Zeiss Victory RF vs Leica Geovid HD RF Bino's?

27 January 2010, 15:22

Brazos Jack

I’ve been thinking of getting my first laser rangefinder and I also need to replace my 8x30 Steiners that went missing 4 years ago during a move. Both of these are insanely expensive but I believe in biting the bullet and getting top notch equipment the first time so I “only cry once”.

I’d be interested in an 8x like the 8x42 or 8x45.

Which of them is the best, clearest, and best low light as binoculars? Which is the fastest, most accurate, narrowest beam rangefinder? Which is most convenient and easy to use both as binoculars and as a rangefinder?

Is there a better option I haven’t heard of or are these two the best of the best in combination range finding binoculars?

Is there really a clear winner here or if you flipped a coin would you win either way?

Brazos_Jack

27 January 2010, 16:36

eezridr

Brazos Jack,

For that type of investment, you might try and find a small astronomy shop that has both. I would take a chance and see if the owner might let you "buy" both on a credit card and use them for one or two days and then return the pair you do not want.
They are both very good however all our eyes are different and the eye relief on one pair may work better for you than the other.
I own two pair of the non HD Leica Ultra Bino's and a pair of the Zeiss FL bino's. I cannot tell any difference in the day light. The Zeiss are a tad brighter at dusk and dawn. The focus is too sensitive on the Zeiss for my taste but some love it. The Leicas fit my hands a little better.
Cannot go wrong with either pair! I suspect the Zeiss may be a little brighter than even the HD Leica's simply because the objective is 45 MM and the Leica's are 42 but you are splitting hairs.

EZ

27 January 2010, 17:52

handwerk

I'd call Doug at Cameraland, he'll give you the straight scoop and give you a great deal on whatever you decide.

27 January 2010, 18:02

freischuetz

Hi

I got the Zeiss and I am happy with it but I chose the 10x45 size and weight is the same as the 8x45 they got a nice, easy to use ballistic compensator build in!

Best is compare yourself side by side and decide

29 January 2010, 11:39

montdoug

I have the 10X42 Geovids and aside from the weight I couldn't possibly be more pleased. I find it hard to think there would be a "better" choice here, just a preferred choice....check that I just went to Cameralands website.
If I am navigating Cameralands difficult web site (to me at least)correctly the Zeiss are about $1,000.00 more money than the Leicas and while I too buy good stuff I find it hard to imagine that the Zeiss are a $1,000.00 more product than what I have. Possibly they are I just can't visualize how they could be as well as my Leica's preform.

29 January 2010, 12:17

Brazos Jack

In addition to which range finding binocular is technically best, which company, Zeiss or Leica, gives best customer support if you have a problem after purchase?

29 January 2010, 14:17

freischuetz

The Zeiss got a built in bullet drop compensator for 4 or 5 different loads and you can select by pressing a button metric or us units. Never had a problem with Zeiss service!

30 January 2010, 21:14

Fish30114

quote:
Originally posted by freischuetz:
The Zeiss got a built in bullet drop compensator for 4 or 5 different loads and you can select by pressing a button metric or us units. Never had a problem with Zeiss service!

that sounds damn interesting, the BDC calculator, but I can tell you that Doug or someone like him can share the details on the quality of the laser. I'm sure the Zeiss is great. I did read a review of handheld laser rangefinders, and the Leica was the best in that review--maybe a year ago or so I read that article. A fresh battery MATTERS, I keep a spare one in my pack, cold weather DOES affect them noticeably.

Keep the 'lens' clean, dust can build up over time and affect things, the scan feature in the Leica's is great, it helps when you just can't get enough reflectivity to range your target--happens more than you might think....I find myself defaulting to my Leica's over other lighter binos all the time, just cause I LOVE the ranging feature. I have the Zeiss and Swaro top of the line bino's, I can't tell a difference in the Zeiss, the Swaro's are slightly better to ME, optically--brighter at the edge of light--to ME, but I still end up toting the Leica BRFs.

If you have been using binos and a rangefinder, you will love having the features combined--I've sold a bunch of Leica RangingBinos by just letting someone borrow mine for looking at just a critter or two--heck, that's how I got hooked, looked through Rod Roger's pair on an antelope hunt one time, and it was game over! Ordered a pair on-line before we took off on the flight back home!

30 January 2010, 21:36

freischuetz

quote:
Originally posted by Fish30114:
quote:
Originally posted by freischuetz:
The Zeiss got a built in bullet drop compensator for 4 or 5 different loads and you can select by pressing a button metric or us units. Never had a problem with Zeiss service!

that sounds damn interesting, the BDC calculator, but I can tell you that Doug or someone like him can share the details on the quality of the laser. I'm sure the Zeiss is great. I did read a review of handheld laser rangefinders, and the Leica was the best in that review--maybe a year ago or so I read that article. A fresh battery MATTERS, I keep a spare one in my pack, cold weather DOES affect them noticeably.

Keep the 'lens' clean, dust can build up over time and affect things, the scan feature in the Leica's is great, it helps when you just can't get enough reflectivity to range your target--happens more than you might think....I find myself defaulting to my Leica's over other lighter binos all the time, just cause I LOVE the ranging feature. I have the Zeiss and Swaro top of the line bino's, I can't tell a difference in the Zeiss, the Swaro's are slightly better to ME, optically--brighter at the edge of light--to ME, but I still end up toting the Leica BRFs.

If you have been using binos and a rangefinder, you will love having the features combined--I've sold a bunch of Leica RangingBinos by just letting someone borrow mine for looking at just a critter or two--heck, that's how I got hooked, looked through Rod Roger's pair on an antelope hunt one time, and it was game over! Ordered a pair on-line before we took off on the flight back home!

Link to Zeiis RF Bino you can download the program and maual from this page

Cheers