Thread: High end binos

Originally Posted by 10-Ring

The later models have a different setup for the front objective lens covers that don't attach around the lens barrels anymore which makes it difficult to pull them off.

The loaner pair I have been using had those and they must have snapped off. They had the old ones on them and I should have just pinched them before sending them back

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Changed from Leica's to Swarovski a couple of years ago. Pretty similar I guess, except the Leica's won't range in misty conditions, and the Swaro's do.
And I'm talking about the Leica's wouldn't range 100 yards, & the Swaro's would still work at 1000. Huge difference.

Originally Posted by Mistral

Changed from Leica's to Swarovski a couple of years ago. Pretty similar I guess, except the Leica's won't range in misty conditions, and the Swaro's do.
And I'm talking about the Leica's wouldn't range 100 yards, & the Swaro's would still work at 1000. Huge difference.

Sounds odd
What model Leica you talking about

PS
@High Country Boy
Get in and buy now - as once stock on hand in shops gone, there will be a big price jump - couple on Trade Me now selling at what landed cost be be under new currency rates.
Just make sure they not shop lend outs or been played with by all in-sundry
2019 stock prices could go up 15% going on our NZ$ devaluation taken place last 2 months

That's a big increase in Alpha optic prices

Originally Posted by xtightg

I have had the Leica 10x42 Geovids for about 14 years I tend to use my 10x25 Ultravids and Trinovids more easy to stick in your shirt or jacket pocket, the Trinovids are only shower proof I had to send them back to Leica Portugal for a free repair I tried a local agent who wanted me to pay some money up front and enter into some type of agreement with potential additional cost implications as I recall.

I did purchase all my Leica gear in Europe and UK.

I also use a Leica rangefinder in a pouch on my belt if you have to work out the range you generally have plenty time to faff about in my experience.

No plans to change them.

I have the 10x25 ultravids and they aren't even close to the geovids in usability. The eye pieces are small and the eye relief isn't adjustable so steadying them on your face is difficult compared to the geovids. They are awesomely light though. I use them. On my chest strap of my pack while on horseback guiding or my partner uses them while hunting with me here in NZ the compact Swaros are very comfortable to use but again not as compact as the leicas. The Zeiss 10x25s are also pretty nice have a look at serious shooters.

Originally Posted by Stocky

I have the 10x25 ultravids and they aren't even close to the geovids in usability. The eye pieces are small and the eye relief isn't adjustable so steadying them on your face is difficult compared to the geovids. They are awesomely light though. I use them. On my chest strap of my pack while on horseback guiding or my partner uses them while hunting with me here in NZ the compact Swaros are very comfortable to use but again not as compact as the leicas. The Zeiss 10x25s are also pretty nice have a look at serious shooters.

i thought Swaro Pockets same size as Leica Ultravid Compacts ??
I would have the Pockets over the Compact any day
The new Mountain Swaro are very nice and definitely stronger in frame and as I said thought same physical size
A little more expensive - but worth every extra $$ in my eye

Yes - you are correct

The Leica fold in a 1cm more tighter
Swaro
Length 110 - Width 98 - Height 46 - Weight 345
Leica
Length 111 - Width 112 - Height 39 - Weight 265

Originally Posted by Sarvo

Sounds odd
What model Leica you talking about

PS
@High Country Boy
Get in and buy now - as once stock on hand in shops gone, there will be a big price jump - couple on Trade Me now selling at what landed cost be be under new currency rates.
Just make sure they not shop lend outs or been played with by all in-sundry
2019 stock prices could go up 15% going on our NZ$ devaluation taken place last 2 months

That's a big increase in Alpha optic prices

Yea I have taken that into consideration so looking to buy soon. With the amount being spent want to make sure that I’m making the best decision. Based on the advice here my decision is down to a set of noctivids and a range finder or a set of geovids HD b. I certainly see the ease of having one unit, but a thought I had also is that I’m starting to dabble in a little bit of bow hunting, not hugely atm but I thought a range finder maybe more convenient that having to use my binos to range

Originally Posted by 10-Ring

The later models have a different setup for the front objective lens covers that don't attach around the lens barrels anymore which makes it difficult to pull them off.

These are the shit ones.

You are young and so young eyes will compensate for some optical difference - meaning you wont notice it the same now as when age steals sight in the future. I used 16x Nikons for a long time.
I bought a pair of Swaro EL's and have compared then against Leica and although the clarity is the same, it is easier to spot game with the Swaros because they have better colour differentiation. Same in scopes the Swaros are just faster to see the target.
The difference with the Swaros is like this : I can look across a paddock of pasture and see a Hares ear with the Swaros but with other glasses it just looks like a Plantain leaf

