RF or IS Binos - 1 Purchase this year, what would you choose?

[WRO]

I do. I use Swaro EL Range 10X42, but I've got a jonesing for a pair of 8X32s. I usually already have the dope for the gun ready to go, so I just need a range instead of a firing solution. I only hunt to 600yds though.

I love the 8x32s..

 

[jaredg]

I'd think about it if I didn't just pick up a clip on thermal & Pulsar's Merger LRF XT-50 thermal binos. Optic fund tank reads "Empty" right now

 

[xringshutr]

What distance will you be shooting game? If under 700 yds......go with the best RF glass you can afford. I run Leica Geo 2200's and have successfully taken game out to 664 yds. Would be comfortable with longer distance personally, but everyone should limit themselves based upon their own ability and rig.

 

[benconfused]

What distance will you be shooting game? If under 700 yds......go with the best RF glass you can afford. I run Leica Geo 2200's and have successfully taken game out to 664 yds. Would be comfortable with longer distance personally, but everyone should limit themselves based upon their own ability and rig.

I'm limiting myself to 750 for now, shooting 6.5prc.

 

[MT_Wyatt]

Looking to buy a pair of binos this year - either range finding binos, or image stabilizing binos. Which would you choose and why?

My current pair (and only pair I own) are 10x42 Viper HDs.

I'm asking myself the same question. I'll say I am not highly interested in the IS offerings right now, and much more focsed on getting a RF Bino. I bowhunt a good bit but a handheld for that with a compact bino would be plenty.

For rifle hunting I'd like to have RF binos, and have been considering them for months. I've convinced myself ballastics while nice (ie Revit BR10) is not required to hunt < 600 yards, where I firmly am with a rifle, so the extra expense is not really "required." So Leica Geovid Rs are where I'm at. I have a CRF Pro that does ballisitcs in a handheld, but between quickdrop and turret markings I can't see absolutely needing it. The new Luepold RF Bino claims are interesting, but again seems like overkill when you consider what's actually "needed." I like the idea of simpler devices. Just where I'm at personally though.

 

[benconfused]

l

I'm asking myself the same question. I'll say I am not highly interested in the IS offerings right now, and much more focsed on getting a RF Bino. I bowhunt a good bit but a handheld for that with a compact bino would be plenty.

For rifle hunting I'd like to have RF binos, and have been considering them for months. I've convinced myself ballastics while nice (ie Revit BR10) is not required to hunt < 600 yards, where I firmly am with a rifle, so the extra expense is not really "required." So Leica Geovid Rs are where I'm at. I have a CRF Pro that does ballisitcs in a handheld, but between quickdrop and turret markings I can't see absolutely needing it. The new Luepold RF Bino claims are interesting, but again seems like overkill when you consider what's actually "needed." I like the idea of simpler devices. Just where I'm at personally though.

You're summary here is excellent.

I don't have any experience with Leica binos and don't know where they fall in lens quality (somewhat subjective I know), but the price point fits the budget for sure ($2500 or less currently).

Just looked at their product line and I wish they had a 50mm version. The 10x42s will probably get the job done as well though. Will add these to the list for consideration.

 

[skmoore108]

99% of my glassing is off a tripod so RF for me.

 

[WRO]

l

You're summary here is excellent.

I don't have any experience with Leica binos and don't know where they fall in lens quality (somewhat subjective I know), but the price point fits the budget for sure ($2500 or less currently).

Just looked at their product line and I wish they had a 50mm version. The 10x42s will probably get the job done as well though. Will add these to the list for consideration.

From a glass standpoint, they’re better than any of the Chinese options..

Leupold is a bummer, I played with some earlier models that were meoptas that actually had good glass.

 

[benconfused]

Today I attended NWTF and got to lay hands on both the Sig IS 12x50's and the new Vortex Talon LRFs.

I've handled other sig models before but not the pros. Really liked them and the updated way it holds the scan function (vs the prev Gens). Being in a convention center it was obviously hard to do any low-light testing.

The Talons I'd say were a hair heavier than the Sigs, but it didn't bother me like I thought it might. Their range finding is very fast. HUD is clear and clean (again only inside a convention hall). Widening the Talons to match my eye wide was very stiff, but in hindsight, you may want that so it retains your desired eye width for quick pull and acquisition from the bino case.

Clarity/Color was great IMO but again A) I am not a glass snob, and B) was in a convention hall.

 

[PredatorX]

When you say the way it holds the scan function you basically mean the timeout setting right?

I haven’t held the pros but have the 12x42’s. Form factor is great. Wish I didn’t have to turn off and on so much though.

Did you find the pros overly large?

 

[benconfused]

When you say the way it holds the scan function you basically mean the timeout setting right?

I haven’t held the pros but have the 12x42’s. Form factor is great. Wish I didn’t have to turn off and on so much though.

Did you find the pros overly large?

Correct (scan).

The pros feel large at first, esp when you have and were holding the non-pros right before. But once you hold them for a while, fiddling with focusing and IS at objects at distance, I knew the size was not going to bother me in exchange for the trade-off of more light coming in.

I did not have my harness with me (Next Level Hunter minimalist) so I'm not sure if they'd fit. However NLH makes a large format harness if I needed to go that route.