Does anyone use Leica GeoVids in Africa?
What do you think of them? Worth the price/effort?

If these are the ones with the built in range finders, they would certainly be handy for Mtn Nyala or in the open country of Northern Tanzania. Also in the open country of South Africa's East Cape. Of course, they'd likely be better utilized around the neck of the PH, not the client hunter.

What safari lawyer said, "as long as someone else is carrying them".

Sure, any range finding bino is a plus if you have shots past 150 yards or so. The little bit of extra weight is more than worth the savings of lost animals.

And the Leicas do have very nice glass as well. You won't go wrong with those, the Zeiss, or the Swarovski RF versions.

i doubt that you would ever use them. most of the shot are under 100 and if you go to 150 it would cover 99.9%. great things for north america however

i have take mine on my last 10 african hunts and the PH usuall uses them and calls yardage. Great bino's buy them and you will be happy.

I used them quite a bit on my last trip to the Eastern cape. For regular use in thick bush they are not required and has been said they are quite heavy (th older model 10X that i have certainly is)

I have used them during the last two safaris in Africa and again recently in Mexico for coues deer. I attach them to the LockDown Bino System and do not find them too heavy or cumbersome. I like the fact that I have the ability to immediately range game and then I quickly make any adjustments to my scope in order to take the shot. I shot a Vaal Rhebok at 430 yards after ranging and quickly adjusting the scope for the shot. I love them. PH Dean Kendall had a pair when I hunted with him and PH Lance Nesbitt in the Zambezi Valley and that's when I discovered how useful they could be.

I use them everywhere I go. I guess to each his own, but once a person uses them and knows at the touch of a button the distance without having to switch any gear, can't be beat.

quote:

Originally posted by Use Enough Gun:
I have used them during the last two safaris in Africa and again recently in Mexico for coues deer. I attach them to the LockDown Bino System and do not find them too heavy or cumbersome. I like the fact that I have the ability to immediately range game and then I quickly make any adjustments to my scope in order to take the shot. I shot a Vaal Rhebok at 430 yards after ranging and quickly adjusting the scope for the shot. I love them. PH Dean Kendall had a pair when I hunted with him and PH Lance Nesbitt in the Zambezi Valley and that's when I discovered how useful they could be.

If Dean uses them, that is high praise. He is a superstar in my book.

Did you have the 8x or 10x?

In most circumstances I did not need range-finder. But once I needed it to shoot impala through absolutely open valley. Thanks God one tracker had Geovid (present of previous client) and I took that trophy.

I would not take my range-finder in Africa, but I will be glad if somebody from crew will have one

dogcat: 10X

I had a Geovid in 2005 (I think). The dust, haze, and long grass definitely degraded its performance.

I tried the latest model a few months ago; it is a slick instrument, but as far as ballistic compensation and rangefinding capability the BR2 is far better - but it isn't a binocular.

Personally, I have gone back to the smaller Leica rangefinder that fits in my breast pocket. If I need it, it is there. Even my BR2 stays in my pack - after all, you have plenty of time on most long shots to dick around.

I have used rangefinding binos my last three trips to Africa, but not Leicas. I have Leicas and use them a lot in US, but I bought some Bushnell Fusions.
Was I ever surprised!! They are 1/3 the cost of Leicas. About 90% as good in all aspects as Leicas, but what blew my mind was on the trip to Eastern Cape last year. I hunted at 9000' in rain/snow. My PH could not range animals over 200 yds. with his Leicas, but I had no problems doing 400+ right beside him.
In WV, the Bushnells range farther than my Leicas. Go figure. I'll be taking the Bushnells next year back to Africa.
Don't need a rangefinder in Africa? Last year I did a steenbok at 250, a Kalahari springbok at 275, and a baboon at 420- all with my XP 100 handgun.

Not Leica but I used my range finding binos extensively on our last trip to SA and before that in Namibia. I wouldn't go on any hunt without them. You only think you are good a estimating distance until you get your first set and then you realize how poor you are.

Been using them for just about every outing (hunting and to the range) since purchasing mine in 2007. I always take them along, even on buff and ele hunts where we expect to be in thick cover up close. Usually leave them in the truck on those hunts but they still serve a great function. Great for the cat hunts as well as you need to range potential blind sites from time to time.

