Well...I did it I bought the.....
 

Leica 10x42 BR Ultravid binoculars. After last years frustrations while pronghorn hunting I decided to invest in some serious glass. I used my Bushnells last year and I was having trouble judging the bucks, plus they were messing with my eyes and giving me a headache from he!!. I'm not real happy paying the price for them, but the thought of glassing mountainsides this September for elk with the old bushnells is worse. One good thing I am just getting started in big game hunting, ( I'm 28) so I know I can use these for many years. At least thats how I justify the price.

NBH

RE: Well...I did it I bought the.....
 

I think you made a good investment. I myself am looking for good glass. I have it narrowed down to Leica, Zeiss or Swarovski. I am leaning more towards the Swarovski SLC 10x42mm. I will be waiting to buy my binos until July. I am going to tell the wife they will make a great birthday present.:D

RE: Well...I did it I bought the.....
 

Well you bought the best binos out there that is for sure..they are a little pricey but they are about 1/2 lb lighter then the BN's and from what I have seen and heard a little brighter(how is that possible?)

RE: Well...I did it I bought the.....
 

Those binoculars should last you a long time. I had a pair of cheap Bushnells, and my parents have a pair of Tasco's. I bought a pair of Wind River 10x42 Roof Prisms in April of 2002. I can't even look through my parents binoculars anymore, they hurt my eyes right from the start just trying to get focused. I was still in high school then, so those binocs were worth almost a month of wages. I plan to buy another pair here in the next year or two, probably Leica, Zeiss, or Swarovski.

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I have too agree,you get what you pay for when it comes to optics...:D

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Dang, you sure spend the money on your gear if you bought a pair of Leicas. Wish i had some, those things are awesome. Like PaJack said, you get what you pay for.

RE: Well...I did it I bought the.....
 

Windriverhunter,

Yeah the Leicas are sure not inexspensive. Don't think I have deep pockets though, I cut my reloading this year down by over 1/2 what I normally do:(. Plus I sold 2 rifles and a spotting scope. I needed to thin out my gun safe (space my calibers out a little) so I turned that into money for gear:).

NBH

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I recieved the Leicas on Tuesday. The first impression I had was of how light and compact they are for a 10x42 binoc. Over the last couple of days I have been "practicing" (don't laugh :eek::D) with them. The images are crystal clear in focus, and very bright. It's simple amazing how little focusing I have to do with these over other brands I have used (bushnell, simons, minnolta, even zeiss.) If anyone has ever considered buying premium optics, they are worth it. I will post an update how they perform in the field this fall.


Thanks,
NBH

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Did you buy them at a local retailer or over the internet?

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bb122,


I bought them over the internet. Unfortunetly there are no Leica dealers in my area that I no of. Heres the link. www.eurooptic.com The site is not that great you have to call for a price, but the customer service is outstanding. They actually shipped them out before recieving payment. If I did not like them I could have sent them back and tried Swarovski, Zeiss or other European brands. I would have had to pay the return shipping. Yes they are a authorized dealer, so everything has its warranty.


NBH

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newboarhunter Please give us a report on how you like your new binos. Have you looked through Swarovski or Zeiss binos before? I am still on the fence. I will not be buying my new binos until sometime in July. I am just window shopping at this time. I am just looking for the best prices & feedback from owners.

Thanks,

WK

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Wolf killer,


Last fall I did get to use a pair of Zeiss 10x42 ("classics"). These were the "old" style Zeiss were you focused each eyepiece individually, which came in handy when you got them dialed in. The quality is top drawer, but they are no longer made. I also used the outfitters Swarovksi EL series, I can't remember what size they were. I think ?x50. Very good binoculars too. They were somewhat heavy and long.

These Leicas I have now are my first truely good binoculars. I'll let you know how they do in the field. One more thing about the size of these ultravids, they are smaller than you would imagine a 10x42 too be leangth and width. I won't say they are light but they balance good.

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NBH,

I think that you can still buy the Zeiss "Classic" binos from Cabelas.

I been researching binos for some time now. In my opinion, Leica's have slightly better optics than Swarovski's (and I mean very, very slight) but the erognomics are better on the Swarovski's. You can't go wrong with either one. In fact, I am going to get one of the two in 10 x 42.

I can't wait to read your field report!

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newboarhunter I looked up www.eurooptic.com the site & owner are as good as you said in your posts. I talked to him about the Leica, Zeiss & Swarovski binos. He does have the best prices I have found. I will still need to compare all three binos head to head before I make up my mind.
The only Leica binos I have ever looked at were either damaged during shipping or damaged at the sporting goods store? I will go back to the store & look through a new pair before I decide.
Before I read your posted & talked to the people at eurooptic I was on the fence, leaning towards Swarovski. I am still on the fence, but I am leaning towards Leica.

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bbl22,

I think you are right the ergonomics are better on the Swarovskis, slightly. The thumb rests could havebeen positioned better on the Leicas, but I thought the Leicas more compactness and balance were better. Both are real good though. The Zeiss "classics" in Cabelas catalog is a newer version. They don't have the idividual eyepiece adjutsters. I would think they would still be good optics though.


Wolf killer,

I was truely impressed with the way Alex runs his business. In fact I will probably be useing Zeiss scopes on future rifles instead of Leupold, just because of his customer service and the great prices. I have also seen a lot of damaged optics on display. Last summer I looked at a Leupold Vari-X III for a varmit rifle and the reticle was wavvy.[8D][&:] I would have liked the opportunity to compare the Leica and Swarovski head to head, but would have had to drive to Chicago to do so[:'(].


NBH

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Am in the process process of comparing Swav E.L.'s and Leica Ultravids.
Both 10X42.
Field testing both on big game.
This week using E.L.'s
Over 6 days we've shot 6 species of game.
I'm definitely swaying toward the Leica for a number of reasons:
Back-up service is second to none. I've heard plenty of first hand accounts.
Leica have a stronger construction.
Have never heard of Leicas fogging. Swav's have.
The ultravids are brighter.
I also find the lens caps annoying with Swav's. I guess you do get used to them.
Ergonomics, Swav's slightly more comfortable to hold. Ultravids have an annoying ridge on the focus adjustment, that doesn't need to be there.

Both are very good, so just splitting hairs.

So how much $$$ are we talking here?
 

I mean, "ouch!" or "Arrrrrrggghhh!!!!"?

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Tim,

You hunt the south island? I was watching a hunt last night on tahr hunting in the Sothern Alps. That is beutiful country.


Aim Straight,
NBH

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WOlf Killer..if you fall off the fence fall on the Leica side. There is nothing I would rather have as far as binos go nothing even close.:D

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If you iked watching Tahr hunting in the Southern Alps, check out this link:

http://www.accuratereloading.com/ubb...5&o=31&fpart=1