$1k Range Finding Binos

[Klooop]

The CameraLand sale on the GPOs Rangeguide 8x40 range finding binoculars is super tempting. But before I jump on it.....

I am really curious how the glass compares to Sig Kilo6k HDX (Gen 2), the newer Vortex Ranger HD 3000, or the Fury HD 5000 models. I will not be able to compare any side by side (not enough of anything in stock locally), so this is a bit of a gamble for me.

I know the Leica Geovid R's are a favorite here, but they are also 1.5x-2x the price of the others right now and much larger. Still worth it at that premium?
The light weight ballistics solver of the Sig would be a nice bonus, but I am not exactly sure what else they give up to provide ballistics at this price.
The GPO price and weight/size are ideal, but it would be nice to display horizontal range only though instead of LOS + another metric.

I'm mostly backpack hunting, so weight & complexity savings is a bonus. It is primarily for rifle hunting, but I do also archery hunt some. The idea of ditching a separate range finder and speeding up my process to get on target is the primary motivation. Ideally $1k or less. I'm shooting out to 600 yards regularly for practice, but I want to be able to range beyond that.

I currently have Vortex Viper 10x42s and a cheapo Vortex Impact 850 range finder. My bino glass quality seems good enough, but I miss the wider FOV & steadier holding of my older 8x42 binos (so 8x is my preference). My range finder sucks - display is too dark to read at first & last light, and it doesn't reliably range normal targets/animals/trees over 450 yards even in good conditions. So I'm looking for improvements there if possible.

Any and all feedback welcome. Thanks in advance.

 

[Tullis94]

I have the GPO 10X40s rangeguide. I can't compare to all the ones you mentioned but my wife has 10x42 geovid r. I like mine better for the size and rangefinder capabilities. The GPO has a significantly better rangefinder. The Leica are better optically.

From my research prior to buying, the GPO is the best optically besides the Leica.

 

[KY_coop]

Ive got the 8x40 rangeguides and they are great. Much better glass then the kilo6k i ordered then returned, and I only looked through the fury at a match very shortly but I liked the glass on the gpo better.
If you dont need on board ballistics I think these are a great deal.

 

[Klooop]

Thanks for the input so far!

I did end up finding a store kind of near me with Kilo6Ks, Ranger HD 3000s, and Fury HD 5000s in stock! However, there was only one person at the counter and a ton of people ahead of me for the big shopping weekend....pretty dumb. I didn't have time to wait a few hours with the family in tow. I will hopefully be able to make it back soon for a better comparison.

All that said, I decided to jump on this deal. I did a bunch of searching here, and there just isn't a ton of info on a few of these options. It seemed like a good opportunity to hit most of my desired features.

I will be sure to report back after I have them in hand to make some comparisons.

 

[JGRaider]

Thanks for the input so far!

I did end up finding a store kind of near me with Kilo6Ks, Ranger HD 3000s, and Fury HD 5000s in stock! However, there was only one person at the counter and a ton of people ahead of me for the big shopping weekend....pretty dumb. I didn't have time to wait a few hours with the family in tow. I will hopefully be able to make it back soon for a better comparison.

All that said, I decided to jump on this deal. I did a bunch of searching here, and there just isn't a ton of info on a few of these options. It seemed like a good opportunity to hit most of my desired features.

I will be sure to report back after I have them in hand to make some comparisons.

You won't be sorry. The GPO Rangeguide's are excellent. That's a great deal on a great product.

 

[Coopsdaddy]

This a better option vs the Gen 1 Revic binos?

 

[tysonES]

I did have the opportunity to compare the Geovid and my Fury 5000s side by side recently. The Leica's did appear to have a greater FOV(both 10x42) but I liked the look of the glass and reticle layout of the Vortex more. Could be personal bias ofc too

 

[Klooop]

This a better option vs the Gen 1 Revic binos?

I saw some of these on closeout for a good price, but it was still ~$1k more than I paid for thr GPOs. It was more than I really wanted to spend, but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't tempted...

 

[benconfused]

Thanks for the input so far!

I did end up finding a store kind of near me with Kilo6Ks, Ranger HD 3000s, and Fury HD 5000s in stock! However, there was only one person at the counter and a ton of people ahead of me for the big shopping weekend....pretty dumb. I didn't have time to wait a few hours with the family in tow. I will hopefully be able to make it back soon for a better comparison.

All that said, I decided to jump on this deal. I did a bunch of searching here, and there just isn't a ton of info on a few of these options. It seemed like a good opportunity to hit most of my desired features.

I will be sure to report back after I have them in hand to make some comparisons.

Checking in here, how are you liking the GPO LRF's?

 

[Nuggynuggs]

I just had the 8x40s delivered and I’m really impressed so far. To be fair I’m upgrading from a fairly basic pair of Nikons and I don’t have experience with the models you listed, but I might see if I can look through them side by side with my friend’s Maven b3s that I really liked. In short though, the range finding ability is really great and the glass quality is definitely good enough that you’d probably never need anything better.

 

[Klooop]

Timely....I am sitting in front of a UPS store sending mine in for warranty. GPO USA has been responsive, which is really good.

I REALLY like them when they work. They are fast and have excellent range. I was able to easily hand hold on a tree at 3200 yards. Absolutely love that. My particular unit doesn't return any readings from any sensor when the unit is cold soaked to 40-45 degrees F or colder (display lights up and just shows blank values). GPO says this is the first they've heard of that, so I am sending them in. I will keep you all updated. I really want them to work out...such a good deal if they do.

 

[benconfused]

Timely....I am sitting in front of a UPS store sending mine in for warranty. GPO USA has been responsive, which is really good.

I REALLY like them when they work. They are fast and have excellent range. I was able to easily hand hold on a tree at 3200 yards. Absolutely love that. My particular unit doesn't return any readings from any sensor when the unit is cold soaked to 40-45 degrees F or colder (display lights up and just shows blank values). GPO says this is the first they've heard of that, so I am sending them in. I will keep you all updated. I really want them to work out...such a good deal if they do.

You are now the second person that's told me about some cold weather performance issues with the GPO's in the last week.

 

[Klooop]

You are now the second person that's told me about some cold weather performance issues with the GPO's in the last week.

Well that is a bummer to hear about. I took a little time to verify the issue. It was very repeatable, even with a fresh battery.

I know workmanship defects for electronics often show up when cold, but usually that's much colder than what I experienced here. Hopefully warranty processing is quick, so i can put (presumably) new ones to the test.

 

[benconfused]

Well that is a bummer to hear about. I took a little time to verify the issue. It was very repeatable, even with a fresh battery.

I know workmanship defects for electronics often show up when cold, but usually that's much colder than what I experienced here. Hopefully warranty processing is quick, so i can put (presumably) new ones to the test.

@gr8fuldoug - fyi if you're aware of or helping track within the RS community. I'm sure GPO would want to be aware IF systemic. Definitely could still be a one-off (or two-off).