Originally Posted by Moa Hunter

You are young and so young eyes will compensate for some optical difference - meaning you wont notice it the same now as when age steals sight in the future. I used 16x Nikons for a long time.
I bought a pair of Swaro EL's and have compared then against Leica and although the clarity is the same, it is easier to spot game with the Swaros because they have better colour differentiation. Same in scopes the Swaros are just faster to see the target.
The difference with the Swaros is like this : I can look across a paddock of pasture and see a Hares ear with the Swaros but with other glasses it just looks like a Plantain leaf

I see what you mean, dad has a set of ultravids and I’ve looked through them a bit and animals sort of stand out a lot more

Originally Posted by Moa Hunter

You are young and so young eyes will compensate for some optical difference - meaning you wont notice it the same now as when age steals sight in the future. I used 16x Nikons for a long time.
I bought a pair of Swaro EL's and have compared then against Leica and although the clarity is the same, it is easier to spot game with the Swaros because they have better colour differentiation. Same in scopes the Swaros are just faster to see the target.
The difference with the Swaros is like this : I can look across a paddock of pasture and see a Hares ear with the Swaros but with other glasses it just looks like a Plantain leaf

I find this too Deer just seem to "pop" out of the background. I / my eyes liked them better than the Leica's and I could not find a pair of Zeiss to look thru at the time.

I had a friend wanting to get a spotting scope, just to look at stuff, around home. Not for hunting or glassing. After a bit more quizzing him I loaned him my Trinies and he was amazed at what you get with more refined glass compared to standard bino's etc. I had to remind him that the Trinovid is bottom end.

Originally Posted by chainsaw

Lashed out on a pair of Leica Geovids 10x42's a couple years back and have not regretted. Before making that purchase I went to a high end optics shop that stocked Leica, Swaro, Zeiss and others - I tried lots of different models and makes. Shop was in an area of town with great views out over gulf/harbour so gave me a good feel for image clarity, brightness, sharpness etc in full light conditions. While this is by no means a true test for our hunting environment and low light I came away with good sense of "fit for my eyes" and what $$ got you what performance. To my eyes the Zeiss Victory was the best glass i tried, but hard to justify spending ~2x more than the Leica Geovids. Same for the Leica HD-B's too much moolaa for slight, if any difference, to my eyes. So I went for leading edge not bleeding edge & saved $2k. They are a bit of a "brick" but in a bino biv i find these no issue to carry on the hill, and glassing is a pleasure.

I have pretty much used all the high end binos and spotters a fair bit and have to agree that Zeiss for me is optically superior out of all the so called high end optics. But imo they're severely retarded by weight.

I spend some serious hours behind binos and spotters and finding a compromise in comfort, practicality and optics is way more important than brand.
Swaro works out for me in both binos and spotter where something half the price could work just as well for someone else.

I was with a fella the other day who had a tiny set of 10x25 swaros. I had a play with them and wanted a set straight away. Ideal to tuck into your jacket or shirt and less fiddly to pull out quickly and check on things. They would be handy for everyday use in the truck etc.
Once he had his eye in he was picking up animals at some serious distances.

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For what’s it worth I bought a pair of Swarovski EL 10 x 42’s 5 years ago. I am very happy with them. ( I had a pair of SLC 8 x 30’s for 25 years before that are now with my son and still going strong)
However I have hunted with forum member Tech on many occasions and he has the EL 10 x 32’s. In my opinion these are the perfect bino for NZ conditions. Still got the 10 power but in a smaller and more compact unit.

Originally Posted by Moa Hunter

You are young and so young eyes will compensate for some optical difference - meaning you wont notice it the same now as when age steals sight in the future. I used 16x Nikons for a long time.
I bought a pair of Swaro EL's and have compared then against Leica and although the clarity is the same, it is easier to spot game with the Swaros because they have better colour differentiation. Same in scopes the Swaros are just faster to see the target.
The difference with the Swaros is like this : I can look across a paddock of pasture and see a Hares ear with the Swaros but with other glasses it just looks like a Plantain leaf

This is exactly what a friend and I noticed the other evening.
We were both looking at a deer in poor light, right on dusk.
I was using my EL 10x42’s and he was using his Sig Kilo3000 BDX binos.
The Sig 3000’s have very good glass, but my EL’s were brighter and made the colour of the deer out much better in the low light.
We both swapped binoculars and could both see the difference clearly.
The result of using the better glass will be spotting a lot more animals over a lifetime of hunting with the better optics.

Originally Posted by R93

I have pretty much used all the high end binos and spotters a fair bit and have to agree that Zeiss for me is optically superior out of all the so called high end optics. But imo they're severely retarded by weight.

I spend some serious hours behind binos and spotters and finding a compromise in comfort, practicality and optics is way more important than brand.
Swaro works out for me in both binos and spotter where something half the price could work just as well for someone else.

I was with a fella the other day who had a tiny set of 10x25 swaros. I had a play with them and wanted a set straight away. Ideal to tuck into your jacket or shirt and less fiddly to pull out quickly and check on things. They would be handy for everyday use in the truck etc.
Once he had his eye in he was picking up animals at some serious distances.

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You said the same after using mine two years ago, just buy some already


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