in 2013 if i remember and for the price of £1700.
Had absolutely zero issues with them outwith my own ineptitude and they have never missed a beat.Left on the motor roof last year,and saw them getting demolished on the road behind me.Looked a total write off to me,but Swarovski took them,totally rebuilt and came back like new for the sum of around £450 which was unreal as was expecting much more.
Any kit i have ever put in apart from that,has always been dealt with free of charge and that includes damage caused by ourselves so would be pushed to go outwith the brand now.
Bought my RF at the Kelso Deer Fair,think it was the first one in 2013 if i remember and for the price of £1700.
Had absolutely zero issues with them outwith my own ineptitude and they have never missed a beat.Left on the motor roof last year,and saw them getting demolished on the road behind me.Looked a total write off to me,but Swarovski took them,totally rebuilt and came back like new for the sum of around £450 which was unreal as was expecting much more.
Any kit i have ever put in apart from that,has always been dealt with free of charge and that includes damage caused by ourselves so would be pushed to go outwith the brand now.
paulbshooting
Well-Known Member
I have Leica non RF and the Swaro EL RF. Both are excellent glass. I use the EL's a lot and over the past 6 plus years have needed replacement eye cups, back to swaro when the focus wheel started playing up but otherwise all good. Dealing with swaro was easy and prompt service. For low light I would say the Leica is better and gains you a few minutes, think that's something to do with optical coatings which are different for built in RF.
steveford1
Well-Known Member
Swarovski all day long
I have been a Leica fan since I started buying rangefinder binoculars, however I think the current Leica and Swarovski rangefinders are too expensive and complicated. I took my new Leica rangefinders back in August after 2 weeks and got a pair of these instead.
Kahles Helia 8x42 Rangefinder Binoculars
Buy the new Kahles Helia 8- and 10x42 range finder binoculars online here! Official Kahles UK dealers with excellent, personal service. FREE delivery.
Regards
JCS
nun_hunter
Well-Known Member
My experience with a 6-year old rangefinder wasn't as good as yours obviously. I was told it is too expensive to fix so buy a new set. Electronics will always eventually go wrong so for me I will always choose a lifetime warranty on those as well when spending that amount of money. Some people have more money to spare so can take the risk otherwise.
When I bought a pair I was comparing exactly the same as you. Went to Cluny Guns and looked at the two at the same time.
It was a bit like arguing whether Messi or Ronaldo is better. You will not go wrong with either.
So IMO:
Swaro glass was a bit better. Not a huge amount but there was a difference.
Leica laser was a bit faster. Both managed to range on objects out to their specified ranges.
In the end I bought Leica because I wanted the ballistics solver option for non stalking applications. If I was after best possible glass I would have bought the Swaro.
Do NOT buy a separate laser range finder a) it is another bit of kit and slows down ranging things of interest which is kind of the point and b) I have seen cheaper ones fail to work in conditions where the Swaro and Leica do. You get what you pay for.
It was a bit like arguing whether Messi or Ronaldo is better. You will not go wrong with either.
So IMO:
Swaro glass was a bit better. Not a huge amount but there was a difference.
Leica laser was a bit faster. Both managed to range on objects out to their specified ranges.
In the end I bought Leica because I wanted the ballistics solver option for non stalking applications. If I was after best possible glass I would have bought the Swaro.
Do NOT buy a separate laser range finder a) it is another bit of kit and slows down ranging things of interest which is kind of the point and b) I have seen cheaper ones fail to work in conditions where the Swaro and Leica do. You get what you pay for.
What are they like in low light? I am a fan of the Kahles scopes...I have been a Leica fan since I started buying rangefinder binoculars, however I think the current Leica and Swarovski rangefinders are too expensive and complicated. I took my new Leica rangefinders back in August after 2 weeks and got a pair of these instead.
On the open hill, they aren't as good as Leica and Swarovski, but they are more than good enough for 95% of what I do.Kahles Helia 8x42 Rangefinder Binoculars
Buy the new Kahles Helia 8- and 10x42 range finder binoculars online here! Official Kahles UK dealers with excellent, personal service. FREE delivery.www.clunycountrystore.co.uk
Regards
JCS
How far do you want to range them to know it's a twenty minute hike to see em & ID em'?
You need to look through them and see what you prefer. Swarvi have bomb proof customer services. I have Leia Geovid B 10x42 and cannot fault them. It cost me alot to have them mended after I dropped them but they were in effect completly rebult. My son has the newer Geovids, pretty impessive. Leicas are very ergonomic mate has new Vortex, very good but too bulky for my liking.
D
D
whatever takes your fancy, check what the electronic warranty is, NOT the general warranty.
Electronic warranty’s tend to be shorter.
Electronic warranty’s tend to be shorter.
Ronin
Distinguished Member
My only gripe with the EL Range is the laser unit does nit seem to be as powerful as the Guide it preceded
It’s perfectly fine for hunting applications but sometimes a little more is needed when practicing at “extended range”
Now if they would only use the Terrapin x laser in the EL Range ,,,, that would be something
It’s perfectly fine for hunting applications but sometimes a little more is needed when practicing at “extended range”
Now if they would only use the Terrapin x laser in the EL Range ,,,, that would be something
For those that think a LRF has a lower transmission than standard binoculars, this is no longer the case, yes at one time, it did apply and still does in some circumstances, due to beam splitters. As an example, one of the brands listed has a transmission figure (published, so not talking out of turn) of 91%, compared to 90% for the equivalent standard unit (1% isn’t noticeable anyway). I work for one of the mentioned products, so in fairness to all, try them yourself. I know people who wanted one, but purchased the other, simply because they did not suit, nothing wrong with the optics, it was simply down to how they felt in the hand and how they fit your eyes.
Brighty3006
Well-Known Member
Swarovski. Simply superb
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