This is topic Bought these bad boys couple weeks ago.. in forum Member forum at The New Huntmastersbbs!.
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Posted by Lone Howl (Member # 29) on May 05, 2014, 05:24 PM:
Anybody else spend stupid money on binos? Wife kicked me in the groinal area afterwords...but dang it was worth it.
[ May 05, 2014, 05:25 PM: Message edited by: Lone Howl ]
Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on May 05, 2014, 05:36 PM:
Those 10X42s? You probably deserved the kick. I saw the spotting scope at BassPro yesterday. The body was something like 2300 and the angled eyepiece was another $1700. I have a couple swaros but near as I can tell, AR Shaw owns nothing but. Wish I had his money!
Good hunting. El Bee
Posted by TOM64 (Member # 561) on May 05, 2014, 05:51 PM:
I was cheap and bought the SLC 8x30's and love em.
Been lookng at those with built in laser range finders but dang I need a better job.
As they say, buy once, cry once.
Posted by Lone Howl (Member # 29) on May 05, 2014, 05:57 PM:
Yes,10x42's. Wanted 12x50's but didnt want to pony up.
Last pair Ill ever buy probly, unless I get a different wife.
Mark
Posted by 3 Toes (Member # 1327) on May 05, 2014, 06:55 PM:
I'm a bino snob. I still have the first Swarovski 10x42 SLCs I bought about 15 years ago. Then I stepped up about 5 years ago and bought the Leica Geovids in 10x42 with rangefinder. I just got a package from Leica a few days ago with the new Geovid HD-B in 10 power. They do everything but pull the trigger. I'm impressed so far. The optics are stellar and the range finding is unbelievable.
Posted by CrossJ (Member # 884) on May 05, 2014, 08:34 PM:
quote:
I just got a package from Leica a few days ago with the new Geovid HD-B in 10 power.
Really want to hear what you think of them. I would love to have a pair of vectronix Terrapins, but don't see it happening, and have heard they are being discontinued. Heard good things about the HD-B's. Inside deal? HM group buy? Remember a friend?......all things that need askin'!
Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on May 05, 2014, 08:42 PM:
I might be sorta a snob as far as the glass I put on a rifle but not so much on binos. I bought a pair of 9X35 Leupolds more than twenty years ago and they seem adequate? Really, I don't know if I would be tempted if offered half off?
No hate mail, please!
Good hunting. El Bee
Posted by 3 Toes (Member # 1327) on May 06, 2014, 03:56 AM:
No hate mail, LB
But I spend hours looking through binos, and seconds looking through a rifle scope.
I still have some nice rifle scopes also! But if I had to pick a place to skimp a bit it would be on the scope not the binos.
CrossJ, I am on Leicas outfitter discount program, so I get a little off. They were still a strain on the checkbook. But so far I am going to say they were worth it. The ballistic program is pretty cool. They figure altitude, angle, barometric pressure into total yardage and you can program them to your particular load. The programming is stupid simple so even I can do it.
Posted by DAA (Member # 11) on May 06, 2014, 04:27 AM:
I've been rocking 8.5x42 EL's for about a dozen years. Money well spent.
- DAA
Posted by Brent Parker (Member # 4354) on May 06, 2014, 05:24 AM:
I think its a good investment if you are going to use them often. I'm still running a pair of 20 year old Leica Geovids. While not as fancy as Cals HD they still range just fine and have very good glass in them.
Brent
Posted by Kelly Jackson (Member # 977) on May 06, 2014, 06:20 AM:
G - yep they are not going to make the Terripen anymore. So the local dealer says.
Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on May 06, 2014, 06:48 AM:
I cold sure use an interpreter on that one, Kelly. When you get the chance.
Good hunting. El Bee
Posted by Kelly Jackson (Member # 977) on May 06, 2014, 07:03 AM:
It’s a badass rangefinder these folks used to make. A buddy of mine has one and it ranges first time – every time.
I am still using a Leica 1200. I like it for the size, but sometimes it just don’t work like I think it should.
http://www.vectronix.ch/html/en/products/handheld_equipment/rangefinders/pocket_laser_range_finders/terrapin
If they were still making and supporting this Terrapin. I would be having one. As bad as I would hate to shell out 1800 bucks for one….
