Tried posting this in the Optics section, but got zero response. It's really African hunting related, so thought I'd try it here. What do you guys use?

Optics post:
My use will be specialized, but would like comments from folks who have experience in a variety of settings.

I'm looking for a pair of rangefinding binos. Main use will be in Africa. Maybe an occasional North American hunt. While I have hunted with only one medium rifle lately, I'm likely to take a ight rifle as well in the future for shots beyond 200 yards or so for some species. Have been hunting with Leica binos and a separate rangefinder, but think it's time to streamline the process. Would like some recommendations.

I've narrowed it down to the following.

Leica Geovid 10X42
Swaro EL 10X42
Ziess Victory 10X42
and the dark horse, Revic Acura.

Any thoughts from those who have used them? Thanks.

Leica beats them all.

I have a dealer friend who sells all these, and lets me try them.

Nothing even comes close to Leica!

Saeed,

That's been my experience as well. Just checking.

Thanks, Saeed, I think we are done here.

The only thing I don't like is the size and weight of the 10X42's.Remember those big black Zeiss armored binos? Loved them back in the day, but they were big and heavy. I went to an 8X30 Leica that is ideal for buffalo and most everything, except maybe cats and long range, and no range finding. But these eliminate the extra step of a rangefinder. One step forward, one step back.

Leica

I have 10 and 15’s for my hunting in the West.

For Africa, I’d do 8X

I have the 8x42 EL tracking assistant model.

They have good eye relief for my vey near sightedness.

The only other ones that did were the Leica 8x56 Geovids.

quote:

Originally posted by lavaca:
The only thing I don't like is the size and weight of the 10X42's.Remember those big black Zeiss armored binos? Loved them back in the day, but they were big and heavy. I went to an 8X30 Leica that is ideal for buffalo and most everything, except maybe cats and long range, and no range finding. But these eliminate the extra step of a rangefinder. One step forward, one step back.

You can get the Leica and Swarovski in 8 and 10x32 with Range finder now. Definitely the next tool im getting as the 8 and 10x40s are a bit big for a lot of the work I need them for.

I love Swaro Scopes and Binos, but when it comes to the BRF's the Leicas are hands down the best. The new compact version is very good and handy!

I just get close enough

I have the Swarovski. Love them . Personally, I find little use for the range finding feature in Africa .

I use the Leicas. Love them.

I have 8X42 Leica. They are damn good. I got them over other brands as a professional said they were the best at the time I purchased. I am a Swarovski man.

Leica Geovid 10 x 42 HD-R 2700 in a Marsupial chest carrier.

That said I never needed them in Africa.

I have the Swarovski 10x model.

I take them over there, and when I need binoculars I think the extra magnification is useful.

They are a bit heavier than ideal.

In the US I’ve had a need for ranging, but not over in Africa (when ranging was necessary the PH was telling me distances)… but why buy a RF bino for here and another high end binoculars for Africa?

It’s not necessary, but reasonable to buy a set.

As to swaro vs Leica, when I got mine the swaros had just came out the year before, and Leica was their older model. The Swarovski was clearly better then. Newer Leica may well be better… you can certainly compare them at one of the shows (what I did back when) and see which works better for you.

I am going to take a different route here. Why do you want a range finder? With any normal gun and load you do not need a range finder until you get past about 300 yards. Even then a range finder does not really get necessary until you get past about 400. Most guides and profession hunters will not let a client shoot anywhere close to that far.

So my thoughts are if you and your professional hunter are limiting shots to a reasonable distance why even carry a rangefinder even if it is in a bino it just extra weight.

Leica's are the way to go, not only the rangefinder but the glass is super impressive!!

Have both the newest Leica 8x32 and 10x42. For Africa where I am not the only one looking for a game the 8x32 all day long. Out hunting in the west alone I use the 10x42.

I use the Leica 10x42. I got tired of my PHs describing the ivory tips on this bull or that bull and not being able to see them with the 8X.

I love my 8x30 Leicas,not inclined to pack anything other than my rifle and a stick of gum.

My range finding bino is a Leica, too. Heavy but not too heavy.

But I use a Swarovski 10x32 EL in Africa. Light and handy. 

I only needed a range finder once while hunting in Africa.

It was in Namibia, and my PH had a Leica range-finding bino so problem solved.

Thanks for everyone's comments. Thor, I agree, the 42's are a bit heavy for most of what I do. Glad to hear Leica makes an 8x32 with rangefinder. Sounds like the ticket except maybe with cats or glassing a kudu across a drainage.

I too use the Leica Geovids 10x42’s and they’re excellent. That said, I did not take them on my last two African hunts.

I plan on getting the compact Leica version next and those will go to Africa as they’re smaller & lighter.

I too, have the ‘new’ Leica 8x32 rangefinder binocs. I just bought it a while ago, and will take them on my next African safari. They are indeed a lot bigger/heavier than my also ‘new’ Leica compact 10x25s. I’ll see if the 8x32s rangefinders are worth the extra weight.

I brought Vortex 5000s they are my 3rd pair of range finding binos.

They work very well I ranged buildings out to 4577 yards critters and other stuff a long ways.

I think they re the only ones with a a life time guarantee. As long as you can turn in the carcass they will give you new ones. No matter how you destroyed them.

