Rangefinding Binoculars

[cuerro viejo]

A long time ago I stopped taking multiple binoculars when Coues hunting. Just not enough "what is that right there" instances where I need to look with my Sig 7X RF, Viper HD 8, or SLC 10s to make it worth carrying them (binoculars - still need my RF). Just about everyone I hunt Coues with only take their 15s and maybe a spotting scope. For big country it just makes sense to take a single optic with RF to handle the glassing needs.

My SLC 15s and Sig 7x RF are 54 ounces. The Geovid R 15 is 46 ounces. Not much weight saved going with just the Geovid R 15s; realistically the Sig 7X RF would stay in my back in case of emergency as 8 ounces isn't a back breaker so it'd be a wash. My SLC 15s and the Geovid R 10 would be 80 ounces. Big increase in weight for marginal gains in ranging over my current Sig (can go on a tripod for stability). This excludes the tripod, head, and spotting scope.

We'll often see a Coues buck clear as day in the 15s and not be able to see it in other optics (typically an out-of-state friend with 8-10x). This can be due to lower magnification and/or clarity of glass. The deer I usually want to shoot are not standing broadside with a neon sign say "Here I am". The buggers tend to be bedded and/or mostly obscured. Problem is worse with some rifle scopes but that is another conversation.

My Sig 7x RF has served me well overall as I typically can get a good enough reading to make a reasonably accurate shot. I've also been burned by unknowingly ranging the wrong thing. My friends' Geovid R 15s has saved my butt a couple of times in wonky terrain and crazy vegetation scenarios.

If I was starting out from scratch I'd just grab Geovid R 10s and Geovid R 15s and call it a day. Bit more complicated now that I already have SLC 10s and 15s and replacing them is a tall order (emotional attachment).

8-10x RF binoculars are fine for this:
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You want 15x RF:
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My sig 7x 2200 cost me an animal. Plenty of light with 11x45 Maven and swaro 65mm but not enough to see in sig 7x rangefinder to get a range

Switched to 10x40 GPO range(26oz’s) and 14x NL pures(36oz). Hard to beat combo

 

[pods8 (Rugged Stitching)]

If I was starting out from scratch I'd just grab Geovid R 10s and Geovid R 15s and call it a day. Bit more complicated now that I already have SLC 10s and 15s and replacing them is a tall order (emotional attachment).

Same sentiment except older EL 10 and 15 SLC.

 

[AZ_Hunter_2000]

Same sentiment except older EL 10 and 15 SLC.

Hard to move on from proven winners that still are winning.

 

[AZ_Hunter_2000]

My sig 7x 2200 cost me an animal. Plenty of light with 11x45 Maven and swaro 65mm but not enough to see in sig 7x rangefinder to get a range

Switched to 10x40 GPO range(26oz’s) and 14x NL pures(36oz). Hard to beat combo

Not saying everything is gospel and 100% foolproof as there are way too many variables.

Any chance you've compared the GPO RF to the Geovid R (10x on both)?

 

[cuerro viejo]

Not saying everything is gospel and 100% foolproof as there are way too many variables.

Any chance you've compared the GPO RF to the Geovid R (10x on both)?

Oh I know, I’m just relaying, why I ended up making the jump. I about lost it on side of a hill

I had decided I was going to get 12x el range but 14x NL broke me on that one, so I went for the compromise on no ballistics and less weight

The new Geovid R in my eyes has better glass than the pro,3200, and 2200. Not sure why, as maybe it is a smaller coating area since it displays less info. Geo R are very similar to el ranges to me with touch better tone.

To the GPO-
The glass is better in the Geo R but laser in Geovid isn’t as robust rain/fog and speed as GPO But it’s not a huge difference. I only took both to about 2k though.

If you don’t care about weight and want the best glass Geo R, if you do care about weight and want close enough glass, the GPO.

if I had to rank glass in combo unit
New Geo R
El
Lecia pro/revic
GPO
Lecia HD2200/3200
New sig
vortex
Old sig

I can spend all day behind the little GPO’s and no issue, but I use NL as much as possible

 

[HuntHarder]

My priorities would be glass #1, accurate ballistics #2, speed of ballistics #3. Let's say, price is sub $4k. My primary use would be hunting 90% of the time. I may get lost and shoot a competition every so often tho.

 

[Q_Sertorius]

It is expensive to spend time on Rokslide. Just ordered the Leica Geovid R 10x42 from Euro Optic. Sadly the RokSlide50 $50 off coupon didn't work on them. At least the RokSlide25 code worked.

