Leica binocular question

[Russ16]

Looking at new 10x42 binoculars. Leica Noctovid is top of the line Geovid is available with a range finder.

Have an opportunity to buy either one. The Noctovid has better optics and is $300 more than the Geovid. But the Geovid is still pretty good glass and has the range finding capability.

This is not the new Geovid Pro with the ballistic computer and blue tooth. Just regular Geovid range finder.

Would you go with the better glass for a little more or get the range finding capability and save a few hundred.

I’m back and forth so figured I would get opinions.

 

[375Ruger416]

I’ve got the Geovid Pro 10x32. Took them to Africa this year and they were great. Blew the doors off my Nikon Laserforce that my wife was using and I ended up buying her a pair of Leica’s for Christmas. I got her the Leica Trinovid 10x42 and the glass is also very good, though we haven’t had a chance to test them in the field yet.

Think you’ll be happy with either, but how important is ranging to your hunting process? Having made the move to range-finding binoculars, I find them really useful. If you’re really good at judging range, you may not need to range as often as I do, but I basically never use a standalone rangefinder anymore, even when I’m only at the range shooting.

OTOH, Nikon discontinued the Laserforce so when my rangefinder stopped working I couldn’t get it repaired. The pitfall of the multifunction device…. For my money, I’d go with the Geovid. Having rangefinding binos is more likely to contribute to a successful hunt IMO than the slight increase in glass quality going from excellent to top of the line.

 

[pilar]

I had a pair of Geovid and they where great , but not $3000 great imo , but I got them as a tip from a client, they got stolen and I felt for my daily job use I was better off with my Steiner 10x50 ( with internal compass)and a separate Leica range finder . But I needed to avoid eye fatigue
And felt my money was better spent on my Swarovski spotter , Steiner binoculars, Leica RF
I’m sure you will enjoy them as a hunter though

 

[Cotton King]

I purchased the Leica Geovid Pro 10X32 and have been extremely happy with them. Light weight with excellent clarity.

 

[375Ruger416]

I’d agree with Pilar. If, however, you’re going to spend hours and hours each day glassing to spot game, or you like bird watching, and the quality of the glass is the most important thing then you have your answer.

 

[revturbo9967]

I have the Geovid 3200.coms and have had some issue with the rangefinder out of the box. Getting a warranty claim has been a bit of a hassle as well. That said I did lay in to the Leica guys at DSC and it seems they are trying to get these fixed asap for me. We will see.

 

[glblanchard]

I have the 10x40 rangefinder Geovids. Works great for me. Also have the ones without the range finder. Great glass also.

 

[Russ16]

Thanks for the responses.

To be clear these are not the Geovid Pro. They are the Geovid R and are $1500 rather than $3000.

I really like the better glass on the Noctovid. I just worry I’m going to wish I had range finding and want ti upgrade in a couple of years.

Going to try to find a way to compare side by side so I can see how much better the glass is under identical conditions.

 

[375Ruger416]

Thanks for the responses.

To be clear these are not the Geovid Pro. They are the Geovid R and are $1500 rather than $3000.

I really like the better glass on the Noctovid. I just worry I’m going to wish I had range finding and want ti upgrade in a couple of years.

Going to try to find a way to compare side by side so I can see how much better the glass is under identical conditions.

It sounds like better glass is a big priority with you. As good as the combo’s are functionally, they definitely have a bit of a drop off in glass quality. It sounds like you’ll be happier with the Noctovid’s and I think you should go for it. Good glass lasts and will maintain its value much better than the latest and greatest electronics which are constantly being updated.

I am one of those heretics who is willing to shoot past maximum point blank range. I’d rather shoot an unaware animal a little further assuming good conditions than risk busting them. I prefer dialing for the exact distance if time allows rather than holding over, though my zero is setup to allow me to hold on hair out to 300 yds. On board ballistic solving is a game changer for me. For a lot of hunters and hunting conditions though, it is just not essential nor is rangefinding.

 

[BGGMKLR]

Looking at new 10x42 binoculars. Leica Noctovid is top of the line Geovid is available with a range finder.

Have an opportunity to buy either one. The Noctovid has better optics and is $300 more than the Geovid. But the Geovid is still pretty good glass and has the range finding capability.

This is not the new Geovid Pro with the ballistic computer and blue tooth. Just regular Geovid range finder.

Would you go with the better glass for a little more or get the range finding capability and save a few hundred.

I’m back and forth so figured I would get opinions.

