Leica 1600 vs. Swaro 8x30 LRF

[Sendero_Man]

anyone had these 2 units side by side ?

comparisons ?

pros and cons of each ?

weather conditions and accurate ranging in them ?

other comments ?

thanks SM.

 

[Sendero_Man]

Re: Leica 1600 vs. Swaro 8x30 LRF

anyone ???

 

[427Cobra]

Re: Leica 1600 vs. Swaro 8x30 LRF

I would take the Swaro over the Lecia anyday of the week, but the Bushnell Fusion LRF Binos are kickass, 1760yds in 105 TEXAS summer heat without a hickup, price is around 8-900 bucks.

 

[Sendero_Man]

Re: Leica 1600 vs. Swaro 8x30 LRF

why ?

 

[Decoy]

Re: Leica 1600 vs. Swaro 8x30 LRF

I purchased the 1600 and used it in less than desirable conditions and was pretty happy with reading out to the 750-800 yards. We were in the heavy snow and was able to get reading that verified our ranging. Only a 4 day use but liked what I saw.

 

[427Cobra]

Re: Leica 1600 vs. Swaro 8x30 LRF

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Sendero_man</div><div class="ubbcode-body">why ? </div></div>

I have a 1200 Scan and they work just fine out to 750, after that they are questionable, Trigger Time has the Swaros and they always work out to 1250, CKA has the Bushnells and again they kickass, Scooty Puff Sr has Geovids and IMHO the Bushnell Fusions out perform the Geovids, so if you want a mono get the Swaro, bino get the Fusions

 

[Sendero_Man]

Re: Leica 1600 vs. Swaro 8x30 LRF

thanks for the explanation !

 

[fish30114]

Re: Leica 1600 vs. Swaro 8x30 LRF

If you want Bino's, get the Leica BRF's. The laser is technically more accuratee in the Leica--don;t ask me for that dope, but on the Accurate Reloading forum there are a couple of posters that damn well know and gave the tech poop years back.

The glass in the Swaro is better (part of it being larger heavier) than in the little handheld Leica units for sure. I have, well HAD, all three, and I kept the Leica's. The swaro was great, but too heavy to be just a rangefinder. If am not going to carry bino's (rare for me) and I want rangfinding, I like the size and handiness of the Leica 1600. But if, like usual, I carry Bino's, the Leica BRF's are the ones. Optically awesome and VERY accurate laser--same as in the 1600's.

 

[coldboremiracle]

Re: Leica 1600 vs. Swaro 8x30 LRF

I have the swaros, and have hit beyond 1800yds in the right conditions (reflective target on a cool morning) and have had no problem hitting things out into the 1400-1600yd range during normal field conditions.

 

[vprtoad]

Re: Leica 1600 vs. Swaro 8x30 LRF

I have used them both (not side to side) I have owned the Leica 1200's and sold it for the Swaro.

I was very impressed with the New Leica 1600. We were getting bounces off of rock faces at well over 1600 1800 + even got a few at 1900 + in bright conditions. It had uphill angle indicators as well.. It was very light and compact. I think they hit a homer with it.

That being said I love my Swaro mono.. it will go 1999 in the right conditions and the glass at 8X it a lot better and has a lot bigger field of view. YMMV
Just say'n

 

[Sendero_Man]

Re: Leica 1600 vs. Swaro 8x30 LRF

thanks again

 

[264win]

Re: Leica 1600 vs. Swaro 8x30 LRF

pm sent

 

[Erud]

Re: Leica 1600 vs. Swaro 8x30 LRF

I've had the Leica 1200 LRF, Swaro, Leica Geovid 8x binos and the Leica 1600 CRF, in that order. Still have the 1600, and will most likely stick with it. From my personal (non-professional) experiences, I'd rank them like this:

Glass:

1. Geovids(by a mile)
2. Swaro
3. 1200 and 1600

Ranging:

1. Swaro - longest range 1790
2. 1600 - longest range to date 1640
3. Geovids - longest range 1380
4. 1200 - longest range 1300-ish

Features:

1. 1600
2. swaro
3. 1200
4. Geovids

Portability:

1. 1600(by a mile)
2. Swaro
3. 1200
4. Geovids

To sum it up, I'd say the Geovids are definitely the nicest, and you could look through them all day with very little eye fatigue, unlike the others. But for what they cost, they were just not worth it for my purposes. Also the size and weight were a negative for me. All 4 are good products, but at the end of the day, the 1600 wins for me. It's easy to use, ranges fast and repeatable, capable of looooong ranges(maybe as far as the Swaro? time will tell...), and being able to drop it into any pocket and carry it easily anywhere I go is a huge plus for me.

Hope this info is useful.

Thanks,
Erik

 

[Sendero_Man]

Re: Leica 1600 vs. Swaro 8x30 LRF

great info !

keep it coming

 

[wyosniper]

Re: Leica 1600 vs. Swaro 8x30 LRF

I have had the crf 1200 which worked well up to 1000. I bought the new crf 1600 and the first one wouldnt range past 300. Send it back and got another crf 1600 and iam really impressed with it so far. It hits easily past 1000 and is lighting quick.It actually ranges past the 1600. Have heard that some of the very first ones had issues, but the second one has worked rock solid. It reflects off just about everything, compared to the 1200 which took several tries. Dont know much about the swaros, but if they are anything like there binocs, you would be good to go. Just my two cents....good luck

 

[muleman]

Re: Leica 1600 vs. Swaro 8x30 LRF

I went from the Leica 1200 to the 1600, which ranges much better than the 1200 did. I used it in Arizona this fall elk hunting could easly range 1800-1900 yds, ranged my elk at 791 and it was spot on. I wanted the angle indicator, rather than haveing it mounted to my scope, they could have left the ballistic programs off and cut the price, as they're only good out to 500yds to me thats where long range just gets started! I have Swaro ELs and love them but the range finder seemed a little bulky and didn't have the angle indicator on them I wanted, both are Quality products!!!

 

[sititunga]

Re: Leica 1600 vs. Swaro 8x30 LRF

I have the Leica 1600 - and mine have ranged out to 1950. Like one of the previous posters mentioned I also had to send my first one back but the replacement has worked great.

 

[264win]

Re: Leica 1600 vs. Swaro 8x30 LRF

not intending to step on anyones toes , but i have had 2 swaros go belly up on me . swaro was great about fixing them and even giving me a loaner to use [ repair is often 4-8+ weeks , as they send them back to austria for any major work ], but it still sucks if your on a hunt or in a comp .

 

[lanwickum]

Re: Leica 1600 vs. Swaro 8x30 LRF

I bought one off ebay for $100 cheaper than anywere else I could find. Said it was NIB, appeared to be. Wouldn't range very well. Installed new batteries, helped but still couldn't get much over 1000 meters off a tin building, grain elevator. Decided to call leica and email them quick not expecting a very fast response. Got an email back in a few hours telling me were to mail it to. Not sure if it will be under warranty since I did not buy it from an autorized dealer but I was impressed with response time. I will try to post again about the repairs and cost to me. Looking very good so far.

BTW,
I was gonna buy from authorized dealer and figure I'ld save over $100. Buy from an authorized dealer unless you try it first or have very good reason not to.