Very important as the electronics are what goes bad

I was gifted Vortex 10x42s and have been impressed with the glass. That saying my next set will Leica 8x32s. It all depends on the hunt I'm going on.

I have a fine pair of Leica 10x42 HDB... ie range finder with Ballistic calculator!!

I had a pair of older 10x42s the laser rangefinder was not reading beyond 300 yards in sunny Prairie Dog shooting fields. I reported this to customer service and Ryan responded... that can't be, sent him the binos... 3 weeks later a brand new, in the box, stated above, was on my doorstep...NO CHARGE!!
Now that is customer service!!
I agree these are heavy for mountain hunting, but for most other hunting, and safari use, especially for low light, leopard blind or in the shade... they are incredible!!
If I were to choose, I might select the newer 10x32 Pro, being about 8 Oz lighter and more compact... will I use the Ballistic Calculator?? Probably not... but it is cool if you shoot Mule Deer or Elk at 700yards plus!!

I have both Leica and Swarovski Range Finding Binos. Two Leicas and one Swarovski. All of them are 10X42s. Love them both.

Just something a bit different. I used up a lot of points on a company scheme that were about to expire on a pair of Meopta 10x42 range finders. They were designed for the Czech military. A lot cheaper but a bit heavier than other European makes at 925gm but I think you could run over them with a truck without damage. Good glass and accurate range finding compared with a hand held range finder. They are going to the Bangwuelu swamp in September.

quote:

Originally posted by the Pom:
Just something a bit different. I used up a lot of points on a company scheme that were about to expire on a pair of Meopta 10x42 range finders. They were designed for the Czech military. A lot cheaper but a bit heavier than other European makes at 925gm but I think you could run over them with a truck without damage. Good glass and accurate range finding compared with a hand held range finder. They are going to the Bangwuelu swamp in September.

Meopta makes excellent scopes.

I use them exclusively for all our air rifles, and some center fire rifles.

I started using them on air rifles because they focus at close range - down to 10 meters.

Once I tried them, I was very impressed with them, and actually prefer them to some of the very expensive Europe makes.

They are a bit heavy, but have non of the utterly silly methods one has to go through to set them up.

Back to range finders.

We never use them during an actually hunt.

Mine is normally either in the truck or in the camp.

Great to have fun with guessing distances with those around.

Depends on the terrain, once passed 200 yards people guess distances almost always wrong.

Some by a very large margin.

We all fall for that.

Worse is when one is on relatively high ground, and there is a dip between you and whatever you are looking at.

Doug at Cameraland in NY has a special on Open Box Leica's- 8 & 10x 32 Pro at $2599, vs retail $2999.

https://cameralandny.com/shop?...y=open%20box%20leica

Tempted to trade my 10X42 HDB Geovids!!

Thanks. Looks like a deal.

As I'm thinking about this, for my hunting, cats are the main situation where a 42 objective is an advantage, but you already know the range and it's too close to matter. So I'm thinking to get the 10/32 rangefinder binos and take a 10/42 when hunting something that is likely to be at low light.

Swarovski would be my first choice followed by Leila’s.

quote:

Originally posted by Hasher:
Swarovski would be my first choice followed by Leila’s.

In my experience, Swarovski is far second to Leica.

In both range finders and binoculars!

Got mine from Doug. Not a better man (Neil gives him a run for his money )or company to do business with!

quote:

Originally posted by lavaca:
Thanks. Looks like a deal.

As I'm thinking about this, for my hunting, cats are the main situation where a 42 objective is an advantage, but you already know the range and it's too close to matter. So I'm thinking to get the 10/32 rangefinder binos and take a 10/42 when hunting something that is likely to be at low light.

I don't think you will see a noticeable difference?? ... between 40 and 32mm binos??

We used to use 7x50s in the wheelhouse of big boats, some for low light arrivals in unfamiliar waters. As the better Zeiss 10x40s became available, they replaced tho 50s... no noticeable difference...

A quick story about my use of a rangefinder on my first Namibian safari:
My PH and I were in an elevated blind on our first morning hunting. A trophy Gemsbok bull appeared to our front and my PH said “He’s 160 yards out” Well I play a lot of golf and consequently am pretty good at range estimates. I hit my normal driver about 200 yards and I told my PH I couldn’t hit my normal drive that far. I whipped out my cheapo Bushnell rangefinder and it read “224 yards”. I clicked on my Leupold scope’s turret to 225 and held dead on 1/3 the way up from his front leg and gently squeezed the trigger on my Winchester Model 70. My first African trophy, a 40” Gemsbok bull, dropped at the shot. After SIX safaris with the same PH I realize he’s a great PH but a crappy range estimator. He realized it too and bought a top of the line Leica rangefinder.

Good one, Bud - but at least he underestimated, right?

I always overestimate, which I think is a worse sin.

400 yards looks like a half mile to me.

UNless you want to pop off things at 100s of yards. In Africa range finding binos have limited use as most shots are in the 200 yard range. Range finding binos are expensive and also HEAVY, IMO far better to buy a range finder which your PH can use. Instead of ranging stuff you need to be on your sticks ready to shoot.

Just my 2 cents.

Eddy,

Looking forward to the delivery, but I suspect I'll see a difference in two respects. Hopefully the weight outweighs the size of the objective and I strongly suspect it will for my purposes. Thanks for the tip. Saved me $500.