Range Finder Bino OR Bino + Range finder

Right o, as 30th present to myself (around Sika Show Time) I'm considering one of the following

Looking at Leica Geovid HD-R 10x42: I saw at the sika show for around $2800


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Pros: all in one which I like,
Cons: No Angle comp built in



Option two:

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Leica Ultravid HD 10x42 - IIRC at the Sika show around $2200?

Pros: absolute best image quality
Cons: separate range finder.

PLUS

$700 Vortex 1000 Yard Range finder Built in Angle comp

In reality my shooting will be 100% below 500m but mostly 250-400m range.

My Thinking is, top notch glass will always been (generally) top notch but range finder tech always changes/improves. The Swaro or top end Leica (read $5000 are out of my budget)

Any opinions?

I think you will need to do some more research, re prices you are around 1K plus short on the Leica ones :(

@Kiwi Greg I was at the Leica stand at the last sika show and those where the prices quoted.

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Originally Posted by Timmay

@Kiwi Greg I was at the Leica stand at the last sika show and those where the prices quoted.

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That may have been the case, but since then things have changed at the wholesalers, margins are be scaled & the prices have gone up as the exchange rate has dropped :oh noes:

The going rate for HDBs is $47-4900 :(

kiwi, Stop... Please :TT TT:

The dollars in a very different place now!
All in one every time ... saves a heap of time and one less thing to carry.
Go with slope correction on the bino if you can.

No issues with my EL 10x42 Range ... long ago forgot about the cost because they are so bloody good.

Swarovski, Leica or Zeiss just doesn't matter if they do slope and give TBR

HDBs rock, just dial this much Boss :thumbsup::cool:....shame they are sooooo spendy :XD:

I was quoted 3600 for Ultra Vids and a bit more for Swaro 10x42Els last november and swaro rangefinder binos at 4900.

I ended u with new pair of 10x42 Els I got a "hell deal" on thru work contacts
I figured while all in one is nice, I am less likely to break both if I take a tumble

Go for ranging binos, 1 instrument way better than lugging 2 around. I bought some Swaro binos as I already had a range finder, but I should have forked out the extra for the ranging pair of EL-R. Bloody hassle to handle another item when you sight your prey within shooting range.

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Originally Posted by Mathias

Go for ranging binos, 1 instrument way better than lugging 2 around. I bought some Swaro binos as I already had a range finder, but I should have forked out the extra for the ranging pair of EL-R. Bloody hassle to handle another item when you sight your prey within shooting range.

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+1, been there ,done that. cheaper in the long run to get the bino - rangefinder combo in one unit,
and a lot more convenient. have lost deer in past by finding them in binos then getting range finder out of jacket pocket or backpack or where ever i have put them, it
all takes time and sometimes if an animal is making for the bush you don't have a lot of time. and as for the angle comp, not a biggie as we haven't needed one for the last 100 years, it would be nice to have, but not something that i would have on the" must have " list.

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Originally Posted by Mathias

Go for ranging binos, 1 instrument way better than lugging 2 around. I bought some Swaro binos as I already had a range finder, but I should have forked out the extra for the ranging pair of EL-R. Bloody hassle to handle another item when you sight your prey within shooting range.

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What I found with two (which I had for years & resisted the Geovids) was the binos were excellent glass & high mag, Leica Ultravid 10 x 42 & my rangefinder had excellent glass but only 7 x 20-25mm LRF 800, CRF 1200 & 1600, so it could be difficult to find the target in the rangefinder once it been found in the binos :(

I went long range Bunny shooting down south years ago & that became extremely frustrating with little targets at 600+ yards, got home & purchased some early SH Geovids, up graded to HDs, then finally to HDBs couldn't be happier :)

Single unit is much faster to use pain in the ass using binos then having to pull out range finder then read find them to range

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Looks like I'm saving for Range finding binos - I gather is the Bushnell and then the top end Leica and Swaro that does angle comp?

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Originally Posted by Timmay

Looks like I'm saving for Range finding binos - I gather is the Bushnell and then the top end Leica and Swaro that does angle comp?

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If you are starting from scratch & can save enough or long enough and/or can sell some toys get the Leica HDBs,

Then you have fantastic binos, awesome range finder to 2000+ yards, a custom ballistic solution to dial you scope out to 1000 yards & Baro, Angle & Temp to give you the ballistic solution beyond that or for your mates rifle. :cool:

Been looking online, seems the Geovid HD-B and EL Range's are the same price... Are they like Ford/Holden? ie 99% similar?

