Hunting & Fishing Who uses LRF Binos for hunting? If so, which one?

[Wyzrd]

Alright, so I’m getting tired of lugging around and using a spotting scope, binos, and a rangefinder while out hunting. I am seriously considering getting rid of them and investing in a quality pair of LRF binos. I’ll be looking at the older Zeiss Victory and Leica models (max budget), and maybe the Vortex Fury or Nikon.

Anyways, just wanted to hear what guys here have been using, and how they perform while glassing for and ranging game animals?

 

[Sendero_Man]

Leica HD-B's for years... Great on game sized animals for sure. Crystal clear and ergonomics are great. I run the 10X

 

[XTREM HTR16]

Leica HD-R 8x42’s from Cameraland went to Wyoming with me this fall. My guide has them now so I’m upgrading to the HD-B’s...

 

[Wyzrd]

Leica HD-R 8x42’s from Cameraland went to Wyoming with me this fall. My guide has them now so I’m upgrading to the HD-B’s...

What’s the farthest you’ve been able to range with those Leicas? I’m currently weighing options between those older Leicas (Pre HD-B’s), or the Zeiss Victory ones.

 

[XTREM HTR16]

Those are the 1400’s and I ranged the bull elk in the herd I shot this cow out of at 1,389 yards on a clear morning (shot the cow at 370).

Don’t overlook the demo specials that Doug at CameralandNY posts every so often. That’s how I bought those HD-R’s.

 

[missed]

I use the HDB 10x. I really like them

 

[Sendero_Man]

Wyzrd about 1890 on reflective targets with the HD-b's … ie rock formations, hillsides, cliffs.... Work well 12-1400 range on large game animals

 

[264win]

The leicas are great, but are a little finicky about weather conditions ( rain, snow, fog, clouds, smoke, etc
The Old Zeiss are great but lack some features such as angle compensation.

I run the leicas because they fit my budget.
Planning to upgrade to the new Zeiss someday

 

[Rthur]

Have had the Zeiss 10 x 45 RFB for several years.
Great glass with a good laser.
Have had returns off of animals up to 1650.
Ideal conditions but a solid return.
Only complaint is the extra mass.

R

 

[Wyzrd]

I saw that Euro Optics has the Leica Geovid HD-B 2700 for $2K. I’m hoping to spring for those particular ones, but just have to offload some things to reach that price point. I’m not sure if this is the right place to ask this or not, but what would be a good price for a used set of Leica Geovid HD-B 10x42’s, or a used set of the Zeiss Victory 10x45’s? I’m hoping to find one or the other from someone here in the PX. If not, I’ll just keep my eyes peeled for sales at some of the Hide vendors.

I know both Zeiss and Leica are top tier glass, but in your guys opinions, does one have an edge over the other? Either in ranging capabilities or in glass quality? Just trying to do my due diligence before I drop the coin on one.

 

[Wyzrd]

The leicas are great, but are a little finicky about weather conditions ( rain, snow, fog, clouds, smoke, etc
The Old Zeiss are great but lack some features such as angle compensation.

I run the leicas because they fit my budget.
Planning to upgrade to the new Zeiss someday

That’s my only concern with those Zeiss Victory’s. Where I hunt in WY, the terrain is pretty steep and shots can be long and at some serious angles. I’d definitely prefer a LRF bino with the built in angle compensation.

 

[Jimgal62]

That’s my only concern with those Zeiss Victory’s. Where I hunt in WY, the terrain is pretty steep and shots can be long and at some serious angles. I’d definitely prefer a LRF bino with the built in angle compensation.

Swarovski...great glass with angle and distance.
Never failed me.

 

[XTREM HTR16]

I saw that Euro Optics has the Leica Geovid HD-B 2700 for $2K. I’m hoping to spring for those particular ones, but just have to offload some things to reach that price point. I’m not sure if this is the right place to ask this or not, but what would be a good price for a used set of Leica Geovid HD-B 10x42’s, or a used set of the Zeiss Victory 10x45’s? I’m hoping to find one or the other from someone here in the PX. If not, I’ll just keep my eyes peeled for sales at some of the Hide vendors.

I know both Zeiss and Leica are top tier glass, but in your guys opinions, does one have an edge over the other? Either in ranging capabilities or in glass quality? Just trying to do my due diligence before I drop the coin on one.