Posted by Kelly Jackson (Member # 977) on May 06, 2014, 07:05 AM:
Vectronix Green Terrapin PLRF
Outstanding Range Performance
Measures distances up to 1.5 miles in feet, yards, or meters
The Vectronix Terrapin delivers the smallest, lightest and most powerful laser range finder in its class. Wrapped in a rugged yet lightweight aluminum housing, the Terrapin range finder offers exceptional range out to 2,400 meters and operating capability under a wide variety of environmental conditions. The Terrapin offers water resistance up to 1 m for 60 minutes. The small dimensions of 128 x 104 x 47 mm and the low weight of 500 g make the Terrapin range finder an ideal companion, especially for snipers, marksmen, and for police and law enforcement applications. The power-efficient design allows over 7,000 measurements on two CR123 batteries.
•Weight: 500 g•Dimensions: 128 x 104 x 47 mm (LxWxH)
Posted by Kelly Jackson (Member # 977) on May 06, 2014, 07:15 AM:
it would have come in handy last weekend while I was trying to hit this white buffalo in eye at 1368 yards...kj
Posted by knockemdown (Member # 3588) on May 06, 2014, 07:24 AM:
That is badazz shootin' @ >3/4 of a mile, Cat Daddy! And with a fast twist, high b.c. .243 caliber???
Mark, congrats on the goggles, dude!!! ![[Smile]](smile.gif)
I've been rockin' a pair of Leica Trinovid 10x42s for a while now. Upgraded the LRF last year to the Leica 1600-B. Super glass for a little bitch, and its got an internal ballistic program that I don't use. I do keep the built-in angle compensator on, so the LRF calculates a true distance over ground to input into Ballistic AE program.
Fun shit, anyway ya look at it!
Enjoy your new goodies, guys...
Posted by Kelly Jackson (Member # 977) on May 06, 2014, 07:35 AM:
115 dtacs out of a 8 twist 243AI.
edit to add Next time I am taking the 7WSM and back up to a mile...
[ May 06, 2014, 07:35 AM: Message edited by: Kelly Jackson ]
Posted by KaBloomR (Member # 4252) on May 06, 2014, 02:39 PM:
Boy, talk about feelings of complete inadequacy. My best pair of binos are demo model Minox 10x42s from Cameraland. Set me back about $170.....
p.s. Awesome shooting, Kelly.
Posted by Lonny (Member # 19) on May 06, 2014, 03:25 PM:
You won't regret the purchase Lone Howl. Good glass, no matter the brand, is something that can be enjoye daily.
I went the Swarovski route about 20 years ago with a purchase of 8x30's. Loved them and they gave me many days of enjoyment. Well worth the money in every way.
About 4 years ago, after a camping trip over Labor Day, they came up missing... Still not sure if they were lost or stolen. I was literally sick. Tuesday morning rolled around and I ordered another pair of 8x30's and fortunately still have them.
I'd quickly sell a rifle to get another set of quality binos, if needed.
[ May 06, 2014, 03:28 PM: Message edited by: Lonny ]
Posted by Rick Howard (Member # 4481) on May 06, 2014, 03:48 PM:
Spying on the neighbors, Mark? Those whacky hendersons are always up to something. I think they are hiding big foot.
Posted by Lone Howl (Member # 29) on May 06, 2014, 05:10 PM:
Lol yeah, was in the backyard looking at stuff when I got em and neighbor behind me caught me. Probly thinks I'm a kook.
Posted by Rick Howard (Member # 4481) on May 08, 2014, 02:51 AM:
My neighbors think I torture animals in my basement. They too think I'm a kook.
Nice lookers, by the way.
[ May 08, 2014, 02:53 AM: Message edited by: Rick Howard ]
Posted by Prune Picker (Member # 4107) on May 10, 2014, 10:13 PM:
Mark, if a guy is gonna get kicked for buying hunting stuff, I think you picked the right stuff. I went thru a pair of Swaro 8x56 & 8x40 SLC's before settling on 8x30's. I looked hard at all of the various Swarovski, Leica, Zeiss & Meoptas and the 8x30 SLC probably isn't the best but they are the heaviest Binos that I'm going to wear around my neck (17oz) and hunt all day with. I made my choice several years ago, before the magnesium frame EL's came out so my info is old. I have always said "buy the best that you can afford".
