My main sticking point with any options would be that it needs to be fully able to fill the role of both a traditional binocular and rangefinder. Glass has to be good, RF has to be on par with a standalone.
I'm not sure whether I need them to provide corrections in the optic. It's easy enough to check my chart.
Let me know what you guys think.
I currently have, or have used extensively- including seeing a couple hundred people using; these from memory:
1). Swarovski EL ranges- all generations
2). Zeiss RF
3). Meopta Meorange
4) Leica Geovid and R, HD-B, 3200.com, Pro 32mm and a bit of 42mm
5) Vortex 5000HD and AB
6). Sig 10k and some Gen 2. A bit on the 6k.
7). Bushnell- all RF binos
8). Some GPO 32mm
9). Revic BLR10b
10). Vectronix Vector X
Probably more.
The Revics have no real competition in accessing pure shooting capabilities, while having usable to decent glass. If ballistics are not required, I (and a whole bunch of people I have seen) prefer the Geovid R’s over all others. The Geovid Pro’s were the first Leica’s that I could actually say have observably better glass- usually observed as better color rendition by most.
The Swaro EL Range’s have excellent glass, but I don’t prefer glassing with them over the Geovid R’s- many others I have been around prefer them as well- there is just something comfortable about glassing with them.
My personal view is that of those above, the ones really worth looking at are-
1). Swarovski EL ranges. Excellent glass, ballistics are returned quickly; the laser is weak often beyond 900’ish yards and in fog/rain/snow.
2) Leica Geovid and R and Pro’s.
The Geovid R’s: are the “easiest” or “most comfortable” to glass with- very good laser to 1600 yards +/-, good in all weather.
Pro’s: Excellent glass- I prefer them to Swaro, very good RF to +/- 1600 yards. Relatively slow return on ballistics.
3) Vortex 5000HD and AB: Good to really good laser in most/all weather. Glass is usable, not great- as stated about like decent $300 binos. Return of ballistics is glacially slow (relatively). Their main draw is lifetime warranty on electronics and reliability of laser.
4). Sig 10k and some Gen 2. A bit on the 6k.
Wouldn’t use a Gen 1. Gen 2 is about like Vortex 5000HD’s. Laser is good. Reliability is better than most Sigs. Their main draw is the ability for ballistic profiles, and ranging. They are slow to return ballistics as well.
5). Revic BLR10b. Best laser in all weather conditions, best ballistics data speed, easy wind vector changes, simple, reliable. Glass is usably good- about in the middle between Vortex 5000hd and the alphas- good resolution, soft on color rendition compared to Leica/Zeiss/Swaro. When the app needs an update, you have to update it before swapping or making a new profile for the binos- can’t do it on a mountain without service.
All of that to say- if the RF and ballistics are critical= Revics. If glass is critical (not many it really is), with decent laser and ballistics= Swaro EL Range or Leica Pro’s. If great all-around performance is desired, but if ballistics are not critical= Geovid R’s. If warranty is the only, or most critical aspect, with usable glass and usable ballistics- the Vortex 5000 AB.
