Has anyone tried the New Leica HD'sover the Swarovski EL's ?

I did compare the Swarovskis EL & Leicas with rangefinder. They were both 10x42 the Swarv were 2000.00 & the Leicas were 2400.00 The Swarovskis beat them pretty easily in both light gathering & clarity! We tested them at close range & out to 3/4 mile. The Vortex Razor at 10x42 -750.00 was also tested at this time, it beat out the Leicas in both categories & beat out the Swarovskis in light gathering but the Swarovskis edged them out in crispness of picture at the longer distances, it took us close to 45min of solid glassing while all optics, they were all on tripods for perfect observation. When we held the two best, the Razors & Swarovskis by hand there was absolutely no difference between the two, this is because it's nearly impossible to keep them perfectly steady. Thing is, the swarovskis are 1250.00 more! We all agreed the difference was about 2% in the clarity difference at the longer distances. We also did Spotting Scopes of various brands!

ElkNut1

And I didn't even have to go to your website to know you sell Vortex, but I did and you do.

Ecoast-
I haven't looked at the new Leica glass, you really need to spend some time with both. Data won't mean much if after you have them for a while you hate them. The Leicas I have looked through in the past have been excellent (Ultravid). Just play with both and find what suits you.

Yes I do! But facts are facts! If you have a nearby Camera Land please go into it, they carry all 3 brands mentioned. Ask them what they feel about those 3 Optics? Better yet, you yourself look through all 3 & decdide for yourself as I did then come back & report your findings, I think you'll be very surprised! (grin) I know I was, I didn't think the Razors would stand a chance, mainly because of their price! I was wrong!

ElkNut1

I know Meopta's are an up and coming set of optics and they are priced right. I think they make the glass for either Leica, or Swarovski. Once this brand starts getting the commercial recognition it deserves, you will see the price start to climb, but know you can still afford them. Also we did a side by side comparison with the Meopta and Swarovski spotting scopes. The Meopta is brighter!!! and less expensive. Not taking away from Swarovski, the are very, very good. I have never used the Vortex brand.

I have yet tio see a Vortex or Meopta brand or model within 200 km where I live..
Hence here lies the problem.
I not saying either of these brands aren't up and coming,
the fact remains there isn't one shop that carriesa demo for these 2 bino's in any model for custumers to even try..
Yep one can take an offhand chance and order in, but it isn't a smartest thing to do.
When I buy a scope or bino,it isa process,not only do I buy the best in myprice range but I buy the best optic I've look through..
That could mean me looking through 10 different optics of the same, make, model in the same store or twice as many in a couple of different stores..
Before I pick the one I want..
I know I'm not the only one that does this, thats why sporting good shops in my area only carry reliable lines of brands that will sellso they can keep low overhead..They are not going to take a chance on some up and coming optic that won't regardless of how good it is.
This is where their marketing has to come into play..
If these companies want to sell, the first place I'd be is British Columbia..
For 2 reasons.....
1.It is world renowned for scenic beauty and wildlife..These companies should be all over Van Island the West Coast, Queen Charrlettes and Interior getting demos out there this time of year..
I wouldn't be waiting for a store to want to carry the line..
With all the tourism we get this time of year, (especially Europeans, they love their optics), I'm sure they'd sell well and orders wouldquickly follow..
By the end of summer after the tourism has slowed, and alot of hunters are still looking, all the clerk has to do is take a pair off the shelf and let them look through them..
2. 2010 Winter Olympics...No time them like the present to get these lines out there...

Yes I also looked into the Vortex I even spoke to a company rep. about getting my local bow shop to be a dealer. Mainly so I could see them and compare, that was before Bass Pro started selling them. Point is I have a 300.00 dollar pair ofLeupolds and thats about all there worth. I want to make sure my next set is my last set, yes vortex has a great warranty and is really making headway but like the last post there is no place to compare them. Thanks everybody for your post......

Haven't had the chance to look through Lieca's HD's but I own EL's. I rate the EL's and Zeiss FL's to be a tie optically. However I gave the El's the nod due to feel in the hands anddesign. Lieca ultravids were 3rd in my eye's plus I didn't think much ofthe non-transferrable warranty. Price had no baring as they are all basically the same (a lot of money). I absolutley love my EL's, no regrets.Actually one "what took me so long"?

I had the chance to look through the 10x Razors recently. Ergonomically they are fantastic, excellent design and feel all around. However quite honestly from what I have read and heard i expected more optically then they showed to my eyes.No slouch but they ain't in the same league as the top end bins..JMHO. Actually I felt the Minox HG's were better andthe difference between those costing double was hard to appreciate.Icompared my dad's 8x HG's, my 10x EL'sand friends new 10x Razors BTW. FWIW from what i have read a lot of guys are extremely pleased with 8x Razors but not some many raving reviews for 10x's(so while he could have got a dud but doubt it based on what i have heard). The higher the mag the easier it is to pick out optical flaws. I have noticed this in many bins so my advice is if your looking for the best bang for your buck in the low to midrange (1000ish) chose 8x over 10's.

BTW my buddy is returning the 10x Razors for something in 8x! He is waffling between trying the 8x Razors or just buying the 8xHG's as he really liked my Dads. If I were looking to spend under a G that's what I'd get. Doug at cameralandNY often has demo unit &sales on Minox (other brands as well). He will also answer your questions and give you opinions on which is best for the class. He sells vortex and a number of others as well. He's been excellent to me and always given me good info.

Good Luck

Skeeter, I certainly respect your thoughts, I think you know that!! (grin) But for grins here's a page done on the Bowsite discussing different Optics including the Swarovski ELs, Razors& the Leicas & others. See what others viewpoints are on these! Let's get an overall view this way & see what you guys think? Of course everyone is entitled to their opinions & that's great, it is America!! (grin)
http://forums.bowsite.com/tf/bgforums/thread.cfm?forum=5&threadid=348063&MESSAGE S=29&FF=5

ElkNut1