 

[cuerro viejo]

My priorities would be glass #1, accurate ballistics #2, speed of ballistics #3. Let's say, price is sub $4k. My primary use would be hunting 90% of the time. I may get lost and shoot a competition every so often tho.

For 4k you get:
10x40 GP0’s and 14x NL purses and density altitude and shooter app on you phone and col-tac cut card… and box or two of ammo.

 

[HuntHarder]

Basically my way of saying $$$ is low priority..

 

[AZ_Hunter_2000]

Oh I know, I’m just relaying, why I ended up making the jump. I about lost it on side of a hill

I had decided I was going to get 12x el range but 14x NL broke me on that one, so I went for the compromise on no ballistics and less weight

The new Geovid R in my eyes has better glass than the pro,3200, and 2200. Not sure why, as maybe it is a smaller coating area since it displays less info. Geo R are very similar to el ranges to me with touch better tone.

To the GPO-
The glass is better in the Geo R but laser in Geovid isn’t as robust rain/fog and speed as GPO But it’s not a huge difference. I only took both to about 2k though.

If you don’t care about weight and want the best glass Geo R, if you do care about weight and want close enough glass, the GPO.

if I had to rank glass in combo unit
New Geo R
El
Lecia pro/revic
GPO
Lecia HD2200/3200
New sig
vortex
Old sig

I can spend all day behind the little GPO’s and no issue, but I use NL as much as possible

Appreciate it.

 

[bojangles808]

If I was starting out from scratch I'd just grab Geovid R 10s and Geovid R 15s and call it a day. Bit more complicated now that I already have SLC 10s and 15s and replacing them is a tall order (emotional attachment).

Good breakdown ty. this is what I'm struggling with rn as I have geovid R 10s, do I go mini spotter or pair them with non RF 15s.

 

[Titanmoose]

I just sold my Vortex Fury AB’s and bought the Leica AB+’s.

I know the vortex is slow and glass in that bottom rung with sigs. But I will say , the ability to include a wind call with a button and a cheap kestrel no matter what direct you are looking is pretty awesome and no need to an app or phone input.

I do not know if other products offer the point and shoot and button to add wind calls to your ballistics in glass but it’s a distinct advantage when time matters or adrenaline is flowing.

Excited to try out the Leica’s.

 

[86indy]

How did you end up liking them?

Forewarning I am a complete novice coming diamondbacks with no other experience in “alpha glass”

The glass seems to be to be better quality low light and crisper images at that time. Range finder has worked well as far as I’ve tested (800ish yards) verified with onx pins vs deer on tree lines. In hand they feel a little chunky but it works for me since I have larger hands. They ride well in the medium marsupial harness. I am quickly seeing the advantages of not leaving a target to pickup a range finder and having to reacquire it with lower magnification.

I wanted a step up in glass and wanted to upgrade from a cheapo range finder. They accomplish this and I am very pleased.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[HuntHarder]

Based on some initial reports of improved glass in the gen 2 Revics, I am going to wait and check those out. On paper, they seem to check the most amount of boxes.

 

[powpowpowers]

It is expensive to spend time on Rokslide. Just ordered the Leica Geovid R 10x42 from Euro Optic. Sadly the RokSlide50 $50 off coupon didn't work on them. At least the RokSlide25 code worked.

Right? I made the jump for Geovid R 8x56s earlier this year and I think (hope) you find they are worth every penny. Absolutely love mine.

 

[mlevimadden]

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.

Any changes to this list or new options on the market you've seen in the last 4 months that would change your recommendations? I'm planning to grab a set of Geovid R's for this hunting season given my use case. I compared them to the Zeiss, EL Range, Geovid Pros, and Vortex. It seems like the Geovid R is still the stand-out option for non-ballistics, glass quality, and price point. My only qualm was the delay getting them into scan mode but it's a small nitpick.

 

[Formidilosus]

Any changes to this list or new options on the market you've seen in the last 4 months that would change your recommendations? I'm planning to grab a set of Geovid R's for this hunting season given my use case. I compared them to the Zeiss, EL Range, Geovid Pros, and Vortex. It seems like the Geovid R is still the stand-out option for non-ballistics, glass quality, and price point. My only qualm was the delay getting them into scan mode but it's a small nitpick.

No. Just move the Revics into better class of glass.

 

[JGRaider]

GPO 10x50