Ian,
Thanks for such an informative post on the two units. Having owned both units I can agree with you on some of the observations of these units but have to disagree on some of what I would call the most important issues of both units.
You had said in your post "The Swarovski is easier to use in the field than the Leica 1200. The larger eyepiece, coupled with the larger sending button combine to make for faster, easier readings." I totally disagree with your opinion.
I have used the Leica on many hunts in the past and loved it. I saw the new Swarovski Laser Guide 8X30 and thought that it would serve a dual purpose as a bow hunting optic/rangefinder. This might let me use just the rangefinder alone to hunt in areas that do not require much glassing. I then could use it on rifle hunts as well. The optic is without question great, but the ranging function really was useless. The laser is super SLOW and I mean SLOW!!!!! I could not get a single reading on an Antelope at 65 yards until I had pushed it 4-5 times. By then the jig was up with out a shot. I thought I might not be using it correctly when I allowed my friend to use it with the same results. We then brought out his Leica and did not have any problems. Very quick and fast readings with only one push of the button. This happened on an elk hunt that I guided this fall, same results….SLOW readings with multiple push of the button to get a reading. The Swarovski's are a little bulky compared to the Leica's and the holster that it fits in being hard plastic was very irritating.
I found this unit not even close to being worth the $860 w/tax I paid for them. I had wished I didn't sell my Leica's. I took the Swarovski's back to where I bought them. They looked at the unit and verified it was operating correctly. I could not live with it functioning in this manner so I bought the Leica 10x42 Geovid BRF and nothing compares to them!! Finally got my dual purpose bow hunting optic/rangefinder.
In my opinion, I would buy the Leica's LRF over the Swarovski Laser Guide based on the price and function any day of the week! Save your $$$ and buy the Leica's.
Thanks for such an informative post on the two units. Having owned both units I can agree with you on some of the observations of these units but have to disagree on some of what I would call the most important issues of both units.
You had said in your post "The Swarovski is easier to use in the field than the Leica 1200. The larger eyepiece, coupled with the larger sending button combine to make for faster, easier readings." I totally disagree with your opinion.
I have used the Leica on many hunts in the past and loved it. I saw the new Swarovski Laser Guide 8X30 and thought that it would serve a dual purpose as a bow hunting optic/rangefinder. This might let me use just the rangefinder alone to hunt in areas that do not require much glassing. I then could use it on rifle hunts as well. The optic is without question great, but the ranging function really was useless. The laser is super SLOW and I mean SLOW!!!!! I could not get a single reading on an Antelope at 65 yards until I had pushed it 4-5 times. By then the jig was up with out a shot. I thought I might not be using it correctly when I allowed my friend to use it with the same results. We then brought out his Leica and did not have any problems. Very quick and fast readings with only one push of the button. This happened on an elk hunt that I guided this fall, same results….SLOW readings with multiple push of the button to get a reading. The Swarovski's are a little bulky compared to the Leica's and the holster that it fits in being hard plastic was very irritating.
I found this unit not even close to being worth the $860 w/tax I paid for them. I had wished I didn't sell my Leica's. I took the Swarovski's back to where I bought them. They looked at the unit and verified it was operating correctly. I could not live with it functioning in this manner so I bought the Leica 10x42 Geovid BRF and nothing compares to them!! Finally got my dual purpose bow hunting optic/rangefinder.
In my opinion, I would buy the Leica's LRF over the Swarovski Laser Guide based on the price and function any day of the week! Save your $$$ and buy the Leica's.
