Help! If you could buy any binoculars and rangfinder OR ranging binos........

[White Wizard]

What would you buy? Looking to make the investment and keep coming up between Leica Geovid HD-B and the Swaro ELs(and keeping my Leica rangefinder) and Swaro EL Ranges. I just can't decide. Leaning towards the Leica geovids but never found solid answer on the angle comp for archery at short distances. ANY help would be great from real world users. Thanks!

 

[les welch]

What would you buy? Looking to make the investment and keep coming up between Leica Geovid HD-B and the Swaro ELs(and keeping my Leica rangefinder) and Swaro EL Ranges. I just can't decide. Leaning towards the Leica geovids but never found solid answer on the angle comp for archery at short distances. ANY help would be great from real world users. Thanks!

Swaro EL range, no question.


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[Dameon]

I lust after the Swaro EL ranges. Seriously, I don't think this is healthy.


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[bbrown]

Swaro EL ranges - I wasn't sold on have both in 1 but after using them all fall I doubt I could go back. And don't listen to the nay sayers about them having "inferior" glass... It's plenty good!!!

 

[Dcrafton]

I use the 10x42 SLC, brighter than the EL. and I use Leica 1600.
My reason is when I look through the EL range binos I find my eyes focusing on the red range number and loosing focus on the object. I believe this is because of the dual eye pieces. They are expensive so take some time and try them as much as you can. My eyes may just be stupid and they may work just fine for you. Good luck


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[TheCougar]

+1 for SLCs and Leica Rangefinder. Some folks like ELs, some don't, but everyone agrees that SLCs are world class glass. I don't like to have a $3,000 piece of electronics, hence the separate binos and rangefinder. Rangefinders break, eventually.

 

[CorbLand]

If you want a pair of binoculars with a rangefinder in them...El Ranges
If you want a rangefinder built into a pair of binoculars...Leica Geovids

I think Swaro has better glass quality than Leica but Leicas rangefinders are better than Swaros.

 

[dotman]

EL's and Sig 2k, I'm not sold on ranging Binos but haven't used them either.

 

[Beendare]

I had the first gen 10x Leica Geovids and ended up selling them to go a different route. Easy for me as i had the 10x Swaros to fall back on. No disrespect to that Leica unit, it was amazing; rangefinder worked flawlessly the glass was as good as anything out there.... the downside: they were heavy and the RF was only guaranteed for 5 years....not for life like their binos.

Buy the best bino you can afford but I wouldnt take a second on my house to buy the EL range. Great bino no doubt at only a few oz more than the std EL's. There are so many good choices that are 1/4 the cost with glass that is pretty decent that it becomes a tough call for the avg working stiff. I wouldn't let it wreck your day if you can't afford those $3200 binos.

Where these TOL binos shine is when you are spending hours glassing... not minutes. Downside to those EL range: you can buy 2 pair of TOL binos for the price of one unit.

I dont know Swaros RF guarantee but their cust services is the best. Sent in my 22 yr old SLC's and though they would fix the broken strap attach for free, for $175 they sent me back a brand new bino- sweet!

 

[HookUp]

Considering how little I use my range finder, Im surprised how many people love them. Wish they would make a EL range 10x50 and 12x50.

 

[White Wizard]

Well I just ordered the Geovids and the EL(non range) and a Kilo2000(to compare to my Leica). Well see how it goes when they get here. Thanks for all the different points of view.

 

[Ross]

No doubt the combo unit....from my experience you cant go wrong with either the swaro or leicas...we are taking miniscule differences...my experience to date. I bought the 10x42 geovids over a decade ago. I hunt both archery and rifle but only pack them during rifle. Reason being this country offers limited shots with a bow typically of 30 yds or less. It rains a lot here and I often use them during shed season. I cant say how many times they have gotten me an animal but it is many! This year so far I have realized this exponentially. The Leica glass is great and the ranging has always been great. No complaints. I can also say I have dropped them a few times as it happens. Two years ago I sent them in as they would not range past 400ish yds. They cleaned them and they came back like new used them another season or two and did drop them again a couple of times ....it rains a lot and they get used hard! Well after this spring they would not range very far...sent them in to Leica in June...long story short...rain got in them, have mold and was asked where in the heck do you hunt...told them and advised used like a piece of equipment...currently on the way to Germany to be refurbished will cost be $600 and will be like new with possibly new parts..My two bulls to date I have missed them and almost cost me on both bulls over 400 and 500 yds in fog, rain and steep angles. I have no complaints with these binos and recommend them to all as I abuse them You will enjoy them when have chance to use and good luck.

 

[Beendare]

Just took a look;
Swaro EL Range binos has a 2 year warranty on the electronics- thats a factor, IMO....
_____
I see where these companies are coming out with bluetooth compatibility between your bino ,RF, wind indicators and riflescope...which is cool....but is it asking for trouble down the road?

I don't know....but i haven't had an iPhone last me more than 3 years- grin.

 

[txdukklr]

I have always carried swaro bino's but for a recent hunt i picked up the leica hd-b. Man they are super nice glass, great quality and very accurate readings.

 

[rileybassman]

My preference is to keep glass and technology separate... but that is just me - and granted I have not used the high end bino rangers.
I would hate to have to have a repair or something and not have my primary binos - in a pinch I could grab an acculon rangefinder or something for around 100 bucks and still be able to hunt and range to 500ish or so yards...

Just my .02

 

[16Bore]

Not sure I'd want 10X for archery range. Just me. Happy with the Vortex.

 

[Trial153]

Just me. I wouldn't want to be stuck with just one set of binoculars. I really like having the option of switching glass depending on what/ where I am hunting . Right now I am running 8x32 EL and 10x42 slc . I don't feel handicapped in the least having a separate rangefinder.

 

[White Wizard]

Not sure I'd want 10X for archery range. Just me. Happy with the Vortex.

I only use 8/8.5 binos.

 

[White Wizard]

OK I've used the Swaro, Leica and my ol' ZenRays the last few nights and really I'm not seeing a 2k dollar difference. My zens are actually more comfy and easy on my eyes(physically), but I could tell a SLIGHT bit of differnce in brightness between the other two. The Leicas seem to have to be held a little higher on my eyebrows and the swaros seem to come up more naturall. still a little concerned with the comfort part. eye cups are hard on both high dollar ones compared to zens and MUCH heavier. Anyone have any similar experiene? Really "want" to think one of the two are better but just not seeing it. What other tests could I do to see the differences?

 

[goat1958]

I have them both. Both tremendous glass. I cannot tell any difference in optics. leica ranges a bit better and faster. You won't be sorry on either one.