Leica binocular question

[BeeMaa]

I have two Leicia Geovid 10x42 HD-B 3000’s…one for me and one for my wife. I also picked up a set of Ultravid 8x32 HD-Plus non-range finding for something more compact and lightweight for buffalo hunting.

I enjoy them both but they each have their strengths. I’d say it depends on what type of hunting is your primary focus. 10x42 RF binos are hard to beat as a general hunting tool, but as you get more deep in the weeds, your requirements will change.

One set of binos is rarely enough, but you will not make a “bad” decision with the two options you are considering.

 

[Challer]

I have the range finding geovids and no complaints at all.Distance does matter to me. For DG trajectory matters much less and can be managed with the range. Save the ballistic computers for really long shots, a place I no longer go.

I’ll have to look at a compact 8x32 - I can see the utility.

 

[Rimbaud]

I have Swaro 10x42EL, and the new Geovid 10x32 rangefinders. The difference in glass is imperceptible to me. I also have a Swaro ATX spotter and some Steiners that are 12 years old or so. I use my Geovids more than all other binos. I like knowing the distance of my shots, if that is needed, and prefer carrying a slightly smaller binocular when moving around. I do not think that you will make a bad decision one way or another. From my own experience growing up without much money, I became a disciple of the buy once, cry once school. In a few years time, or much less, the money that you spent to get what you wanted in the first place will be negligible. Good luck.

 

[uplander01]

I have Leica 8x32 and 10x42, once you go Leica you'll never need or want anything else. As would be the case honestly with any of the big 3 (Leica, Zeiss, Swaro)

 

[BeeMaa]

I have Leica 8x32 and 10x42, once you go Leica you'll never need or want anything else. As would be the case honestly with any of the big 3 (Leica, Zeiss, Swaro)

My wife and I made the mistake of looking through Leica binos and Swaro scopes. Our bank account took a severe hit. However I’ll say that I’ve never considered how much we paid while we are taking a shot with those scopes or stalking game with the binos.

 

[SCHUNTER73]

FWIW, I looked at trinovid, geovid and the other. My eyes could not tell the difference. I was not looking for the rangefinder option, so I saved some coin and got the Trinovids. Used the savings to pay for a shoulder mount. Couldn’t be happier. Funny how subjective optical quality is.

 

[festuscat]

I have used the same Leica's and Swaro for over 20 years.

I have 8X32 and and 10X32 Trinovid BNs and Swaro 10X42WB. They have been great binoculars and I have hunted them them alot, I liked the 8X32s so much I bought another pair 0f8X32 off Ebay for about $400.
I dont think I can tell the difference in glass as others can, but I would not discount searching Ebay and other sights.

 

[Rimshot]

I have the Geovid 3200.coms and have had some issue with the rangefinder out of the box. Getting a warranty claim has been a bit of a hassle as well. That said I did lay in to the Leica guys at DSC and it seems they are trying to get these fixed asap for me. We will see.

I bought the Geovid 3200.com on a closeout deal from I think Eurooptic. Right out of the box, something goofy with the rangefinder - it would take 20+ attempts to get a reading on anything past 300 yards or so.
I sent them back to Leica. It took a few months. Finally they said it needs some chip replaced, but we don't make this anymore so we're sending you a new Geovid Pro. Very happy with that outcome obviously. They were more responsive during the process than the average European company I've dealt with for this kind of thing.

I will preface this by saying I've never looked through a Noctovid, but I've never found the Geovid Pro glass to be wanting. I'm sure if you scientifically tested them side by side for chromatic aberration, focus at the extreme edge FOV, rolling ball effect, etc, that some slight difference could be detectable. For our hunting purposes I think it is a waste and losing the rangefinder would be a mistake. The onboard convenience of a rangefinder is hard to overstate. Depending on your setup, even the onboard ballistics are quite useful. At first I was skeptical but I've since changed my mind!