Posted by knockemdown (Member # 3588) on May 12, 2014, 03:38 AM:
I wouldn't mind a nice pair of quality 8x30somethings, for more weight conscious pursuits.
Just picked up a sweet little piece of glass, myself. Been keeping an eye out and stole one off eGay, its a Nikon ED50a compact spotting scope. With 13-30x eyepiece, the spotter weighs ~9oz. LESS than my 10x42 Trinovid BNs!
Posted by 6mm284 (Member # 1129) on May 26, 2014, 11:07 AM:
I had the leica 10 x 40 hdb. Kept going to my swaro 10x42 slc to better define long distance targets. Called leica and told them this. Tech said that is very possible, he said there is no way to put range finding in a binocular without affecting the sweet spot. I also called swaro and got a similar response. I ended up going back to a dedicated rangefinder and set of binos. I have a hard time giving up optics performance for rangefinding..although the built in ballistics compensation was useful in the lrica hdb and 1600b
Something to consider. If the optics in a rangefinder bino is way better than what you were using , then that may be a step up. I also found the rf in the leica hdb was not nearly as repeatable and dependable as the 1600b stand alone rangefinder. Although i know of some who did not experience the same.
I have a set of slc10x42 approaching 20 years, have had 8x30,10x50,still have leitz8x32 excellent and some 60 year old 8x32 swaro that are incredible. Tried the 10x42hd and just couldn't see the improvement ffrom my old 10x42 slc neu. So i tried but am back to where i started20 years ago.
[ May 26, 2014, 11:20 AM: Message edited by: 6mm284 ]
Posted by TundraWookie (Member # 1044) on May 27, 2014, 09:55 AM:
Good piece of glass you picked up there Mark, I've been using the same one's for a few years now. When sitting in the mountains looking for animals for hours on end, good glass really proves itself. Tack on the big Swaro spotting scope to the package and and things really add up quickly...definitely worth a kick if you ask me.
[ May 27, 2014, 09:56 AM: Message edited by: TundraWookie ]
Posted by Lone Howl (Member # 29) on May 27, 2014, 10:09 AM:
A bit of a confession...I actually bought the new SLC 10x42's first. I kept them about a week and sent them back. I was amazed that I couldnt look all the way to the edges without being blurry. I know every model/pair has sweet spots, but this really bugged me, so I upgraded to the EL'S, which are clear all the way to the edges.
Is it worth it? Probably not but I did it and Im glad. I should have dug a little deeper on the net and read more reviews before I chose what to buy.
I will say that I have had some cheaper brands that were pretty clear to the edges, but lacked in other areas. I seem to recall using a pair of SLC;s years ago and had no problem with edge clarity, so I dont really know I guess?
Mark
Posted by TundraWookie (Member # 1044) on May 27, 2014, 10:18 AM:
It's worth it if you end up using them a lot. Friends of mine buy cheaper glass and say that it's almost as clear as the Swaro glass, but then complain about headaches after a day glassing through their cheaper priced glass.
Posted by Lone Howl (Member # 29) on May 27, 2014, 10:47 AM:
Yep, and that is exactly why I upgraded TW.
Mark
Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on May 27, 2014, 12:30 PM:
We have people here on HM that seem to do well with economy glass, scope and/or bino. I think eyes get old, at some point and that's when you really appreciate the best physics that money can buy.
Now, I gave away a US Navy pair of 7X50's. Big, but good decent glass. Now, we read several comments about vintage glass twenty years old and I have no doubt, they still work.
But, they are always inventing new ED glass and raving about the coatings they use. That they didn't have 5-10-15 or 20 years ago. So, I wonder if it's the pair you have that might be just slightly better calibrated than another pair, at random?
I have a couple pair of military M24's which seem to do just about anything I expect from what are not more than pocket binoculars. Forget who makes them, but they are very serviceable, especially at the price...even trade for an old pair of Navy 7X50's.
