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Range Finding Binoculars Best Choice
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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.
 
Posts: 10483 | Location: Houston, Texas | Registered: 26 December 2005Reply With Quote
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I would pick them in the order you have listed.
I have been using the older Geovid HD-R's since new in 2015, never a hiccup.
Do you want the latest onboard ballistic features?
For rifle hunting I will never go back to separate units.
 
Posts: 549 | Location: n.e.Mn | Registered: 14 October 2006Reply With Quote
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Here's my take. If you're asking about binoculars that can also measure distance, then I think that puts you in the 10X range. Like others have said, the Leica 10 x 42's Geovids with ballistics are top-of-the-line and I have a set.

For regular glassing for spot and stalk, where range estimation isn't an issue, I carry Swaro 8 x 42EL's.
 
Posts: 522 | Location: Denton, Texas | Registered: 18 May 2004Reply With Quote
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I’m generally a save/cry once/buy the best kind of guy but I tiptoed into this area a couple years ago and bought the Sig Sauer 10x40 unit. I was so impressed I bought a second one. And am considering one of the 10x30 units. Definitely agree that I will never again carry separate binocs and rangefinder. The Sig glass is clearly inferior to my Leica and Swaro binocs, but still serviceable. And the range finding is fast and accurate for me. I had not noticed, but some complained of a blue tint to the Sigs, which allegedly they have remedied in a new addition to the lineup.
 
Posts: 238 | Location: San Antonio, TX USA | Registered: 04 March 2003Reply With Quote
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One thing that should be checked out if going to range finding binoculars, is that anything with electronics in it doesn't usually enjoy long warranties. Leupold for example do provide lifetime warranty on the optics but limited warranty on the electronics of their range finding binoculars and I imagine most manufacturers would be the same in this regard.
Good quality rangefinders can be purchased relatively cheaply and could be viewed as throwaway items if the electronics fail however quality expensive RF binoculars are not in this category and repairs or replacement could be an unwanted expense.

I use Steiner binoculars carried in a harness caddy or often in my pack, finding my Bushnell Engage 1700 range finder much handier and easy to use as both a monocular and rangefinder. These RF's with 6x magnification have very good optics giving clear bright pictures without clutter and then angle compensated RF data at the click of a button.
For Africa where the PH is doing much of the spotting and scanning work with binoculars I would have thought a small light rangefinder much more handier for the client.
 
Posts: 3928 | Location: Rolleston, Christchurch, New Zealand | Registered: 03 August 2009Reply With Quote
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Yeah, though putting more functions into the binos means less chance of forgetting something, it puts more weight around your neck and adds to the heartbreak if you lose it.

I prefer the modular concept in computers and stereos, too. If one bit breaks or gets coffee on it, you just have to replace that.
 
Posts: 5166 | Location: Melbourne, Australia | Registered: 31 March 2009Reply With Quote
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