I think the ones at Euro Optics are the 2200 yard model, if they are the 2700 then under 2k is a steal...

 

[Wyzrd]

I think the ones at Euro Optics are the 2200 yard model, if they are the 2700 then under 2k is a steal...

Yup, you are correct. It is the 2200 and not the 2700. I got them mixed up when I was reading the reviews and specs of them.

 

[264win]

Imho the Zeiss has a much stronger laser. If you can see it you can range it.
The leica is sensitive to air conditions, as mentioned above.
The swarovski has a good laser , in fact the strongest I have used besides vectronix , great glass but but has the button on the wrong side ( for me ) and is not bow hunter friendly ( again, just my opinion )

Imho the glass in top tier Zeiss, Leica and Swaro is equal quality. There are minute differences between them but glass should not be a concern among them. Focus on ergonuomics, what works best with the shape of your face or glasses or fits your hands, etc.

Also what your uses are. Matches, hunting, conditions, etc.

I carry the Leica hdr and keep the Bushnell arc 1 mile as a back up for when the conditions are bad

 

[Wyzrd]

264win, I know that if I step up into this top tier of LRF binos (the top 3), I’d be splitting hairs as far as glass quality. I’m already going a little insane from all the reviews I’ve been reading on the different models!? My primary use for these would be glassing for game when hunting, glassing for shed antlers and watching wildlife. I would also be using them at the range ranging steel targets and maybe bring them to a LR match.

Because angle compensation would be a big thing for me when hunting, it pretty much rules out the older Zeiss Victory models. So now, I’m looking at the older Leica HD-R 10x42 (at Euro Optic for around $1300), or the newer Leica HD-B 2200 10x42 (for around $2K). Also, I’m still considering the Nikon Laserforce even though the glass quality isn’t up there with the Leicas.

My max use for these would probably be a combined 3 months out of the year. With that said, I’m struggling with: Do I need the $2K Leicas, or should I just get the older model at $1300 (or the Nikons for even cheaper) since I will only be using them realistically for a few months out of the year max...? I know this is a good problem to have, but I already feel like tipping back a bottle of whiskey, and it’s not even 7am!??

 

[missed]

Hit up Doug @ camera landny I got a deal on my Leica.

 

[Wyzrd]

Hit up Doug @ camera landny I got a deal on my Leica.

Which model did you go with?

 

[264win]

I bought my Leicas from Cameraland as well. They have very good sales on demos from time to time.
The HD-R is better for air rifles and archery, because the angle compensation works at close range.
The HD-B has the internal ballistics option.
The glass is the same

I bought the HD-R since I needed the short range angle compensation. If I lost them, I would buy another pair tomorrow. $1300 is a good buy for the binoculars alone.

 

[WoobieJ]

The vortex fury has angle compensation. I'd get that over Nikon.

 

[missed]

I have the HDB 10x. I don't remember the exact model number at the moment.

 

[Wyzrd]

For you guys that run these, do you know how big of a factor the size of the laser beam divergence is...?

Leica Geovid-R 10x42= ? Couldn’t find it
Zeiss Victory 10x45= 1.6x0.5 mrad
Zeiss Geovid HD-B 10x42= 2.7x1.0 mrad
Nikon Laserforce 10x42= 0.062x1.46 mrad

Does a certain size beam make it easier to range targets/game at longer distances?

 

[BradW]

I’ve used these Leica Geovid BRF-Ys for a few years now. Love ‘em.

 

[Wyzrd]

View attachment 6977452
I’ve used these Leica Geovid BRF-Ys for a few years now. Love ‘em.

Yup, these are the same ones that I just got. Found a great deal on them locally and I had to snatch them up. Before I did, I went to my local Sportsman Warehouse and checked out the Nikon Laserforce and Vortex Fury, and they both had a very noticeable bluish tint when looking through them. The Leicas are so much sharper, brighter, more pop, and no bluish tint (everything looks more neutral/natural). Edge to edge clarity is amazing, nice FOV, and zero chromatic aberration. Haven’t gotten them out to the range yet, but I’ve ranged a few things around my house and have gotten hits out to 1200+ already. Anyways, definitely worth the $ IMHO! Can’t wait to get these out in the field for critters.??

 

[MTyotehunter]

Bushnell 1mile, you can tell it to ignore timber/brush and give the farthest range. In MT that's helpful. Just okay glass tho