I have second generation 8X and find them very handy plus entertaining. I don't think the newer models add much weight. I take a pair of 8x25 power Ultravids if after buffalo or elephant. Knowing the distance on those guys is not much of an issue.
I bought 10 powers initially but found I was doing a lot of focusing. The 8s are an improvement there and plenty of magnification.

My PH had Leupold Rangefinding binoculars, I had my REgular Ultravids.

He gave me yardages when they out there a bit, but borrowed by glasses to look at trophy's in the distance.

quote:

Originally posted by WV Hitman:
I have used rangefinding binos my last three trips to Africa, but not Leicas. I have Leicas and use them a lot in US, but I bought some Bushnell Fusions.
Was I ever surprised!! They are 1/3 the cost of Leicas. About 90% as good in all aspects as Leicas, but what blew my mind was on the trip to Eastern Cape last year. I hunted at 9000' in rain/snow. My PH could not range animals over 200 yds. with his Leicas, but I had no problems doing 400+ right beside him.
In WV, the Bushnells range farther than my Leicas. Go figure. I'll be taking the Bushnells next year back to Africa.
Don't need a rangefinder in Africa? Last year I did a steenbok at 250, a Kalahari springbok at 275, and a baboon at 420- all with my XP 100 handgun.

Bushnell for years overpromised and underdelivered on their laser RFs, but the Fusion truly is better than anything else they have ever produced. I used one on a varmint hunt a few years ago and was blown away.

But like I said, for a pure rangefinder, the BR2 is the ticket. Has five different ballistic profiles, gives wind deflection along with effective range, MOA, drop, etc. Ranges well past 2000 yards, which comes in handy on long range mountain stalks.

BUT, for Africa, the Leica 1200 does everything I need.

I have used them, but never for actual hunting.

They normally are carried in the truck, and they are fun to use and see how far off we are in our distance estimation.

It seems it all depends on the location.

But, we have never used them to measure the distance to an animal, except after we had shot it.

Saeed,
Did you use the 8x or 10x?
This is for a sheep hunt and a mountain Nyala hunt.

I used my Leica Geovids last hunting trip to Eastern Cape of the RSA, and will bring them along when I go back this next August. They are excellent range finding binos.

An improvement could be made to the on/off switch by making it available to operation by either hand. I found many instances where I was holding my rifle with one hand and holding the Geovid with the other hand where I couldn't press the switch.

I use a pair of Geovids when guiding and don't find them heavy or clumsy. I also use a pair of Swarovski EL's , but find the Leicas crisper.
For low light conditions and when size is not an option , like cat hunting out of a blind , I prefer the Zeiss 10 x 56 RF , they work really well ( although the RF function is obviously not needed in this situation )

quote:

Originally posted by dogcat:
Saeed,
Did you use the 8x or 10x?
This is for a sheep hunt and a mountain Nyala hunt.

We used the 10x.

Funny thing was we had three different range finding binos at the camp, and checking the distance of a few things, up to about 1000 meters, we found that all are very accurate to with about 5 meters.

I'll reply twice in this thread, as the OP did give add'l info on his needs.

If it was sheep hunt - no doubt - take them. Miss range estimate by 50-75 yards past 300, it's a likely miss or poor hit. Same for the mountain nyala.

I have had the pleasure of testing several of these RF binos side by side. My personal preferences are the Zeiss 10x, followed by the Swarovski and the Leica. The glass was very good on the Leica, the RF capabilities were a little lacking compared to the other two. The Zeiss had the best combo of glass and RF range, and is the easier of the three to register a specific target.

Having said all that, how much range do you need for a hunting trip? Certainly not 1000 yards plus, for 99% of any trip. Inside 800 yards, any of the three we tested are good to go, the longer ranges was where we saw the differences in ranging capability.

Weight, yes they are a little heavier, but hang these on the harness type straps, problem solved. I don't carry even my small 8x30 binos on a neck strap,

I use the 10x. Great optics but slightly bulky.

I have the 10x and found that they work great for plains game despite the weight and bulk which you get used to after a day. For dangerous game they are too heavy and bulky, you only need an 8x32 or so. Leica lenses are the clearest to my eye over any of the premium optics.

