Leica Geovid or Swarovski SLC 10x42?

$$$$ Before you commit ...look at the SIG Sauer Kilo 3000 ...that mates up with their new rifle scopes VERY REA$ONABLE PRICE$ @ Optics Planet for quality products
 
I have the EL 10x42, and my hunting partner uses the SLC. They are both absolutely incredible. You eventually hit a point with optics where they are so good that you hit the law of diminishing returns. The EL is a bit better, but is that tiny bit worth the huge price premium? I got mine for an excellent deal or I would likely also have SLCs. I am pretty sure that Swaro warranty is for the original purchaser. If the ELs are out of your budget, I'd say go get the SLC and don't look back. They are excellent! Moving to Swaro from Vortex was eye opening (see what I did there :D).
 
Not that my purchase has much to do with your proposed purchase but I am the owner of Swarovski 10x42 bino now for nearing 40 years. I purchased at about age 25 and am now rapidly approaching 64. My glass though not quite as bright as their new glass is still as it was then better than my needs and this from a former Alaskan guide. These are a part of me and the way I hunt and without them I would be little more than a hiker with a gun than a hunter. At some level of quality the top contenders can not be denied and choosing becomes more a personal preference than a choice between good and better.
Because of my long experience with Swarovski though when it cam time to upgrade my laser I also went with them. I avoided Lieca because they did not offer a simple laser but had added ballistic electronics that I wanted to avoid since I adhere to the KISS principle.
 
I have had a pair of Swaro SLC 10c42's for a while now, and everyone who looks thru them loves them. I bought them as a package deal from Camera Land with the Swaro 1500 Rangefinder a number of years ago.
 
The Swarovski will be brighter without a doubt. I had the first generation Leica HDB and sold them within a few months because I could not past how much darker they were than my Els. I talked to the Leica reps at the DSC show, and they confirmed their rangefinding binos are NOT as bright as their or Swarovski's non-rangfinding binos. So for me, it was an easy decision. I need the brightness right at last shooting light more than I need a range finder.
 
If you don't need the range finder don't get the Geovids. Buy the Ultravid HD or the Trinovid HD. Both are brighter by a noticeable amount and you don't get the complexity and weigh of the laser.Compare the Geo next to the other two and you will easily see what I mean. As far as I am concerned and for my eyes, the Leica Ultra HD are the best glass available. Other peoples eyes will be different.
 
there is good glass, then there is great glass.

top shelf Swaro and Zeiss is great glass. The new noctovids? maybe. From what I hear they are comparable.

then there is good glass. the japanese stuff, meopta, etc. It is good, but it is not great. And the more time you spend behind it, the more you appreciate the step up in quality to the great stuff. And realistically speaking, it's a once in a lifetime purchase. For a few hundred dollars difference over decades of use, the additional cost is worth it for a superior product.

My own past experience with Leica places them a distant competitor to Swaro and Zeiss, and the experiences I've had with the various warranties puts Swaro light years ahead.
 
Man you are all awesome to take the time to reply. I sure appreciate it. I've narrowed it down to the SLC's or the EL's if I can find a good enough deal on a pair. They will definitely be a step up from the Steiners I've been using for the last 10 years lol.
 
Man you are all awesome to take the time to reply. I sure appreciate it. I've narrowed it down to the SLC's or the EL's if I can find a good enough deal on a pair. They will definitely be a step up from the Steiners I've been using for the last 10 years lol.

Josh,
Make sure you spend a bit of time playing with the ELs to ensure you don't get rolling ball. My hunting partner gets it so bad he despises my ELs.
 
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