IMHO the Geovids are far far superior to "pretty good glass". World Class, top shelf
and best- of- breed would be my description.
The only question would be do you require a very accurate rangefinder built-in.
Either way...you can't go wrong.
Best
Spike

 

[LWPhunt]

six to one and half dozen to others. I have the Geovid B 10x42 with range finding. I am very dependent on them, don't even walk in the woods without them. having another range finder is personal preference. The glass on range finding bino's, is not as good as a standard bino, IMO. But Leica has great stuff. However, I have had two issues with my rangefinding part of my Geovids, and have been back to Leica twice in the past 4 years, and I use mine a ton, but they are pampered so look like new. I still don't regret the cost or the bino, but it's personal. Never going back to a separate range finder, it works for me.

 

[analog_peninsula]

I have a pair of Geovid 8x42 HD-R 2700 binos and really enjoy the convenience of the unified bino / rangefinder. The glass is noticeably superior to the older pair of Zeiss Victorys they replaced.

 

[Troubleshooter]

From what you described, my recommendation would be to get the Geovid with the integrated rangefinder. Less gear to carry around and you can't always count on your hunting partner or PH to call off the distance. Especially in the non-safari situation where you are hunting alone.

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

Looking at new 10x42 binoculars. Leica Noctovid is top of the line Geovid is available with a range finder.

Have an opportunity to buy either one. The Noctovid has better optics and is $300 more than the Geovid. But the Geovid is still pretty good glass and has the range finding capability.

This is not the new Geovid Pro with the ballistic computer and blue tooth. Just regular Geovid range finder.

Would you go with the better glass for a little more or get the range finding capability and save a few hundred.

I’m back and forth so figured I would get opinions.

I picked up a pair of the Geovid 10x42's with the rangefinder from an AH member earlier this year. I've no complaints about the glass or the rangefinder. The front lens protectors are my only complaint, they're pretty useless. Swarovski's are much better.

How much better is the Noctovid glass? Have you actually compared the two looking through them?

The Geovids I bought was so that my wife could use the Swarovskis I already had and the Geovids were for me so that I would have the rangefinder capability. I can say I liked having that feature.

 

[Russ16]

I picked up a pair of the Geovid 10x42's with the rangefinder from an AH member earlier this year. I've no complaints about the glass or the rangefinder. The front lens protectors are my only complaint, they're pretty useless. Swarovski's are much better.

How much better is the Noctovid glass? Have you actually compared the two looking through them?

The Geovids I bought was so that my wife could use the Swarovskis I already had and the Geovids were for me so that I would have the rangefinder capability. I can say I liked having that feature.

I’ve looked through the Noctovid and they are amazing. Leica definitely says they are their top glass. But I haven’t been able to look through them and the Geovid R in the same place for a side by side comparison. I may wit until SCI in Nashville sonic can do just that in the Leica booth.

Thanks all. Appreciate the opinions.

 

[Fatback]

Not sure about the difference in the glass but having the range finding ability has been a game changer for me. I don’t think I’ll go back to binos without that feature in the future if the glass is reasonably close.

 

[WyoBull]

After using Swarovski 10x42’s for years, my wife bought me a pair of Leica 10x42 Geovid HDb range finding binoculars a number of years ago.
They are absolutely wonderful and I cannot imagine having any clearer or better glass. The range finding capability is a game changer when paired with my Leupold CDS scopes.
Regarding the Noctovid being better glass, I cannot speak to that and the only way you could tell is looking through each side by side. The human eye can only see so much so unless it is a markedly better view, I would not pay extra for it. And based on my experience I cannot imagine having a better viewing experience than what I have with my Geovid’s.

 

[Philip Glass]

Looking at new 10x42 binoculars. Leica Noctovid is top of the line Geovid is available with a range finder.

Have an opportunity to buy either one. The Noctovid has better optics and is $300 more than the Geovid. But the Geovid is still pretty good glass and has the range finding capability.

This is not the new Geovid Pro with the ballistic computer and blue tooth. Just regular Geovid range finder.

Would you go with the better glass for a little more or get the range finding capability and save a few hundred.

I’m back and forth so figured I would get opinions.

The new range finding binos, especially with the ballistics, are a game changer in hunting. I could not imagine carrying a separate range finder these days.

 

[BGGMKLR]

After using Swarovski 10x42’s for years, my wife bought me a pair of Leica 10x42 Geovid HDb range finding binoculars a number of years ago.
They are absolutely wonderful and I cannot imagine having any clearer or better glass. The range finding capability is a game changer when paired with my Leupold CDS scopes.
Regarding the Noctovid being better glass, I cannot speak to that and the only way you could tell is looking through each side by side. The human eye can only see so much so unless it is a markedly better view, I would not pay extra for it. And based on my experience I cannot imagine having a better viewing experience than what I have with my Geovid’s.

I also use the 10x42 HD-B Leicas.
If there is indeed "better" glass available I'm certain that my vision would not be good/sophisticated enough to recognize it.
Best
Spike