Paul

I have several comments from folks comparing the Swaro El to the Geovids. Anyone care to add a comment if they have experience with both?

Dogcat: I have both the new Swaro EL Rangefinders and the new Leica Rangefinders. Both are brand new 10X42s purchased in the last 3 months. I also have the older Leicas (10X42s and great range finding binos as well). I like both the new Swaro EL Range Finding binos and the new Leica Range Finding binos, but in the end, I believe that I prefer the Leicas slighly to the Swaros. I think that the clarity of the Leica glass is a little bit better and I like the range finding features on the new Leica a bit better. Now, mind you, I have a butt load of Swaro products, including many Z-5 and Z-6 scopes, and three other pair of Swaro binos, so I believe that I am not unduly biased for one over the other. Just my two cents worth.

I bring my 10x Leica Geovid on every hunt except moosehunts back home in Norway. Will be hunting Buffalo first time this year in Zim in combination with PG. Will bring the Leica too, but do not have the experience in the bush hunting DG. On sheep and goat hunts you are naked without this type of equipment !

Morten

I compared both the swaro and leica's at the europtics booth at sci vegas a couple of weeks ago
I ended up buying the Leicas, they felt better in the hand and had a 2000yrd range as opposed to 1300. i also didnt like the swaros 'humps' on the under side of the prisms.
As to lens quality/ optics , i actually thought the swaro had a very slight advantage, but the leica was better overall,

i will be taking them on my ele hunt to a Zim in august, dont think they are too big.

cheers

Nick

PS i bought the 10x42's

As I implied on the other page, spending $3000 and getting a five year limited warranty (Leica) or a two year warranty on electronics (Swaro) scares the crap out of me. Even if the numbers added up to be the same, I think it's much better to spend $2300 on a pair of kick ass binos from Zeiss (LIFETIME warranty!) and then $700 on an equally good rangefinder. If the RF craps out and you need to repair or replace it, then you aren't out the full $3000 and can at least continue to use the separate binos while making a RF plan.

I like a small,lightweight pair I could keep in my pocket.

I would compare the swaro and Leica side by side. When you get to higher end glass, they are so close in clarity, that one person May like Leica or one May like swaro..

I prefer the swaro glass. However, I gave only used Leica on one hunt.

I did try the swaro range binos on a hung two years ago and the rangefinder was inconsistent.

So, my conclusion: Swaro has better glass, and good customer service,0.

Leica has a better rangefinder.

I would buy a small pair 8x binos. Then, buy a Leica rangefinder.

Just my opinion.

quote:

Originally posted by tendrams:
As I implied on the other page, spending $3000 and getting a five year limited warranty (Leica) or a two year warranty on electronics (Swaro) scares the crap out of me. Even if the numbers added up to be the same, I think it's much better to spend $2300 on a pair of kick ass binos from Zeiss (LIFETIME warranty!) and then $700 on an equally good rangefinder. If the RF craps out and you need to repair or replace it, then you aren't out the full $3000 and can at least continue to use the separate binos while making a RF plan.

I couldn't agree more. The electronics will wear out way sooner than the binocular.

But, if someone likes the all in one unit. they are missing the boat if they don't try out the Zeiss RF binocular. It's got the best RF of any of them.

quote:

Originally posted by shootaway:
I like a small,lightweight pair I could keep in my pocket.

I thought you put me on "ignore" because I rent guns?

I've taken my 10x Geovid's on my last 4 trips to Tanzania. Like Saaed, they are usually used from the truck to range plains game and I generally take smaller binos when tramping after buffalo. On our last trip to Rungwa they came in very handy for plains game. I don't think we had a shot much under 150 yards and some as long as 450 plus, so they did come in very handy.

I used my 10x Geovids on one PG trip to RSA. Normally I just stick with my 8x32 Swaro EL - certainly for buffalo there is no reason to carry the Geovid and I don't want or need them dragging along the ground when I'm crawling.

The GeoVids shine when hunting in open country where you'll be taking long shots. Otherwise, a smaller lighter bino is what I pick.

I love mine but I am primarily a bowhunter so ranging quickly is important to me. I can't imagine going back to binos and a rangefinder now.

You will never look back. If something had to happen to mine, I will replace them with Geovids again.