42mm Leica vs 50mm Leupold Binos

[KY Gun Geek]

Ok - the pricing on the Leica 10x42 Geovids has gotten me interested in combining my rangefinder and binos into one unit.

I currently use a pair of Leupold Mesa 10x50s and get pretty good low light resolution, but a bit heavy. My ranger is a Lieca LRF 900 (big boxy thing). I will seriously reduce my weight and stuff carried if I switch to the Geovids.

Question is, will I give up lots of capability on the bino side if I go from the Mesas to the Geovid? The obvious thing is that the Mesas have 50mm objectives and the Geovids are 42, but does anybody have any real experience with this move?

Thanks!!

 

[royinidaho]

A recommendation would be to get to a place where you can do some side by side comparisons.

I'd say, though, that 900 LRF is a bit short for LRH which may be a large consideration.

I would "think" that the Leica at 42 would out do the Leuy at 50 when all things are considered.

Be aware though that its reported that the Swaro will out range the Leica. No personal experience but been studying a bunch.

 

[MachV]

Been useing a 8x42 Geovid for a few years and thought I got a deal used. The price for the 10x new is outstanding!!! They are not lite however cirtainly handier than two pieces of equipment. My 8x will usualy range a game animal out to around 600 yards but can get readings out to 1340 with the right target and conditions. Most of my use is midday prairie dogs so not a lot of dawn/dusk use but they did work alright in the moonlight a few times for coyotes?

 

[NJS]

I recently got my hands on a pair of 8x56 Geovids... I love them! Super rangefinder and fantastic binocular in one unit. You'll never be sorry when you buy the best! NJS

 

[chriso]

My hunting buddy owns a pair of leupolds in a 10x42 and I have an older version (I guess about 4years old now) pair of 10x42 geo's. We go one at least 2 big (for us anyway) week long moose and bear hunts each year, one in the spring, one in the fall and we do a lot of glassing in the evenings. While I've never had the chance to look through any 10x50 leupolds, the difference between my "older vintage" geo's with his 42mm leopolds is like night and day to say the least. They handle the suns direct glare far better, and we can spot stuff far more into the twilight with them as well. Basically we can spot for at least a half for to 45 minutes longer with mine than his. I'd feel pretty safe in betting that with his leupolds in a 50mm version the best they could possibly perform would be equal to my geo's. All things condsidered from our experiences, I cant imagine how you could loose any low light performance in comparing the geo's to a 50mm leupold. Hope that helps to reassure you somewhat in your decision making process. Oh, by the way, mine range to 1300 and change too.

Chris

Oh, oh, oh.... another "by the way"... did you see Dougs post about these from Cameraland? 1249 after rebate if your a forum member!

 

[KY Gun Geek]

Thanks for the reply guys -

Chris - Doug's pricing is what got me started down this path

In one of the posts above weight is mentioned. I looked it up and the Geovids are about 1oz heavier than the Leupy 10x50's, so I get nocs and a ranger for about the same weight as the nocs only, with one less piece of gear.

Doug is working on getting me a pair of the Geovids before I leave on Saturday morning for a Colorado elk hunt. When I talked to them last week, they said they had several "rush" orders becuase of elk and antelope season.

 

[chriso]

Thanks for the reply guys -

Chris - Doug's pricing is what got me started down this path

In one of the posts above weight is mentioned. I looked it up and the Geovids are about 1oz heavier than the Leupy 10x50's, so I get nocs and a ranger for about the same weight as the nocs only, with one less piece of gear.

Doug is working on getting me a pair of the Geovids before I leave on Saturday morning for a Colorado elk hunt. When I talked to them last week, they said they had several "rush" orders becuase of elk and antelope season.

I've bought several things from Doug over the past 6 years or so, he's a class act...