Best binos with RF and AB?
- Thread starter kouma
- Start date
Have not really looked at the vector X so cant comment on them. I use the leica pro and downloaded the full AB suite into them.
Been using them for 2 years now in the 10x32 size and prefer them over the swaro 10x42 older R version I had.
Use them at the range to shoot distance all the time. In fact I was in a fun long distance marksman shoot between 500m-1000m last fall and was the only one out of 24 ish using binos. Everyone else had dope cards. I figured it would be best for the AB suite to run ballistics in the current temp and pressure out that am and not bank on previous setting.
Been using them for 2 years now in the 10x32 size and prefer them over the swaro 10x42 older R version I had.
Use them at the range to shoot distance all the time. In fact I was in a fun long distance marksman shoot between 500m-1000m last fall and was the only one out of 24 ish using binos. Everyone else had dope cards. I figured it would be best for the AB suite to run ballistics in the current temp and pressure out that am and not bank on previous setting.
I've been hearing bad things about the Vector's glass. Which concerns me, because I have Vectors on backorder.
Sloped Roof Specialist
Regular
I watched some youtube reviews, independent unbiased ones. What I was hearing is that the glass isn't quite as good as Leica or Swaro, but it's still pretty damn good. I think they had to put some sort of slightly blue coating on the right side to make the HUD visible.
SRS
I watched the Area 419 video on rangefinding binos.It was very well done and showed the strengths and weaknesses of all the models. The Swarovski had the best glass but that was all. They are the most exspensive and large in size with not near the tech of the X. Leica had second best but expensive and same faults as Swarovski. If it’s primarily for hunting I’d buy the best glass but if it’s for LR or PRS then the best in my opinion is the X and it’s cheaper. Many military units use the X. Just my opinion.
Sloped Roof Specialist
Regular
Can I ask why you say you'd go with the best glass, which I agree fully is Swaro or Leica, specifically for hunting??
Im old and have done well in life in my later years so the cost isnt really my main thought. I hunt and like quality optics which is why I have upgraded almost everything to the high end european optics. Ill freely admit Im an optics snob. Oh well sue me. If you can afford it then why wouldnt you and obviously Im not alone or these companies would be out of business. I have owned just about every high end glass there is and Swaro and Kahles rule the roost followed closely by Leica. Agree or not thats my opinion and stikin too it. The reason id pick the best glass for hunting is the ranges hopefully will be well within the limits of the shooter and the hours glassing for your trophy will make it all worth while. Banging steel or competitions require a great ballistic program and bluetooth and really good optics but not Swaro quality are more important. Your not going to park ur but on the top of a mountain and glass for 8 hours or more continuously. Mountain hunters get it but until you sit behind a spotter or binos for hours on end most just cant comprehend the headaches or dizziness. Ask any high altitude hunter. The best glass even at 5 or 6K plus is well worth it. I have a Kahles 328i DLR on a rimfire rifle. Crazy, yep absolutely but its what floats my boat at the moment.
Sloped Roof Specialist
Regular
I hear ya man, and I agree fully. When I can, I will be also "spending what I need to"... I love looking through the best glass. Before I discovered the Vector X (maybe a week ago??), I was lusting after a set of orange Swaro EL's... for me, the tech in the Vector X outdoes the better glass in the swaro's... in an ideal world, they'd be combined.
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience, it's heard and appreciated.
SRS
Sloped Roof Specialist
Regular
I would get the DMR, as that's what you need to use the scale with the magnifiers on. I"m not 100% sure about the 10x vs 12x. Some say that 12x is the highest power that you can stabilize by hand. I think I'll be wanting to hold and test a 10's and 12's to test.
SRS
It’s extremely hard to hold steady enough to range far targets without being mounted on a good tripod. If your planning on using hand held frequently then I would definitely NOT buy the 12s. To obtain good readings the unit must be steady. Close distance is not critical but as you start getting farther 300 plus yards/metres you have to be steady. The size and how reflective the target is also affects the range, as well as environmental conditions.
Sloped Roof Specialist
Regular
I was planning on a tripod mount anyway. For practical hunting/handheld use, would you go with 10’s??
I have a set of Vector X in the 10x42 DMR configuration. Overall I am very happy with them, the only thing I would change is the button layout and add a windage shortcut like they did with the kilo 10K gen 2. Other than that I think the vectors are great, awesome glass and the HUD works well with the etched reticle. They performed well for me this coyote season and on some of the days the temps were -25C and colder.
I have also been using them for birding for my college program and the etched reticle doesn't seem to get in the way for identifying species for me at least. In my opinion you can't go wrong with any of the top tier LRF binos, just pick which model has the features you want. for PRS/hunting the vector X suits my needs very well.
I have also been using them for birding for my college program and the etched reticle doesn't seem to get in the way for identifying species for me at least. In my opinion you can't go wrong with any of the top tier LRF binos, just pick which model has the features you want. for PRS/hunting the vector X suits my needs very well.
