Hunting rangefinder binoculars

Canuck525

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After a lot of research I purchased a new set of binocular rangefinders. The following in depth review helped persuade me. I was also able to field test.
Bottom line is Zeiss and Swarovski have to get their act together as Leica is leaving them in the dust in the binocular rangefinder department with the new Leica HD-B series( and I am a Swarovski fan ).I also contacted Swarovski and Zeiss to see if they had any plans to compete with Leica's new HD-B models. The answer I got from both was a resounding "NO". Neither one had any plans to change their models in the foreseeable future which I found almost unbelievable. In fact they seemed to be a little insulted that I suggested the Leica was significantly more advanced at this point in time.
Here is a link to the review( hopefully the link works).


DOWNLOAD THE FILE IN THE VERY FIRST POST. You will see they really put all 3 through their paces.



http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=279895




Just a side note here: I bought mine from Twenty20insight in Orleans, Ontario . Andrew provided absolutely first rate customer service as well as having the best price . Also, I am in no way affiliated with Leica or twenty20insight. I am simply a very satisfied customer....
 
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So the authors weighted the ballistic computer as important and the Leica came out ahead. The Swarovski unit appeared to be better or equal in most binocular and range finder functions. Not what I would call a huge difference.
 
So the authors weighted the ballistic computer as important and the Leica came out ahead. The Swarovski unit appeared to be better or equal in most binocular and range finder functions. Not what I would call a huge difference.

The rangefinding ability was superior in the Leica in distance, speed and ballistic function.The Swarovski was quite slow in this regard and couldn't quite match the ranging abilities and really didn't have much to offer in ballistic computing. That may not be important to you but In my books( and I think 99% of consumers) that is important( NO, VERY IMPORTANT) in a rangefinder.Optically they felt the Swarovski had the edge . Too bad they didn't have the rangfinding functions to go with it. I say this even though I am a fan of Swarovski binoculars. Hopefully Swarovski and Zeiss get their act together and supply an even better product than the Leica HD-B series. Competition can really spur development and it is my hope Swaorvski and Zeiss create an even better product.
Traditionally, Swarovski,Zeiss and Leica have been neck and neck and optically I think they still are but when it comes to rangfinding I think most would agree Leica has taken the lead.
 
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