As far as range finding stuff. I have a Nikon 1000 and I really like them a lot better than the more expensive Leica's. Same thing, maybe the next pair I pick up, the Leica's will be far better? I don't know if that's a true statement, just ruminations by an old fart.
But, I cast my vote for two different optics, observational glass and range finding. I might like to do a lot of looking, but don't need to range very much of what I'm looking at. Therefore, buying a dual use optic that is not as clear, right out of the gate? I don't think I care for that "advantage"?
Good hunting. El Bee
edit: PS I don't need to know the exact distance of anything beyond 1,000 yards. I'm not that good.
[ May 27, 2014, 12:33 PM: Message edited by: Leonard ]
Posted by trapper2 (Member # 3651) on May 28, 2014, 04:37 PM:
Kelly I don't care if they are not making them anymore, if you find a pair of the terripens you can buy them for me if you want, it would be a nice gift from you to me I think, ha. I have tried saving for them a few times and always end up buy some more heifers or something, man I sure wish I had a pair of them. are they going to make anything else in the same price range?
Posted by Kelly Jackson (Member # 977) on May 28, 2014, 06:45 PM:
nope. you would have to have LB's money to buy what they are offering now and in the future.
Posted by CrossJ (Member # 884) on May 28, 2014, 07:42 PM:
quote:
are they going to make anything else in the same price range
My guess is yes Ryan. Vectronix and leica are owned by the same parent company as I understand it. The same manufacturer makes the same interior components for both. Vectronix military contracts are twilighting, and there is a growing demand for the caliber rangefinder of the terrapin. I would tell you more, but those drones are everywhere......
Maintain
Posted by knockemdown (Member # 3588) on May 29, 2014, 04:10 AM:
Ryan, wish I knew you were looking for one!!!
I left my terrapin up at the farm this weekend...
Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on May 29, 2014, 11:15 AM:
Hey Fred,
According to the news, ( I know, if you can believe them) you NY people have been practically stripped of your firearms. How do you cope? Leave your stuff at the farm, or what? Don't you have to drive through NYC to get upstate?
You are almost as bad off as we Kalifornians. No?
Good hunting. El Bee
PS, my tortoises have a lot more personality.
[ May 29, 2014, 11:16 AM: Message edited by: Leonard ]
Posted by Lone Howl (Member # 29) on May 29, 2014, 11:24 AM:
Turtle Soup!
Posted by trapper2 (Member # 3651) on May 29, 2014, 12:57 PM:
thanks for the info Kelly and gordie, hope gordie is the right one.
btw Kelly, the little brown dog put 19 miles on yesterday morning, wasn't as full of piss and problems last night, ha
Posted by Kelly Jackson (Member # 977) on May 29, 2014, 04:14 PM:
good to hear Ryan. I think they will make a dog. We will see.
19 miles following you on a 4 wheeler would wear any of them out lol.
Keep me posted on how he's doing.
kj
Posted by trapper2 (Member # 3651) on May 29, 2014, 05:39 PM:
he's fixing to get another dose of it tonight, makes him sleep good, ha
Posted by Duckdog (Member # 3842) on May 29, 2014, 06:42 PM:
Jäger can keep you rich in terrapins Ryan! ![[Wink]](wink.gif)
Posted by knockemdown (Member # 3588) on May 30, 2014, 04:01 AM:
Swaros, turtles, gun laws and dogs, segwayed in one thread! Gotta love this place
Leonard, I get by OK here. Just gotta go wit da flow...
BTW, I did some searchin', and that is actually a wood turtle I posted. They are pretty common up around the farm, always called them terrapins? The red eared sliders and painted turtles stick to the ponds, but those wood turtles can get after it and cover some ground!
My buddy has a fancy tortoise he got for his son, who's allergic to furry pets. I think it might be the same kind of little shelled dudes you have???
[ May 30, 2014, 04:02 AM: Message edited by: knockemdown ]
Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on May 30, 2014, 09:26 AM:
Mine ain't little, Fred. And, I have a desert box turtle, (Buddy) like the one's above with the pup.
But, my mom and dad, CA desert tortoises are 23 years old. I also have two hatchlings from when mom and dad got busy.
Good hunting. El Bee
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