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Originally Posted by Timmay

Been looking online, seems the Geovid HD-B and EL Range's are the same price... Are they like Ford/Holden? ie 99% similar?

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NO HDB has ballistic solution, ie dial this much boss, :)

It also has Baro, Temp, not sure that the new EL does ?

A couple of years ago when the milk price was $8.40 I bought a set of HD B's. Great glass and range finder. I thought Leica could have made the ballistic side of things a little easier to use

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Ive had some geovids for 8 yesrs now, couldnt go back to seperate units now!!!!

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Originally Posted by 7mmwsm

What's the life expectancy of a range finder? My concern would be having a flash set of ranging bino's with a clapped ranging system.

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That's what put me off, rangefinding Leicas / Swaros were I think either 2 or 5 years on the electronics but lifetime on the rest of the unit and although all the retailers said that if a failure occurred it would be sorted no worries I know as an employee of a distribution company that there is a often difference between "promise" and what "actually" happens which includes a shit fight in the middle

@mikee that's my only niggle. And having worked in a retail industry around tech I know how often even the high end stuff shits the bed and the manufacturer back up isn't any better than low end stuff.

I saw a really good deal on the newest Trinovid HD 10x42's reviews have them 99.5% of a pair of Ultravid HD's which are a lot more money

Plus in 5 years time when rangefinders can tell me the sex and age of a deer I can just upgrade....

Decisions decisions

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Originally Posted by Timmay

@mikee that's my only niggle. And having worked in a retail industry around tech I know how often even the high end stuff shits the bed and the manufacturer back up isn't any better than low end stuff.

I saw a really good deal on the newest Trinovid HD 10x42's reviews have them 99.5% of a pair of Ultravid HD's which are a lot more money

Plus in 5 years time when rangefinders can tell me the sex and age of a deer I can just upgrade....

Decisions decisions

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I know AND I have worked for a Manufacturer/Distributor for last 16 years and you would be amazed how often the retailers drop a nice little mess on us. By the time we get involved the Owner is usually well worked up and we get to fix the retailers cock ups or false promises at our often considerable expense (and yes I know it happens both ways but in my experience retailers generally will tell you ANYTHING to get your money and then blame the Manufacturer if theres an issue)

Leica & Swaro will stand behind their products past their warranty dates, that's been my experience anyhow.

Don't forget these are extremely big established companies that have been around for a long time & will be for a lot longer yet.

They pride themselves are being at the top of the top end of the market with all the products they produce, which is much bigger than the stuff we use :)

Made the call, got a good deal on some Leica Geovid R 10x42's. They are the new 2016 model which has the angle comp, last years didn't - but no barometer which is fine - Should be here this week.

You don't need a firing soloution or barometer in your binos if you are shooting inside 500 imo.
It would be nice but it takes bugger all to check and work out a soloution without one.

Inclinometer is all I would say is a must.
A range card out to 5-600, check your station pressure with a kestrel or watch with a good barometer and your away laughing.
The amount of time I have seen people f%#k around setting up for a shot far outweighs the time it takes to check and enter data into a ballistic app.


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Cheers @R93, Got a smart phone so that takes care of that side of things. The Inclinometer is what sold me on the binos, as even a set of Trinovids + range finder was just over $3000 all up. so for a couple of hundy I get a better range finder and all in one.

A month or so back I sold my Zeiss Rf binos for the smaller Swarovski Rf binos.
I don't use inbuilt ballistics for anything but find the TBR in the Swarovski to be great.
Haven't looked though any Lecia HDBs so can't comment, had a old set that I didn't really rate.
Any of those 3 will see you right for many years.
Just make sure if you are comparing you use the latest models.
Edit: shop around! Some places charge crazy money I wouldn't pay over 4K for any of them.


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Good stuff. I just use my phone for ballistic app and gps if I need it. I have 2 spare batteries for it.
The GPS is way better than I could have hoped and has worked perfectly everywhere I have used it.
Sort of evens things up kit wise by not needing a dedicated gps😆

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I got my Bino's yesterday, and had a play with them as the sun went down.... Holy shit these things are clear. Makes my Zeiss Conquest look like sh!t.
Ranged 1043m with out any issues. I have a bit of a view from my place but I saw things I've never noticed before!
Can't wait to get up on the tops and give these things a spin...

Who is the cheapest option to buy HDB's off?

Jacobs digital, 4400 there

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Originally Posted by Timmay

Jacobs digital, 4400 there

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:o Shite wont be anytime soon for me :(

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Originally Posted by Gibo

:o Shite wont be anytime soon for me :(

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You and me both. I stretched to get to the HD_R's (a full grand less)